LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Vice President Kamala Harris said she would not ban fracking during Tuesday's presidential debate, but what is it and what are its effects on the Commonwealth of Kentucky?
In 2019 during a CNN town hall, Harris said she would ban fracking while campaigning for the Democratic nomination in the 2020 presidential primary.
However, during an October 2020 interview on The View in 2020 Harris said she would not ban fracking.
Tuesday night, during the presidential debate with former President Donald Trump in Philadelphia, she reiterated that she would not ban fracking.
Meanwhile, Donald Trump said Harris and Biden’s polices would help China and said he would put tariffs on electric vehicles and others products made in China. Biden has raised tariffs on EVs from China.
Trump did not address he previous comments on climate denialism or moves he made to roll back environmental regulations while in office.
Throughout his bid for reelection, Trump has been vocal about his plans to double down on reliance on fossil fuels and reverse federal climate action.
What is Fracking:
Hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, is a method used to extract natural gas and oil from deep rock formations known as shale, according to the National Institute of Environmental Health and Sciences.
Fracking involves forcing water, sand and a mix of chemicals into horizontally drilled wells, causing the shale to crack and release natural gas or oil.
There are researchers and environmental activist who are concerned about the health risks associated with the practice.
The Environmental Protection Agency found scientific evidence of hydraulic fracking activities affecting drinking water resources under some circumstances. The extent of water contamination from these sources is currently unknown.
There may also be threats to soil and air quality as a result of fracking.
However, there are regulations such as The Federal Safe Drinking Water Act which prohibits discharge of the fluids collected during flowback.
According to research from the Kentucky Geological Survey, wastewater must be treated, recycled or injected underground in wells that comply with U.S. EPA Underground Injection Control Class II regulations.
Fracking can bring jobs to a community but it can also bring lots of noise, traffic disturbances, pollution and more.
Effects on Kentucky?
Kentucky produces a lot of natural gas.
Fracking was first used in the state in 1953, according to a survey done by the University of Kentucky.
They say in 2015, the shale resource accounted for more than 75% of the 192 billion cubic feet of combined natural gas and associated liquids produced in Kentucky.
In Kentucky, fracking is regulated.
High-volume hydraulic fracture stimulation is defined by state law as any treatment that uses more than 80,000 gallons of fluid in any stage or exceeds 320,000 gallons for all stages.
Regulations require advance notification to the surface owner, baseline water quality testing, post-HVHF water monitoring and public disclosure of the chemicals used at FracFocus.org.
Also, most drinking-water wells in Kentucky are less than about 500 feet deep. Kentucky’s shale gas reservoir is typically deeper than 2,000 feet.
The Kentucky Geological Survey says the rocks between freshwater sources and gas shale often contain oil or brine or are reservoir seals that prevent migration of natural gas, nitrogen or foam upward into water sources.
For an interactive map of all oil and natural gas wells in the state as of May 2017, you can go to the Kentucky Geological Survey website.
Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear has largely avoided speaking explicitly about climate change in public remarks and favors what his administration calls a "balanced" approach to energy -- using a mix of fossil fuels and renewables.
That's according to reports from ABC when Beshear was in the running for Vice President Kamala Harris' running mate.
Some reports have speculated that Beshear's energy strategy and his mixed record on environmental issues may be a response to Kentucky's position as one of the largest coal-producing and coal-burning states in the nation and being a Democratic governor in a largely Republican state.
Beshear says Kentucky becoming "the electric vehicle battery capital of the United States" is one of his "signature accomplishments" as governor.
He also signed legislation that made $30 million in state funding available for a new natural gas pipeline in the western portion of the state in 2022, calling the project a boon for economic development in the region.