Latest Articles

Pennsylvania Watersheds at Risk: Water Supply Decline

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Watersheds in Pennsylvania are at risk for water supply issues in the coming years as a result of fracking activities that are threatening the quality and quantity of fresh water.

Pennsylvania Watersheds at Risk: Ecological Degradation

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State designated waters in Pennsylvania are protected from pollution, but not from oil and gas related water withdrawals. This analysis shows watersheds in the state are at risk for ecological degradation due to fracking.

Pennsylvania Watersheds at Risk: Drought and Fracking

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In Pennsylvania, fresh water used in the fracking process is typically drawn from surface water sources such as streams and rivers. This analysis shows the amount of water used for fracking in the state is increasing every year.
Photo by David Nix 2015

How Spills, Holes, and Cracks Release Fracking Chemicals Into the Environment

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FracTracker dives into how toxic fracking chemicals and waste products enter our environment through accidents, spills, and equipment failures, and the impact on Pennsylvania communities.
Solar array in PA

Transitioning to Clean Energy: The Success of Solar Tompkins and HeatSmart in New York State

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Peer-to-peer and neighbor-to-neighbor promotion and education helped pioneer a model for adoption of clean energy in New York State communities.

Studies Reveal Health Impacts from Fracking in Pennsylvania

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Studies in Pennsylvania find strong associations between hydraulic fracturing (“fracking”) and health risks, including respiratory issues and increased risk of childhood cancer.

The Evolution of Environmental Regulation: A Case Study of Sackett v. EPA

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The SCOTUS decision in Sackett v. EPA has significant implications for wetland protection and the future trajectory of environmental regulation in the United States.

Urge EPA to Strengthen Standards for Chemical Plants

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The EPA has proposed updates to several of the rules that regulate chemical manufacturing plants, which could protect the health of communities and workers by creating new air monitoring requirements and controls for roughly 227 sites.

Widespread, Lingering Impacts of Norfolk Southern Warrant an Emergency Response

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Hundreds of reports from the frontlines prove that the impacts of the disaster in East Palestine, Ohio, warrant an emergency response.

Visualizing Pollution: Corpus Christi Data Dashboard

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The Corpus Christi Data Dashboard is a comprehensive map viewer that visualizes air and water quality data in Corpus Christi, Texas, utilizing flare imagery videos, air and water pollution monitor data, and facility locations.

Assessment of Oil and Gas Well Ownership Transfers in California

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A report by FracTracker Alliance finds that more comprehensive bonding requirements are necessary to protect the state of California from being left financially accountable for the plugging and abandonment of tens of thousands of orphaned oil and gas wells.

Evaluation of the Capacity for Water Recycling for Colorado Oil and Gas Extraction Operations

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A report by FracTracker Alliance finds Colorado’s oil and gas industry has produced enough wastewater statewide to completely satisfy the current and past needs of source water for hydraulic fracturing completions.
Sarah Carballo, FracTracker Alliance, 2022

Evidence Shows Oil and Gas Companies Use PFAS in New Mexico Wells

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A new report released by Physicians for Social Responsibility (PSR) in April 2023 reveals that oil and gas companies have been using PFAS, a class of extremely toxic and persistent chemicals, in New Mexico since at least 2013.

CalGEM Permit Review Q1 2023: Well Rework Permits Increase by 76% in California

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In Q1 2023, the California Geologic Energy Management Division (CalGEM) gave out 896 rework permits to oil companies. More than half of these permits were for wells located within 3,200 feet of homes, schools, or healthcare facilities.
Ted Auch, FracTracker Alliance, 2023

Off the Rails: An Exploration of the Train Derailment in East Palestine

FracTracker explores the environmental and community impacts of the Norfolk Southern train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio, in February 2023.

East Palestine Train Derailment Waste: Community Impacts

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As of March 10, 2023, 152,796 tons of liquid waste and 2,980 tons of solid waste have been removed from the site of the train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio, to three injection wells and four hazardous waste disposal sites in Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, and Texas.
Photo by Kirsi Jansa

Worth Protecting: A photo album by Better Path Coalition and FracTracker Alliance

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Explore an album of photos shared by Pennsylvania residents of the treasured communities, animals, plants, and ecosystems that they feel are worth protecting from the impacts of the climate crisis.
Getty Images

The Truth About Blue Hydrogen: Green Fuel or Greenwash?

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Blue hydrogen is marketed as a clean and sustainable alternative to traditional fossil fuels, but is blue hydrogen really as environmentally friendly as it claims to be?
Tennessee Pipeline Incident by Ted Auch, 2022, with support from LightHawk.Ted Auch, FracTracker Alliance, 2022

2022 Pipeline Incidents Update: Is Pipeline Safety Achievable?

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This analysis provides a top-level summary of pipeline incidents reported to the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) and examines whether or not safe oversight of the industry is possible.
Oil refinery in Toledo, OH. Photo by Ted Auch.

Testimony On EPA’s Proposed Methane Pollution Standards for the Oil and Gas Industry

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FracTracker Alliance supports strong federal methane rules and urges further improvements that are needed to curb dangerous methane emissions.

Assessment of Rework Permits on Oil Production from Operational Wells Within the 3,200-Foot Public Health Protection Zone

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This analysis shows that the policy proposed in SB 1137 of denying rework permits within the health protection zones is a commonsense public health intervention that would have minimal effects on production within the protection zone.
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