Lisa Song and InsideClimate News: A Legacy of Award-Winning Environmental Journalism
In the realm of digital journalism, few organizations have made as significant an impact on environmental policy and public awareness as InsideClimate News. Through rigorous investigative reporting, the outlet has exposed critical failures in pipeline safety, the health risks of fracking, and the internal contradictions of global oil giants. Central to these achievements is journalist Lisa Song, whose early career was marked by a series of high-profile investigations that earned some of the most prestigious awards in the industry.
Key Facts
- Pulitzer Prize: Lisa Song won the 2013 Pulitzer Prize for National Reporting at age 26.
- Dilbit Investigation: Exposed the dangers of diluted bitumen in the Kalamazoo River oil spill.
- Eagle Ford Shale: Documented health risks in a 400-mile-long drilling area in South Texas.
- Exxon Investigation: Revealed that Exxon's own scientists confirmed the role of fossil fuels in global warming decades ago.
- Legal Impact: The Exxon series led to a subpoena from the New York Attorney General to investigate potential fraud.
The Dilbit Disaster and Pipeline Safety
In 2013, Lisa Song, along with David Hasemyer and Elizabeth McGowan, received the Pulitzer Prize for National Reporting. Their work focused on the Kalamazoo River oil spill, the result of a 15-month investigation into pipeline safety and the use of Dilbit. Dilbit is a thick Canadian hydrocarbon known as bitumen that is diluted with liquid chemicals to allow it to flow through pipelines.
The investigation revealed a dangerous gap in communication and regulation. Pipeline operators were not required to notify first responders about the specific nature of the spill, meaning the EPA did not know they were dealing with dilbit for over a week. Unlike standard oil, the chemicals in dilbit evaporate, causing the thick residue to sink to the bottom of water bodies, making cleanup exceptionally difficult.
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Recognition for the Dilbit Series
The series was a landmark for digital-only news organizations, which had only been eligible for Pulitzer Prizes since 2009. In addition to the Pulitzer, the team received several other accolades:
- James Aronson Award for Social Justice Reporting (2013).
- Deadline Club Award (NYC Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists) for Independent Digital Media (2013).
- Scripps Howard Nation's Best Journalism Awards Finalist for Environmental Reporting (2012).
- John B. Oakes Award Honorable Mention for Distinguished Environmental Journalism (2012).
Exposing the Risks of the Eagle Ford Shale
In 2014, Song, Jim Morris, and David Hasemyer shifted their focus to the Eagle Ford Shale play in South Texas. This massive industrial area spans 400 miles in length and 50 miles in width, containing over 7,000 oil and gas structures, wells, and drilling sites stretching from Leon County to the Mexican border.
Their series, "Big Oil, Bad Air," exposed the health vulnerabilities of residents living near these largely unregulated activities. This work earned the Philip Meyer Journalism Award for Social Science and the Thomas L. Stokes Award for Best Energy and Environmental Writing.
| Year | Award | Organization |
|---|---|---|
| 2014 | EPPY Award (Best Investigative/Feature) | Editor & Publisher |
| 2015 | Award for Large Investigation | Association of Health Care Journalists |
| 2015 | Loeb Award for Explanatory Reporting | Loeb Prize |
| 2015 | Kevin Carmody Award | Society of Environmental Journalists |
| 2016 | Knight-Risser Prize | Western Environmental Journalism |
The Exxon Climate Investigation
One of the most influential projects undertaken by Song and her colleagues was an eight-month investigation into Exxon's stance on climate change. Titled "Exxon: The Road Not Taken," the series consisted of nine stories based on hundreds of internal documents and memos dating back to the 1970s.
The reporting revealed that Exxon's own scientists had provided evidence of the link between fossil fuels and global warming decades ago, even as the company worked publicly to discredit climate science. This investigation led the New York Attorney General to issue a subpoena to Exxon to investigate possible fraud.
The series was recognized with the Robert F. Kennedy Award and the Edgar A. Poe Award, the latter of which was presented by President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama. The team was also a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize for Public Service and the Goldsmith Prize for Investigative Reporting.
Despite the evidence, ExxonMobil has continued to deny wrongdoing as of 2020, claiming that the #ExxonKnew campaign is a coordinated attack by activist organizations. The company maintains its own timeline of events and has cited various legal experts and news outlets to dispute the findings.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is dilbit and why is it dangerous?
Dilbit is bitumen (a thick Canadian hydrocarbon) diluted with liquid chemicals to make it flow through pipes. It is dangerous because, during a spill, the chemicals evaporate and the remaining thick oil sinks to the bottom, making it much harder to clean up than conventional oil.
What was the impact of the "Exxon: The Road Not Taken" series?
The series revealed that Exxon's internal research confirmed the role of fossil fuels in global warming decades ago. This led to a legal investigation by the New York Attorney General's office into potential fraud.
What is the Eagle Ford Shale play?
The Eagle Ford Shale is one of the most active drilling sites in the U.S., located in South Texas. It is a 400-mile-long and 50-mile-wide area containing more than 7,000 oil and gas structures and wells.
How old was Lisa Song when she won her first Pulitzer Prize?
Lisa Song was 26 years old when she won the 2013 Pulitzer Prize for National Reporting.
Did ExxonMobil accept the findings of the InsideClimate News investigation?
No. ExxonMobil denies any wrongdoing and claims that the reporting is part of a coordinated attack by activists, maintaining its own version of events on its website.