All FracTracker Articles

Explore our most recent articles below. You can also explore by category by clicking here.

This photo is of oil drilling in the Inglewood Oilfields of Baldwin Hills, Los Angeles. Photo by Brook Lenker, 2017.

Implications of a 3,200-foot Setback in California

California is the only major oil state without a health and safety setback from fossil fuel activity. This article explores what a setback in California means for its people and environment.
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Permitting Aggregate Mines in Michigan Poses Very Serious Consequences

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Varying across municipalities, mine permitting in Michigan can bring very serious consequences. This is the second of a two-part series.
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Ted Auch_Infrastructure-OilRefinery-ToledoOil-LucasCounty-OH_Lighthawk_Sept2021

A Guide to Petrochemicals, the Fossil Fuel Blindspot

A complete guide to the social, environmental, and economic risks associated with the petrochemical industry in the United States
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New Trends in Drilling Permit Approvals Take Shape in CA

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FracTracker's recent analysis finds that California's drilling permit approvals have slowed since last October, but not across the board. This trend only applies to permits for new drilling and enhanced oil recovery (EOR) wells.
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Oil and Gas Drilling in California Legislative Districts

FracTracker has been working with grassroots organizations to inform legislators and locals about oil and gas extraction in their districts, including maps and tables of the infrastructure in their areas.
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FracTracker Alliance Names Shannon Smith as Executive Director

FracTracker Alliance names Shannon Smith as Executive Director. Shannon has been with FracTracker since May 2019, initially in the role of Manager of Communications & Development, and more recently as Interim Executive Director.
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Ten Things I learned from Taking Break Free From Plastic’s Toxic Tours

FracTracker's Erica Jackson outlines ten things she learned in Break Free From Plastic's virtual Toxic Tours.
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PFAS wells in Colorado Feature

New Report: Fracking with “Forever Chemicals” in Colorado

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A report by PSR provides evidence that oil and gas companies have been using dangerous PFAS "forever chemicals" in CO wells.
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Sylvanian Minerals frac sand mine in South Rockwood, Michigan.

Permitting Aggregate Mines under Michigan’s Zoning Enabling Act

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This guest article outlines the role of local government in determining Michigan's frac sand permitting and explores how decisions can vary.
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Oil and gas wells and violations in Pennsylvania through 1/12/2022.

Introducing: FracTracker’s comprehensive new Pennsylvania map!

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FracTracker's new Pennsylvania oil and gas well map displays conventional and unconventional wells and violations as of January 12, 2022.
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Upper Ohio River in Beaver County: Impact of Petrochemical Facility Discharge on the Community and What’s Behind This Long Battle

The petrochemical industry on the Ohio River regularly discharges wastewater into the river, toxic pollution harmful to public and environmental health.
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Petrochemical Toxics in the Ohio River Watershed

A look at the petrochemical industry’s footprint in the Ohio River Watershed and how much toxic pollution is discharged into waterways.
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