Natural Gas Drilling (Photo: Helen Slottje)

After the latest quake, a magnitude 4.0 on New Year’s Eve, five wastewater injection wells were shut down including an active injection site in Youngstown, Ohio just 100 meters away from the large tremor.

“While we couldn’t say for sure that there’s a direct causation between the injection well and the earthquakes, we thought it better to be overly cautious,” Andy Ware, deputy director of the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, said.

The wastewater pumped into these wells is a by-product of hydraulic fracturing or “fracking”, a process that involves forcing water mixed with sand and other chemicals  underground, which breaks up rock and frees the natural gasses trapped underneath.

Fracking companies are adamant that the earthquakes are not directly related to the drilling itself and drilling should not be affected by these new earthquakes. However, the earthquakes strengthen concerns that there is no safe way to dispose of the fracking waste products.

Thankfully no wildlife or people have been reported hurt in the earthquakes that have occurred so far, but this underscores the risk of fracking to our waters and people. 

The recent earthquakes in Ohio near hydraulic fracturing sites should serve as a wakeup call to citizens and lawmakers alike that wildlife and humans are affected by fracking through damaged habitats and toxic waste. Stronger protections are needed against harm caused by oil and gas development.

It is our job to be the voice for wildlife as well as ourselves. Something needs to be done to increase the regulation of these dangers caused by fracking, and for that to happen citizens need to speak up, contact their representatives, and stay informed.

Take action. Tell Congress to protect our nation’s water and wildlife from the dangerous impacts of hydraulic fracturing.

If your office is as quiet as mine take a minute to watch this trailer for an amazing new film on Climate Refugees, and check out the website to find a screening near you.

Click here to view the embedded video.

This week’s stories:

1. Highlight of the Week: Fuel Efficiency Rules! Or, Cleaner Trucks Good for Wildlife, Economy
2. Quote: Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-CA)
3. Economic Story of the Week: Think Big, Start Small
4. Editorial of the Week: GOP vs. Mother Nature
5. Drilling On Up
6. Feeling Hot Hot Hot?
7. DOE Panel Calls for Action on Fracking Impacts
8. Happening this Week

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Highlight of the Week

Fuel Efficiency Rules! Or, Cleaner Trucks Good for Wildlife, Economy

via Flickr/indiwench

President Obama has unveiled the first-ever fuel efficiency standards for medium and heavy duty pickup trucks, vocational trucks, and combination tractors/semis. The proposed National Heavy Duty Program will save Americans $35 billion in fuel costs, cut 98 million barrels of oil consumption annually by 2030 and clear 246 million metric tons of carbon dioxide pollution from our skies.

“These standards will provide welcome fuel savings, budget relief, and pollution reduction to those who rely on heavy trucks to move America’s goods and people, haul equipment on the job, or tow a boat to the lake,” said Larry Schweiger, president and CEO of the National Wildlife Federation.

Coming on the heels of new standards for cars and light duty trucks, the National Heavy Duty Program would cut fuel consumption across all types of trucks from 2014-2018.

The three sets of standards would cut 639 million metric tons of greenhouse gas pollution annually by 2030 – the equivalent of about 10 percent of America’s carbon footprint today. “That’s a critical step in confronting global warming, the single biggest threat facing America’s wildlife,” said Zoe Lipman, the National Wildlife Federation’s senior manager for transportation and global warming solutions. “The standards will also cut America’s oil consumption by 3.4 million barrels of oil every single day – more than we currently import from Saudi Arabia, Nigeria and Venezuela combined.”

Check out NWF’s recently released joint report on the economic benefits of fuel efficiency standards.

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Quote:

via Sen. Boxer/Flickr

“They keep trying to overturn the Clean Air Act, the Clean Water Act, the Endangered Species Act. That’s not going to happen.”

-Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-CA).

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Economic Story of the Week

Think Big, Start Small

zilowatt.org

While Congress continues to squabble over energy efficient light bulbs a California nonprofit called Zilowatt is spreading energy conservation from the bottom up. The Palo Alto based organization is supplying interactive educational kits to schools this fall for outreach sponsored by the city’s utility departments.

