1. What is the U.S. Geological Survey?

2. What is the Wolfcamp Shale geologic formation? Be specific.

3. How does Wolfcamp Shale compare to the amount of shale oil found in the Bakken and Three Forks formations in the Dakotas and Montana?

4. What is shale oil?

5. What method is used to recover (extract) shale oil?

6. Why has it taken years for the Wolfcamp Shale formation to be recognized?

7. Re-read para. 13-14. List the various benefits the Wolfcamp Shale will provide to people in the area as well as to Americans in general.

8. What is the significance of the Geological Survey’s assessment of the Wolfcamp Shale?

9. What factors will determine how quickly oil is extracted form the Wolfcamp Shale?

10. This is an important issue for all Americans to understand.

President Obama and other liberal Democrats oppose fracking because of environmental concerns. They believe the environment will be harmed by fracking, as well as the use of fossil fuels (oil, gas, coal) to heat our homes, power our cars and provide electricity. They support “renewable energy” (solar, wind, water) only.

Conservatives and most Republicans say studies show that fracking and the use fossil fuels do not harm our environment, They believe providing affordable fuel and power for all Americans is important; also, renewable energy can only provide a very small amount of our energy needs.

a) Watch the video on fracking under “Resources” below. What do you think? Do the benefits outweigh the concerns? Are the concerns reasonable?
b) Ask a parent to read this article and the information about fracking. Does he/she support fracking in the U.S.? Why or why not?