Wenonah Hauter's New Book, Frackopoly, Released Today

It seems like every day I hear a new story about how fracking has yet again ravaged our landscapes, harmed communities, and sickened people. Fracking—and all the accidents, spills, methane leaks, and pollution that come with it—is truly a story about real people. The people whose communities are exploited by it, the people behind the scenes who profit from it, and the people who are bravely fighting to stop it all deserve to finally have their stories told.

It’s also the story of the powerful people that paved the way for fracking as we know it.

I’m excited to announce that Wenonah Hauter’s second book, Frackopoly: The Battle for the Future of Energy and the Environment, released today, recounts these essential stories for us. And the book’s release comes at a time when a conversation about our energy has never been more necessary.

“In many ways,” she writes, “fracking looms as the environmental issue of our times.” It affects every aspect of our lives: the air we breathe, the water we drink, and the land we live on. While writing Frackopoly, Wenonah traveled across the country seeking to provide a clear-eyed and honest account of how we’ve gotten to this point. She also delved into decades of history about the power brokers that have wielded enormous influence over our government—and that have helped create an environment favorable to the oil and gas industry—and fracking.

As the National Catholic Reporter puts it, “If Hauter had written this as a novel using the same characters, countries, and global intrigue, it would quickly become an international bestseller and a miniseries would soon follow.”

Unfortunately, the stories in Frackopoly are anything but fiction, and we can’t afford to think of these problems as anything other than incredibly urgent.

Fortunately, people across the nation have been standing up together to protect their communities. Huge victories, like a fracking ban in New York and a moratorium in Maryland, prove that the movement to stop fracking isn’t only growing; it can win. But we need to remain resolute and united when we call on our politicians to take action to create a clean energy future. 

This book, aptly described as a “passionate history and critique of the energy industry, from Standard Oil to Enron” by Kirkus Reviews, has the industry scared. The lies and corruption are finally brought to light—as is the courage and commitment of the everyday people I’m proud to fight with to ensure a better direction for our country and future for our planet. Frackopoly is, and will remain, a must-read for everyone with a stake in our energy, our politics, and our environment.

Buy Frackopoly from your local bookstore.