The kits are packed with visual tools that allow students to learn at their own pace and use character superheroes Reuse, Recycle, Reduce and TIO (“Turn It Off”) to share lessons. The group’s goal is to provide materials to any school but they must first recruit a sponsor and a champion within the school to promote the program.

More on this story: NY Times

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Editorial of the Week

GOP vs. Mother Nature

(LA Times)

via Paul Fundenburg/Flickr

They loaded up the appropriations bill that funds the Interior Department and the Environmental Protection Agency with dozens of riders that would encourage deadly pollution of the air and water, set back efforts to reduce greenhouse gases and allow uranium mining near the Grand Canyon, among other things. Such riders are commonplace on annual appropriations bills, but Washington insiders say they’ve never seen such a breathtaking assault on the environment.

If there was any good news from the chaos surrounding this week’s deal to raise the federal debt ceiling, it’s that the drawn-out congressional debate over the issue distracted GOP representatives from passing this monstrosity. (More…)

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Drilling On Up

Arctic Fox, via Billy Linblom/Flickr

The Obama Administration just gave the green light to Shell Oil’s Arctic drilling exploration plan, proving once again that oil companies are held to a different standard than everyone else.

In a statement BOEMRE (the offshore regulatory agency) said that they “found no evidence that the proposed action would significantly affect the quality of the human environment.” The final outcome is contingent on a few more approvals – for safety permits and other things – but most observers believe the point is clear: the government wants drilling to happen and is working hard to make that a reality.

But just this week the British government warned that several hundred tons of oil had likely leaked into the North Sea from a Royal Dutch Shell rig, the 11th reported incident since 2009.

So what’s the big deal? A lot of folks have pointed out the obvious: there’s no way Shell or any other company could control a blowout or clean up an oil spill in these conditions.

More on this story: AP

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Feeling Hot Hot Hot?

via Mr T in DC/Flickr

New data confirms what you already knew – July was incredibly hot, one of the warmest on record. Check out the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s National Climatic Data Center recap of July 2011.

“We’ve had another unusually warm month and are on the way to another unusually hot year, but the reality is that these conditions are the new normals that we all need to get used to,” said Dr. Amanda Staudt, climate scientist with the National Wildlife Federation.

We’re on pace for the 35th consecutive year with global temperatures above the 20th century average. Some members of Congress may find the validity of climate change an inconvenient truth, but many U.S. cities are going above and beyond to mitigate it by lowering their carbon pollution and financing adaptation methods, for example, planting trees to increase shade to counter heat waves and elevating building foundations to account for projected sea level rise.

More on this story: Wildlife Promise, USA Today, NOAA’s State of the Climate

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DOE Panel Calls for Action on Fracking Impacts

Marcellus Shale, via Flickr/Marcellus Protest

The Secretary of Energy Advisory Board (SEAB) Natural Gas Subcommittee recently called for better enforcement, oversight and transparency for the natural gas industry, including full disclosure of the chemicals used in hydraulic fracturing, or ‘fracking.’

“The chemicals used to extract natural gas through fracking are often a mystery for local communities and state and federal regulators, so we applaud the panel for recommending the public disclosure of fracking chemicals,” said Kate Zimmerman, senior policy advisor on public lands for the National Wildlife Federation. “But this recommendation is just a tiny first step. Congress, the Department of Energy, the Department of the Interior and the EPA also need to move forward to close the gaping loopholes in our environmental laws the natural gas industry continues to exploit. Energy companies and government watchdogs need to balance economics and jobs with protecting wildlife, clean water, clean air and human health.”

The National Wildlife Federation is not opposed to the development of natural gas; however, any energy development must be done in an environmentally sound manner that does not place wildlife and people at risk.

More on this story: NWF Media Center

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Happening this Week

Congress is on summer recess until September 6th.

