1-2012+Debate+Negative

'Ello, it is Evan. This is my speech for the negative side of the January 2012 debate topic (Hydraulic Fracturing). If you see any blatant logical fallacies, please tell me. Otherwise, I am fairly satisfied with how it turned out (though it is somewhat shorter than my last one).

In today’s debate, my partner and I strongly support the resolution that hydraulic fracturing causes more help than harm and should be continued instead of banned. For future reference: -Hydraulic fracturing is a process that involves drilling a hole up to 10,000 feet deep into the earth, angling it horizontally, and pumping water, sand, and chemicals into it at high pressures in order to extract natural gas. Clearly, despite some environmental issues, the hydraulic fracturing process helps our country in a multitude of ways, and therefore deserves to be continued. This is why my partner and I urge a negative ballot.
 * Contention One:** Hydraulic fracturing provides a reliable source of energy for the United States.
 * Subpoint A:** The hydraulic fracturing process provides a large amount of natural gas very quickly and consistently. The US Department of Energy estimates that our country’s natural gas resources have increased by a nearly 65% increment due to fracturing. Additionally, accord to eia.gov, estimates by the US Department of Energy put the amount of recovered shale gas, the gas commonly extracted in the fracturing process, at around 1.8 trillion barrels. Clearly, hydraulic fracturing has given us a consistent and dependable source of natural gas resources.
 * Subpoint B:** Due to the aforementioned production of natural gas resources attributed to the hydraulic fracturing process, our country is becoming more energy independent. That is, we have to rely far less on foreign imports, and can support our own energy needs more effectively. According to treehugger.com, the fact that fracturing takes place entirely on our soil gives it a strong potential to cause a significant drop in our dependence on foreign energy. This is crucial. Being energy independent will lead to a stronger economy and less reliance on countries that could potentially be unreliable.
 * Contention Two:** The spoils of hydraulic fracturing help to bolster our economy.
 * Subpoint A:** The influx of natural gas resources produced b the process of hydraulic fracturing can help to improve our economy in a multitude of ways. I have already mentioned the manner in which it improves our energy independence. Less foreign imports means a stronger economy. According to eia.gov, our imports of natural gas are already decreasing at a reasonably steady rate, while our exports of the substance are rising. This means that as a country we can spend less on natural gas and earn more off it, therefore improving our economy and standing. Also, according to huffingtonpost.com, the gas industry accounts for around 385 billion dollars in direct economic activity in the US, meaning any improvements in the area will be substantial ones.
 * Contention Three:** Hydraulic fracturing creates jobs.
 * Subpoint A:** Along with all the benefits listed above, the hydraulic fracturing process helps our country in another way: jobs. According to a figure by treehugger.com, the fracturing industry creates approximately 1.2 million jobs in our country. With unemployment rates particularly high in these difficult economic times, this is a breath of fresh air. More jobs means, along with the obvious decrease in unemployment, a likely fall in the amount of poverty in our country, which is certainly a good thing.