新西兰英语 713 Fracking

 　　What is fracking? It is a way of getting gas or oil from inside rock, deep underground. Mining companies break the rock using water.

　　This week, the Commissioner¹ for the Environment gave a report on fracking in New Zealand. She said that the mining companies which are doing this at the moment in New Zealand are doing it carefully. It is one way for New Zealand to produce more gas and oil to help the economy. New Zealand has some gas and oil, which is produced by drilling, but not a lot.

　　However, overseas, there have been problems with drinking water tasting of chemicals after fracking. Another worry is that fracking could cause small earthquakes. The Commissioner said that for this reason, it was probably not a good idea to use fracking where there are fault lines. She said that councils² in each region³ should decide if they want to give permission for fracking.

　　She will write another report next year which gives rules for mining companies to follow in the future.

　　Vocabulary

　　?fracking – hydraulic⁴ (using water) fracturing⁵ (breaking, making cracks in the rock)

　　?Commissioner for the Environment – the job of a commissioner for the environment is to research an environmental problem and advise the government

　　?drilling – a drill reaches an oil well and brings up the oil

　　?fault lines – where earthquakes can occur

　　?region – large area like a province

1 commissioner   

n.（政府厅、局、处等部门）专员，长官，委员

参考例句：

• The commissioner has issued a warrant for her arrest.专员发出了对她的逮捕令。
• He was tapped for police commissioner.他被任命为警务处长。

2 councils   

n.委员会( council的名词复数 )；（郡、镇等）政务会；（尤指旧时讨论特定步骤的）协商会议；市政（或地方管理）服务机构

参考例句：

• It is one of the most notoriously corrupt city councils. 那是贪污腐败最为臭名昭著的市参议会之一。 来自辞典例句
• Local councils should use their powers to ensure strict observance of laws. 地方政务委员会应当行使权力以保证人们严格遵守法律。 来自辞典例句

3 region   

n.地区，地带，区域；范围，幅度

参考例句：

• The students went to study the geology of that region.学生们去研究那个地区的地质情况。
• It is unusual to see snow in this region.这个地区难得见到雪。

4 hydraulic   

adj.水力的；水压的，液压的；水力学的

参考例句：

• The boat has no fewer than five hydraulic pumps.这艘船配有不少于5个液压泵。
• A group of apprentics were operating the hydraulic press.一群学徒正在开动水压机。

5 fracturing   

破裂； 碎裂； 龟裂； （水力）压裂

参考例句：

• Macroscopic deviations from isotropy occur due to bedding, schistosity and also sometimes fracturing. 与各向同性相差很大的情况往往产生于层理，片理，某些时候则由于断裂所造成。
• Therefore, CNOOC's proposed drilling fracturing with reasonable sanding recovery method. 为此，中海油提出了钻井压裂适度出砂的开采方式。