The document summarizes the key findings of a study by the Energy Institute at The University of Texas at Austin on the environmental and health impacts of shale gas development through hydraulic fracturing. The study found: 1) No evidence that hydraulic fracturing contaminated groundwater, but some surface spills posed risks; 2) Methane in water was likely from natural sources; 3) State regulations varied and lacked enforcement in some areas like wastewater disposal; 4) Media coverage of fracking was overwhelmingly negative despite little mention of scientific research finding few environmental impacts.
Fact-Based Regulation for Environmental Protection in Shale Gas DevelopmentMarcellus Drilling News
Study released in Feb 2012 by the Energy Institute at the University of Texas which looks at the science of hydraulic fracturing and a potential link between fracking and groundwater contamination. The study's conclusion: there is no link. Fracking itself does not contaminate groundwater. There are legitimate concerns about drilling, but those issues exist in conventional drilling--they are not specific to fracking.
NGA Report: State Practices to Protect Drinking Water While Developing Shale ...Marcellus Drilling News
The National Governors Association (NGA) issued a 16-page report in July encouraging governors and their states to adopt policies that encourage a) the use of less drinking water for fracking, and b) the use of more recycling of flowback water in fracking. The report, titled "State Practices to Protect Drinking Water While Developing Shale Energy" (full copy below), is the result of a a 35-member panel that met in March.
A summary of the report titled "Shale Gas Roundtable: Deliberations, Findings and Recommendations" issued by the Shale Gas Roundtable, a group of 26 individuals organized by the University of Pittsburgh’s Institute on Politics. The group's aim is to develop a framework to improve unconventional oil and gas production, transport, and use in Southwestern Pennsylvania.
Study: Estimation of regional air-quality damages from Marcellus Shale natura...Marcellus Drilling News
A study conducted by private research firm Rand Corporation. A first-order estimate of conventional air pollutant emissions, and the monetary value of the associated environmental and health damages, from the extraction of unconventional shale gas in Pennsylvania.
Fact-Based Regulation for Environmental Protection in Shale Gas DevelopmentMarcellus Drilling News
Study released in Feb 2012 by the Energy Institute at the University of Texas which looks at the science of hydraulic fracturing and a potential link between fracking and groundwater contamination. The study's conclusion: there is no link. Fracking itself does not contaminate groundwater. There are legitimate concerns about drilling, but those issues exist in conventional drilling--they are not specific to fracking.
NGA Report: State Practices to Protect Drinking Water While Developing Shale ...Marcellus Drilling News
The National Governors Association (NGA) issued a 16-page report in July encouraging governors and their states to adopt policies that encourage a) the use of less drinking water for fracking, and b) the use of more recycling of flowback water in fracking. The report, titled "State Practices to Protect Drinking Water While Developing Shale Energy" (full copy below), is the result of a a 35-member panel that met in March.
A summary of the report titled "Shale Gas Roundtable: Deliberations, Findings and Recommendations" issued by the Shale Gas Roundtable, a group of 26 individuals organized by the University of Pittsburgh’s Institute on Politics. The group's aim is to develop a framework to improve unconventional oil and gas production, transport, and use in Southwestern Pennsylvania.
Study: Estimation of regional air-quality damages from Marcellus Shale natura...Marcellus Drilling News
A study conducted by private research firm Rand Corporation. A first-order estimate of conventional air pollutant emissions, and the monetary value of the associated environmental and health damages, from the extraction of unconventional shale gas in Pennsylvania.
A new study, or rather a study to create a study, was announced on May 15, 2014 by the Boston-based Health Effects Institute. The new initiative will first draw together all of the "known" research about the potential health impacts from shale drilling (by end of 2014), and then create the framework for a study of what we "don't know"--that will be ready sometime in 2015.
Study: The Potential Environmental Impacts of Fracking in the Delaware River ...Marcellus Drilling News
A $320,444 "study" bought and paid for by Big Green groups (the William Penn Foundation and Delaware Riverkeeper) that reportedly shows the impacts (i.e. harms) that would occur if shale drilling were allowed in Wayne and Pike counties in Pennsylvania. Currently those counties cannot drill for shale energy because they are part of the Delaware River Basin Commission's jurisdiction and the DRBC does not allow drilling. This study, using Big Green money, is meant to keep it that way--no drilling ever in those counties, denying landowners their Constitutional rights. It is a sham study with a pre-determined outcome authored by CNA, a non-profit organization that sells itself to the highest bidder.
