The Fracking Debate

A deft, fair analysis that clarifies the issues for both the general public and concerned policymakers.

Matthew Lepore, director, Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission:
The Fracking Debate is the most user-friendly resource on the key policy questions around hydraulic fracturing I have come across. Raimi tackles all of the hot-button topics surrounding fracking—including whether fracking contaminates water or contributes to climate change—concisely and in plain language easily accessible to lay persons. The Fracking Debate belongs on the bookshelf of every local elected official and state legislator who is grappling with hydraulic fracturing.

Mark S. Brownstein, Environmental Defense Fund:
Depending on who’s saying it, ‘fracking’ signifies either a blessing or curse. In truth, it’s both. Raimi methodically explores the risks and rewards of a technical revolution that has made the United States the largest producer of oil and gas in the world once again. A thoughtful and accessible look at a highly contentious and generally misunderstood subject.

Hannah Wiseman, Florida State University College of Law:
Raimi’s book offers the most balanced, honest, and comprehensive account of fracking available, telling the story from all sides. Readers will appreciate the personal accounts from Raimi’s travels to far-flung oil fields coupled with in-depth yet accessible analysis of the science, regulations, and politics of the U.S. oil and gas boom.

Richard Newell, president and CEO, Resources for the Future:
The Fracking Debate cuts through the thicket of questions and viewpoints surrounding the shale revolution with balanced evidence and insight delivered through engaging stories. It’s a refreshing ride—refreshing because you get the clear sense you are learning with the author as he seeks the truth about the shale boom.

Thomas B. Murphy, director, Penn State Marcellus Center for Outreach and Research:
In this fair and unbiased book, filled with firsthand accounts and written in a gritty style appropriate for the topic at hand, Raimi explores the technology, the regulation, and the socioeconomic outcomes of shale energy development. Holistic in its range and robust in its depth, The Fracking Debate provides a nuanced but accessible understanding of the shale revolution.