New Jersey Senator Introduces Fracking Regulation Bill
A U.S. Senator from New Jersey is concerned that natural gas drilling via hydraulic fracturing is a threat to his state's drinking water. Senator Frank R. Lautenberg, a Democrat, has joined Senator Robert Casey (D-PA) in introducing the "Fracturing Responsibility and Awareness of Chemicals Act" (FRAC Act) in the Senate. If the FRAC … [Read more...]
Texas Fracking Fluid Disclosure Bill Has Wide Support
The state of Texas is considering a bill that would require natural gas drillers to disclose the ingredients of the fracking fluid that is used in hydraulic fracturing. According to the Star-Telegram, the Texas fracking fluid disclosure bill is supported by both environmentalists and the natural gas drilling industry. Fracking, … [Read more...]
Fracking “Halliburton Loophole” Too Broad, Former Bush EPA Official Says
The regulatory exemption granted to hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, that has now become known as the "Halliburton Loophole" went too far, according to a former George W. Bush administration official. Benjamin Grumbles, who served as assistant administrator for water at the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), also told … [Read more...]
The Wyoming Fracking Creating Air Quality Problems
Natural gas drilling in Wyoming has created a problem more commonly associated with big cities like Los Angeles, California - smog. According to the Associated Press, Pinedale, Wyoming, located in the Upper Green Valley Basin and close to natural gas fields, has experienced ozone levels that have exceeded Los Angeles on its worst … [Read more...]
Fracking Suspended in Quebec Following Release of Government Report
The Canadian province of Quebec has decided to suspend new natural gas drilling that involves hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, until its environmental impacts are better understood. Environment Minister Pierre Arcand's announcement of the Quebec fracking halt followed yesterday's release of a government report that recommended the … [Read more...]
Pennsylvania Says Radioactive Fracking Wastewater Not Tainting Rivers, but EPA Wants More Tests
Pennsylvania and federal regulators have different views about the dumping of radioactive fracking wastewater from Marcellus shale natural gas drilling into the state's rivers and streams. The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) says its monitoring of seven state rivers has not indicated the high levels of … [Read more...]
Fracking Injection Wells Closed After Arkansas Earthquakes
Two natural gas drillers in Arkansas have agreed to stop using two injection wells in the state until it can be determined if they are causing earthquakes in the area. The injection wells, located near Greenbrier and Guy, are used to dispose of wastewater from nearby hydraulic fracturing operations. As we've reported previously, … [Read more...]
Oil Fracking Poised to Be Next Big Boom
We've written exhaustively on this site about hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, in regards to natural gas drilling, and the environmental problems posed by that extraction method. But fracking can also be used to drill for oil, which may pose some of the same health and environmental risks. According to a report from the Society … [Read more...]
Dish, Texas Takes on Barnett Shale Fracking, Names Six Companies in Lawsuit
The people of Dish, Texas are fed up with natural gas drilling in the Barnett shale, and what it's done to their community. The small Denton County town, home to 200 residents and 60 natural gas wells, has filed suit against six natural gas or pipeline companies, claiming compressor stations associated with hydraulic fracturing … [Read more...]
Dumping of Radioactive Fracking Waste in Pennsylvania Waters Creates Uproar
How natural gas drillers dispose of possibly radioactive fracking wastewater in Pennsylvania has gotten the attention of many in the state. Senator Bob Casey, a Democrat, is asking questions after The New York Times reported that some Pennsylvania natural drillers are shipping potentially toxic and radioactive hydraulic fracking … [Read more...]
Another Fracking Worry: Earthquakes in Arkansas, West Virginia and Texas
Hydraulic fracturing, the natural gas drilling technique that involves pumping fracking fluid at high pressure into the earth to release gas deposits locked in underground rock formations, has long raised concerns about air and water pollution. But now, another potential fracking hazard is gaining notice - earthquakes that may occur … [Read more...]
Fracking Wastewater another Natural Gas Drilling Hazard
Over the past several days, we've been writing about the issues surrounding the wastewater produced as a result of hydraulic fracturing. How the toxic wastewater left over from the natural gas drilling technique is disposed of raises serious questions about the overall environmental safety of fracking. Frackers can send this … [Read more...]
