Today’s Essential Reads
FRACKING:
Large Majority Opposes Fracking in Sullivan; 500 County Residents Polled
A new poll conducted by Pulse Opinion Research shows that a large majority of residents in Sullivan County oppose hydraulic fracturing and favor the enactment of zoning regulations that would restrict it.
Fracking Plan for Wayne National Forest Draws Opposition
An environmental group has joined those opposing the federal government’s plan to lease out thousands of acres in Wayne National Forest for oil and gas drilling, the Associated Press reports.
Safeguarding Drinking Water Top Concern in Fracking Forum
Health concerns were abundant as New Yorkers submitted their questions about hydraulic fracturing, or hydrofracking, as part of Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s second online town hall toaddress the issue.
BP OIL SPILL:
Deepwater Horizon: Production Rewarded, Safety Ignored
The federal investigative team reviewing the April 20, 2010 Deepwater Horizon explosion that killed 11 workers, injured 16 and resulted in a catastrophic 87-day oil spill that dumped millions of barrels of oil into the Gulf of Mexico has laid most of the blame for the tragedy on BP, but the news isn’t good for Deepwater Horizon owner Transocean or cement contractor Halliburton, either.
NYT: Gulf Shrimp Are Scarce This Season; Answers, Too
The dock at Bundy’s Seafood is quiet, the trucks are empty and a crew a fraction of the normal size sits around a table waiting for something to do. But the most telling indicator that something is wrong is the smell. It smells perfectly fine.
BP to Clean up Tar Patties on Pensacola Beach
The oil company responsible for last year’s Gulf oil spill is removing a cluster of tar patties buried in Pensacola Beach.
New Zealand Oil Spill Worsens as Oil Hits Shore, Threatens Local Wildlife
The unfolding oil spill in off the coast of New Zealand has worsened this afternoon, asthe BBC reported that “fist-sized clumps of oil” have been found on Mount Maunganui beach. The potential disaster began on Wednesday, when the Liberian ship Rena ran aground on a reef. The ship is still there as efforts to recover the oil from the leaking vessel have been delayed by bad weather.
Participants in Vessels of Opportunity Program Can Pursue Damage Claims, BP Says
People who participated in BP’s Vessels of Opportunity program can now pursue claims for damage to their boats and possibly other grievances, even if they settled claims for economic losses from the oil spill with the Gulf Coast Claims Facility, according to a letter from BP. But, BP, leaseholder of the ill-fated Macondo well, also says in the letter that it reserves the right to deduct any wages that boat owners earned in the Vessels of Opportunity program from any ultimate settlements.
RADIATION:
Residents Near Fukushima Mountains Face Nuclear Recontamination Every Rainfall
As the crisis at the Fukushima No. 1 Nuclear Plant drags on, worries are growing particularly among Fukushima Prefecture residents over drawn-out and in some cases apparently futile nuclear decontamination operations.
