Under the Surface: Fracking, Fortunes, and the Fate of the Marcellus Shale

The book "Under the Surface" by Tom Wilber is a must-read for anyone interested in understanding the complex consequences of shale gas development in northeast Pennsylvania and central New York.

Through a comprehensive narrative, Wilber explores the perspectives of various stakeholders, including farmers, landowners, policymakers, and activists.

The book provides an evenhanded treatment of the revolutionary process of fracking, highlighting how it has changed access to domestic energy reserves and the lives of people living above them. The paperback edition includes a new chapter and epilogue covering recent developments since the book's initial publication in 2012, including an unprecedented ban on fracking in New York state and the outcome of the federal EPA's investigation into water pollution in Dimock, Pennsylvania.

Wilber gives a voice to all constituencies, illustrating dense policy and legal issues in human terms and showing how ordinary people can affect extraordinary events. With its comprehensive and balanced approach, "Under the Surface" is an essential read for anyone interested in understanding the complexities of shale gas development and its impact on local communities.