Executive summary -- Introduction: The policy challenge -- The controversy over hydraulic fracturing -- The rationale for and benefits of hydraulic fracturing -- The major risks of hydraulic fracturing -- Managing the risks of hydraulic fracturing -- Conclusion -- References
Summary
This study will examine the economic potential offered by the development of Canada's unconventional energy resources via hydraulic fracturing, and will examine some of the claims made against such technology involving air pollution, water pollution, greenhouse gas emissions, seismic instability, and exposure to chemicals used in the process of hydraulic fracturing. This is by no means a comprehensive list, others have proposed a diverse raft of risks, some concrete such as ecosystem fragmentation, but many that relate to subjective issues of social welfare, social justice, generational equity and so forth
