So far on the blog, I have looked at mostly the attempts of eco-friendly companies to explore energy that is both better for the environment and more sustainable than traditional energy practices. While this is certainly a significant proportion of the energy exploration that is happening among companies, not all businesses are interested in new sources of energy that are environmentally friendly. Indeed, one company Halliburton, which already has a reputation as one of the less environmentally conscience companies, has recently experienced some trouble with the Department of Energy as it explores ventures which may be detrimental to the environment.
The EPA has subpoenaed Halliburton over its use of “hydraulic fracturing”. This is done by using large amounts of water to open up sources of gas to be extracted. While it may reveal previously inaccessible oil, detractors of this method claim that it may be harmful to drinking water. The EPA claims that many companies have been unhelpful providing information on this practice.
It seems as this practice is in contrast to the efforts of many companies to find more responsible methods of extracting energy from the earth. While studies have not been definitively completed to condemn the practice, the secretive nature of the companies in refusing to report to the EPA makes it seem as if there is at least something to hide about this new practice. Yet the companies can not be entirely held to blame, as the race to develop new methods for producing cheap energy have pushed many businesses into questionable practices. What is more important for the industry, pleasing the customer through cheap prices or preserving the world? Only time will tell.
http://online.wsj.com/article/BT-CO-20101109-715152.html
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