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
9 snips
Mar 5, 2021 • 23min
The API Was Pushing Climate Denial Way Earlier Than Anyone Thought
Stanford researcher Ben Franta reveals how the American Petroleum Institute knew about climate change in the 70s and pushed climate denial as early as 1980. The discussion uncovers the industry's tactics to cast doubt on scientific consensus, influence policy decisions, and manipulate public perception. It emphasizes the importance of media in combating misinformation and sheds light on the fracking industry's unfulfilled job promises.
Dec 19, 2020 • 27min
¿Ahora Que?: What's Next for Donziger, Chevron and Ecuador
Steven Donziger remains under house arrest and collecting the Ecuadorian settlement seems impossible, so what happens next? We explore what this case says about accountability, the power of oil companies, and the options that remain for Ecuadorians seeking justice. Support us on Patreon.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Dec 11, 2020 • 20min
The Kill Step: Chevron Fights the Ecuadorian Government
Chevron pushes its fight against the Ecuadorian judgement, while Steven Donziger loses his RICO appeal and faces disbarment and contempt charges.Support us on Patreon.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Dec 4, 2020 • 38min
The Judge: Corruption Charges Hit the Courts
As the RICO (Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations) case gets underway, corruption charges against the United States and Ecuadorian judges surface. Support us on Patreon. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Nov 20, 2020 • 27min
Damages: Chevron's Shocking Racketeering Claim
Chevron's legal team shocks the Ecuadorian plantiffs with a massive racketeering claim in the United States, alleging fraud, witness tampering, and bribery. Support us on Patreon. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Nov 13, 2020 • 40min
The Linchpin: Joe Berlinger
Chevron's attorneys go after Joe Berlinger, the filmmaker behind Crude, the documentary about the Lago Agrio case. They subpoena his outtakes, kicking off a years-long First Amendment battle.Support us on Patreon.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Nov 6, 2020 • 19min
Big Oil's Bad Bet on Plastic
A new Carbon Tracker report finds that the fossil fuel industry is pinning its hopes on a plastic boom. Try as it might, demand isn't materializing. The report's author, Kingsmill Bond, joins us. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Nov 6, 2020 • 25min
Update: Steven Donziger Faces Criminal Contempt with No Representation
New York District Court Judge Loretta Preska has denied repeated requests to delay Steven Donziger's criminal contempt trial, leaving him without legal representation. He'll stand trial Monday November 9, after which he could face six months of jail time. Reporter Karen Savage updates on the latest and we hear from attorneys Lauren Regan and Ronald Kuby about the precedent this ruiling sets.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Oct 30, 2020 • 23min
The Charge: Chevron Faces a Verdict
The Lago Agrio case takes a bizarre turn with a sting operation, United States subpoenas, and accusations of frad and bribery before a verdict is finally reached. Support us on Patreon.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Oct 23, 2020 • 32min
The Big Guns: Chevron's Legal Offensive
As Ecuadorian plaintiffs gain press, public support, and an endorsement from the country's president, Chevron kicks things up a notch, bringing in new lawyers and a PR firm to rewrite the story. Support us on Patreon.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
