Clean Or Contaminated? Residents Fear Tainted Water Post Fracking

There’s growing evidence that activities related to hydraulic fracturing can contaminate water supplies. A controversial draft report last year from the Environmental Protection Agency said the contamination was not widespread or systemic — yet for a number of households whose water has been tainted, and for many more who fear it is tainted, the struggle for clean water can sap energy and take years. Maryam Jameel from the Center for Public Integrity has the first of two stories on families in Pennsylvania desperate for answers.

CO Oil and Gas Industry Raises $6 Million To Fight Ballot Measures

A political organization created to fight anti-oil and gas ballot measures in Colorado has raised more than $6 million dollars in the first quarter of 2016. It shows an industry preparing for a potential battle this fall against a much less well-funded foe. Meanwhile, supporters of four ballot measures seeking to restrict drilling are gathering signatures across the state and have raised just tens of thousands of dollars.

Fracking And Survival In A West Texas Oil Field

The massive fall in the price of crude oil means hundreds of thousands of people are no longer working in the energy business and many small and mid-level energy companies are in a footrace against bankruptcy. While many oil fields have a seen oil production fall, the Permian Basin of west Texas, the nation’s highest-producing oilfield, is still increasing production.

Oklahoma Earthquakes: Who Pays?

New maps released by the U.S. Geological Survey reveal that seven million people are now living in areas at high risk for earthquakes. Not naturally occurring earthquakes but man-made – induced by oil and gas operations that pump wastewater deep underneath the ground. Parts of Oklahoma and Texas are at highest risk. Last year Oklahoma had more than 900 quakes, up from 3 in 2007. But homeowners have few options when they try to recoup damages from insurance companies or the oil and gas industry.