The development of clean, affordable nuclear power options is a key element of the Department of Energy’s Office of Nuclear Energy (DOE-NE) Nuclear Energy Research and Development Roadmap. As a part of this strategy, a high priority of the Department has been to help accelerate the timelines for the commercialization and deployment of small modular reactor (SMR) technologies through the SMR Licensing Technical Support program. Begun in FY12, the DOE Office of Nuclear Energy’s Small Modular Reactor Licensing Technical Support program will advance the certification and licensing of domestic SMR designs that are relatively mature and can be deployed in the next decade.
More information : http://www.sfen.org/
Rising Seas in California: an update on sea level rise scienceJennifer Fox
We wrote this to provide a synthesis of the state of the science on sea-level rise. It provides the scientific foundation for the pending update to the California Sea Level Rise Guidance.
Best Practices for NEPA Compliance and Related Permitting for Projects on In...Trihydro Corporation
Regulatory framework for permitting wells and pipelines
Typical timeframes and hang-ups in the permitting process
Best practices for permitting
Programmatic approaches to well field development on tribal lands, including potential benefits to tribes, Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA), and operators
Hydraulic Fracturing and Marcellus Shale Gas 11 22 2011Michael Klein
The drilling technique of Hydraulic Fracturing has allowed natural gas producers to extract natural gas economically from deep shale formations. This innovative drilling technique has made enormous quantities of natural gas available in wide areas of the United States from Texas, Louisiana, Pennsylvania, New York, Wyoming, North Carolina, and Colorado. The drilling technique of hydraulic fracturing accounts for roughly a quarter of total natural gas production in the United States as cited by the Energy Information Administration. With the increased emphasis on the use of natural gas in our federal energy policy, there will be new regulations, processes, and resources that will be required to mitigate the risks to human health and the environment from this new drilling technique. The presentation discusses the process of hydraulic fracturing; the threats that are posed to human health and the environment, areas in the USA where the process is used with an emphasis on the Marcellus Shale formation, current and new regulations being put into place, and plaintiff challenges to the process.
A new study, or rather a study to create a study, was announced on May 15, 2014 by the Boston-based Health Effects Institute. The new initiative will first draw together all of the "known" research about the potential health impacts from shale drilling (by end of 2014), and then create the framework for a study of what we "don't know"--that will be ready sometime in 2015.
Study: The Potential Environmental Impacts of Fracking in the Delaware River ...Marcellus Drilling News
A $320,444 "study" bought and paid for by Big Green groups (the William Penn Foundation and Delaware Riverkeeper) that reportedly shows the impacts (i.e. harms) that would occur if shale drilling were allowed in Wayne and Pike counties in Pennsylvania. Currently those counties cannot drill for shale energy because they are part of the Delaware River Basin Commission's jurisdiction and the DRBC does not allow drilling. This study, using Big Green money, is meant to keep it that way--no drilling ever in those counties, denying landowners their Constitutional rights. It is a sham study with a pre-determined outcome authored by CNA, a non-profit organization that sells itself to the highest bidder.
The development of clean, affordable nuclear power options is a key element of the Department of Energy’s Office of Nuclear Energy (DOE-NE) Nuclear Energy Research and Development Roadmap. As a part of this strategy, a high priority of the Department has been to help accelerate the timelines for the commercialization and deployment of small modular reactor (SMR) technologies through the SMR Licensing Technical Support program. Begun in FY12, the DOE Office of Nuclear Energy’s Small Modular Reactor Licensing Technical Support program will advance the certification and licensing of domestic SMR designs that are relatively mature and can be deployed in the next decade.
More information : http://www.sfen.org/
Rising Seas in California: an update on sea level rise scienceJennifer Fox
We wrote this to provide a synthesis of the state of the science on sea-level rise. It provides the scientific foundation for the pending update to the California Sea Level Rise Guidance.
