A new natural gas–drilling process, hydraulic fracturing, has set off a booming industry across 34 states. Yet many Americans aren’t aware that “fracking” has been exempted from major environmental laws. First-time filmmaker Josh Fox certainly didn’t know it—until he was offered $100,000 for drilling rights to his Pennsylvania property. His darkly funny documentary crosses the country to reveal shocking discoveries, including illness in drilling areas, pools of toxic waste, and water that can be set alight right out of the tap. Monday, June 21, at 9 p.m., HBO
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
-
A little-visited Indian Ocean archipelagoThe Week Recommends The paradise of the Union of the Comoros features beautiful beaches, colourful coral reefs and lush forests
-
AI: is the bubble about to burst?In the Spotlight Stock market ever-more reliant on tech stocks whose value relies on assumptions of continued growth and easy financing
-
Crossword: October 19, 2025The Week's daily crossword puzzle
