The massive leak that vented millions of pounds of natural gas from a Los Angeles storage facility now appears to have been the worst accidental discharge of greenhouse gases in U.S. history, scientists concluded in an analysis released Thursday.
Month: February 2016
Florida Senate committee kills fracking bill, but measure could return
Tallahassee – Amid growing public opposition to the controversial practice of fracking for oil and gas, a divided Senate Appropriations Committee on Thursday rejected a bill to regulate and authorize the technique in Florida beginning in 2017. Miami Herald, Florida. Feb 26 2016
http://www.miamiherald.com/news/politics-government/state-politics/article62475717.html
Pennsylvania fracking trial begins, pitting families against driller
Cabot Oil & Gas Co contaminated drinking water for two Pennsylvania families in its rush to begin fracking operations during the state’s natural gas boom, a lawyer told a federal jury in Scranton, Pennsylvania, on Tuesday at the start of a civil trial. Reuters. Feb 24 2016
http://www.reuters.com/article/us-pennsylvania-fracking-idUSKCN0VW296
Change in EPA policy could broaden reach over oil & gas wells
WASHINGTON – Oil and gas wells across Texas and the country could soon be subject to stricter emissions regulation and government inspections under a policy change under review at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
Houston Chronicle, February 20, 2016 (subscription)
Environmentalists sue three Oklahoma energy companies over earthquakes
The Oklahoma Sierra Club filed a federal lawsuit Tuesday against three Oklahoma energy companies, accusing them of using saltwater disposal wells that are contributing to the state’s sharp rise in earthquake activity. Oklahoman, Oklahoma. Feb 17 2016
Shallow fracking wells contaminate drinking water, warns US scientist
Stronger safeguards are needed to prevent poorly built wells leaking gas into aquifers, says Stanford researcher. Climate Change News. Feb 16 2016
Anadarko anoints ‘brand ambassadors’ to fight off drilling bans
Facing 10 possible ballot initiatives restricting fracking, Anadarko has deployed 160 landmen, geologists and engineers to Rotary clubs, high schools and mothers groups. Bloomberg Business. Feb 16 2016
West Texas fracking billionaires spending big on Cruz and conservative causes
Before bankrolling a Ted Cruz Super PAC last year with $15 million, Texans Farris and Dan Wilks were fast gaining a reputation as “the Koch brothers of the Christian Right” and climbing swiftly up the ladder of America’s biggest landowners. San Antonio Express-News, Texas. Feb 13 2016
Even in California, oil drilling waste may be spurring earthquakes
New study says waste injection well may have triggered a series of 2005 quakes in the state’s drilling hotspot and calls for more research. InsideClimate News. Feb 11 2016
Fracking research hits roadblock with Texas law
8Texas law allows companies to withhold specific chemicals by labeling them as proprietary. Operators in Texas have invoked the exemption to shield – at least partially – the identities of more than 170,000 ingredients. Houston Chronicle, Texas. Feb 08 2016