Best Practices for NEPA Compliance and Related Permitting for Projects on In...Trihydro Corporation
Regulatory framework for permitting wells and pipelines
Typical timeframes and hang-ups in the permitting process
Best practices for permitting
Programmatic approaches to well field development on tribal lands, including potential benefits to tribes, Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA), and operators
Hydraulic Fracturing and Marcellus Shale Gas 11 22 2011Michael Klein
The drilling technique of Hydraulic Fracturing has allowed natural gas producers to extract natural gas economically from deep shale formations. This innovative drilling technique has made enormous quantities of natural gas available in wide areas of the United States from Texas, Louisiana, Pennsylvania, New York, Wyoming, North Carolina, and Colorado. The drilling technique of hydraulic fracturing accounts for roughly a quarter of total natural gas production in the United States as cited by the Energy Information Administration. With the increased emphasis on the use of natural gas in our federal energy policy, there will be new regulations, processes, and resources that will be required to mitigate the risks to human health and the environment from this new drilling technique. The presentation discusses the process of hydraulic fracturing; the threats that are posed to human health and the environment, areas in the USA where the process is used with an emphasis on the Marcellus Shale formation, current and new regulations being put into place, and plaintiff challenges to the process.
A baseline water study conducted by Cornell University graduate students of the chemcial composition of the water in 113 water wells in Chenango County, NY. This study, published in the Journal of Hydrology: Regional Studies (titled "Assessing dissolved methane patterns in central New York groundwater") will serve as a baseline with which to compare future samples should shale drilling ever begin in New York State.
International Conference on Peri-Urban Landscapes: Water, Food and Environmental Security, Sydney, Australia, July 8-10, 2014.
Dr Don Dingsdag Presentation
Last Updated October 31, 2011Hydrofracking Is hydraulic fractu.docxsmile790243
Last Updated: October 31, 2011
Hydrofracking: Is hydraulic fracturing, or hydrofracking, a safe way to extract natural gas?
Pro/Con Article Media Editorials News
Page Tools Highlighting
FULL ARTICLE
Introduction
Background
Supporters Argue
Opponents Argue
Conclusion
Chronology
By the Numbers
Spotlights
Discussion Questions
Bibliography
Further Resources
Introduction
SUPPORTERS ARGUE
There is no proven case of hydrofracking contaminating drinking water, and the process is perfectly safe. Natural gas can revive local economies, reduce U.S. dependence on foreign oil, and provide a cleaner-burning fossil fuel. Further regulation is unnecessary and will only prevent an opportunity for the United States to develop an alternative energy source and create jobs.
OPPONENTS ARGUE
The chemicals used in fracking fluid are toxic and pose a danger to public health if they contaminate drinking water reserves or leak out of wells. Oil and gas companies are not being honest with the public about the dangers of hydrofracking, and the federal government should apply much stricter, nationwide regulations to ensure that hydrofracking does not cause widespread health problems that could plague the public for generations.
Issues and Controversies: Hydrofracking Workers
Workers at a natural gas well site in Burlington, Pennsylvania, in April 2010 prepare a drill to begin the process of hydraulic fracturing, or hydrofracking.
AP Photo/Ralph Wilson
Many observers have hailed natural gas as a solution to several energy problems facing the U.S. Utilizing the country's ample domestic supply of the resource, many have said, could greatly decrease U.S. dependence on foreign oil and possibly drive energy prices down. Furthermore, natural gas produces much less carbon dioxide than other fossil fuels, about half as much as coal, making it the cleanest burning fossil fuel available. Energy experts have also touted natural gas as a cheap alternative to renewable energy sources, such as wind or solar energy, until engineers devise a way to make renewable energy more cost efficient. According to the Department of Energy, natural gas already produces about one-fifth of the nation's electricity, a proportion that may increase as energy firms tap more domestic reserves of natural gas.
The Marcellus Shale, a 95,000-square-mile geologic formation deep underground that stretches from West Virginia through Pennsylvania to upstate New York, is estimated to contain as much as 500 trillion cubic feet of natural gas. In order to access the natural gas in the Marcellus Shale and other shale formations, however, energy companies have to employ a controversial procedure called hydraulic fracturing—also known as "hydrofracking" or simply "fracking." Hydrofracking is a technique that releases natural gas by pumping millions of gallons of water, laced with sand and chemicals, thousands of feet underground to blast open, or fracture, shale formations, freeing the gas. [See Today's Science: Nat ...
Water and Shale Gas Development - Leveraging the US experience in new shale d...Marcellus Drilling News
A new report by global consulting firm Accenture that looks at the efficient and innovative ways the United States has dealt with water use in shale gas drilling. Accenture offers the U.S. as a model template for other countries who may be considering how (and whether) to frack their own shale deposits.
