Energy
Sea Trial Leaves Shell’s Arctic Oil-Spill Gear “Crushed Like A Beer Can”
Shell Oil and federal regulators have been tight-lipped about a failed test of the energy giant’s Arctic oil-spill equipment in Washington state. But a freedom-of-information request by KUOW reveals what happened beneath the surface of Puget Sound.
Read MoreReuters: The casualties of Chesapeake’s “land grab” across America
Chesapeake Energy has become the principal player in the largest land boom in America since the 1850s California Gold Rush, amassing acreage positions that rival those of any U.S. energy company. Its strategy is clearly spelled out in a filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission: “We believed that the winner of these land…
Read MoreLeak detection systems not providing as much protection as the public has been led to believe
Lisa Song, an InsideClimate News reporter, has analyzed a decade worth of federal data that shows that the general public has detected far more oil pipeline spills than leak detection technology.”
Read MoreBlack lung still threatening lives
“An investigation by NPR and the Center for Public Integrity found federal regulators and the mining industry are failing to protect miners from the excessive toxic coal mine dust that causes black lung. The disease is now being diagnosed in younger miners and evolving more quickly to complicated stages.” “The report also reveals widespread and…
Read MoreGas company giants plotted to suppress land prices
“A Reuters investigation has found that under the direction of CEO Aubrey McClendon, Chesapeake Energy Corp. plotted with its top competitor to suppress land prices in one of America’s most promising oil and gas plays.” “In emails between Chesapeake and Encana Corp, Canada’s largest natural gas company, the rivals repeatedly discussed how to avoid bidding…
Read More“Fracking” draws little oversight in California
Michael J. Mishak, Los Angeles Time, reports that “energy companies across California are injecting a mysterious mix of chemicals into the ground to tap oil deposits while frustrating attempts to regulate the controversial process, known as hydraulic fracturing.” “So far, nine states require energy companies to disclose what they put into the ground but the…
Read MoreThousands of gas meters leaking in California
“An investigation by KCRA in Sacramento revealed that Pacific Gas and Electric had surveyed homeowners’ gas meters over the last three years and marked thousands of leaks across Northern California.” “However, a company whistleblower says PG&E never told homeowners and two years later many homes continue to leak. PG&E insists there is no danger because…
Read MoreRisks and benefits vary for citizens along Keystone XL route
“If the Keystone XL oil pipeline were approved today, residents in the six states along its route would not receive equal treatment from TransCanada, the company that wants to build the project.“ “In Kansas, for example, lawmakers gave TransCanada a 10-year tax exemption, which means the state won’t receive any property tax revenue from the…
Read MorePipeline stretching 100’s of miles has little oversight
“In Pennsylvania’s shale fields, where the giant Marcellus strike has unleashed a furious surge of development, many natural gas pipelines today get less safety regulation than in any other state in America, a Philidelphia Inquirer review shows. Hundreds of miles of high-pressure pipelines already have been installed in the shale fields with no government safety…
Read MoreEPA adds seven Florida air polluters to Watch List
“The Pinellas County Resource Recovery Facility is one of the nation’s largest waste-to-energy trash incinerators. The plant’s boilers consume 3,000 tons of garbage every day, creating saleable energy that allows the county facility to turn a $20 million annual profit.” However, in an investigation done by the Florida Center for Investigative Reporting, partnered with the…
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