Today’s Essential Reads
FRACKING:
Endangered California Wildlife Could be Further Imperiled by Fracking
On Wednesday, the environmental group, Center for Biological Diversity, launched federal litigation challenging the Bureau of Land Management for failing to properly evaluate the threat of hydraulic fracturing (fracking) to endangered species on public lands leased for oil and gas activities in California.
Yoko Ono, Sean Lennon and Two Beatles Unite in Campaign Against Fracking
A new group launched by Yoko Ono and son Sean Lennon is reuniting the widow of John Lennon with his fellow Beatles Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr in opposition to hydraulic fracking. The group was announced at a special coalition event at Paley Center For Media on Wednesday in New York City.The group, Artists Against Fracking, says it has more than 180 members of artists, musicians and public figures in support, also includes Lady Gaga, Anne Hathaway, Alec Baldwin, Gwyneth Paltrow, Cindy Sherman, MGMT, Wilco, Bonnie Raitt, Liv Tyler, Roberta Flack, Robert De Niro and Uma Thurman.
Auditor-General Says No to Fracking Inquiry
Auditor-General Lyn Provost has decided against investigating fracking operations in Taranaki because the concerns are “predominantly environmental”.
Fracking Supporters, Foes Prepare Legal Next Steps
New York State is poised to issue its plans for hydrofracking. The decision could come any time after Labor Day. But there’s no guarantee the controversy will die down, and both opponents and supporters are exploring their legal options.
BP OIL SPILL:
Shell Gets OK for Arctic Drilling Prep
The Obama administration has granted Royal Dutch Shell permission to begin drilling preparations off the coast of Alaska, bringing the region a step closer to offshore oil production.
Ocean Physicist Says Current Clean-Up Methods Useless In An Arctic Oil Spill
New research suggests that global warming is causing the Arctic ice sheet to melt away at a record speed. For oil companies, the development means previously inaccessible parts of the Arctic can now be reached during summer months for exploration and possible drilling. RFE/RL correspondent Ron Synovitz spoke with ocean physicist Peter Wadhams — head of the Polar Ocean Physics Group at Cambridge University — about the environmental risks of drilling for oil in the Arctic.
Isaac Leaves Louisiana Sodden, Lacking Power
The storm that had been Hurricane Isaac swirled into the central U.S. on Friday, leaving behind a soggy mess in Louisiana. Neighborhoods were underwater and even homes that stayed dry didn’t have lights, air conditioning or clean water.
Isaac Does Not Change Assumption Sinkhole
The storm that had been Hurricane Isaac swirled into the central U.S. on Friday, leaving behind a soggy mess in Louisiana. Neighborhoods were underwater and even homes that stayed dry didn’t have lights, air conditioning or clean water.
RADIATION:
Post-Fukushima Concerns Taken Note Of
In its verdict giving the thumbs-up to the Kudankulam nuclear power project, the Madras High Court ruled that the government had taken post-Fukushima concerns while clearing the project and observed that remote possibilities of a disaster could not be cited to abandon a project.
