Gasland

About the Project

The largest domestic natural gas drilling boom in history has swept across the United States. The Halliburton-developed drilling technology of "fracking" or hydraulic fracturing has unlocked a "Saudia Arabia of natural gas" just beneath us. But is fracking safe?

When filmmaker Josh Fox is asked to lease his land for drilling, he embarks on a cross-country odyssey uncovering a trail of secrets, lies and contamination. A recently drilled nearby Pennsylvania town reports that residents are able to light their drinking water on fire. This is just one of the many absurd and astonishing revelations of a new country called Gasland. It’s part verite travelogue, part expose, part mystery, part bluegrass banjo meltdown, part showdown.

Josh finds “fracking” activities in 34 states, creating trillions of gallons of toxic waste, greenhouse gases, carcinogens, radioactive waste, ruined aquifers, and brutal illnesses.  He learns that the industry is exempt from many major environmental regulations, including the Clean Water Act and the Clean Air Act.  

As the battle rages over our nation’s energy policy, Gasland reminds us of what’s at stake—our water, our air, and our health.  The film's goal is to affect much-needed change in our nation’s approach to fossil fuel extractive industries at a regulatory and legislative level.  As drilling companies make their big push to take over our nation’s gas fields, the film's campaign urges them to switch to safe operating practices, and if they cannot—to cease the practice of hydraulic fracturing altogether.

It’s a battle for what’s underneath our country; it’s a battle for our energy policy—a battle to reclaim my land, your land, Gasland.  

The Fledgling Fund Impact

The Fledgling Fund is pleased to support the audience engagement campaign for Gasland. Gasland is an incredibly powerful and persuasive film that we believe will truly lend itself to real social activism around this critical issue. We believe we can see an end to this toxic and dangerous practice in our lifetimes and we feel strongly that Gasland will be a critical part of that movement.