Gasland

After being offered $100,000 in 2008 by a gas exploration company seeking to drill on his family’s land, Josh Fox decided to learn more about the industry. Although the offer was tempting, he was determined to find out more about the process known as fracking and how it affects communities near gas drilling sites. Gasland records Fox’s exploration of the fracking industry.

Research for the documentary led Fox to the realisation that natural gas drilling has led to significant contamination of local water, air and land. Unfortunately, many affected residents find that existing laws do little to prevent damaging gas drilling practices. To support these claims, Gasland features interviews with environmental scientists, representatives from natural gas companies and politicians.

Along the way, Fox visits Colorado, Wyoming and Texas to see how his family’s land in Pennsylvania could be harmed by the process of natural gas extraction. His journey eventually leads him to Congress, where he discusses a bill to repeal fracking exemptions.