Are fracked oil and natural gas really “snake oil”?

In his new book Snake Oil, Richard Heinberg takes on overblown claims from both the oil and gas industry’s salesmen–its top executives, industry trade groups and PR firms–and its shills–fake think tanks, paid consultants, and captive analysts who are often quoted and interviewed (mistakenly) as independent experts.

Shale gas, tight oil, and fracking – headlines

•A Texan tragedy: ample oil, no water •Fracking company wants to build new pipeline — for water •A New California Oil Boom? Drilling the Monterey Shale •Greenwashing Concerns Mount as Evidence of Fracking’s Climate Impact Grows •Fracking firm scaling back operation at Balcombe •Unfair Share: How Oil and Gas Drillers Avoid Paying Royalties

Richard Heinberg on Natural Gas: Bridge Fuel or Fool’s Gold?

This week on Sea Change Radio, host Alex Wise talks with Heinberg about his book, titled Snake Oil: How Fracking’s False Promise of Plenty Imperils Our Future, and delve into the economic and environmental factors behind the natural gas boom, which to some is an important bridge fuel and to others is fool’s gold.