Since the Industrial Revolution occurred in the latter parts of the 18th century, energy industries have been in constant stride of achieving a sustainable, but not necessarily safe source of energy, stirring both issues and controversy amongst individuals from both sides of the spectrum. “A new technology for natural gas extraction has created substantial excitement and has brought intense controversy since its introduction in the late 1990’s. It is called High-Volume Horizontal Hydraulic Fracturing, or Fracking” (Freeman). Hydraulic fracturing is the process of forcing large amounts of fracturing fluid, along with high amounts of air pressure down the fracturing well in order to erode additional fractures in the sedimentary rock region of the earth; allowing for the extraction of methane gases deemed inaccessible before. Fracturing fluid consists of huge amounts of fresh drinking water mixed with sand and toxic chemical additives which are by law not disclosed to society. The fracturing process also allows for lethal gases released from the fracturing fluid to enter our atmosphere and our fresh water supplies, causing significant problems to the earth and all its inhabitants. Many critics from the opposition are deeply concerned over the contamination of natural water sources and amassing pollution caused by hydraulic fracturing. However, supporters argue that fracturing is the future of the energy industry, and that it will allow for America to be self-dependent of foreign fossil fuels in the future, and achieve self-sustainability on our own fossil fuels. Supporters also argue that the scientific research conducted against the fracturing industry is inaccurate. So who are we to believe? A vital resource on earth that is essential to all life is being negatively impacted by fracking; water. However, the supporters of hydraulic fracturing argue that drinking water is unlikely to be contaminated by fracturing primarily since many state regulators require a strict well construction before any actual drilling is allowed to be performed. Hydraulic fracturing occurs well over 8,000 feet underground and the possibility of the fracturing fluid eroding to the surface waters or into the drinking water supply lines is a slim possibility. On the other hand, the growing number of opposition towards hydraulic fracturing asserts that the gas drilling industry provides a variety of environmental and resource concerns. “New York state's review of oil and natural gas drilling regulations in 1988 assumed that companies would use between 20,000 and 80,000 gallons of fluid for hydraulic fracturing per well. The state's 2011 review of regulations for natural gas drilling in shale formations assumed that companies would use 2.4 million to 7.8 million gallons of fluid per well-a 100-fold increase” (Horwitt). Many environmentalists argue that over-excessive use of