Today’s Essential Reads
FRACKING:
What Is Fracking? Public Awareness of Shale Gas Extraction Is Low
Three YouGov surveys carried out in March, April and June 2012 found that, even with the sustained coverage in the mainstream print and broadcast media, just 39-45% of respondents knew what shale gas was.
Pennsylvania Republicans Protect Suburbs from Fracking, but Give Go-Ahead in Rural Counties
In the ongoing fight between the energy companies that want to drill for natural gas via hydraulic fracturing, or “fracking,” and the environmental activists warning of the technology’s dangers, the Republican-dominated Pennsylvania state legislature last week came up with a novel sort of “compromise”: allow fracking and its consequences statewide, except for the Philadelphia suburbs in the southeastern corner of the state where its wealthiest residents live.
Portage County Fracking Foes Join Forces to Fight Drilling (With Poll/Map)
Foes of horizontal hydraulic fracturing in Portage County are joining their efforts to educate people about the potential dangers in drilling for natural gas.
Aurora City Council to Vote on Fracking Water Lease
Aurora City Council is set to vote Monday night on a proposal to lease some of its water to a major oil-and-gas development company.
BP OIL SPILL:
RESTORE Act boosts momentum for LA Wildlife’s ongoing work in Gulf (part 2 of 2)
Last week, Chris Macaluso of the Louisiana Wildlife Federation spoke to Examiner about why the RESTORE Act’s millions are eagerly anticipated here in a state where both coastline and creatures suffer.
Examiner Editorial: Obama’s Imperious Presidency May Trigger Another Contempt Charge
In the wake of the BP oil spill in 2010, Interior Secretary Ken Salazar attempted to impose an official moratorium on oil and gas drilling off the Gulf Coast. As justification for his policy, he offered up a government report that he claimed had the endorsement of several respected scientists.
BP Oil Spill Fine Plan Is Complex
A distribution formula that takes coastal populations into account could put a damper on the gulf oil-spill compensation Louisiana receives, documents indicate.
Louisiana Won’t Get As Much in Gulf Oil Spill Fines As Officials Hoped
A close reading of the conference committee report outlining the compromise Restore Act approved by Congress last week shows that Louisiana won’t get as many billions in Clean Water Act fines as state leaders had hoped. Compromise language awards other states larger shares than Louisiana officials believe they deserve.
RADIATION:
Fukushima, Afghan High School Students Swap Stories Online
High school students from Japan and Afghanistan might not be expected to have much in common, but Peter Crowley, UNICEF’s representative in Afghanistan, learned otherwise during his first trip to Fukushima Prefecture.
