The Politics of Natural Gas Production In 2010, about 25 percent of the nation's energy came from natural gas, a "fossil fuel" that American consumers and businesses rely on they depend heavily on transportation, lighting, and heat (Squire 6). As the U.S. population grows, so does the country's energy needs. The political debate over how the United States can meet those needs has remained slow for several decades, intensifying exponentially when energy supplies become scarce. Controversies over how clean natural gas is, compared to coal, dominate headlines and presidential campaigns. During the presidency of George W. Bush, a bill was passed that exempted oil and gas companies from federal environmental restrictions, thus paving the way for natural gas companies to expand production across the nation using new technology drilling, allowing easier extraction of shale gas. The drilling process of hydraulic fracturing or “fracking” has become synonymous with controversy. Why? Fracking involves injecting dangerously toxic chemicals, mixed with large quantities of water and sand, into wells at very high pressure, to release natural gas. Promoted by the natural gas industry as a cleaner, safer alternative to coal, the fracking process has made shale gas abundant, which to some Americans seems like the best answer to their energy prayers. However, the negative consequences associated with extracting natural gas through fracking, including environmental risks and threats to public health, far outweigh the benefits. Natural gas drilling can cause water contamination. In his Oscar-nominated documentary Gasland, director Josh Fox conducted interviews with families in Pennsylvania, Colorado and Wyoming whose drinking water... the focus of the paper... Premier. Network. November 25, 2013.Rao, Vikram. Shale Gas: the promise and the danger. Research Triangle Park, NC: RTI, 2012. Print."Researchers Take a Look at the Health Effects of 'Fracking.'." Nation's Health 42.2 (2012): 14. Premier academic research. Network. November 26, 2013.Roth, Sammy. “Why go beyond natural gas.” Sierra Club. Sierra Club, August 15, 2013. Web. November 25, 2013. Squire, Ann. Hydrofracking: The Process That Changed America's Energy Needs. New York: Scholastic, 2013. Print.United States. Environmental Protection Agency. Methane and nitrous oxide emissions from natural sciences. Washington: Office of Atmospheric Programs, April 2010. Web. November 27, 2013. Weeks, Jennifer. "Energy Policy". CQ Researcher May 20, 2011: 457-80. Network. November 16, 2013.Wilber, Tom. Below the surface: fracking, fortunes and the fate of the Marcellus Shale. Ithaca: Cornell UP, 2012. Print.