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Archive for March, 2014
In U.S., Mudslides Common, But Usually Few Deaths
Posted by Washington Post: Juliet Eilperin on March 28th, 2014
National Public Radio: Washington state, with its many steep slopes, streams and rivers and some of the heaviest annual rainfall in the country, is a mudslide waiting to happen. Add in soil erosion from logging, as was reportedly the case near the community of Oso before last week's tragedy, and the probability of such an event increases.
And, as we now know, this was just the latest in a string of mudslides in the area over the years as well as (apparently unheeded) official warnings about the potential for such a...
White House plan targets methane emissions
Posted by Washington Post: Juliet Eilperin on March 28th, 2014
Associated Press: The White House announced a wide-ranging plan Friday aimed at cutting methane emissions from oil and gas drilling, landfills and other sources, part of President Barack Obama’s strategy to reduce greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to global warming. The White House plan, which could lead to several new regulations on energy production and waste management, comes amid concerns about increased methane emissions resulting from an ongoing boom in drilling for oil and natural gas. Methane is a...
Growing Tight: U.S. Oil Now 10 Percent of World Supply
Posted by Climate Central: Bobby Magill on March 28th, 2014
Climate Central: The U.S. now contributes more than 10 percent of the total global crude oil supply as of the end of 2013, a result of the advances in hydraulic fracturing and drilling technology that are driving the oil and gas boom in Texas, North Dakota and other Western states, new U.S. Energy Information Administration data show.
The drilling frenzy in the West's oil fields is mainly about one thing: "tight" crude.
Most of the easiest oil to drill in the U.S. has been in decline, so energy companies over...
Texas Railroad Commission seismologist says he’ll get to the bottom of earthquakes
Posted by Dallas Business Journal: Nicholas Sakelaris on March 28th, 2014
Dallas Business Journal: The Texas Railroad Commission hired a seismologist Friday who promises to get to the bottom of the earthquake activity that rocked Azle and surrounding communities.
David Craig Pearson, a former team leader at Los Alamos National Laboratory in New Mexico, will start working at the commission, which regulates oil and gas in Texas, on April 1.
“My objective is to develop a broad understanding of the impact of oil and gas extraction activities on the day-to-day lives of Texas residents,” Pearson...
Posted in Water Conservation 
Comments Off on Texas Railroad Commission seismologist says he’ll get to the bottom of earthquakesUN boosts Ethiopia`s climate change network
Posted by APA: None Given on March 28th, 2014
APA: The UN Economic Commission for Africa, has delivered 23 computers to the Ethiopian Government in a bid to tackle the threat of climate change in the country.
The Commission made the donation through its organ, the African Climate Policy Centre (ACPC) to the Ethiopian National Meteorological Agency (NMA).
The UN Agency said Ethiopia was among African countries that are highly vulnerable to climate change and climate variability with extreme weather events expected to increase with climate change....
Obama sidesteps Congress curb methane emissions
Posted by Christian Science Monitor: Fabien Tepper on March 28th, 2014
Christian Science Monitor: The administration's latest effort to curb domestic climate change contributions sidesteps Congress but promises friendly cooperation with the industries most responsible for methane emissions. It is part of the long-term executive Climate Action Plan (CAP) announced last June. "Taking action to curb methane waste and pollution is important because emissions of methane make up nearly 9 percent of all the greenhouse gas emitted as a result of human activity in the United States," said the administration...
Organic Standards Lowered for Livestock in Drought-Ridden California
Posted by Washington Post: Juliet Eilperin on March 28th, 2014
Environmental News Network: Due to California’s historic drought, a variance was issued by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) in February that enables applicable organic livestock farmers in the Golden State to temporarily disregard the feeding standards that allow them to stamp their product as organic. Organic producers are only allowed to substitute their livestock’s grass diet with organic feed, but there is concern that this is not a long-term solution as it threatens established organic standards. Farmers, whose...
Posted in Water Conservation Comments Off on Organic Standards Lowered for Livestock in Drought-Ridden CaliforniaCalifornia goes nuts for water
Posted by Climate News Network: Kieran Cooke on March 28th, 2014
Climate News Network: Almonds are good for you. That's the message California's enterprising nut growers have been giving to the world -- and they have been remarkably successful in their marketing efforts.
Under an unprecedented range of restrictions, no water from state projects is being supplied to farmers.
The world appetite for almonds is growing by the day -- and nut farmers in the western United States have been cashing in. According to the Almond Board of California the state now produces more than 80 percent...
Greens debate impacts of LNG exports on global warming
Posted by Greenwire: Jean Chemnick on March 28th, 2014
Greenwire: Environmentalists wary of plans to open the gates for U.S. exports of liquefied natural gas (LNG) might be missing an opportunity to advance their primary goal, fighting global warming.
So say some advocates for climate change action who see the wider distribution of natural gas leading to reduced emissions of heat-trapping greenhouse gases as coal-burning power plants are switched to gas.
Paul Bledsoe, a fellow with the German Marshall Fund and a former Clinton White House aide, is among those...
Judge eases restrictions on Pa. fracking activist
Posted by Associated Press: Michael Rubinkam on March 28th, 2014
Associated Press: A northeastern Pennsylvania judge has loosened restrictions on an anti-fracking activist who had been barred from stepping foot on more than 300 square miles of land owned or leased by a natural gas driller. Vera Scroggins, 63, who is known for leading bus tours of the Marcellus Shale gas field and posting videos of drilling operations online, had argued the order prevented her from traveling to her favorite grocery store, eye doctor, hospital, restaurants and other places that leased land to Cabot...