Today’s Essential Reads
FRACKING:
France to Keep Shale Ban Until Fracking Alternative Emerges
France isn’t prepared to tap its shale energy resources until “clean technologies” are invented to replace hydraulic fracturing, Industry Minister Arnaud Montebourg said.
Methane from Fracking Contaminates Pennsylvania Water Supplies
Dangerous levels of methane have appeared in water supplies in Leroy Township, Pennsylvania. The appearance of the gas appears to be the result of fracking activities, leading to a fine being levelled on the well operator Chesapeake Energy.
Yoko Ono Leads Stars Against ‘Fracking’
John Lennon’s widow Yoko Ono and their son Sean Lennon on Wednesday launched “Artists Against Fracking” to oppose the technique for natural gas extraction in an important New York state water region.
New Yorkers Rally to Urge Gov. Cuomo to Reject Fracking
The future of New York’s water supplies and the health of its millions of citizens hang in the balance as Governor Andrew Cuomo decides whether to end the state’s moratorium on new wells to drill for “natural” gas through the controversial industrial process of hydraulic fracturing or “fracking.” Activists estimated that over two thousand concerned citizens joined the march in Albany Monday to try to persuade Cuomo not to lift the moratorium — statewide or in some counties — a decision expected to be announced some time after Labor Day.
Rancher Steve Lyons couldn’t help thinking something was strange, as he drove past the active oil wells on his sprawling ranch and vineyard near Los Alamos in northern Santa Barbara County—where Venoco pumps crude from the company’s underlying mineral rights.
BP OIL SPILL:
Isaac May Churn Up Oily Debris from BP Spill; Here’s How to Report What You May See
It is possible that oil and oily material present in the environment as a result of the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill will wash up on beaches, barrier islands, marshes, and other areas along Louisiana’s coast during and following severe weather events.
Officials Concerned Storm Surge from Hurricane Isaac Could Churn Up Oil Spill Remnants
With Hurricane Isaac battering coastal Louisiana, state officials are concerned about the remnants of oil from the 2010 BP spill being churned up and tossed into flood waters.
Louisiana Plans for Gulf Oil Dredged by Isaac’s Force
Tropical Storm Isaac, projected to become a hurricane with 100 mile-per-hour winds when it makes landfall, may dredge up as much as 1 million barrels of oil buried in sediment in the Gulf of Mexico since the BP Plc (BP/) spill two years ago, a Louisiana official said.
RADIATION:
Fukushima Hot Cod Stopped from Entering U.S.
The central government of Japan has ordered Aomori Prefecture to suspend shipping Pacific cod caught near the port of Hachinohe due to excessive levels of cesium detected, according to The Japan Times Wednesday.
