An oil and natural gas field in the western United States is largely responsible for a global uptick of the air pollutant ethane, according to a new study. Associated Press. Apr 30 2016
There are other ways ethane gets into the atmosphere — including wildfires and natural seepage from underground gas reserves. But fossil fuel extraction is the dominant source, accounting for roughly 60 to 70 percent of global emissions, according to a 2013 study from researchers at the University of California.
Researchers solve ‘atmospheric mystery’ of why levels of ethane suddenly stopped falling and started rising across the planet. The Independent, United Kingdom. Apr 29 Ian Johnston Science Correspondent, Friday 29 April 2016
Fracking of shale oil fields in the US is causing a global surge of a gas that causes climate change and creates dangerous air pollution, according to new research.
Levels of ethane in the atmosphere had been falling since the 1980s, but in 2010 a sensor in Europe picked up a surprise increase.
The boom of fracking, a controversial process used to recover gas from within shale by fracturing the rocks, in the United States was viewed as the prime suspect.
“True story,” Matthew Lewis, a communications strategist based in San Francisco, told me recently over Twitter. “I put the ‘k’ in fracking.” Vox. Apr 28 2016
http://www.vox.com/2016/4/28/11521618/where-word-fracking-comes-from
A new Duke University study finds that thousands of saltwater and frack flowback spills throughout the oil patch have left a legacy of toxic contamination. Bismarck Tribune, North Dakota. Apr 28 2016
As the price of a barrel of oil has settled near $45, down from about $100 two years ago, Williston’s oil workers are returning home. EnergyWire. Apr 26 2016
http://www.eenews.net/stories/1060036124
A plant that turns grass into gas could be Britain’s answer to fracking, according to its operators. The Guardian. 21 April 2015.
Just over the wooded hill is a forest filled with oak and pine, littered with massive stumps, weed-covered strip mines, and dynamite shacks, where the mouth of a shuttered coal mine shaft beckoned me as a child. Buzzfeed, international. Apr 17 2016
For almost three years, managers and executives at Canadian pipeline companies have been under a microscope. Their industry watchdog has been examining whether they make it easy enough for employees to report and fix anything that might lead to spills, explosions or other serious incidents. National Observer, Canada. Apr 16 2016
Being in close proximity to fracking operations could screw up your sexual health, cause developmental defects and cancer, induce seismic activity around you, and the list goes on. Grist. Apr 16 2016
http://grist.org/article/fracking-wells-released-over-5-billion-pounds-of-methane-in-one-year/?utm_content=bufferd020f&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=buffer
Oregon LNG informed city officials on Friday that the company will withdraw a proposed $6 billion terminal and pipeline project on the Skipanon Peninsula. Daily Astorian, Oregon. Apr 16 2016