Today’s Essential Reads
FRACKING:
Fracking Used More Diesel Fuel Than Estimated, Lawmakers Say
Three U.S. House members investigating the use of toxic substances in the fluids injected into natural gas wells have revised their estimate of the amount of diesel fuel used in the practice, known as hydraulic fracturing or “fracking.”
Members of Congress investigating chemicals used in U.S. natural gas “fracking” say they’ve revised their estimate of the amount of diesel fuel used.
Natural-gas Production Linked to Quakes in England, Arkansas, and North Texas
Late last week, the region’s largest earthquake on record rattled the heart of South Texas oil and gas country, shaking the ground 47 miles southeast of San Antonio in Atascosa County and sending mild tremors as far north as Burnet. But the 4.8 magnitude earthquake also stirred up questions over oilfield activity and whether new processes involved could spark significant, damaging quakes in the future.
It’s unclear whether the state will grant permits for a controversial, but potentially lucrative, natural gas extraction process next year. Environmental Conservation Commissioner Joe Martens said Tuesday there’s still a lot of information to assess, leaving it unclear if permits can be granted for hydraulic fracturing by next year.
BP OIL SPILL:
With an increasing number of dead dolphins showing up along the northern Gulf Coast, scientists are scrambling to keep up and find the reason behind the deaths.
BP Profits While Coastal Business Still Struggle
Watching his announcement that BP had third quarter net profits of nearly five billion dollars profits is not easy for small business owner Phyllis Pearson.
A Fisherman’s Farewell? Gulf Resident’s Fight for Their Future 15 Months After the BP Blowout
Mark Stewart is a third generation fisherman from the Mississippi Gulf fishing community of Pass Christian. He’s a proud and tough working man of the sea, used to hauling in nets until his arms nearly fall off and fishing all night until his eyelids are crusted shut like a saltine sandwich. That’s the life he knows, the life he wouldn’t have any other way.
BP Gets OK to Drill New Deep-Water Well
The federal government on Wednesday gave BP approval to launch its first deep-water drilling since the lethal blowout of its Macondo well a year and a half ago.
RADIATION:
Radiation Exposure to the Population in Japan After the Earthquake
The Fukushima nuclear accident dispersed airborne dusts that are contaminated with radioactive particles. When inhaled or ingested, these particles can have negative effects on human health that are different from those caused by exposure to external or uniform radiation fields.