Study: Elevated Levels of Arsenic in Water Wells Near Barnett Shale DrillingMarcellus Drilling News
A study of 100 private water wells in the Barnett Shale in Texas by University of Texas at Arlington researchers claims to have found that about 1/3 of the wells close to drilling activity have dangerously high levels of arsenic. Critics of the research point out the sample size is small and relies on "before" tests of 300 wells in the same general area, but not necessarily these 100 specific wells where arsenic has been found. The report is titled, "An evaluation of water quality in private drinking water wells near natural gas extraction sites in the Barnett Shale Formation" and is published in the journal Environmental Science & Technology.
C A S E W E S T E R N R E S E R V E LAW R E V I E W • VOLUME 6.docxclairbycraft
C A S E W E S T E R N R E S E R V E LAW R E V I E W • VOLUME 63 • ISSUE 4 • 2013
H Y D R O F R A C K I N G :
STATE PREEMPTION, LOCAL POWER,
AND COOPERATIVE GOVERNANCE
John R. Nolon^ & Steven E. Gavin^
ABSTRACT
Advocates for the gas drilling technology known as hydrauhc fracturing,
or hydrofracking, argue that it will bring significant economic benefits to
the private and public sectors. Its opponents dispute these claims and
point to significant environmental and public health risks associated
with hydrofracking—risks that must be considered in adopting
government regulations needed to protect the pubhc interest. One of
the many issues raised by hydrofracking is which level of goverrmient
should regulate which aspects of the practice. This debate is
comphcated by the fact that the risks associated with hydrofracking
raise concerns of federal, state, and local importance and fit within
existing regulatory regimes of each of these levels of goverrmient. This
Article begins by describing the hmited aspects of hydrofracking that
are currently regulated by the federal government, which leaves many
of the risks unaddressed, opening the door for state and local
regulation. This Article describes the legal tension between state and
local governments in regulating hydrofracking in the four states that
contain the immense MarceUus shale formation. Its particular focus is
on court decisions that determine whether local land use regulation,
which typically regulates local industrial activity, has been preempted
by state statutes that historically regulate gas drilhng operations. This
investigation suggests that the broad scope and durabihty of local land
use power as a key feature of municipal governance tends to make
courts reluctant to usurp local prerogatives in the absence of extraordi-
narily clear and express language of preemption in state statutes that
regulate gas drilling. The Article concludes with an examination of how
the legitimate interests and legal authority of all three levels of
goverrmient can be integrated in a system of cooperative governance.
t John R. Nolon is Professor of Law at Pace Law School and Counsel to
the Land Use Law Center, and has been an adjunct professor at the
Yale School of Forestry and Environmental Studies since 2001.
\ Steven E. Gavin is a student at Pace Law School and editor in chief of
the Pace Environmental Law Review.
995
CASE WESTERN RESERVE LAW REVIEW • VOLUME 63 • ISSUE 4 • 2013
Hydrofracking: State Preemption, Local Power, and Cooperative Governance
CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION: HVDROFRACKING RAISES JURISDICTIONAL ISSUES 996
L LIMITED SCOPE OF GURRENT FEDERAL REGULATIONS 1000
A. Safe Drinking Water Act 1002
B. Clean Water Act 1005
C. Clean Air Act 1006
D. Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation,
and Liability Act 1008
E. Resoxirce Conservation and Recovery Ad 1009
F. Endangered Species Act lOlO
C. Toxic Substances Control Act 1012
IL NEW YORK: LOCALITIES WIN ROUND ONE, ESCAPINC PREE.
View my power point to learn about the hazards of the proposed nuclear waste dump by Lake Huron and visit http://saveoursaugeenshores.org/
The Joint Panel EA review of Ontario Power Generation's proposed Deep Geological Repository at the shores of Lake Huron case 06-5-17520 is now under review. Send your emailed comments to DGR.Review@ceaa-acee.gc.ca. The more people speak up the better!
A new study by the Canadian Fraser Institute that looks at the risks in hydraulic fracturing and shale drilling--and how to mitigate those risks. The study's author concludes that while fracking contains risks (as all human activity does), the risks are manageable.
Letter to Sec. Ernest Moniz Requesting Eco-Groups be Invited to Methane Discu...Marcellus Drilling News
A ninny nanny letter from a few people pretending to be large groups of people requesting they participate in so-called "secret" meetings being held by the federal government on the potential problem of methane pollution.
Similar to Separating Fact from Fiction in Shale Gas Development (20)
Quarterly legislative action update: Marcellus and Utica shale region (4Q16)Marcellus Drilling News
A quarterly update from the legal beagles at global law firm Norton Rose Fulbright. A quarterly legislative action update for the second quarter of 2016 looking at previously laws acted upon, and new laws introduced, affecting the oil and gas industry in Pennsylvania, Ohio and West Virginia.
