Jurisdictions Across the US are Saying "No" to Fracking

States and other smaller jurisdictions are saying no to fracking. More than 150 towns, cities, and counties across the U.S. have already adopted such policies. A number of US jurisdictions have passed laws forbidding fracking. Some have even mandated that up to one-third of their power must come from renewable sources by 2020.

After a thorough investigation the state of New York State banned fracking at the start of 2015. Maryland has put a moratorium on the practice and Maryland county became the first in the state to ban fracking outright.

Obama Begins to Reign-in Methane Emissions from Fracking

Through the Environmental Protection Agency the Obama administration is cracking down on methane associated with the extraction of fossil fuels. Fugitive emissions are unintended or irregular gas leaks, however most of the emissions associated with fracking are intentional. Releases of gas are part of the standard operating procedure of the extraction process.

Methane is main ingredient in natural gas and one of the world's most potent greenhouse gases. The Obama administration’s new rules to curb methane come in the wake of two reports that illustrate the dangers of fracking. These reports show that methane is seeping into that atmosphere throughout the fracking process from extraction to the end users.

Fracking Contaminates Drinking Water

Despite the secrecy of the fracking industry and the protections afforded by some states there is mounting evidence that hydraulic fracturing or "fracking" contaminates drinking water. Fracking is a fossil fuel extraction process that consists of injecting chemicals deep underground to break up shale formations.Conservative estimates indicate that there have been at least 260 documented examples of wells contamination due to fracking in Pennsylvania alone. As reported in Scientific American, a 2013 study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences USA found widespread examples of methane laced drinking water In Pennsylvania. The researchers showed that the closer you are to a fracking site the more likely that your well will be contaminated.

Natural Gas versus Renewable Energy

Natural gas, particularly gas from fracking cannot hold a candle to renewable energy. Nonetheless, the positive spin associated with fracking for natural gas persists. Natural gas is anything but clean but it continues to be sold as such.

This American made technology has been shipped all around the world. So has US natural gas. As the first load of American gas was being shipped by Cheniere Energy, the company’s vice president of marketing, Meg Gentle, told industry and government officials that natural gas should be rebranded as renewable energy.

Fracking and Earthquakes go Together like Sodom and Gomorrah

Earthquakes caused by fracking are a common occurrence in the US. We have seen a 4000 percent increase in earthquakes in the US in the last 8 years. Earthquakes caused by natural causes can be both destructive and deadly but they are unavoidable, whereas earthquakes caused by fracking for climate change causing natural gas are both lamentable and avoidable. Fracking related earthquakes are caused when the heavily polluted water used for fracking is disposed of by injecting it deep underground below aquifers near fault lines.

Leaking Methane Associated with Fracking

A close examination of the facts exposes unconventional gas as anything but a cleaner bridge fuel. The gas obtained from hydraulic fracturing (fracking) leaks at every step in the process from extraction to the transportation and distribution. New research suggests these leaks cancel out the emissions reduction efforts of the Obama administration.

While it was known that fracking operations leak, the extent of those leaks is far worse than anyone, including the EPA had expected. Leakage of as little as 4 percent makes fracking a dirtier source of energy than coal. As Colm Sweeney, the head of the aircraft program at NOAA’s Earth System Research Laboratory, told the journal Nature, leakage makes the climate value of natural gas highly questionable.

The Myth that Fracked Natural Gas is a Bridge Fuel

Now that the EPA is beginning to reign in methane emissions, we need to expose the myth that natural gas is a bridge fuel that will help us to transition to renewable sources of energy. The logic supporting fracking is based on the fact that there are lower carbon emissions associated with the burning of gas compared to coal.

However, a number of studies clearly demonstrates that when you factor the leaks, fracking for gas, is not clean and it may even have a more destructive climate impact than coal.

The Porter Ranch Methane Leak Could be a Catalyst for Change

 The invisible methane leak in California is a great opportunity to open a discussion about the future of natural gas in America. The Porter Ranch disaster is one of the biggest environmental disasters in US history and it is happening right now in southern California. The methane leak at the SoCalGas Aliso Canyon Storage Facility, located in the Porter Ranch neighborhood of northwest Los Angeles, is already the largest such leak in U.S. history and it is far from over. The leak started in October and SoCalGas has indicated that it does not expect to be able to cap the leak until March.

Infographic - Fracking Accidents

Seminar - Reducing Carbon Emissions in the Water Sector

This event will take place on June, 11th, 2014 in London, United Kingdom. The seminar is titled Reducing Carbon Emissions in the Water Sector it will address both incentives and innovation.

This facilitated interactive seminar will review key challenges and consider their viability, leading to the production of a summary of conclusions and recommendations.

For more information or to register click here.

Event - International Conference and Exhibition on Emissions Monitoring

CEM 2014 The 11th International Conference and exhibition on Emissions monitoring will take place in Istanbul, Turkey from the 14th – 16th May 2014.

Since its inaugural meeting in 1997 the CEM conferences have been held in the United Kingdom, The Netherlands, Denmark, France, Switzerland, Italy, The Czech Republic and now it comes to the historic city of Istanbul where East meets West.

