Last summer Pennsylvania’s Department of Environmental Protection revealed that in 245 cases it had “determined that a private water supply was impacted by oil and gas activities.” Not too long after that, a joint study from the British Geological Survey and Durham University reported water contamination associated with 6% of Pennsylvania’s gas wells . There have been at least 122 complaints about water contamination in West Virginia. There is, as yet, no fracking in the neighboring state of Maryland, which also sit on the Marcellus Shale. The citizens of this region raised concerns about the impact development would have on “public health, the environment and quality of life.” Governor Martin O’Malley (D) responded with a interim moratorium. Maryland’s Departments of Environment and Natural Resources have been studying fracking operations in Pennsylvania and West Virginia for over three years. They have just released a report on (p 2 of attached) how fracking “can be accomplished without unacceptable risks of adverse impacts to public health, safety, the environment, and natural resources.” These are the strongest Fracking rules in America.
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A Five-Year-Long Siege Of The US Solar Industry
One perspective of the U.S. International Trade Commission Hearing
A Chinese publications depicts former Vice-Minister of Commerce Long Yongtu saying Chinese solar firms descended on the overseas market like a “swarm of wasps.” Testimonies from the U.S. International Trade Commission describe how a deluge of cheap Chinese solar modules wreaked havoc on US Industry. Oregon Senator Ron Wyden describes it as a five-year-long siege of the American solar industry.
British Columbia Gets a Conditional “F” in Fracking
By Roy L Hales
Western Maryland sits on top one of the most controversial shale deposits in North America. There were 245 cases of water contamination in the neighbouring state of Pennsylvania and reports from West Virginia as well. Maryland’s Departments of Environment and Natural Resources have been studying fracking operations in these two states for over three years and just released a draft report (p 2 of attached) on how fracking “can be accomplished without unacceptable risks of adverse impacts to public health, safety, the environment, and natural resources.” These proposed rules are the strongest in the US and, using them as a criteria, I decided to grade the LNG development in my province. British Columbia gets a conditional “F” in Fracking.
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How Wind Energy is subsidizing Albertan Ratepayers
And other insights from the Pembina Institute
Originally published on Clean Technica
By Roy L Hales
Ben Thibault, of the Pembina Institute, says Alberta’s electricity was 65% less expensive when wind is generating over 600 MW, than when production fell below 300 MW. Wind energy is subsidizing Albertan ratepayers.
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E.ON will Focus on the New Energy World
Originally Published by Clean Technica
If the stock market’s response is any indication, E.ON has the right idea. Shares are selling at a two year high. A little over two weeks ago the price was €12.948; yesterday’s closing sale was €15.055. On November 30, Germany’s largest utility announced that it will split into two parts. A new company will be formed to take over conventional energy sources, allowing E.ON to focus on the new energy world.
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