The United States has played a significant role in global oil production, contributing 17% since 1900, with Texas being a major player, accounting for one-third of the nation’s oil production. Technological advancements like hydraulic fracturing and horizontal drilling led to record U.S. oil production in the 2010s, making the country the world’s largest oil producer and a net oil exporter.
Of the millions of wells drilled, approximately 3.5 million are now abandoned, with some being properly plugged and others left unplugged. Unplugged wells can emit greenhouse gases, contaminate surrounding environments, and pose safety hazards. Orphaned wells, which lack a responsible operator, become the financial responsibility of the government and taxpayers.
Oil and gas activities contribute to significant air pollution, resulting in adverse health effects and economic costs. Emissions from drilling, production, and transportation release pollutants that are linked to asthma, heart attacks, and premature deaths, especially impacting vulnerable populations. Addressing these emissions is crucial for protecting public health, mitigating economic burdens, and implementing comprehensive policies to reduce air pollution from the oil and gas industry.
Texas has emerged as a prominent oil and gas producer, ranking as the fifth largest oil producer globally if it were its own country. The development of fracking technology and a surge in oil prices led to a significant increase in oil and gas production in Texas from 2000 to 2014. However, the distribution of employment gains during this boom varied across gender, race, and ethnicity. The Texas example underscores the importance of ensuring an equitable distribution of economic benefits in energy systems, especially as governments incentivize low carbon energy initiatives.
The United States has played a significant role in global oil production, contributing 17% since 1900, with Texas being a major player, accounting for one-third of the nation’s oil production. Technological advancements like hydraulic fracturing and horizontal drilling led to record U.S. oil production in the 2010s, making the country the world’s largest oil producer and a net oil exporter.
Of the millions of wells drilled, approximately 3.5 million are now abandoned, with some being properly plugged and others left unplugged. Unplugged wells can emit greenhouse gases, contaminate surrounding environments, and pose safety hazards. Orphaned wells, which lack a responsible operator, become the financial responsibility of the government and taxpayers.
Oil and gas activities contribute to significant air pollution, resulting in adverse health effects and economic costs. Emissions from drilling, production, and transportation release pollutants that are linked to asthma, heart attacks, and premature deaths, especially impacting vulnerable populations. Addressing these emissions is crucial for protecting public health, mitigating economic burdens, and implementing comprehensive policies to reduce air pollution from the oil and gas industry.
Texas has emerged as a prominent oil and gas producer, ranking as the fifth largest oil producer globally if it were its own country. The development of fracking technology and a surge in oil prices led to a significant increase in oil and gas production in Texas from 2000 to 2014. However, the distribution of employment gains during this boom varied across gender, race, and ethnicity. The Texas example underscores the importance of ensuring an equitable distribution of economic benefits in energy systems, especially as governments incentivize low carbon energy initiatives.
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