James Crannell

April 17, 2011

Studies Say Natural Gas Has Its Own Environmental Problems

Americans view natural gas as a clean-burning alternative to oil and coal that will help transition the United States to renewable energy sources, while reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Although natural gas burns cleaner that other fossil fuels, two new studies suggest that methane, a greenhouse gas far more powerful than carbon dioxide, is leaking from natural gas wells in large enough quantities to offset its clean-burning benefits.

Natural Gas: Fracking with diesel violated law, EPA says

In 2005, Congress exempted hydraulic fracturing from the permitting requirements of the Safe Drinking Water Act, except when companies inject diesel fuel underground. Since then, drilling companies acknowledge the injection of 32 million gallons of diesel fuel underground during fracturing. The EPA, which had assumed the use of diesel stopped seven years ago, says that was against the law, potentially subjecting drilling companies to sanctions under the SDWA.

EPA: Budget Deal Slams State, Regional Programs

The budget resolution reached last week, which avoided a government shutdown, cuts $1.6 billion from EPA's budget. These cuts include $1.19 billion from State and Tribal Assistance Grants, which fund water infrastructure upgrades and state compliance with federal rules, and $997 million from funds for local drinking water projects and that help clean up polluted water bodies.

Scientists Concerned Massive Pool of Fresh Water in Arctic Ocean Could Alter Atlantic Currents

Because of global climate change, melting sea ice combined with increased discharges from Siberian and Canadian rivers have created a large pool of fresh water in the Arctic Ocean. If the fresh water pool spills into the Atlantic, it could alter the ocean current that gives Western Europe its moderate climate.

Nuclear Power: Radioactive Water Leaks in U.S. Plants go Unchecked

According to the Ashbury Park Press, even though U.S. nuclear power plants have leaked million of gallons of radioactive water into groundwater and drinking water, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission has never fined a single violator. An investigation of NRC documents revealed tritium leaks by most plants, with five leaks or spills in 2010.

Sources:

1. Tom Zeller, Studies Say Natural Gas Has Its Own Environmental Problems, N.Y. Times (Apr. 11, 2011), http://www.nytimes.com/2011/04/12/business/energy-environment/12gas.html?pagewanted=1&_r=1&ref=earth.

2. Mike Soraghan, Natural Gas: Fracking with Diesel Violated Law, EPA Says, Greenwire (Apr. 12, 2011), http://www.eenews.net/Greenwire/2011/04/12/1/ (available by subscription only).

3. Gabriel Nelson, EPA: Budget Deal Slams State, Regional Programs, Greenwire (Apr. 12, 2011), http://www.eenews.net/Greenwire/2011/04/12/2/ (by subscription only).

4. Associated Press, Scientists Concerned Massive Pool of Fresh Water in Arctic Ocean Could Alter Atlantic Currents, Wash. Post (Apr. 5, 2011), http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/scientists-concerned-massive-pool-of-fresh-water-in-arctic-ocean-could-alter-atlantic-currents/2011/04/05/AFANgeiC_story.html.

5. Nuclear Power: Radioactive Water Leaks in U.S. Plants go Unchecked, Greenwire (Apr. 11, 2011), http://www.eenews.net/Greenwire/2011/04/11/10/ (available by subscription only).