An update from Spectra Energy on their proposed $3 billion project to connect four existing pipeline systems to flow more Marcellus/Utica gas to New England. In short, Spectra has put the project on pause until mid-2017 while it attempts to get new customers signed.
A letter from Rover Pipeline to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission requesting the agency issue the final certificate that will allow Rover to begin tree-clearing and construction of the 511-mile pipeline through Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Ohio and Michigan. If the certificate is delayed beyond the end of 2016, it will delay the project an extra year due to tree-clearing restrictions (to accommodate federally-protected bats).
DOE Order Granting Elba Island LNG Right to Export to Non-FTA CountriesMarcellus Drilling News
An order issued by the U.S. Dept. of Energy that allows the Elba Island LNG export facility to export LNG to countries with no free trade agreement with the U.S. Countries like Japan and India have no FTA with our country (i.e. friendly countries)--so this is good news indeed. Although the facility would have operated by sending LNG to FTA countries, this order opens the market much wider.
A study released in December 2016 by the London School of Economics, titled "On the Comparative Advantage of U.S. Manufacturing: Evidence from the Shale Gas Revolution." While America has enough shale gas to export plenty of it, exporting it is not as economic as exporting oil due to the elaborate processes to liquefy and regassify natural gas--therefore a lot of the gas stays right here at home, making the U.S. one of (if not the) cheapest places on the planet to establish manufacturing plants, especially for manufacturers that use natural gas and NGLs (natural gas liquids). Therefore, manufacturing, especially in the petrochemical sector, is ramping back up in the U.S. For every two jobs created by fracking, another one job is created in the manufacturing sector.
Letter From 24 States Asking Trump & Congress to Withdraw the Unlawful Clean ...Marcellus Drilling News
A letter from the attorneys general from 24 of the states opposed to the Obama Clean Power Plan to President-Elect Trump, RINO Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnel and RINO House Speaker Paul Ryan. The letter asks Trump to dump the CPP on Day One when he takes office, and asks Congress to adopt legislation to prevent the EPA from such an egregious overreach ever again.
Report: New U.S. Power Costs: by County, with Environmental ExternalitiesMarcellus Drilling News
Natural gas and wind are the lowest-cost technology options for new electricity generation across much of the U.S. when cost, public health impacts and environmental effects are considered. So says this new research paper released by The University of Texas at Austin. Researchers assessed multiple generation technologies including coal, natural gas, solar, wind and nuclear. Their findings are depicted in a series of maps illustrating the cost of each generation technology on a county-by-county basis throughout the U.S.
Annual report issued by the U.S. Energy Information Administration showing oil and natural gas proved reserves, in this case for 2015. These reports are issued almost a year after the period for which they report. This report shows proved reserves for natural gas dropped by 64.5 trillion cubic feet (Tcf), or 16.6%. U.S. crude oil and lease condensate proved reserves also decreased--from 39.9 billion barrels to 35.2 billion barrels (down 11.8%) in 2015. Proved reserves are calculated on a number of factors, including price.
The monthly tabulation and prediction from the U.S. Energy Information Administration on production and activity in the largest 7 U.S. shale plays. All 7 shale plays will experience a decrease in natural gas production from the previous month due to low commodity prices.
Velocys is the manufacturer of gas-to-liquids (GTL) plants that convert natural gas (a hyrdocarbon) into other hydrocarbons, like diesel fuel, gasoline, and even waxes. This PowerPoint presentation lays out the Velocys plan to get the company growing. GTL plants have not (so far) taken off in the U.S. Velocys hopes to change that. They specialize in small GTL plants.
PA DEP Revised Permit for Natural Gas Compression Stations, Processing Plants...Marcellus Drilling News
In January 2016, Gov. Wolf announced the DEP would revise its current general permit (GP-5) to update the permitting requirements for sources at natural gas compression, processing, and transmission facilities. This is the revised GP-5.
PA DEP Permit for Unconventional NatGas Well Site Operations and Remote Piggi...Marcellus Drilling News
In January 2016, PA Gov. Wolf announced the Dept. of Environmental Protection would develop a general permit for sources at new or modified unconventional well sites and remote pigging stations (GP-5A). This is the proposed permit.
Onerous new regulations for the Pennsylvania Marcellus Shale industry proposed by the state Dept. of Environmental Protection. The new regs will, according to the DEP, help PA reduce so-called fugitive methane emissions and some types of air pollution (VOCs). This is liberal Gov. Tom Wolf's way of addressing mythical man-made global warming.
