DeSmogCAST 10: California Fracking Waste, Keystone Climate Impacts and Energy East Pipeline

onFeb 7, 2015 @ 11:14 PST

In this episode of DeSmogCAST our team discusses an ongoing investigation into hundreds of aquifers in California that may have been contaminated with fracking waste.

We also discuss a letter submitted by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to the State Department which gives new weight to concerns the proposed $8 billion Keystone XL pipeline, destined to carry crude from the Alberta oilsands to export facilities along the Gulf of Mexico, will have significant climate impacts.

Finally we discuss the Energy East pipeline, a massive project currently proposed by TransCanada, the same company behind Keystone.

See below for articles mentioned in this episode:

California Regulators Allowed Oil Industry To Drill Hundreds Of Wastewater Injection Wells Into Aquifers With Drinkable Water

California Orders Emergency Shutdown Of Fracking Wastewater Injection Sites Over Fears of Contaminated Aquifers

Low Oil Prices, High Oilsands Emissions Should Influence Keystone XL Decision: EPA

TransCanada’s Proposed Energy East Pipeline Is Clearly An Export Pipeline Says Report

Groups Argue Flawed Assumptions in Energy East Report Behind “Modest” Climate Impacts of Pipeline

By Carol Linnitt

us/Ohio Denies Evidence of Fracking Waste in Drinking Water. Its Own Records Show Otherwise.

ByJustin Nobel

on Oct 30, 2026 @ 09:02 PDT

As more than a billion gallons of oil and gas wastewater flood beneath Ohio, pollution concerns reach its heated governor’s race.

President Trump Unveils EPA’s New Contradictory Methane Proposal at Campaign Rally

ByRachel Santarsiero

on Oct 30, 2026 @ 06:00 PDT

The agency is loosening methane rules while keeping its authority to regulate them. Critics say the stance leaves federal climate law in limbo, inviting a bigger rollback later.