fracking pennsylvania water toxics pollution
big stock photo

A Pennsylvania community wins a reprieve on toxic fracking wastewater

Inside Climate Newsreporter Jon Hurdle writes that the decision by PGE to plug a well in a township of fewer than 700 residents rather than inject it with wastewater suggests that fighting the oil and gas industry may not be as futile as some would argue.


In a nutshell:

Pennsylvania General Energy has announced plans to plug an old natural gas well in Grant Township, Pennsylvania instead of converting it to hold wastewater from fracking operations, due to a geological problem that could result in natural gas leaking into underground water sources. The move comes after a decade-long legal battle between PGE, the state, and the town, where the town's assertion of local authority to control oil and gas development through a home-rule charter was deemed unconstitutional. The decision to plug the well is seen as a victory for the community and highlights the potential success of local resistance against the oil and gas industry.

Key quote:

“Did Grant Township know? No, they don’t have experts, scientists, geologists but they knew that this was a bad idea, and that this would potentially contaminate their water supply,” community organizer Chad Nicholson said. “Now we have the proof that this was a leaking well with stuff that could get into the water table.”

Big picture:

PGE's move comes after concerns were raised about the possibility of toxic fracking chemicals contaminating the town's drinking water. This victory for the community may serve as an example to other towns fighting against the oil and gas industry, demonstrating that local opposition can yield positive outcomes and protect the environment.

Read more about this community's fracking victory at Inside Climate News.

To learn more about the dangers of fracking, check out EHN's Fractured: the Body Burden of Living Near Fracking series.

Demonstrators hold signs supporting science on a rainy day, with the US Capitol building in background.
Credit: Adam Fagen/Flickr

Trump’s science attacks trigger urgent warning from leading researchers

In an extraordinary move, nearly 2,000 top U.S. scientists are sounding the alarm about what they say is a deliberate campaign to dismantle science under the Trump administration.

Jessica Glenza reports for The Guardian.

Keep reading...Show less
Senator Whitehouse & climate change

Senator Whitehouse puts climate change on budget committee’s agenda

For more than a decade, Senator Sheldon Whitehouse gave daily warnings about the mounting threat of climate change. Now he has a powerful new perch.
Aerial view of rows of solar panels lined up on a green field.

Trump administration considers major cuts to clean energy programs, drawing bipartisan pushback

Lawmakers from both parties are pressing the U.S. Department of Energy to preserve billions in clean energy investments after draft lists of possible project cuts began circulating on Capitol Hill.

James Bikales, Josh Siegel, Kelsey Tamborrino and Ben Lefebvre report for POLITICO.

Keep reading...Show less
Closeup of the FEMA webpage.

FEMA freezes $10 billion in disaster aid for nonprofits amid immigration review

The Federal Emergency Management Agency has halted $10 billion in disaster aid for nonprofits while reviewing whether the funds comply with President Trump’s executive order targeting undocumented migrants.

Thomas Frank reports for E&E News.

Keep reading...Show less
Power station smokestacks with pollution billowing from the top.

Zeldin shifts EPA toward deregulation and fossil fuel industry allies

Lee Zeldin, once a climate-conscious Republican from New York, is now steering the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to roll back regulations, slash staff, and align with Trump and Elon Musk’s deregulatory vision.

Lisa Friedman reports for The New York Times.

Keep reading...Show less
Person sitting with hands clasped over open bible.

Faith leaders challenge EPA's climate stance amid deregulatory push

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency administrator Lee Zeldin’s remarks dismissing climate action as “religion” have sparked backlash from Jewish and Christian leaders, who argue for stronger environmental protections rooted in faith-based values.

James Bruggers reports for Inside Climate News.

Keep reading...Show less
Young girl leaning on wall during daytime.

Climate disasters disrupt education for Black children, deepening inequities

Black students in the U.S. face growing educational setbacks as climate-driven disasters like wildfires and hurricanes destroy schools, displace families, and exacerbate systemic inequalities.

Adam Mahoney reports for Capital B News.

Keep reading...Show less
A steel bridge over a dry rocky gully with scrubby trees in foreground.

New Mexico moves to protect workers from extreme heat with proposed rules

Officials in New Mexico are advancing new workplace safety rules that would require employers to protect workers from heat-related illnesses as temperatures continue to rise.

Danielle Prokop reports for Source New Mexico.

Keep reading...Show less
From our Newsroom
silhouette of people holding hands by a lake at sunset

An open letter from EPA staff to the American public

“We cannot stand by and allow this to happen. We need to hold this administration accountable.”

wildfire retardants being sprayed by plane

New evidence links heavy metal pollution with wildfire retardants

“The chemical black box” that blankets wildfire-impacted areas is increasingly under scrutiny.

People  sitting in an outdoors table working on a big sign.

Op-ed: Why funding for the environmental justice movement must be anti-racist

We must prioritize minority-serving institutions, BIPOC-led organizations and researchers to lead environmental justice efforts.

joe biden

Biden finalizes long-awaited hydrogen tax credits ahead of Trump presidency

Responses to the new rules have been mixed, and environmental advocates worry that Trump could undermine them.

Op-ed: Toxic prisons teach us that environmental justice needs abolition

Op-ed: Toxic prisons teach us that environmental justice needs abolition

Prisons, jails and detention centers are placed in locations where environmental hazards such as toxic landfills, floods and extreme heat are the norm.

Agents of Change in Environmental Justice logo

LISTEN: Reflections on the first five years of the Agents of Change program

The leadership team talks about what they’ve learned — and what lies ahead.

Stay informed: sign up for The Daily Climate newsletter
Top news on climate impacts, solutions, politics, drivers. Delivered to your inbox week days.