Fracking Tears Apart a Pennsylvania Town

The Leonard Lopate Show | May 10, 2016

The small town of Bakerton in western Pennsylvania has been in slow decline since the coal mines closed years ago. The local economy stagnates until officials learn that the town is located on the Marcellus Shale, a massive deposit of natural gas. In the novel Heat and Light, author Jennifer Haigh explores how Bakerton residents face decisions about restoring prosperity to their town, along with the environmental consequences of these choices. 

Event: Jennifer Haigh will be in conversation with Richard Price at the Center for Fiction (17 E 47th St,) on May 11th at 7 p.m. 

WNYC is funded by sponsors and member donations

Top Stories

The World Cup, the Knicks, and LeBron James’s Fate: An All-Time Summer in Sports

The staff writer Louisa Thomas on the U.S. men’s national soccer team, the N.B.A. off-season, and Serena Williams.
The New Yorker Radio Hour |

The near-collapsed Midtown building is now stable, but its finances may not be

Experts say the structural failure at the Pfizer Building could cause financial problems and a lingering stigma — but that the city’s housing shortage means renters will probably move in anyway.
Gothamist |

NYC DSA on Their Big Wins, and the Future

NYC-DSA co-chairs Grace Mausser and Gustavo Gordillo talk about the DSA's recent big wins.
The Brian Lehrer Show |

Get Lit: Laila Lalami's 'The Dream Hotel,' and Imal Gnawa Performs

All Of It with Alison Stewart |
YOU ARE ONLINE