Members of the Pulitzer Prize-winning team from InsideClimate News, together with the Center for Public Integrity and The Weather Channel, reveal that as oil and gas booms in Texas, legislators and regulators are more intent on protecting the industry than residents who fear for their health from the air they breathe.
Eight-month investigation shows that the Texas State Legislature is more intent on protecting the industry than protecting residents' health.
More than 2,400 air emissions permits have been issued in the Eagle Ford without safeguards to limit toxic chemicals breathed in by residents.
By Lance Rosenfield
In San Antonio, the steepest increase in ozone coincides with the boom in the Eagle Ford shale. The heaviest drilling there lies 50 miles from the city.
Methane leaks from 'well completions' were significantly lower than EPA's numbers, but equipment leaks were much higher than expected.
With gas wells in some states being drilled near schools and homes, scientists see a need for better chemical disclosure laws and follow-up research.
Authors of new study encourage more low-dose testing of endocrine-disrupting chemicals, with implications for the debate on natural gas drilling.