Today’s Essential Reads.
FRACKING:
Fracking Water Killed Trees, Study Finds
A study that argues for more research into the safe disposal of chemical-laced wastewater resulting from natural gas drilling found that a patch of national forest in West Virginia suffered quick and serious loss of vegetation after it was sprayed with hydraulic fracturing fluids.
Study: Fracking Could Seriously Damage NY Tourism
The impact of natural gas drilling and hydraulic fracturing could have a significant and debilitating impact on tourism in the southern part of New York state, according to a new study from a regional planning board there.
Tomblin to Unveil Emergency Fracking Rules
Acting Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin plans to unveil emergency rules today to increase oversight of the state’s natural gas industry.
W.Va. Study Raises Questions About Fracking Fluid
A gas company that legally doused a patch of West Virginia forest with salty wastewater from a drilling operation killed ground vegetation within days and more than half the trees within two years, a new report from the U.S. Forest Service says.
BP OIL SPILL:
BP Oil Spill Grievances Aired to Marco Rubio
A year after the BP oil spill, livelihoods remain damaged, environmental impact remains uncertain and thousands of Floridians still are awaiting payment from BP.
Gov. Jindal Lists $533 Million in Projects for BP to Finance After Gulf Oil Spill
Gov. Bobby Jindal on Monday unveiled a $533 million list of projects the state wants BP to finance out of the $1 billion the company has promised as an advance payment for restoration of damages to natural resources caused by last year’s massive oil spill.
A Fear Still Flows One Year After the BP Oil Spill
Although signs of progress abound, many Gulf Coast residents are still trying to come to terms with the oil spill — and they worry about the future.
When Oil and Water (and Land) Mix
Last year it was the BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, and then another in China in early June and just last week, Montana suffered an oil spill, with an estimated 42,000 gallons dumping into the Yellowstone River. Jennifer Cole, director of the Environmental Studies Program at Northeastern, discusses how oil spills affect wildlife and irrigation, and emphasizes the need to reevaluate our dependence on fossil fuels.
RADIATION:
Gov’t Panel: Changes Needed at U.S. Nuclear Plants
An expert task force convened by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission called Japan’s nuclear disaster “unacceptable” and concluded that nuclear power plants in the U.S. need better protections for rare, catastrophic events.
Environmental Health Trust Lauds San Francisco for Saving Right-to-Know on Cell Phone Radiation
Approved legislation requiring businesses to provide safety information about cell phone radiation to people before they purchase their phonesis a real victory for people all over the world
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