fracking
Credit: Charles Henry/Flickr
Texas oil boom fuels prosperity but leaves a deadly toll on workers and roads
The Permian Basin, now responsible for nearly half of U.S. oil output, is booming again, but its workforce is paying a deadly price, with over 30 oil workers and hundreds of motorists killed annually.
Part one of a four-part series.
In short:
- Deregulation and political support for “energy dominance” have accelerated production, worsening road congestion and toxic workplace hazards while allowing companies to sidestep safety measures.
- Fracking truck drivers, working grueling shifts with little oversight, often exceed legal driving hours, leading to deadly accidents.
- Industry efforts to address safety focus more on infrastructure expansion than worker protections.
Key quote:
“With more drilling comes incidents in the oil field, which then we have to respond to — whether it be an oil rig exploded, or a tank battery is on fire, or there’s an accident somewhere.”
— Austin Harden, West Odessa volunteer fire chief
Why this matters:
Texas’ oil boom comes at a steep cost — worker exploitation, rising road fatalities, and overlooked health risks from exposure to toxic chemicals. While fossil fuel profits soar, communities are left to deal with the consequences, with first responders calling it a crisis of life and death.
Keep reading...Show less
Credit: VectorMine/BigStock Photo ID: 236596084
Innovation underground: Geothermal project breathes new life into former fracking sites
In the rolling landscapes of North Yorkshire, England, a remarkable transformation is underway. Once earmarked for fracking, several deep wells in Kirby Misperton are being repurposed to harness clean geothermal energy.
In short:
- Third Energy, now under CeraPhi Energy, plans to convert depleted gas wells in Kirby Misperton, North Yorkshire, into geothermal energy sources using closed-loop systems that harness underground heat without fracking.
- Local residents, initially fracking opponents, support the geothermal initiative, seeing it as a sustainable alternative that could provide heat to approximately 100 homes per well.
- Experts debate the project's feasibility; some express skepticism about the wells' capacity, while others believe it could set a precedent for similar projects across the UK.
Key quote:
"It certainly sounds ambitious but it doesn't sound impossible. And it's exactly the sort of thing we should be doing."
— Fleur Loveridge, underground energy specialist at the University of Leeds
Why this matters:
As the world seeks sustainable energy solutions, Kirby Misperton's endeavor exemplifies how communities might pivot from contentious fossil fuel practices to embrace cleaner alternatives.
Read more:
Keep reading...Show less
Credit: Brad Weaver/Unsplash
New Mexico lawmakers push to ban PFAS in fracking operations
Oil and gas companies in New Mexico are not required to disclose whether they use PFAS, a class of toxic chemicals, in fracking, but a new bill seeks to ban their use and increase transparency about other chemicals injected into the ground.
In short:
- House Bill 222 would prohibit PFAS in oil and gas extraction and require companies to disclose more information about fracking chemicals.
- Lawmakers delayed a vote on the bill to allow for revisions, while industry representatives argued it could undermine ongoing regulatory rulemaking.
- Advocates say a statutory ban is necessary to prevent future administrations from weakening regulations, pointing to past rollbacks on oil and gas waste disposal rules.
Key quote:
“We have a right to know fundamentally what chemicals are being put into the earth. We have a right to protect ourselves as well.”
— New Mexico State Senator Jeff Steinborn, (D-Las Cruces)
Why this matters:
PFAS, often called "forever chemicals," persist in the environment and have been linked to serious health risks, including cancer and immune system damage. Their presence in fracking fluids raises concerns about water contamination, particularly in regions already struggling with groundwater pollution. While oil and gas companies claim they do not use PFAS in New Mexico, the lack of mandatory disclosure leaves uncertainty. Similar bans in other states reflect growing recognition of the risks these chemicals pose to public health and the environment.
Read more:
Keep reading...Show less
Credit: Alexandru Nika/Big Stock Photo
Colombia halts oil deal with U.S. company over fracking concerns
Colombian President Gustavo Petro ordered state-run Ecopetrol to cancel a $880 million joint venture with Occidental Petroleum, citing environmental risks from fracking.
In short:
- Petro opposed Ecopetrol’s extended deal with Oxy, which aimed to extract oil from Texas and New Mexico using fracking.
- The project, producing about 90,000 barrels of oil per day, accounted for 12% of Ecopetrol’s output in 2024.
- Ecopetrol’s stock initially rose on the deal but dipped after Petro’s call to cancel it.
Key quote:
““I want that operation to be sold, and for the money to be invested in clean energies. We are against fracking, because fracking is the death of nature, and the death of humanity.”