The CEM event brings together the International emissions monitoring community to network, trade ideas and discuss technology, methods, applications, legislation and standardisation relevant to all atmospheric pollutants which include particulates, SO2, NOx VOC, trace elements and greenhouse gases.

Workshop - Greenhouse Gas Measurements from Space (IWGGMS-10)

The 10th International Workshop on Greenhouse Gas Measurements from Space (IWGGMS-10) will take place on May 5 - 7, 2014, in the Netherlands.

Video - Natural Gas Explosion Punctures Storage Tank in Washington State

A natural gas explosion and fire occurred on March 31, at 8:20 a.m., in Williams-Northwest Pipeline storage plant in Plymouth, Washington. Although the associated fire was extinguished, the blast punched a hole in a liquefied natural gas storage tank causing a gas leak. A total of 5 workers were injured and part of the nearby town had to be evacuated. Deputies went door to door throughout Plymouth, along the Columbia River, and evacuated people in a 2-mile radius. Traffic on a nearby highway and train tracks was also temporarily arrested. The pipeline is the major "artery" of gas to the Pacific Northwest. This was but the latest in a series of natural gas explosions that are causing many to be concerned about safety.

Natural Gas Explosions Highlight Safety Concerns

Four major natural gas explosions in the last few months are raising concerns about safety. The deadly blasts hit gas infrastructure at every level including a drilling well, a processing facility, a pipeline and even an apartment complex.

As revealed by a March 12 explosion in East Harlem, gas can be deadly. Given that research shows gas pipelines are leaking all across the country, it is a virtual certainty that we will see other tragedies like this in the not too distant future.

Leaking Natural Gas Pipelines and Climate Change

The natural gas explosion in Harlem that killed six and injured at least a dozen others underscores the risks from leaking natural gas pipelines. The blast was so violent that it reportedly catapulted people out their windows. Natural gas (methane) not only poses an explosion risk, it is one of the worst greenhouse gases (34 times more potent than CO2). Recent research indicates that it is leaking from pipelines at a much higher rate than previously thought.

In Washington DC alone almost 6000 natural gas leaks were found in only 1,500 miles of pipe. That's roughly four leaks every mile. Other cities like New York, Boston, Philadelphia, and Chicago, have higher-than-average rates of "unaccounted for" gas. A 2012 study of Boston found 3,356 leaks under the city's streets.

New US Gas Rules Reduce Air Pollution and Protect the Health of Americans

Based on extensive input from the public and a broad range of stakeholders, new gas rules were put forth in the US that significantly reduce air pollution. In the absence of Congressional support for efforts to combat climate change and protect the health of Americans, US President Barack Obama continues to use his regulatory authority to unilaterally advance the national interest.

Through the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Obama administration has set cleaner gas rules. The new regulations will cut sulfur in gasoline by two thirds by 2017 as well as reduce pollutants including soot, smog and toxic emissions from cars and trucks. This in turn will improve the health of American children and save thousands of lives every year. According to the EPA this will be achieved at little cost to consumers. EPA chief Gina McarCthy said the cost to consumers will amount to less than a penny per gallon of gas and raise the average cost of buying a vehicle by $72 in 2025.

Best and Worst Nations at Combating Climate Change (2014)

A new index ranks nations from best to worst on their efforts to combat climate change. The top ten on this list are comprised exclusively of European countries. It is interesting to note that some of the nations near the bottom of this list (Australia, Canada, Japan and China) are also responsible for derailing progress at the most recent COP 19 climate negotiations in Warsaw.

The list of 58 countries is called the Climate Change Performance Index [PDF], it is produced by Germanwatch and Climate Action Network Europe. The rankings are based on countries greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, emissions-reduction efforts, energy efficiency, renewable energy portfolios, and policies aimed at slowing climate change.

Here are the top ten:

Infographic: Countries Industries and Corporations Cumulative GHG Contributions

New research provides a cumulative summary of the nations and industries that are responsible for climate change causing greenhouse gases (GHGs). Richard Heede is a scientist who has studied historic cumulative carbon emissions from 90 carbon producers. His research has been published in a paper called "Tracing anthropogenic carbon dioxide and methane emissions to fossil fuel and cement producers, 1854-2010." This peer reviewed study has been published in the journal Climatic Change.

Global Levels of Greenhouse Gases Reach Record Levels

According to the United Nations weather agency, global levels of carbon, methane and nitrous oxide are higher than they have ever been and they continue to accelerate. Atmospheric carbon (CO2) is the leading heat trapping greenhouse gas (GHG) and the primary cause of climate change. There is more atmospheric carbon on earth today than there has been for almost a million years. The last time the planet experienced carbon levels of this magnitude sea levels were much higher than they are today.

Newfoundland Pauses Fracking

The Newfoundland and Labrador government has indicated that it will suspend all efforts to explore the prospects for hydraulic fracturing (fracking) to extract oil and gas in the province. The province wide moratorium will include suspension of fracking exploration around Gros Morne National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site which became a focal point of concern. The park comprises 1,805 square kilometres of western Newfoundland’s coastal lowlands and towering Long Range Mountains.