A Toast to the Tireless

By Brook Lenker, Executive Director, FracTracker Alliance

While the year slows to a close, the FracTracker Alliance never stops. We churn out maps and analyses to enlighten America and the world about the impacts of unconventional energy extraction. Our work pays dividends: a website visitor discovers drilling nearby; a legislator learns about the industry’s rate of water consumption; data are synthesized for an organization making policy recommendations; students discover the true footprint of fracking. Day by day, we are nurturing a more positive energy future.

And our reputation as a trusted resource grows. Al Jazeera America recently featured our examination of the proximity of drilling near schools in California. Days earlier, Commissioner Martens of the NY DEC mentioned (at 57:00) FracTracker by name in a press conference announcing a ban on fracking in New York. These citations are affirming, but until the planet gets a respite from warming, communities liberated from threats to air and water, and nature conserved more than marred, we – and our many partners – have endless work to do.

These activities require time and money. We tip our hats to the funders who have made our efforts possible and welcome donations from those who believe in our mission. If you’re feeling inspired to make a year-end contribution, you can do it online. Thank you for your support!

A Bold 2015

FracTracker is thinking boldly for 2015 – exploring new topics, investigating local concerns, building more partnerships, encouraging citizen science (in part, through our mobile app), invigorating social media and communication tools, and reaching out to audiences near and far. In fact, we’ll be taking our findings on the road in 2015 – with workshops planned in Florida, North Carolina, Argentina, United Kingdom, Belgium, Poland, and Hungary – in addition to conducting outreach in the U.S. regions where we already operate. That’s just the beginning.

In anticipation of the challenges to come, and with gratitude for staff and board members, donors, researchers, brave organizations, nonstop advocates, and caring people coast to coast, a toast to you! May you all have a healthy, happy new year!