Economics

Learn about the economic impacts of the oil and gas industry through FracTracker articles, maps, and imagery.

The Economics of Oil and Gas

In our fight to slow the advent of a climate catastrophe through the build-up of greenhouse gases, many scientists, policy-makers and environmental advocates have focused largely on the extraction of fossil fuels. However, fossil fuel extraction is only one of the culprits in the build-up of carbon in the atmosphere. To avoid run-away global warming, it’s essential that we look at other significant anthropogenic forces, including our patterns of consumption and the associated environmental costs.

Featured Map

Since late 2021, FracTracker has been collecting information on cryptomining operations around the United States, and has partnered with Global Energy Monitor to further research, document, and map many more of these cryptocurrency mining operations. Our interactive map shows how widespread these facilities are throughout many parts of the United States. Read more

These FracTracker articles and maps explore the the economics of fracking, the oil and gas industry, and the economic implications involved in transitioning to clean energy alternatives.

California Oil & Gas Setbacks Recommendations Memo

February 23, 2021

The purpose of this memo is to recommend guidelines to CalGEM for evaluating the economic value of the social benefits and costs to people and the environment in requiring a 2,500 foot setback for oil and gas drilling (OGD) activities.