Methane (CH4) is a greenhouse gas 20 times more potent than carbon dioxide (CO2) over a 100 year period (http://epa.gov/climatechange/ghgemissions/gases/ch4.html).
The process of fracking for natural gas emits large, unregulated quantities of natural gas into the atmosphere, speeding the process of climate change.
Regulation of methane emissions from fracking sites will reduce threats to the environment. Further study into methane capture will lead to efficient methods of trapping CH4 for use as fuel, reducing the nation's dependence on non-renewable resources.