FRACKING
Hydraulic Fracturing, also known as “fracking“, is the process of pumping millions of gallons of fracturing fluid – composed of water, sand, and chemicals -up to 10,000 feet underground to break apart rock and release natural gas or oil. This controversial process is currently used in nine out of the 10 natural gas wells in the United States today. 
The controversy is that scientists worry that the chemicals used in fracturing may pose a threat underground or when waste fluids are handled and sometimes spilled on the surface. This short video best explains the Fracking Process.
Pros: Hydraulic fracturing produces around 300,000 barrels of natural gas a day. Using natural gas to heat our homes and power our cars releases far fewer carbon emissions than coal. Fracking has made natural gas cheaper than coal.Natural gas is also an important chemical used in the production of plastics and other chemicals, which can be used in production of many products from tupperware to medicine. Since US natural gas is cheaper, the low prices make US chemical producers cost-competitive compared to foreign competitors. This process also created 133,000 jobs in the US.
Cons: While Fracking has become economically profitable for the U.S., the process poses threats to the environment. Fracking uses 1-8 million gallons of water throughout the process. The fracturing fluid itself contains approximately 40,000 gallons of chemicals, many of which are carcinogens and toxins including lead, uranium, mercury, and hydrochloric acid. Of this fracturing fluid, only 30%-50% is recovered from underground; the rest remains and is not biodegradable. The process has also affected drinking water in locations of natural wells across the country. This website is not only extremely informational about the potential environmental risks of tracking, but it also is interactive: Dangers of Fracking
Resources:
1. http://www.propublica.org/special/hydraulic-fracturing-national
2. http://www.dangersoffracking.com/
3. http://nypost.com/2014/05/30/gas-fracking-boosts-us-economy-energy-independence-study/
4. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VY34PQUiwOQ