Disclosure of Radioactive Fracking Wastewater Prompts Outcry
A hydraulic fracturing expose published over the weekend by The New York Times continues to spark controversy and calls for reform. The Times' fracking investigation, which drew on thousands of previously secret government and industry documents, reported that potentially unhealthy levels of radioactive chemicals in the wastewater … [Read more...]
Secret Fracking Documents Show Radioactive Wastewater Threatens Drinking Water
A blockbuster New York Times investigation of hydraulic fracturing has uncovered a cache of undisclosed government documents that show fracking wastewater containing radioactive chemicals and other toxic substances is being discharged into rivers and streams that serve as sources of drinking water. According to the Times, these … [Read more...]
Explosion at Pennsylvania Fracking Site Sparks Huge Fire, Injures 3
An explosion and fire at a Marcellus shale hydraulic fracturing site in southwestern Pennsylvania injured three men last night. According to The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, the fire at the Chesapeake Appalachia LLC natural gas well site burned for almost four hours before being extinguished. The fire broke out about 6:15 p.m. at … [Read more...]
New York Natural Gas Drilling Lawsuit Claims Pollution of Water Wells
A natural gas driller in New York's Trenton Black River limestone formation has been accused of contaminating water wells. A lawsuit filed by nine Big Flats families is seeking unspecified compensation and punitive damages from the natural gas driller, Anschutz Exploration Corp. and its subcontractors. The lawsuit was filed with the … [Read more...]
Fracking Fluid Spill Reported in Michigan
A fracking fluid leak from a Michigan natural gas well has some calling for a review of the state's drilling regulations. According to a Bloomberg News report, the leak was discovered either Monday or Tuesday at a natural gas well in Michigan's northwestern Lower Peninsula. Presidium Antrim West LC, which drilled the well, said it … [Read more...]
EPA Proposes Broad Fracking Study
It looks like an investigation of hydraulic fracturing set to be launched by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will take on a broad scope. According to a report from ProPublica, the agency is proposing that it take a look at every aspect of the natural gas drilling technique. If the EPA's draft study proposal is … [Read more...]
Fracking Suspected in Arkansas Earthquakes
Some residents of Guy, Arkansas believe hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, could be causing small earthquakes in their area. Guy is located in Arkansas' Fayetteville shale, center of the state's natural gas drilling boom. Drillers started fracking there several years ago. According to a report in The New York Times, shortly after … [Read more...]
Frackers Allowed to Violate Pennsylvania Natural Gas Drilling Regulations
Some Pennsylvania natural gas drillers appear to be violating state environmental regulations by failing to submit "well records" to the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) in a timely manner. According to a ProPublica report, some drillers performing hydraulic fracturing in the Marcellus shale have waited months - sometimes … [Read more...]
EPA Fracking Study May Not Bring New Regulation
A soon-to-be launched study of hydraulic fracturing, also called fracking, by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is no guarantee that the natural gas drilling technique will be subject to more federal regulation, the head of the agency said yesterday. The fracking study was ordered by Congress, and since March, the EPA … [Read more...]
Natural Gas Drillers Illegally Used Diesel Fuel in Fracking, Lawmakers Claim
Natural gas drillers engaged in hydraulic fracturing used diesel fuel in fracking fluids, according to a new report from Democrats in the U.S. Congress. The natural gas drilling companies failed to get approval from the government, the report said, something that appears to violate the Safe Drinking Water Act. Halliburton Co. and … [Read more...]
Fracking Operations Suspended by Talisman after Pennsylvania Blowout
Talisman Energy, a major Marcellus shale natural gas driller, shut down its hydraulic fracturing operations throughout North America for an eight day period following a well blowout in Pennsylvania. The Calgary, Canada based company resumed its fracking operations on Wednesday. The blowout, which Talisman characterized as a … [Read more...]
Fracking Lobby’s Green Claims May be Overstated
Hydraulic fracturing proponents almost always point to the supposed environmental benefits of natural gas to back up their support for the fracking industry. But it is becoming clear that natural gas - especially when it is extracted via fracking - is not as green as its supporters would like us to believe. According to a report on … [Read more...]
