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
Subscribe to 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.
-
'We need solutions that prioritize both safety and sustainability'Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
-
Book reviews: 'Moral Ambition: Stop Wasting Your Talent and Start Making a Difference' and 'Is a River Alive?'Feature A rallying cry for 'moral ambition' and the interwoven relationship between humans and rivers
-
'King of the Hill' actor shot dead outside homespeed read Jonathan Joss was fatally shot by a neighbor who was 'yelling violent homophobic slurs,' says his husband
