Drilled
Pushkin Industries
Drilled is a true-crime climate change podcast exposing how corporate corruption and political operatives built decades of climate denial and delay. Hosted and reported by award-winning investigative climate journalists and led by Amy Westervelt, each season unravels new evidence of deception, disinformation, and the power structures keeping real climate solutions out of reach.
In September 2025, a group of Brazilian ministers trekked all the way to chilly North Dakota to see a presentation on a new type of clean energy project, one that promised to help them deliver Brazilian President Lula’s dream of turning Brazil into “the Saudi Arabia of sustainable aviation fuels.” It was the latest in a string of projects from Midwest Republican kingmaker and corn ethanol magnate Bruce Rastetter, whose investments in Brazil might just transform him into a global carbon czar, even as his Summit pipeline carbon project faces fierce opposition from Iowa to North Dakota. The problem? It all requires loads of land and none of it does a thing about climate change.
In September 2025, a group of Brazilian ministers trekked all the way to chilly North Dakota to see a presentation on a new type of clean energy project, one that promised to help them deliver Brazilian President Lula’s dream of turning Brazil into “the Saudi Arabia of sustainable aviation fuels.” It was the latest in a string of projects from Midwest Republican kingmaker and corn ethanol magnate Bruce Rastetter, whose investments in Brazil might just transform him into a global carbon czar, even as his Summit pipeline carbon project faces fierce opposition from Iowa to North Dakota. The problem? It all requires loads of land and none of it does a thing about climate change.
Episodes
Mentioned books
May 27, 2021 • 19min
Update: Steven Donziger's Trial in New York
Steven Donziger went to trial for the criminal contempt charge that's kept him on house arrest for 600 days and counting. Paul Paz Y Mino of Amazon Watch brings us an update. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
May 17, 2021 • 19min
How Big Oil Made You Feel Guilty About Climate Change
Harvard science historian Naomi Oreskes reveals how the fossil fuel companies use language targeted specifically to downplay the reality of climate change and shift responsibility entirely onto consumers. Geoffrey Supran, the lead author on the study, joins to discuss.Additional Resources:Rolling Stone See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
May 11, 2021 • 17min
The Heath Impacts of the Coal-to-Gas Transition: Harvard's New Study
A new study out from Harvard University sheds light on the health impacts of transitioning from coal to other combustible fuels. These findings are important for climate policy, particularly the fact that biomass is a huge contributor to air pollution despite representing only a small percentage of energy generation. The study also finds that natural gas still contributes significantly to air pollution and its associated health impacts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Apr 22, 2021 • 10min
Rep. Ro Khanna on Fossil Fuel Subsidies and Biden’s Infrastructure Plan
Congressman Ro Khanna leads a discussion on fossil fuel subsidies, emphasizing the need for their elimination to combat climate change. The podcast explores the financial industry's shift towards divestment from high carbon projects, debunking myths surrounding job loss and gas price increases. It encourages advocating for environmentally sustainable alternatives and mobilizing against fossil fuel subsidies in the infrastructure bill.
Apr 17, 2021 • 30min
Update: The Latest Developments in the Steven Donziger Case
Steven Donziger is set for trial May 10, but his lawyers have already filed a motion to dismiss, claiming vindictive prosecution. Reporter Karen Savage provides an update.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Apr 10, 2021 • 38min
Corporate Personhood? What About Ecosystem Personhood
Can ecosystems have legal rights similar to corporations? We talked about rights of nature a bit in the Ecuador-Chevron season—the Latin American country was the first in the world to integrate the concept of rights of nature in its Constitution. Now the Constitutional Court is reviewing its first rights of nature case. United States communities are pursuing the idea as well, and the fossil fuel industry is trying to block rights of nature laws from ever passing. Josh Boaz Pribanic and Melissa Troutman, co-founders of Public Herald join to talk about their new documentary on the rights of nature, Invisible Hand. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Mar 31, 2021 • 28min
Infrastructure Week: Build Back Better, the THRIVE Act, and Climate Justice with Kaniela Ing
The Biden Administration's Build Back Better plan includes progressive wish list items, but the left is pushing for more. The THRIVE Act, reintroduced by Senator Markey and Representative Dingell is what they're pushing towards and Peoples Action Climate Justice director Kaniela Ing joins to walk us through the asks, and what he's hearing from folks on the ground.Additional Resources:THRIVE AgendaSenator Markey, Rep. Dingell Reintroduce THRIVE Resolution to Build Back Economy Following Coronavirus PandemicSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Mar 27, 2021 • 22min
All Eyes on Weymouth: FERC Signals Interest in Environmental Justice
For years, local activists and legislators have been fighting the Enrbidge natural gas compressor in Weymouth, Massachusetts, arguing it poses serious health risks to a community already overburdened by pollution. The project was approved by FERC in 2019, built and became operational in 2020. Then it had an emergency shutdown. And another. Now FERC is considering the unprecedented move of re-thinking its permit, a decision that could have broad ramifications.Additional resources:Why A Federal Order In The Weymouth Compressor Case Has The Natural Gas World WorriedSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Mar 20, 2021 • 35min
How the Fossil Fuel Industry is Undermining Free Speech
Across the United States, fossil fuel-backed anti-protest laws are reshaping the rights to protest and to free speech. 14 states have based new laws, and are passing through statehouses in several more states, including six different bills in Minnesota, the only state with a big pipeline fight this year: Line 3. Researcher Connor Gibson joins to talk us through how this all started and where it's at.Additional resources:States Quietly Pass Laws Criminalizing Fossil Fuel Protests Amid Coronavirus Chaos4 More States Propose Harsh New Penalties For Protesting Fossil FuelsIncreasing penalties for damaging energy infrastructureA refinery lobbyist told Kansas legislators that his anti-protest bill has "nothing to do with protest" Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Mar 12, 2021 • 37min
Frackalachia: The Fracking Jobs Myth in Appalachia
When a report makes oil and gas companies—and the politicians they help elect—this mad, you know the author is on to something. Researcher Sean O'Leary, with the Ohio River Valley Institute, talks about his new report, which found that the local economic benefit of fracking to communities in the Ohio, Pennsylvania, West Virginia gas corridor was slim to none. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
