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Environment

Fracking

Gas Drilling’s Environmental Threat

Vast deposits of natural gas have brought a drilling boom across much of the country, but the technique being used, called hydraulic fracturing, is suspected of causing hundreds of cases of water contamination. Now environmentalists and lawmakers are pushing for closer oversight of the gas industry, which is pushing back.

169 stories published since 2008

EPA Administrator Forecasts Potential Shift on Bush-Era Drilling Loophole

16 Cattle Drop Dead Near Mysterious Fluid at Gas Drilling Site

Officials in Three States Pin Water Woes on Gas Drilling

Anatomy of a Gas Well

Colorado Study Links Methane in Water to Drilling

Setting the Record Straight on Hydraulic Fracturing

Where Things Stand: Environmental Pitfalls of Drilling for Natural Gas in the U.S.

How the West's Energy Boom Could Threaten Drinking Water for 1 in 12 Americans

NYC: Gas Drilling Will Raise the Cost of Water by 30 Percent

NYC Wants Consultants to Probe Effect of Gas Drilling on Drinking Water

New Mexico Battles Feds to Stop Gas Drilling Near an Aquifer

A Reporter's Journey Through the Gas Fields

Buried Secrets: Is Natural Gas Drilling Endangering U.S. Water Supplies?

What Is Hydraulic Fracturing?

N.Y. Plans to Consider Law Limiting Natural Gas Drilling

Fractured Relations -- New York City Sees Drilling as Threat to Its Water Supply

Despite New York's Order for Environmental Review, Gas Drilling May Proceed

Governor Signs Drilling Bill But Orders Environmental Update

New York State Tightens Drilling Controls

What We’re Watching

During Donald Trump’s second presidency, ProPublica will focus on the areas most in need of scrutiny. Here are some of the issues our reporters will be watching — and how to get in touch with them securely.

Learn more about our reporting team. We will continue to share our areas of interest as the news develops.

Photo of Sharon Lerner
Sharon Lerner

I cover health and the environment and the agencies that govern them, including the Environmental Protection Agency.

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Andy Kroll

I cover justice and the rule of law, including the Justice Department, U.S. attorneys and the courts.

Photo of Melissa Sanchez
Melissa Sanchez

I report on immigration and labor, and I am based in Chicago.

Photo of Jesse Coburn
Jesse Coburn

I cover housing and transportation, including the companies working in those fields and the regulators overseeing them.

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