To the Point

Big Oil, Big Trouble

New drilling techniques have made the US an oil exporter again: good for the economy; bad for the environment—and a nightmare for local culture. The sleepy town of Williston, North Dakota is one overcrowded boomtown with skyrocketing rents and new levels of violent crime.

By Warren Olney • Oct 23, 2014 • 51m Listen

New drilling techniques have made the US an oil exporter again: good for the economy; bad for the environment—and a nightmare for local culture. The sleepy town of Williston, North Dakota is one overcrowded boomtown with skyrocketing rents and new levels of violent crime. 18-wheelers are destroying roads built for pickups, wastewater is contaminating farmland and air pollution is causing health problems. When thousands of oil workers live in shipping containers in so-called “man camps,” what’s it like for women?

Also, Ottawa tries to recover from yesterday's shooting. Plus, US plans for training Syrian fighters: is there a “disconnect?”

Banner Image: An oil pumping unit in Williston, North Dakota; Credit: Lindsey G

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To the Point

Big Oil, Big Trouble

New drilling techniques have made the US an oil exporter again: good for the economy; bad for the environment—and a nightmare for local culture. The sleepy town of Williston, North Dakota is one overcrowded boomtown with skyrocketing rents and new levels of violent crime.

Share

To the Point

Big Oil, Big Trouble

New drilling techniques have made the US an oil exporter again: good for the economy; bad for the environment—and a nightmare for local culture. The sleepy town of Williston, North Dakota is one overcrowded boomtown with skyrocketing rents and new levels of violent crime.

Share