Following Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn’s call for a ban on fracking in the UK, we asked EngineeringPro readers whether they agreed or whether they believed fracking activities should be allowed to continue.
The results showed that more than half of engineering professionals are in favour of fracking.
55.56% of EngineeringPro readers said “Yes, fracking should be allowed to continue.” The 11.11% whose responses are classed as “Other” - offered as an opportunity for respondents to further elaborate on their views - can also in fact be grouped with these, since the comments reveal each of these was also in favour of fracking.
One comment left in the poll highlights this overwhelmingly frack-positive viewpoint, while taking aim at those who haven’t taken the time to research this process:
“Why not? Everyone has this misconstrued information about to the whole Fracking thing. If you don't know anything about "Down Hole" operations. Keep your opinions to yourself. Gosh Darn Tree Huggers.”
However, LinkedIn commenter Richard Crosby demonstrated his own research when providing an alternative opinion:
“It should be banned, just read the Material Safety Data sheet for Fracturing Oil! Not to mention the damage caused to Ground Water.”
Richard’s view represents the 33.33% of respondents who voted “No” in our poll, suggesting that they agree with Corbyn’s call for fracking to be banned.
The activity then is still a controversial one among engineering circles, though it is clear that the majority are in favour of fracking continuing. The final word goes to a man with actual experience in the industry, LinkedIn commenter Dave Aiton:
“100% yes.
My 1st acid, gell and sand frack job was in 1979 for Dorset water authority to increase domestic water flow.
Was perfectly safe way back then to frack water reservoirs for drinking water and absolutely nothing has changed since then to indicate otherwise.”
(Image via Cuadrilla)
What do you think?
Do you agree with the findings of our poll? Do you have a response to our leading commenters? Have your say on the future of fracking by leaving a comment below. The best comments may be featured in this week’s EngineeringPro newsletter.
This week’s EngineeringPro poll will be published later today.