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Hydraulic fracturing – also known as fracking – is the process of pumping water and chemicals underground to fracture rocks and release natural gas.

In the United States, there is a heated debate over the safety of these practices and whether they are hazardous to the environment and public health.

Activists say fracking is contaminating the ground water supply and reducing air quality. But fracking proponents, including US President Barack Obama, argue that increased natural gas exploration could reduce America’s dependence on oil while creating thousands of jobs.