News Round-Up: June 21, 2011

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Today’s essential reads.

FRACKING:

Critics Find Gaps in State Laws to Disclose Hydrofracking Chemicals

Over the past year, five states have begun requiring energy companies to disclose some of the chemicals they pump into the ground to extract oil and gas using the process of hydraulic fracturing.

Color Me Fracked: Energy Industry Produces Coloring Book to Make Case for Gas Drilling to Kids

When the energy industry publishes a coloring book, there is no crayon needed to see the shades of gray.

Tom Harbold: Fracking Raises Pollution Concerns

Fracking is the colloquial term for hydraulic fracturing, a technique used in natural gas drilling whereby a slurry of water and toxic chemicals is blasted deep into the earth at high pressures to fracture the shale in which natural gas is found, and liberate it for tapping.

‘We Need Clarity on Fracking Issue’

The hydraulic fracturing (fracking) saga continues to unravel in South Africa, with the DA on Sunday accusing Minister of Mineral Resources Susan Shabangu of “going through the motions” in addressing public concerns.

BP OIL SPILL:

UAB News – Watts Studying Fish Response to Chemical Dispersant

Genes that encode different stress-response proteins — proteins that protect against a stressor — are essential for the survival of a cell under attack. this is true for any animal, including fish exposed to oil or chemical dispersant as a result of the 2010 BP Deepwater Horizon oil spill.

Oil Spill Driller Won’t Talk

Transocean’s highest-ranking drilling employee on the oil rig that exploded and sank in the Gulf of Mexico has refused to testify in civil lawsuits over the disaster.

A Gulf Fisherman Struggles for Economic Survival (Video)

Oil seems to be a double curse for the fishermen of the Gulf Coast. Not only are they dealing with the devastating fallout of the BP oil spill, but they are struggling to keep up with ever-rising fuel costs too. Having already visited the awesome urban farmers of New Orleans, Daniel Klein and Mirra Fine of the Perennial Plate continued the Louisiana leg of their road trip with a boat ride courtesy of Sinh Pham — a Vietnamese shrimp fisherman struggling to get by with low dock prices, high fuel costs, and a dramatic decrease in catch.

Arctic Oil Spill Would Challenge US Coast Guard

A major offshore Arctic oil spill could severely challenge the U.S. Coast Guard, with no available infrastructure to base rescue and clean-up operations, the Coast Guard commandant said on Monday.

RADIATION:

Radioactive Tritium has Leaked from Three-Quarters of U.S. Commercial Nuclear Power Sites

Radioactive tritium has leaked from three-quarters of U.S. commercial nuclear power sites, often into groundwater from corroded, buried piping, an Associated Press investigation shows.The number and severity of the leaks has been escalating, even as federal regulators extend the licenses of more and more reactors across the nation.

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Stuart H. Smith is an attorney based in New Orleans fighting major oil companies and other polluters.
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