The Dark Side of the Boom
How the Texas gas boom affects community health and safety
Published: April 14, 2011
By: Earthworks
In the last decade, hydraulic fracturing and other new drilling technologies have turned North Texas into the leading shale gas-producing area in the country. But the drilling boom has brought with it serious concerns over the health and environmental impacts of an industry that uses large volumes of toxic chemicals in close proximity to Texas communities. The search for deposits of shale gas is spreading to other regions of Texas, raising the question of whether the state is adequately protecting its citizens and its resources.