Sharon Wilson is considered a leading citizen expert on the impacts of shale oil and gas extraction. She is the go-to person whether it’s top EPA officials from D.C., national and international news networks, or residents facing the shock of eminent domain and the devastating environmental effects of natural gas development in their backyards. See also: https://earthworks.org/people/sharon-wilson/
Reports documented Chesapeake Energy flaring natural gas at Barnett Shale wells — burning off excess production when pipeline capacity or market conditions limited transport. Flaring reduces immediate pressure but raises questions about waste, emissions, and infrastructure readiness during rapid expansion.
Source: YouTube (2009) Read More
A drilling rig operating for 3 months has the same impact as a city of 4,000 people—water use, solid waste generation, air emissions and traffic.
Source: YouTube (2009) Read More
This video shows Texas Black Angus cattle drinking from drilling sludge pits at two different drilling sites in Denton County. I have witnessed cattle drinking from sludge pits regularly over the past few years.
Source: YouTube (2009) Read More
Bluedaze pushed for stronger oversight of oil and gas operations in Texas, challenging regulators and exposing gaps in enforcement. Through citizen monitoring and public reporting, the platform argued that reform required transparency — and that reform rarely arrives without pressure.
Source: Bluedaze (2009) Read More
A Daily Kos report highlighted the case of Texas residents diagnosed with drilling chemicals in their blood and organs, prompting urgent health warnings and relocation. The story drew attention to emissions from oil and gas development and the availability of control technologies that could significantly reduce pollution if mandated. The article connected personal health concerns to broader regulatory debates, including calls to support the FRAC Act and strengthen protections under the Safe Drinking Water Act. It framed shale gas expansion as a public health issue extending beyond any single region.
Source: Daily Kos (2010) Read More