The EPA has found that fracking doesn't pose a consistent threat to groundwater or to drinking water supplies. If it's not done well, flaws in the setup can definitely lead to problems, but if the hole is built properly and if produced water is treated safely, it should not pose a threat.
Sure, there is risk, as with most other sources of energy, but if we accept the risk then we have access to a lot of cheap power that is less carbon-intensive than coal. Another analysis of the report, on Forbes.com, notes that both pro- and anti-fracking camps have found information in the report that they can use.
On the other hand, one of the few sources of energy with even less risk recently got a big boost in Africa. Music icon Akon is promoting solar energy with significant financial backing, and he hopes to reach hundreds of millions of people. That would sure be great! We'll see how it goes....
