What is fracking?
Fracking was pioneered in Texas in the 1990’s this process allows millions of gallons of water which is loaded with sand and chemicals thousands of feet into the earth at an intensely high pressure. This high pressure allows layers of the earth to break apart to shale pockets of oil and natural gasses to be release and be brought to the surface. No state has more hydraulic fracking than Texas, and the impact on public health, environment, and property values can be costly. Many fracking companies are using harsh chemicals, but refuse to acknowledge there harm. Fracking is done near residential areas in some cases near San Antonio and Dallas. This is a major concern because many companies do horizontal fracking which can be done beneath houses. Reports show that the areas that fracking takes place have bad air quality and have had reports of contaminated water.
https://www.cleanwateraction.org/features/introduction-fracking-texas
The process of building a wind turbine in Texas
The Texas Legislature have put tough tariffs on wind turbine material, but that hasn’t stopped the boom in wind energy in Texas. Once the turbine is up it is a continuous way of getting clean energy. One of the only negative draw to wind turbines are the chance of birds migrating getting capitated by the blade. Wind energy also provided 14.8 percent of all in-state electricity production, this is roughly the equivalent of 6.2 million homes were powered by wind in 2017, according to the American Wind Energy Association.
“Wind power has become an invaluable tool in the rural economic development space in Texas,” said Scott Dunaway, of Powering Texas, a wind energy advocate coalition that started in December.
Find out more about the potential of wind energy in Texas:
Texas and energy
Texas has been known for its petroleum and crude oil that it produces for the nation. Texas is such a big state that it’s easy to spread out and drill oil, but when oil companies start fracking near homes where families are living this creates a major problem. Wind energy powered 1/6 of Texas last year most of the wind turbines collecting the energy is out west or near the coast. Wind energy is a great alternative for all Texans because of all the major benefits of having clean air.
How you can help!
We need stronger regulations to the hydraulic fracturing industry in Texas, but more importantly we need more wind turbines for clean energy. You can help by writing to your Texas representative and senator and demand that tariffs be lifted or lessened for turbine material.
