Even though Maryland has yet to permit any hydraulic fracturing for natural gas, emissions linked to the controversial drilling technique have been detected in the air in Baltimore and Washington, according to a new study. Baltimore Sun, April 30 2015
Month: April 2015
Nearly half the US population still breathes polluted air, report says
High ozone levels and particulate matter plague 138 million Americans, despite recent improvements, American Lung Association-backed study shows. InsideClimate News April 30, 2015
Quake map puts new attention on Oklahoma, fracking wastewater
Oklahoma has experienced the most earthquakes thought to be triggered by human activity in the eastern and central United States, according to a new report from the U.S. Geological Survey. Last year, the state registered more quakes of magnitude 3 or higher than California. Los Angeles Times. 24 April 2015.
http://www.latimes.com/local/california/la-me-man-made-quakes-20150424-story.html#page=1
Oklahomans feel way more earthquakes than Californians; now they know why
A magnitude-3.0 earthquake is small, but most people can feel it. Historically, Oklahoma got less than two of those a year, but in 2013 it became two a week. Morning Edition, NPR. 24 April 2015.
S.A. congressman denies problems from fracking
Amid criticism from Democratic colleagues, U.S. Rep. Lamar Smith used a hearing Thursday of the House Science Committee, of which he is chairman, to condemn efforts by the Environmental Protection Agency and critics to slow hydraulic fracturing. San Antonio Express-News, Texas. 24 April 2015.
Congress looks at fracking bans
The oil and gas industry is moving to address environmental concerns linked to hydraulic fracturing that have led New York state and other jurisdictions to ban the drilling method, experts told a House committee Thursday. Ithaca Journal, New York. 24 April 2015.
http://www.ithacajournal.com/story/news/local/2015/04/23/congress-looks-fracking-bans/26266383/
New rules, cheap energy heighten battle between coal and gas
Tough new environmental rules and cheap energy prices are heightening the battle between coal miners and natural-gas pumpers over which will dominate the U.S. power market. Wall Street Journal. 24 April 2015.
http://www.wsj.com/articles/new-rules-cheap-energy-heighten-battle-between-coal-and-gas-1429802782
Fracking hearing airs claims about conflicts of interest, ‘misinformation’
Science ‘overwhelmingly shows’ practice can be done safely, says chairman of a House committee that increasingly favors pro-industry witnesses. Center for Public Integrity. 24 April 2015.
The shale-bust recovery may be coming this time – slowly
Ever since the shale industry killed the price of gas in 2008, producers have been saying recovery is just around the corner – once the United States starts liquefying the fuel for export, once pipelines are built to get the gas from Pennsylvania to the Southeast and Gulf Coast, once power demand or trade with Mexico ramps up. EnergyWire. 24 April 2015.
Confirmed: Oklahoma Earthquakes Caused By Fracking
Despite the enormous increase in earthquakes in Oklahoma that started at the same time as heavy fracking began there—with the number of earthquakes over 3.0 magnitude skyrocketing from an average of less than two a year to 585 last year—the state has been in official denial about the cause.
Ecowatch, April 23, 2015.
http://ecowatch.com/2015/04/23/oklahoma-earthquakes-caused-by-fracking/