The Issue
Fracking
EWG’s investigations highlight the inherent risks of the current boom in drilling and hydraulic fracturing operations and empower citizens and lawmakers to work for better regulation.
Sign Up
The Latest on Fracking
The Obama administration panel named May 5 to study hydraulic fracturing, a natural gas drilling technique that injects thousands of gallons of chemical-laced water into the ground, is dominated by oil and gas industry professionals.
Read More
April was a busy month for the natural gas industry in Pennsylvania, especially for one company in particular - Chesapeake Energy Corporation. And that's saying a lot for one of the country's most active natural gas drilling companies.
Read MoreThe Fracturing Responsibility and Awareness of Chemicals Act, first introduced in 2009 and dropped in the hopper Tuesday (March 15) by Reps. Diana DeGette (D-Colo.), Jared Polis (D-Colo.) and Maurice Hinchey (D-N.Y.) and Senator Bob Casey (D- Pa.), would require oil and gas drillers to obtain a permit under the federal Safe Drinking Water Act before they engage in the controversial practice of hydraulic fracturing.
Read More
The boom in natural gas drilling across the United States has spawned well-warranted fears that the fluids and chemicals used to free the gas from surrounding rock could pose a risk to drinking water supplies that tens of millions depend on.
Read More
On a recent episode of Jon Stewart's "The Daily Show," Texas oil and gas executive T. Boone Pickens proudly declared, "I have fracked 3,000 wells in my life. I have never seen anything damaged."
Read MoreThe Environmental Working Group (EWG) commends the important investigation of hydraulic fracturing released today (Jan. 31) by U.S. Reps. Henry A. Waxman (D-Calif.), Edward J. Markey (D-Mass) and Diana DeGette (D-Colo.). Their disturbing findings show that 1) oil and natural gas drilling companies injected more than 32 million gallons of diesel fuel or fluids containing diesel fuel in hydraulically fractured wells in 19 states between 2005 and 2009; and 2) no state and federal regulators have issued the required permits for this use of diesel fuel, an apparent violation of the Safe Drinking Water Act.
Read MoreWhether it’s from flood, fire or a tornado, there are few more devastating events than losing a home. But it’s hard to equal the shock of having your house suddenly just blow up.
Read MoreFor a while there, it was just environmental watchdogs like EWG and film makers like Josh Fox (Gasland) and Debra Anderson (Split Estate) talking about the environmental consequences of hydraulic fracturing (aka "fracking") to extract natural gas from deep shale deposits.
Read MoreWASHINGTON – August 5, 2010. More than 25 conservation and community organizations from across the United States asked the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and a congressional committee to investigate whether natural gas and oil companies broke the law by injecting diesel fuel underground in a controversial process known as hydraulic fracturing.
Read MoreHopes for comprehensive legislation to combat climate pollution evaporated Thursday (July 22) after months of wrangling in the Senate. In its place Senate leaders are proposing what is being billed as an “oil-spill only” bill with a few added energy provisions.
Read More
Post Gasland premiere screening Q and A with director Josh Fox at the 2010 Sundance Film Festival. Part 1 of 2.
Read MorePost Gasland premiere screening Q and A with director Josh Fox at the 2010 Sundance Film Festival. Part 2 of 2.
Read MoreWASHINGTON, June 18 -- Film director Josh Fox grew up in rural Pennsylvania on the Delaware River, which sits above the natural gas-rich Marcellus shale formation deep underground.
Read More"Everywhere I went, it was the same story: water trouble, health problems, hazardous explosive conditions - inside the house."
Read MoreJosh Fox, director and star of the award-winning new documentary film Gasland, goes on PBS's Now to highlight the threat that natural gas extraction brings to human health and the environment. Fox was inspired to tell this timely story when natural gas drilling came knocking on his door in the Catskills/Poconos region of Upstate New York and Pennsylvania.
Read MoreFinally, our climate change champions in the U.S. Senate are defending the long-suffering natural gas industry from the latest round of ridiculously burdensome drinking water protections. From what we hear the Senate’s draft climate bill may call for no regulation of the industry under the Safe Drinking Water Act. It’s about time.
Read MoreIf you're in Washington DC tonight (March 16) and want to see a cracking good documentary film on the dangers of natural gas drilling, then head on over to the Carnegie Institution for Science for a free screening of Gasland at 7 pm. The showing is part of the Environmental Film Festival held annually in DC.
Read More
If your family got its water from your own well (and a lot of people do), what would you say to someone who wanted to pump a whole grab-bag of chemicals into the ground nearby, including some that are known to be toxic or to cause cancer? Just guessing here, but I suspect you’d send him on his way with a few choice words.
Read More
Pages
