PE Magazine, April 2010, Concepts: ‘Fracing,’ PEs, and Advocacy
July 29, 2011
PE Magazine, April 2010, Concepts: ‘Fracing,’ PEs, and Advocacy.
‘Fracing,’ PEs, and Advocacy
BY ANTHONY R. INGRAFFEA, P.E.
Kathy Caldwell, president of the American Society of Civil Engineers, wrote recently, “The profession of civil engineering involves more than engineering practice. It also involves, in part, thoughtful consideration of issues affecting the health and safety of the public.” This assertion is consistent with the NSPE Code of Ethics’ first canon: to “hold paramount the safety, health, and welfare of the public.” These statements are coming into play in many areas of the country where a major engineering project is underway—unconventional natural gas development from shale formations using high-volume hydraulic fracturing, or “fracing.”
A recent poll by the Civil Society Institute found that 45% of Americans are already very or somewhat aware of controversies about fracing. For some professional engineers, “thoughtful consideration” of this issue might evolve into advocacy.
GDACC 