The monthly Short-Term Energy Outlook (STEO) from the U.S. Energy Information Administration for December 2016. This issue makes a couple of key points re natural gas: (1) EIA predicts that natural gas production in the U.S. for 2016 will see a healthy decline over 2015 levels--1.3 billion cubic feet per day (Bcf/d) less in 2016. That's the first annual production decline since 2005! (2) The EIA predicts the average price for natural gas at the benchmark Henry Hub will climb from $2.49/Mcf (thousand cubic feet) in 2016 to a whopping $3.27/Mcf in 2017. Why the jump? Growing domestic natural gas consumption, along with higher pipeline exports to Mexico and liquefied natural gas exports.
A sort of "year in review" for the gas industry in the northeast. If you could boil it all down, the word that appears prominently throughout is "delay" with respect to important natgas pipeline projects. From the Constitution, which should have already been built by now, to smaller projects, delays were the prominent trend for 2016.
The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission responded to each point raised in a draft copy of the PA Auditor General's audit of how Act 13 impact fee money, raised from Marcellus Shale drillers, gets spent by local municipalities. The PUC says it's not their job to monitor how the money gets spent, only in how much is raised and distributed.
Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission Act 13/Impact Fees Audit by PA Auditor...Marcellus Drilling News
A biased look at how 60% of impact fees raised from PA's shale drilling are spent, by the anti-drilling PA Auditor General. He chose to ignore an audit of 40% of the impact fees, which go to Harrisburg and disappear into the black hole of Harrisburg spending. The Auditor General claims, without basis in fact, that up to 24% of the funds are spent on items not allowed under the Act 13 law.
The final report from the Pennsylvania Dept. of Environmental Protection that finds, after several years of testing, no elevated levels of radiation from acid mine drainage coming from the Clyde Mine, flowing into Ten Mile Creek. Radical anti-drillers tried to smear the Marcellus industry with false claims of illegal wastewater dumping into the mine, with further claims of elevated radiation levels in the creek. After years of testing, the DEP found those allegations to be false.
FERC Order Denying Stay of Kinder Morgan's Broad Run Expansion ProjectMarcellus Drilling News
Several anti-drillers filed an appeal of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission's Certificate for the Kinder Morgan Broad Run Expansion Project, asking for a stay claiming a removal of 40 acres of forest for a compressor station would irreparably harm Mom Earth. FERC has ruled against the stay and told the antis Mom Earth will be just fine.
Here is Gabe Whitley's response to my defamation lawsuit for him calling me a rapist and perjurer in court documents.
You have to read it to believe it, but after you read it, you won't believe it. And I included eight examples of defamatory statements/
‘वोटर्स विल मस्ट प्रीवेल’ (मतदाताओं को जीतना होगा) अभियान द्वारा जारी हेल्पलाइन नंबर, 4 जून को सुबह 7 बजे से दोपहर 12 बजे तक मतगणना प्रक्रिया में कहीं भी किसी भी तरह के उल्लंघन की रिपोर्ट करने के लिए खुला रहेगा।
04062024_First India Newspaper Jaipur.pdfFIRST INDIA
Find Latest India News and Breaking News these days from India on Politics, Business, Entertainment, Technology, Sports, Lifestyle and Coronavirus News in India and the world over that you can't miss. For real time update Visit our social media handle. Read First India NewsPaper in your morning replace. Visit First India.
CLICK:- https://firstindia.co.in/
#First_India_NewsPaper
El Puerto de Algeciras continúa un año más como el más eficiente del continente europeo y vuelve a situarse en el “top ten” mundial, según el informe The Container Port Performance Index 2023 (CPPI), elaborado por el Banco Mundial y la consultora S&P Global.
El informe CPPI utiliza dos enfoques metodológicos diferentes para calcular la clasificación del índice: uno administrativo o técnico y otro estadístico, basado en análisis factorial (FA). Según los autores, esta dualidad pretende asegurar una clasificación que refleje con precisión el rendimiento real del puerto, a la vez que sea estadísticamente sólida. En esta edición del informe CPPI 2023, se han empleado los mismos enfoques metodológicos y se ha aplicado un método de agregación de clasificaciones para combinar los resultados de ambos enfoques y obtener una clasificación agregada.
