Texas oil boom brings wealth, but pollution leaves communities struggling
For many Texans living near the Permian Basin’s expanding oil and gas industry, economic growth has come at the cost of contaminated water, toxic air, and abandoned wells leaking hazardous waste.
Saul Elbein reports for The Hill and the Pulitzer Center. Part three of a four-part series.
In short:
- Residents of West Odessa, Texas, rely on well water that is increasingly at risk from nearby oil and gas infrastructure, with pollution linked to spills, fracking waste, and deteriorating old wells.
- Texas produces billions of barrels of wastewater annually, much of which is injected underground, raising concerns about groundwater contamination and even earthquakes from pressure buildup.
- Airborne toxins like benzene and methane, released from oil wells and flares, pose additional health risks, especially for children, while state regulations remain weak.
Key quote:
“What I learned when my water turned black is that, if it’s oil and gas, nobody is coming.”
— Sharon Wilson, director of the watchdog group Oilfield Witness
Why this matters:
Texas’ oil and gas boom has fueled jobs and revenue, but it has also left communities grappling with environmental hazards. Residents face polluted drinking water, exposure to toxic chemicals, and even the threat of earthquakes. With minimal regulatory oversight, old wells leak contaminants, and wastewater disposal practices threaten both groundwater and air quality.
Millions of Texans live close to oil infrastructure, heightening concerns about long-term health effects, especially for children. Scientists warn that benzene exposure raises cancer risks, while methane and nitrogen oxide emissions contribute to respiratory issues. Despite the dangers, state and federal responses have been slow, leaving many residents struggling for clean air and water.
Related: Community activists plead to be heard through “closed doors” outside nation’s top energy conference
