Fracking in America - Fault Lines - Al Jazeera

With the US looking to ease its reliance on foreign oil, Fault Lines investigates the impact of natural gas extraction.

For years now, the United States has tried to lower its dependence on foreign oil for its energy needs.

With stability in the Middle East in question, drilling at home has never been more attractive. But it often comes at a cost. 

Natural gas extraction - fracking - is being touted as the answer. But questions are being asked about the process and its implications.

Energy independence. Two words that became very important in the U.S. politics. For years now, the United States has tried to lower its dependence on foreign oil for its energy needs.

With stability in the Middle East in question, drilling at home has never been more attractive, but it often comes at a cost.

Natural gas extraction - fracking - is being touted as the answer. The way fracking is taking place, there are questions being asked about the process and its implications.

People have been aware for decades that the rock formation known as the Marcellus Shale has natural gas trapped inside it. But it took professor Terry Engelder to figure out how much was there. And what he found shocked everyone.