03062024_First India Newspaper Jaipur.pdfFIRST INDIA
Find Latest India News and Breaking News these days from India on Politics, Business, Entertainment, Technology, Sports, Lifestyle and Coronavirus News in India and the world over that you can't miss. For real time update Visit our social media handle. Read First India NewsPaper in your morning replace. Visit First India.
CLICK:- https://firstindia.co.in/
#First_India_NewsPaper
An astonishing, first-of-its-kind, report by the NYT assessing damage in Ukraine. Even if the war ends tomorrow, in many places there will be nothing to go back to.
01062024_First India Newspaper Jaipur.pdfFIRST INDIA
Find Latest India News and Breaking News these days from India on Politics, Business, Entertainment, Technology, Sports, Lifestyle and Coronavirus News in India and the world over that you can't miss. For real time update Visit our social media handle. Read First India NewsPaper in your morning replace. Visit First India.
CLICK:- https://firstindia.co.in/
#First_India_NewsPaper
2. Assessing the Real and
Perceived Consequences
of Shale Gas Development
t h e a st on ish ing su rge in domestic natural gas production, brought
on by the widespread use of hydraulic fracturing and horizontal drilling, has
transformed the outlook for U.S. energy. Conservative estimates project the
use of these techniques in shale gas development will all but assure a clean
and affordable natural gas supply for generations to come, creating new jobs
and enhancing our nation’s energy security.
That sanguine view has been tempered, Marcellus Shale, in Pennsylvania, New
however, by concerns that hydraulic York and portions of Appalachia; and the
fracturing may contaminate groundwater Haynesville Shale, in western Louisiana and
and pose other threats to public health. northeast Texas.
While little evidence exists directly linking
the practice to environmental harm, such The Energy Institute team investigated
fears have ignited a controversy that has an array of issues related to shale gas
dominated public discourse on the issue. development, including groundwater
In fact, some areas have halted shale gas contamination, toxicity of hydraulic
development altogether, at least temporarily. fracturing fluids, surface spills, atmospheric
emissions, water use, drilling waste
In response, the Energy Institute at The disposal, blowouts, and road traffic and
University of Texas at Austin funded an noise.
independent study of hydraulic fracturing in
shale gas development to inject science into The goal of this research is to provide
a highly charged emotional debate. policymakers a fact-based foundation
upon which they can formulate rational
For this study, the Energy Institute regulatory policies that ensure responsible
assembled an interdisciplinary team of shale gas development.
university experts to examine a broad
array of issues associated with hydraulic
fracturing in three prominent shale plays
— the Barnett Shale, in north Texas; the
2 | Separating Fact from Fiction in Shale Gas Development The University of Texas at Austin Energy Institute
3. Fact-Based Regulation for
Environmental Protection in
Shale Gas Development
For this study, the Energy Institute at The
University of Texas at Austin assembled a
team of experts with broad experience and Dr. Charles “Chip” Groat
expertise, from geology and environmental
law to public affairs and communications.
In addition to university faculty, the
Environmental Defense Fund was actively “Our mission is to
involved in developing the scope of work
and methodology for this study, and
reviewed final work products. alter the trajectory
Under the leadership of Institute Associate of public discourse
Director Dr. Charles “Chip” Groat,
researchers examined three critical areas in a positive manner,
related to shale gas development:
• Environmental and health effects
as exemplified in our
related to all phases of shale gas
development in the Barnett, Marcellus credo — good policy
and Haynesville shale plays, including
hydraulic fracturing, groundwater based on good science.”
contamination and air emissions.
Where problems were reported,
researchers determined the actual Dr. Raymond L. Orbach
cause of problems, based on a review Director, Energy Institute
The University of Texas at Austin
of scientific and other literature.
• Public perceptions of shale gas
development and hydraulic fracturing, The following pages provide an
as well as the tone of popular media — overview of key findings from the
positive, negative, or neutral.
Energy Institute’s study.
• State and federal regulations related
to shale gas development, including an For the complete report visit:
analysis of individual states’ capacity www.energy.utexas.edu
to enforce existing regulations.
