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Archive for March, 2013
Quake Tied to Oil-Drilling Waste Adds Pressure for Fracking Rules
Posted by Bloomberg: Mark Drajem and Jim Efstathiou Jr. on March 27th, 2013
Bloomberg: Scientists have linked Oklahoma’s biggest recorded earthquake to the disposal of wastewater from oil production, adding to evidence that may lead to greater regulation of hydraulic fracturing for oil and gas.
The 5.7-magnitude quake in 2011 followed an 11-fold bump in seismic activity across the central U.S. in recent years as disposal wells are created to handle increases in wastewater from hydraulic fracturing, or fracking.
Researchers at the University of Oklahoma, Columbia University and...
Posted in Water Conservation 
Comments Off on Quake Tied to Oil-Drilling Waste Adds Pressure for Fracking RulesReport: LA Kings Coach to Press Obama on Keystone Pipeline
Posted by The Hill: Zack Colman on March 27th, 2013
The Hill: Los Angeles Kings head coach Darryl Sutter said pucks, politics and the Keystone XL pipeline are on the agenda Tuesday when the Stanley Cup champions meet President Obama.
Sutter, who owns a ranch in Alberta, told Canada’s The Globe and Mail that he plans to press Obama on the proposed Alberta-to-Texas oil sands pipeline.
“I’m gonna ask him about it – damn rights I am,” Sutter said ahead of the ceremonial White House meeting.
Sutter, an Alberta native, is the latest in a long list of Canadians...
Posted in Water Conservation Comments Off on Report: LA Kings Coach to Press Obama on Keystone PipelineU.S. Defense Department Stands by Its Oil Sands Fuel
Posted by Globe and Mail: Shawn Mccarthy on March 27th, 2013
Globe and Mail: The U.S. Defence Department has rebuffed an environmentalist campaign to stop it from using fuel processed from oil sands crude, saying there would be no environmental benefit and such a move would be impractical.
In a decision posted on the U.S. federal register last week, the department said its use of products from the oil sands had "no significant impact" on the environment, and therefore did not require it to change its procurement practices. The Defence Logistical Agency purchased $12.6-billion...
Shore Rebuilding, Renters Go South for Summer
Posted by New York Times: Kate Zernike on March 27th, 2013
New York Times: In a typical summer, Terriann and Joseph LoVerde’s rental here makes for a listing a real estate broker called a real moneymaker.
A block from the beach! Walk to town! Two units and a cottage in back — bring the extended family!
This year, they would have to include a few caveats: Hurricane Sandy wiped out walls and windows, after washing away three houses between the LoVerdes’ and the beach.
Here in the heart of the Jersey Shore, the warmer days of spring hint at the promise of summer:...
New Mexico Farmers Seek ‘Priority Call’ as Drought Persists
Posted by Washington Post: Juliet Eilperin on March 27th, 2013
New York Times: Just after the local water board announced this month that its farmers would get only one-tenth of their normal water allotment this year, Ronnie Walterscheid, 53, stood up and called on his elected representatives to declare a water war on their upstream neighbors.
“It’s always been about us giving up,” Mr. Walterscheid said, to nods. “I say we push back hard right now.”
The drought-fueled anger of southeastern New Mexico’s farmers and ranchers is boiling, and there is nowhere near enough...
Posted in Water Conservation Comments Off on New Mexico Farmers Seek ‘Priority Call’ as Drought PersistsUnited Kingdom: Tackling climate change doesn’t cost the earth
Posted by Telegraph: Edward Davey on March 27th, 2013
Telegraph: Government has a duty to help keep bills down -- and that's what we've been doing. There's a lot of help available to the most vulnerable, such as cold weather payments and the Warm Homes Discount.
But my Department has been concentrating on keeping bills as low as possible over the long-term - and for everyone.
Some people think climate change policies on things like wind farms are what are behind high bills. But they couldn't be more wrong. The biggest single thing driving bills higher is...
Posted in Water Conservation Comments Off on United Kingdom: Tackling climate change doesn’t cost the earthGroup Warns of “Natural Resources Giveaway” in Latin America
Posted by Washington Post: Juliet Eilperin on March 26th, 2013
Inter Press Service: Researchers have unveiled new data warning that governments in Latin America are infringing on the rights of their indigenous populations in a bid to fuel development through the extraction of natural resources.
The Rights and Resources Initiative (RRI), a Washington-based organisation, says it has documented a "natural resources giveaway" in Latin America, which highlights how an outdated development model is trampling on human rights and the environment throughout much of the region.Governments...
Posted in Water Conservation Comments Off on Group Warns of “Natural Resources Giveaway” in Latin AmericaPeru declares state of emergency due to oil contamination in Amazon
Posted by Washington Post: Juliet Eilperin on March 26th, 2013
Mongabay: The Peruvian government has declared an environmental state of emergency after finding elevated levels of lead, barium, and chromium in the Pastaza River in the Amazon jungle, reports the Associated Press. Indigenous peoples in the area have been complaining for decades of widespread contamination from oil drilling, but this is the first time the Peruvian government has acknowledged their concerns. Currently 84 percent of the Peruvian Amazon is covered by potential oil blocs, leading to conflict...
Posted in Water Conservation Comments Off on Peru declares state of emergency due to oil contamination in AmazonConcerns Mount as U.S. Plans Major Natural Gas Exports
Posted by Inter Press Service: Carey L. Biron on March 26th, 2013
Inter Press Service: Environmentalists and others here are reacting with concern to a surprise announcement on Monday of a major deal that would see U.S. natural gas exported to the United Kingdom, marking the first time that such sales have been permitted.
The agreement, between the UK energy company Centrica and the U.S.-based Cheniere Energy Partners, would see more than 1.7 million metric tonnes of liquefied natural gas (LNG) per year shipped to the United Kingdom, starting in 2018. The U.K.'s gas supply has been...
Is Shrinking Sea Ice Behind Chilly Spring?
Posted by Washington Post: Juliet Eilperin on March 26th, 2013
National Geographic: First it was the fault of Punxsutawney Phil, the groundhog who mistakenly forecasted a quick end to winter. Now climate scientists are saying that Arctic sea ice-or the lack of it-is a driving force behind the Northern Hemisphere's unseasonably cold spring.
As Northern Hemisphere temperatures remain below normal more than a week into the official start of spring, a team of meteorologists and climate scientists are pointing to recent research that suggests sea ice cover is a likely culprit.
Recent...