Kyle Ferrar, MPH, Author at FracTracker Alliance

About Kyle Ferrar, MPH

Western Program Director

Kyle Ferrar is the Western Program Director at FracTracker Alliance where the majority of his current projects focus on extraction activities in California and Colorado. His time and energy is focused on supporting the needs of grassroots organizations in these geographies. Kyle has worked on extraction related environmental justice issues since 2007, and began his career as a staff researcher at the Center for Healthy Environments and Communities at the University of Pittsburgh, where he completed his graduate work.

His current work focuses on connecting the knowledge of empirical research with the stories told by regulatory monitoring data, and leveraging these connections to uplift the lived experiences communicated by frontline communities.

At home, he lives well above the snowline in the Western Sierras with his dogs and partner, where they explore the backcountry for fun and adventure.

Phone: (415) 890-3722
Email: ferrar@fractracker.org

Read Kyle's Staff Spotlight

Entries by Kyle Ferrar, MPH

California’s New Oil Wells Average 13.5 Barrels/Day — Far Below State Projections

August 26, 2025/by Kyle Ferrar, MPH

Analysis of CalGEM data shows California’s new oil wells average only 13.5 barrels/day, far below the 30 barrels/day projected in state legislation.

Evaluation of Federal Requirements for Plugging Orphaned Oil and Gas Wells: A Missouri Case Study

July 21, 2025/by Kyle Ferrar, MPH

Missouri is home to an estimated 5,000 orphaned or abandoned oil and gas wells. The problem is even more staggering nationwide, with over one million such wells scattered across the country. In an effort to address the crisis, the federal government has committed $1.6 billion to help states plug these wells and mitigate the environmental and health risks they pose.

Environmental Justice Analysis of Oil Extraction in Los Angeles Communities

March 27, 2025/by Kyle Ferrar, MPH

Oil drilling in Los Angeles disproportionately burdens marginalized communities. This analysis shows elevated poverty and non-white demographics in areas with high well density, exacerbating environmental injustice.

California Must Improve Management of Idle Wells

May 2, 2024/by Kyle Ferrar, MPH

California’s current regulations under AB 2729 have been inadequate to reduce the state’s counts of idle wells. This issue needs to be addressed immediately, before the state of California is exposed to additional economic risk.

Empowering Colorado Communities: The Importance of the Community Right to Know Act

March 25, 2024/by Kyle Ferrar, MPH

Communities in Colorado should be immediately informed of oil and gas spills that increase their health risks. Our analysis shows why public health alerts are particularly important for communities located near extraction operations.

Index of Oil and Gas Operator Health in California Shows Risks to State Economy and Taxpayers

January 30, 2024/by Kyle Ferrar, MPH

Though a handful of California of oil and gas operators continue to produce profitable volumes of oil, the majority of California operators, including the state’s oil and gas major corporations, Chevron, Aera Energy, and California Resources Corporation, are producing very low average volumes of oil per well.

Oil and Gas Activity Within California Public Health Protection Zones

October 4, 2023/by Kyle Ferrar, MPH

Assessment shows hundreds of sensitive receptor sites located within 3,200 feet of operational oil and gas wells in California would have been protected if California Senate Bill 1137 had not been challenged by referendum.

Assessment of Oil and Gas Well Ownership Transfers in California

May 18, 2023/by Kyle Ferrar, MPH

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

May 2, 2023/by Kyle Ferrar, MPH

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.

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

April 14, 2023/by Kyle Ferrar, MPH

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.