JSIS 495: Task Force - Winter 2014: Task Force E

Scott Montgomery TTh 1:30-3:20

Since 2005, a major oil “boom” has occurred in the U.S.  Based on new technology able to recover petroleum from shale, U.S. success brings massive implications for global petroleum supply and related geopolitics. There has thus been enormous global interest in the technology—multi-stage hydraulic fracturing, or “fracking”—which is only now being applied in other nations, notably China. Opposition to fracking from various groups is forcing the federal government to create a national policy for the technology. Findings on which this policy will be based—e.g. potential for groundwater contamination—will also have geopolitical impacts. To guide the U.S. in its effort, this task force will independently address key issues:  1) the status and predicted future of the oil boom and its role for U.S. energy security; 2) political/economic impacts on importing and exporting nations, if shale oil is widely developed; 3) environmental effects of fracking, objectively evaluated, and if  they can they be avoided; 4) consequences for climate change; and 5) whether the U.S. should seek, through its national policy, to set a standard for the rest of the world.

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Matt Parsons
Earth Sciences Librarian

parsonsm@uw.edu

Cass Hartnett
U.S. Documents Librarian

cass@uw.edu