— Gustavo Petro, president of Colombia
Why this matters:
Fracking can pollute water, trigger seismic activity and produces greenhouse gases, making it a contentious issue worldwide. Colombia has banned fracking domestically and Petro’s decision reinforces his push for clean energy. Colombia, which relies heavily on oil and gas exports, risks alienating major U.S. energy companies and potentially weakening one of its key industries. This decision could also strain U.S.-Colombia relations at a time when the Trump administration has declared a "drill, baby, drill" energy agenda. American firms have significant investments in Colombia's energy sector.
Related: Colombian minister calls for transition from fossil fuels ahead of biodiversity summit
Keep reading...Show less
Newsletter
Credit: Nadezhda1906/Big Stock Photo
Texas city approves new fracking site near daycare and schools
A city council in Arlington, Texas, has approved plans for TotalEnergies to drill 10 new gas wells near a daycare center and elementary schools, despite opposition from residents concerned about air pollution and public health.
In short:
- Arlington approved a new fracking site for the first time in 12 years, allowing TotalEnergies to drill 10 wells near homes and schools.
- Residents voiced concerns over pollution and health risks, but the council passed the measure unanimously, citing state laws limiting local authority.
- Emissions from fracking sites in the area have been documented, including hydrocarbons and particulates near schools and daycares.
Key quote:
“There’s emissions that are going to come out of every site. They may have them relatively controlled, but they have permission to emit.”
— Tim Doty, pollution monitoring contractor
Why this matters:
The expansion of hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, has long been a point of contention in communities where oil and gas development sits uncomfortably close to homes, schools and daycares. In Arlington, Texas, where a dense population lives near active wells, the risks feel particularly acute. Scientific studies have linked pollutants released during fracking — such as benzene, nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds — to respiratory issues, developmental delays and other health concerns, raising alarms about the potential impact on children.
Read more from EHN: "No evidence" that fracking can be done without threatening human health: Report
Keep reading...Show less
Top Story
Credit: Gage Skidmore/Flickr
Burgum confirmed as Interior Secretary, set to boost fossil fuel extraction
https://www.ehn.org/north-dakota-governor-who-sued-interior-department-is-now-set-to-lead-it-2670996881.htmlDoug Burgum, a longtime fossil fuel advocate, has been confirmed as Interior Secretary, giving him control over millions of acres of public lands and offshore waters with a mandate to expand oil and gas drilling.
In short:
- Burgum, former North Dakota governor and oil industry ally, was confirmed by the Senate in a 79-18 vote to lead the Interior Department, overseeing public lands, tribal lands and national parks.
- He played a key role in connecting Trump with fossil fuel executives during the campaign and is expected to push policies that weaken environmental protections while ramping up domestic drilling and exports.
- While Republicans praised his stance on “energy dominance,” critics warned that his policies could accelerate climate change and undermine conservation efforts.
Key quote:
“The Trump administration’s climate and energy policies are not a mystery; it is to exacerbate the climate crisis.”
— Senator Brian Schatz, D-Hawaii
Why this matters:
Federal land production already accounts for nearly 22% of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions, and under Burgum, that number is likely to climb. His tenure will test just how far the U.S. is willing to lean into fossil fuels — even as the planet pushes back with record-breaking heat, floods and wildfires.
Read more:
Keep reading...Show less
Top Story
Credit: Gage Skidmore/Flickr
Trump’s climate pivot: exiting Paris Agreement and boosting fossil fuels
In a sharp departure from Biden's climate agenda, President Donald Trump marked the first day of his second term by withdrawing from the Paris agreement and launching executive orders to expand fossil fuel production, citing energy security and economic growth.
Maxine Joselow, Chico Harlan and Evan Halper report for The Washington Post.
In short:
- Trump officially withdrew the U.S. from the Paris climate accord, jeopardizing global efforts to limit temperature rise to 1.5°C.
- His executive orders included declaring a national energy emergency, expanding drilling in Alaska and pausing offshore wind projects.
- Critics fear this move signals U.S. unreliability in global climate cooperation, as allies warn of the consequences for emission reduction goals.
Key quote:
“We will drill, baby, drill.”
— U.S. President Donald Trump, speaking during his inaugural address
Why this matters:
If Trump’s first term taught us anything, this is just the opening act. Trump’s about-face leaves allies wondering if the U.S. can be trusted to stick to any long-term commitments on climate. For environmentalists, it’s a gut punch, not just for the planet but for public health. More drilling and fewer renewable projects mean more pollutants in the air and water, hitting already vulnerable communities hardest.
Read more:
Donald Trump wins US presidency. What that could mean for the environment
Keep reading...Show less
ORIGINAL REPORTING
MOST POPULAR
CLIMATE
