For a highly technical drilling technique, the controversy over “fracking” for natural gas has gained a lot of traction. In the past week, a federal advisory panel called for tighter restrictions and disclosure on the process. Meanwhile, House Democrats are pushing for tighter rules on companies using the process to drill for natural gas, and environmental groups, backed by celebrities like Mark Ruffalo and Ethan Hawke, are trying to rally New Yorkers “to protect New York tap water from fracking.” Some groups have called on New York’s Governor Cuomo to ban the process in the state.
We’re not flacking for fracking here. There are good reasons to be careful, and frankly even if you’re in favor of it, you should regret the federal government’s 2005 decision to exempt the process from safe drinking water rules. That just made people more suspicious. The whole issue deserves a good, thorough vetting by disinterested scientists and engineers who can evaluate the risks and give the public a fair-minded report on how serious they are.
But the anti-fracking fervor does raise a broader question: Are Americans are ready to take accept any trade-offs at all when it comes to energy?
If the fracking controversy were the only energy uproar around, we wouldn’t be concerned, but in fact, you can find Americans protesting virtually every viable energy alternative out there. Consider:
- Wind power. Opposition has been strong against expansion of wind farms in CaliforniaGov. Jerry Brown has vowed to “crush” opponents
Solar power.opposed solar plants in San Luis Obispo and San Bernadino
Nuclear power. two-thirds of Americans also said they would oppose building a nuclear power plant withing 50 miles
The fairly minimal energy taxes we have now.opposing renewal of the 18.5 cent-per-gallon federal gas tax
And those are just the recent examples. As a nation, we’ve said no to a cap-and-trade plan. We’ve said no to offshore drilling. And while we’ve said “yes” to an upgraded energy grid, the money we’ve put behind it just isn’t enough to do the job.
In each case, of course, there’s a legitimate and reasonable debate to be had. Fracking has to be done safely, if we’re going to do it at all, since water is not normally supposed to be flammable. Wind farms aren’t pleasant neighbors. And it would be foolish not to re-evaluate nuclear power in light of Fukushima.
But if we add up all these “no” answers, the total comes to …well, nothing. If we keep on going like this, we’ll rule out nearly every option or idea for diversifying our energy supply. That will leave us right where we are today—massively dependent on fossil fuels that contribute to global warming and that are almost bound to grow more expensive as worldwide demand for them continues to increase.
There’s an old adage in the book publishing business that no one ever gets fired for saying “no,” and any writer who has ever gotten a rejection letter can always take a little comfort reading what some ever-so-smart editors had to say about Lord of the Flies (“an absurd and uninteresting fantasy which was rubbish and dull”) and The Wind in the Willows (“an irresponsible holiday story”).
There are risks to be being too quick to say no too. Sometimes, you reject something that has enormous potential given enough time. Sometimes you just back yourself into a corner where you’re not able to get out.
If you doubt that, just flip our concern about “no” around for a moment. Can you think of a new energy idea that’s an undisputed “yes?” And if it is, are we actually doing it?
Stopping a bad idea is important. But if you’re already living with a bad idea, one that’s likely to keep getting worse as time goes on, then what you really need is to get people to agree to try something else. On energy, anything we choose will have a downside. The question is whether it’s a downside we can live with, because we won’t be able to live with the status quo – at least not forever.
Go Further
Animals
- This ‘saber-toothed’ salmon wasn’t quite what we thoughtThis ‘saber-toothed’ salmon wasn’t quite what we thought
- Why this rhino-zebra friendship makes perfect senseWhy this rhino-zebra friendship makes perfect sense
- When did bioluminescence evolve? It’s older than we thought.When did bioluminescence evolve? It’s older than we thought.
- Soy, skim … spider. Are any of these technically milk?Soy, skim … spider. Are any of these technically milk?
- This pristine piece of the Amazon shows nature’s resilienceThis pristine piece of the Amazon shows nature’s resilience
Environment
- This pristine piece of the Amazon shows nature’s resilienceThis pristine piece of the Amazon shows nature’s resilience
- Listen to 30 years of climate change transformed into haunting musicListen to 30 years of climate change transformed into haunting music
- This ancient society tried to stop El Niño—with child sacrificeThis ancient society tried to stop El Niño—with child sacrifice
- U.S. plans to clean its drinking water. What does that mean?U.S. plans to clean its drinking water. What does that mean?
History & Culture
- Séances at the White House? Why these first ladies turned to the occultSéances at the White House? Why these first ladies turned to the occult
- Gambling is everywhere now. When is that a problem?Gambling is everywhere now. When is that a problem?
- Beauty is pain—at least it was in 17th-century SpainBeauty is pain—at least it was in 17th-century Spain
- The real spies who inspired ‘The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare’The real spies who inspired ‘The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare’
- Heard of Zoroastrianism? The religion still has fervent followersHeard of Zoroastrianism? The religion still has fervent followers
Science
- Here's how astronomers found one of the rarest phenomenons in spaceHere's how astronomers found one of the rarest phenomenons in space
- Not an extrovert or introvert? There’s a word for that.Not an extrovert or introvert? There’s a word for that.
- NASA has a plan to clean up space junk—but is going green enough?NASA has a plan to clean up space junk—but is going green enough?
- Soy, skim … spider. Are any of these technically milk?Soy, skim … spider. Are any of these technically milk?
- Can aspirin help protect against colorectal cancers?Can aspirin help protect against colorectal cancers?
Travel
- What it's like to hike the Camino del Mayab in MexicoWhat it's like to hike the Camino del Mayab in Mexico
- Follow in the footsteps of Robin Hood in Sherwood ForestFollow in the footsteps of Robin Hood in Sherwood Forest
- This chef is taking Indian cuisine in a bold new directionThis chef is taking Indian cuisine in a bold new direction
- On the path of Latin America's greatest wildlife migrationOn the path of Latin America's greatest wildlife migration
- Everything you need to know about Everglades National ParkEverything you need to know about Everglades National Park