Today’s Essential Reads
FRACKING:
Is The Booming Natural Gas Industry Overproducing?
The practice of hydraulic fracturing — pumping fluid into underground rock to push up natural gas — has its detractors, especially among environmentalists. But it’s becoming clear that whatever its drawbacks, “fracking,” as it’s called, is producing a lot of gas — maybe too much gas.
Fracking Complicates the Climate Debate: John Kemp
Hydraulic fracturing and horizontal drilling have laid to rest concerns about peaking oil and gas supplies for a generation, but they have also made the search for comprehensive policies to restrain greenhouse gas emissions more urgent.
Fracking Opponent Ends 8-Day Hunger Strike After Meeting With His Senator
Following examples set by Martin Luther King Jr. and Mahatma Gandhi, Patrick McElligott embarked on a hunger strike to raise awareness about the practice of hydraulic fracturing, demanding a sit-down with elected officials to discuss its dangers.
Cutting Through the Hydrofracking Spin
You’d almost have to have been living under a rock not to have heard of the controversy “hydraulic fracturing” is creating in New York.
BP OIL SPILL:
Master Plan Forgets Bayou Communities, Residents Say
The state’s new 50-year, $50 billion draft plan for coastal protection and restoration does not do enough to replace rapidly disappearing marshes in eastern Terrebonne that protect bayou communities, residents told state officials Tuesday.
Gulf Oil Spill Could Result in Criminal Charges for BP Employees
Federal criminal charges may be pending for key individuals involved in the Gulf of Mexico oil spill.
Seafood Board May Use BP Cash to Rename N.O. Arena
The Louisiana Seafood Promotion and Marketing Board might use some of the $30 million it got from BP PLC to buy naming rights for the New Orleans Arena, where the NBA’s Hornets play.
BP’s McKay Will Be First Witness at Gulf Oil Spill Trial
BP America Inc. Chairman and President Lamar McKay will be the first witness at the February trial to determine liability for the 2010 Gulf of Mexico oil spill, plaintiffs’ lawyers said.
RADIATION:
Japan Task Force Kept No Records of Nuclear Crisis Response
Japan’s energy minister admitted on Tuesday that no records were kept of top level discussions in the critical early days on how to respond to the world’s worst nuclear disaster in 25 years.