The University of Texas at Austin Energy Institute Separating Fact from Fiction in Shale Gas Development | 3
4. Scientific Investigation into
Groundwater Contamination
and Other Environmental Impacts
the public debate over hydraulic development until additional research
fracturing in shale gas production has is conducted.
been marked by fears that the process will
contaminate groundwater. Concerns also For this report, the Energy Institute
have been raised that underground methane research team focused on reports of
releases are contaminating water wells. groundwater contamination and other
environmental impacts of shale gas
Though little scientific evidence exists to exploration and production in states
support such claims, policymakers in some within the Barnett, Marcellus and
areas have banned the practice, and others Haynesville shales.
have imposed moratoriums on shale gas
Key findings:
• Researchers found no evidence • Methane found in water wells
of aquifer contamination from within some shale gas areas
hydraulic fracturing chemicals (e.g., Marcellus) can most likely
in the subsurface by fracturing be traced to natural sources, and
operations, and observed no likely was present before the onset
leakage from hydraulic fracturing of shale gas operations.
at depth.
• Surface spills of fracturing fluids
• Many reports of groundwater appear to pose greater risks to
contamination occur in groundwater sources than from
conventional oil and gas hydraulic fracturing itself.
operations (e.g., failure of
well-bore casing and cementing) • Blowouts — uncontrolled fluid
and are not unique to hydraulic releases during construction or
fracturing. operation — are a rare occurrence,
but subsurface blowouts appear to
be under-reported.
4 | Separating Fact from Fiction in Shale Gas Development The University of Texas at Austin Energy Institute
5. Regulation of
Shale Gas Development
researchers surveyed federal and The research team also examined several
state laws and regulations related to shale exemptions of shale gas development from
gas development in 16 states that have or are federal environmental laws, including
expected to have shale gas production. This the Resource Conservation and Recovery
analysis covered all major phases of the Act, the Comprehensive Environmental,
shale gas lifecycle — exploration, well siting, Response, Compensation, and Liability Act,
drilling and fracturing, production, well the Clean Water Act, and the Safe Drinking
plugging, and site closure. Water Act.
Key findings:
• Primary regulatory authority for • Gaps remain in the regulation of
shale gas is at the state level, and well casing and cementing, water
many federal requirements have withdrawal and usage, and waste
been delegated to the states. storage and disposal.
• Most state oil and gas regulations • Regulations should focus on
were written well before shale gas the most urgent issues, such as
development became widespread. spill prevention — which may
pose greater risk than hydraulic
• Some states have revised fracturing itself.
regulations specifically for shale
gas development, with particular
focus on three areas of concern:
> disclosure of hydraulic
fracturing chemicals
> proper casing of wells to
prevent aquifer contamination
> management of wastewater
from flowback and produced
water
The University of Texas at Austin Energy Institute Separating Fact from Fiction in Shale Gas Development | 5
6. Enforcement
of State Regulations
researchers also reviewed state
Key findings:
agencies’ enforcement capabilities,
including a review of staff responsible
• Enforcement capacity is highly variable
for conducting inspections and attorneys
among the states, particularly when
supporting enforcement. The review
measured by the ratio of staff to numbers
covered violations recorded, enforcement
of inspections conducted.
actions, field sampling, and monitoring.
• Most violations recorded are of the type
associated with conventional gas drilling
rather than being specific to hydraulic
fracturing and shale gas production.
• Enforcement actions tend to emphasize
surface incidents more than subsurface
contaminant releases, perhaps because
they are easier to observe.
Treatable groundwater aquifers Private well
Municipal water well;
<1,000 feet
Shale Gas Extraction
Additional steel casing
and cement to protect
groundwater
Protective steel casing
Shale fractures
N OT TO S CA LE
Approximate distance
from surface: 8,000 feet
Graphic by Chesapeake Energy
6 | Separating Fact from Fiction in Shale Gas Development The University of Texas at Austin Energy Institute
7. Public Perception
of Shale Gas Development
energy institute researchers analyzed Researchers also found that less than
print, broadcast and online news media 20% of newspaper articles on hydraulic
coverage of shale gas development in the fracturing mention scientific research
Marcellus, Haynesville, and Barnett shale related to the issue. Similarly, only 25%
areas. They found that the tone of media of broadcast news stories examined made
coverage has been overwhelmingly negative reference to scientific studies, and about
in all forms of media. Roughly two-thirds 33% of online news coverage mentioned
of the articles and stories examined were scientific research on the issue.
deemed negative, a finding that was
consistent nationally and at local levels.
Tone of Media Coverage
Negative Neutral Positive
National Newspapers 64% 25% 12%
Local Newspapers 65% 23% 12%
National Television
64% 19% 18%
& Radio
Local Television 70% 27% 3%
Online News 63% 30% 7%
The University of Texas at Austin Energy Institute Separating Fact from Fiction in Shale Gas Development | 7