ASU · Humphrey Fellows at Cronkite
Erin Brockovich: An Unexpected Leader - Humphrey Fellows at Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication - ASU
A leadership essay reflects on Brockovich’s work with the Hinkley community.
1993–1996 · Hinkley, California
Erin Brockovich & Hinkley
Environment & corporate accountability
Residents of Hinkley challenged Pacific Gas and Electric over chromium contamination of groundwater. Erin Brockovich helped investigate residents’ accounts and assemble the legal case that resulted in a 1996 settlement. California regulators’ cleanup work is a separate, continuing part of this environmental history.
Content note
Content note: pollution, serious illness and disputed health claims. The film dramatizes events.
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The Story
When1993–1996
WhereHinkley, California
In this collection6 resources
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Blogs & Essays
Read our articles here and explore outside perspectives, credited to their writers and publications. See this case in the Journal →
From the journal
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Blogs & essays
1 itemsAbout these sources
Outside essays and reading guides reflect their authors’ perspectives. Compare claims with reported and primary sources.
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Books
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Books
1 itemsErin Brockovich
Superman’s Not Coming
Brockovich’s book about water problems and community action. A broader companion to her advocacy, not the source book for the 2000 film.
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Title search; Amazon availability is not confirmed. Check the edition, format, and viewing region.
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Movies & TV
Movies
1 itemsAbout these sources
Watch links, previews and title listings are identified below. Rentals or subscriptions may be required.
Steven Soderbergh · Julia Roberts · 2000
Erin Brockovich (2000)
Dramatization of Brockovich’s work with Hinkley residents. IMDb film information; availability varies by retailer.
Search Amazon · paid linkCredits & title details on IMDb
Title search; Amazon availability is not confirmed. Check the edition, format, and viewing region.
TV & documentaries
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Fiction Work · 1 adaptations & inspirations
Fiction Work
Browse all →Scripted stories and fictional inspirations. Scenes, characters, and dialogue can differ from the record.
Steven Soderbergh · Julia Roberts · 2000
Erin Brockovich (2000)
Dramatization of Brockovich’s work with Hinkley residents. IMDb film information; availability varies by retailer.
Search Amazon · paid linkCredits & title details on IMDb
Title search; Amazon availability is not confirmed. Check the edition, format, and viewing region.
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Podcasts & Audio
Podcasts
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Social Media
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News & Reading
Free & Library Reading
2 sourcesExplore free articles, book previews and library options. The label on each item explains what you can access; a catalog entry does not mean the whole book is free.
Google Books · Catalog / Availability
Superman's Not Coming
Related book record. Google may offer selected pages or another edition; full-book access is not confirmed.
View Catalog & Access Options ↗Google Books · Catalog / Availability
Erin Brockovich
Related book record. Google may offer selected pages or another edition; full-book access is not confirmed.
View Catalog & Access Options ↗Reading Access Notes
Search reviewed 2026-09-15. Sources searched: Google Books, Internet Archive, Open Library, Library of Congress, Smithsonian Magazine, The Atavist Magazine. Search indexing is incomplete; this is not an exhaustive list of the web. Access can change by edition, country and library membership. Library loans may require sign-in or a wait.
A separate Texas Monthly search was blocked by the publisher’s automated-access rules and could not be verified.
News & reporting
1 itemsPeople · December 2000 · hosted by Erin Brockovich
Erin Brockovich profile
Magazine profile available as a linked PDF on Brockovich’s website.
Newspaper clippings
0 itemsFeatured newspaper clipping
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Internet Archive
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Court & Files
Court records & documents
1 itemsAbout these sources
Documents are labeled by type and scope. Allegations in filings are not findings of guilt. This collection is not the complete case file.
Court document
Hinkley chromium cleanup documents
Official project records and regulatory cleanup information. These are environmental agency documents, not a court case file.
California Lahontan Regional Water Quality Control Board
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Roads Traveled
Roads Traveled
Open case map →Hinkley, California. The map provides regional context; individually verified historical places are listed below.
Where this story happened
Hinkley, California
Highlighted states show regional context, not exact addresses. Ontario and regions outside the contiguous U.S. are listed by name.
Explore the interactive case atlas →Boundaries: Natural Earth · public domain
Location research & source notes
This case was added after the September 14 map-source review and has not yet been checked against those sources.
The map shows regional context for this case. No individually sourced historical place is included below.
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Positive Outcome
Positive Outcome
1 itemsAbout these sources
Documented laws, advocacy and reforms. Listing a change does not claim it is effective or universally supported.
Regulatory action · California Water Boards
Groundwater cleanup orders and oversight
Cleanup orders require action on contaminated groundwater. The civil settlement and regulatory orders are distinct outcomes; this record does not claim the story created a new law.
Social Media
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