It is possible that the newest measures will simultaneously curtail job growth in the industry and earthquakes. There are also disputes between different levels of government with respect to regulation, which is another issue that business needs to consider (Negro, 2012)
Further, if there are environmental risks, then the fracking industry may face sanction from the government. Indeed, earthquake activity has skyrocketed, and has been focused on specific counties where fracking activity is high, evidence that spurred regulations to curtail growth of fracking activities in the affected areas (Pantsios, 2015)
, 2010; EPA, 2010). Those opposed tend to focus on the potential effects on the environment and public health given the proximity of the neighboring communities to the sources of energy (Boudet, et al
How well these factors are managed, and their impact on the community is dependent on several factors. These factors include the time frame in question, the inherent characteristics of the area impacted, and such details as the nature of the population, and the area's history as far as extraction of fossil fuels is concerned (Brasier, et al
These records are due to the very strict standards and regulations that have been imposed on industry players. However, there are complaints in Alberta that they are unable to drink the water from their wells and the skin of their children is burned by the tap water (Fenton, 2013)
This process includes: the clearing of land where the wells are to be dug, construction of the transport infrastructure such as compressor stations and pipelines, processing of the extracted fossil fuels, water transportation, wastewater treatment, disposal of wastes, and bringing new populations to the community. Such activities have potential health, social, environmental, and economic impacts that come with fast growth in population as well as cycles of 'boom and bust' associated with the sector (Jacquet, 2009)
According to the council, the biggest threat happens to be gas leaks from the wells. For this problem, not even the current best practices offer a long-term solution (Kairos, 2015)
However, there are complaints in Alberta that they are unable to drink the water from their wells and the skin of their children is burned by the tap water (Fenton, 2013). Andrew Nikiforuk, a journalist, says that there are now so many complaints arising in the Alberta area among landowners that there are now complaint backlogs (Nikiforuk, 2013)
Some of the chemicals, for instance ethylene glycol, are poisonous, while other components are 'trade secrets'. The sand contained in the pressurized solution helps in cracking the rocks so that they release the gas (Schrope, 2012)
A lot of controversy has been generated by the increase in the sources of natural gas and oil obtained through the use of hydraulic fracturing. Those in support make the argument that fracking has the capacity to speed up growth in the economy, increase the energy supplies that can be sourced domestically, and help in transitioning to cleaner sources of energy (The Perryman Group, 2008; Considine, et al