Last updated on: 6/16/2016 1:52:02 PM PST
Should Fracking Be Allowed?
Pro (Yes)
Pro
"[T]he United States will promote the use of shale gas [the gas accessed by fracking]. Now I know that in some places it is controversial. But natural gas is the cleanest fossil fuel available for power generation today, and a number of countries in the Americas may have shale gas resources. If developed, shale gas could make an important contribution to our region’s energy supply, just as it does now for the United States. And the geologists at the U.S. Geological Survey are ready to work with partners to explore this potential. And we want to do it in a way that is as environmentally respectful as possible."
Source: Hillary Clinton, "Energy and Climate Partnership of the Americas (ECPA) Ministerial Remarks," state.gov, Apr. 15, 2010
[Editor's Note: Hillary Clinton qualified her views with additional comments regarding her support of fracking during the Mar. 6, 2016 Democratic debate in Flint, MI: "You know, I don't support it [fracking] when any locality or any state is against it, number one. I don't support it when the release of methane or contamination of water is present. I don't support it — number three — unless we can require that anybody who fracks has to tell us exactly what chemicals they are using.
So by the time we get through all of my conditions, I do not think there will be many places in America where fracking will continue to take place. And I think that's the best approach, because right now, there [are] places where fracking is going on that are not sufficiently regulated.
So first, we've got to regulate everything that is currently underway, and we have to have a system in place that prevents further fracking unless conditions like the ones that I just mentioned are met."]
Now Pro
"[Natalie Leppard:] In 2012 we have you saying you were going to keep an open mind about fracking. I'm curious if you think now that fracking should be allowed?
[Gary Johnson:] I have spoken to my former environmental secretary… I thought he was terrific… and what he says regarding fracking is that it's only 10% effective, that there are environmental concerns, and that he believes that more research needs to be done on fracking. Number one, it could become much more effective, meaning it could have a much higher yield. So it sounds very pragmatic to me, but that would be where I'm at."
Source: Phone Interview with ProCon.org, June 14, 2016
[Editor's Note: Johnson previously expressed a NOT CLEARLY PRO OR CON opinion on this question. Read Johnson's former position on fracking.]
Pro
"But they [Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders] want to absolutely knock out fracking. And you do that, you're going to be back into the Middle East and we're going to be begging for oil again. It's not going to happen. Not with me.
We're going to open it up. We're going to be energy independent. We're going to have all sorts of energy. We're going to have everything you can think of, including solar."
Source: Philip Bump, "There's a Lot to Unpack in Just One of Donald Trump's Answers about Energy Policy," washingtonpost.com, May 26, 2016
|
Con (No)
Con
"Fracking is a national threat to our water, our health, and our future. It's time to work for a national ban on fracking and a just transition to 100% clean renewable energy by 2030."
Source: Jill Stein, Twitter post, twitter.com, Feb. 19, 2016
|
|
FORMER CANDIDATES
(Candidates who have withdrawn or who no longer meet our criteria appear below in black and white and in alphabetical order.)
|
|
Con (No)
Con
"I want to applaud you [the people of New York] for standing up to Governor Cuomo and demanding that New York State ban fracking...
The growing body of evidence tells us that fracking is a danger to our water supply, our most precious resource. It is a danger to the air we breathe. It has resulted in more earthquakes. It is highly explosive. And it is contributing to climate change."
Source: Yamiche Alcindor, "Bernie Sanders Proposes Ban and Attacks Hillary Clinton on the Environment," nytimes.com, Apr. 11, 2016
|
None Found
Withdrew on Feb. 20, 2016; no additional research done as of that date to determine candidate's position on this question.
None Found
Withdrew on Mar. 4, 2016; no additional research done as of that date to determine candidate's position on this question.
None Found
Withdrew on Feb. 10, 2016; no additional research done as of that date to determine candidate's position on this question.
None Found
Withdrew on May 3, 2016; no additional research done as of that date to determine candidate's position on this question.
None Found
Withdrew on Feb. 10, 2016; no additional research done as of that date to determine candidate's position on this question.
None Found
Withdrew on Dec. 21, 2015; no additional research done as of that date to determine candidate's position on this question.
None Found
Withdrew on Feb. 1, 2016; no additional research done as of that date to determine candidate's position on this question.
None Found
Withdrew on May 4, 2016; no additional research done as of that date to determine candidate’s position on this question.
None Found
Withdrew on Feb. 1, 2016; no additional research done as of that date to determine candidate's position on this question.
None Found
Withdrew on Feb. 3, 2016; no additional research done as of that date to determine candidate's position on this question.
None Found
Withdrew on Mar. 15, 2016; no additional research done as of that date to determine candidate's position on this question.
|
|
|
RECOMMENDED to you...
|
|
1
|
|
2
|
|
3
|
|
4
|
|
5
|
|
6
|
|
7
|
|
8
|
|
9
|
|
10
|
|
11
|
|
12
|
|
|
|
CITE THIS PAGE
Who is the author?
|
|
SHARE
|
|
