Power Plant Locations and Unemployment Rates

A FracTracker analysis investigates the link between energy infrastructure and economic distress, revealing that U.S. power plants are disproportionately concentrated in counties with high unemployment.

Los Angeles, California skyline

Environmental Justice Analysis of Oil Extraction in Los Angeles Communities

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.

Visualizing Environmental Injustice with Interactive Data: Cancer Alley, Louisiana

This article explores Cancer Alley, an 85-mile stretch in Louisiana that epitomizes the intersection of environmental justice and industrial development, where predominantly Black communities face disproportionate health risks from a high concentration of petrochemical plants and refineries.

The Supreme Court’s Brackeen v. Haaland Ruling: Tribal Sovereignty, Resource Exploitation, and Future Challenges

On June 15, 2023, the U.S. Supreme Court issued its ruling in Haaland v. Brackeen, upholding the constitutionality of the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) of 1978. This ruling prevented a broader attack on tribal governance, which could have extended to undermining legal protections over natural resources.

Photo by David Nix 2015

The Importance of Surveying Rural Landowners in North Dakota on Fracking

There is a need for more research on the human impact of the oil and gas industry in North Dakota, particularly on landowners and farmers, to understand their experiences and address their concerns effectively.

The Power of Misinformation in Blocking Clean Energy Reform

In this article, FracTracker’s Communications Intern Sarah Liez discusses the role of misinformation as an obstacle to clean energy reform and how it stalls initiatives aimed at transitioning to renewable sources of power.

Fossil Fashion: How Oil and Gas Fuel the Fashion Industry

Fast fashion relies heavily on synthetic materials and nonrenewable energy sources, leaving behind significant environmental footprints and often involving unethical labor practices.

Why Do Houses Keep Exploding in One Pennsylvania Suburb?

An exploration of factors related to oil and gas activity that could contribute to the history of house explosions in Plum Borough, Pennsylvania.

Pennsylvania Watersheds at Risk: Water Supply Decline

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.

Widespread, Lingering Impacts of Norfolk Southern Warrant an Emergency Response

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