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For more global warming news on Wildlife Promise click here.

Photo: Susan Lehman

Oil and natural gas may be valuable resources out West, but so are the area’s wildlife and outdoor heritage. Increased energy exploration, however, could make certain species much harder to find.

Mule deer, pronghorn antelopes, greater sage grouse, raptors and songbirds that depend on the sagebrush in the region are just some of the wildlife that could be seriously affected by oil and gas drilling.

Oil and Gas Companies Need to Disclose “Fracking” Chemicals

Hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, is a natural gas drilling process raising concerns about the health and safety of people and wildlife across the country.

Not only is the process highly destructive to wildlife habitat, but it can potentially leach toxins into rivers, lakes, streams and groundwater.

Unfortunately, in most cases, oil and gas companies don’t have to disclose the chemicals they use during fracking, which can include nasty ingredients like diesel fuel. Furthermore, the Environmental Protection Agency and other federal authorities can’t fully regulate oil and gas companies because of exemptions in laws like the Safe Drinking Water Act and the Clean Water Act.

Members of Congress from Colorado, New York, Pennsylvania and other states are trying to pass legislation to close loopholes that allow fracking chemicals to remain a mystery and a threat to animals, people and the environment. The National Wildlife Federation is also working to mitigate the impacts of energy exploration on America’s valuable natural landscapes before oh deer turns into no deer at all.

Help Protect Wildlife From Fracking

You can speak up to protect wildlife from the dangers of fracking or support National Wildlife Federation’s work on this and other important wildlife issues.

Otsego County (NY) Gas Group

“The United States has as much natural gas as Saudi Arabia has oil,” said Sen. Ben Cardin (MD) at a Senate committee hearing on the public health and environmental impacts of natural gas drilling. Many states are tapping into the economic benefits of the popular fossil fuel, which burns cleaner than oil and coal. But, Sen. Cardin also noted serious environmental and public health concerns surrounding hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, the processing of releasing natural gas from the ground.

Several lawmakers in the hearing called for greater transparency from oil and gas companies on the toxic chemicals they use during the fracking process. Other senators worried about government regulation interfering with energy development. Legislators also heard testimony from representatives of the Environmental Protection Agency, Center for Healthy Environments & Communities, Pennsylvania Environmental Council, Oklahoma Corporation Commission, and Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission. Gasland filmmaker Josh Fox also attended the hearing.

Natural gas is a staple in America’s energy portfolio, and development must be done in an environmentally sound way. Striking gold doesn’t have to mean strikeouts for clean air, clean drinking water, and a healthy environment for people and wildlife. The FRAC Act, a new bill introduced in the House of Representatives and the Senate, would close oil and gas loopholes in the Safe Drinking Water Act and require disclosure of hydraulic fracturing chemicals. Click here to urge Congress to pass the FRAC Act and protect our drinking water from hydraulic fracturing.

Flickr

FRAC Act
Fracturing Responsibility and Awareness of Chemicals Act
H.R. 1084 and S.587  

• The FRAC Act, introduced in the House and the Senate, close bring oil and gas drilling exemptions in  the  Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA).
• The Act will require energy companies to publicly disclose the chemicals used during hydraulic fracturing, but not the specific formula for fracking fluids.
• In the event of a medical emergency involving fracking chmicals, energy companies will have to give the specific formula to a doctor, the state, or Environmental Protection Agency if treatment becomes necessary.

BREATHE Act
The Bringing Reductions to Energy’s Airborne Toxic Health Effects Act
H.R. 1240   

• The BREATHE Act is the sister legislation to the FRAC Act and would close oil and gas drilling loopholes in the Clean Air Act.
• The Act would close the NESHAP (National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants) exemption for energy companies, encouraging them to use the best and most cost efficient technologies to reduce emissions.
•  Hydrogen Sulfide (H₂S), a toxic gas released during oil and gas production, will be relisted as a hazardous air pollutant under the Clean Air Act’s (CAA). H₂S was removed from the CAA list at the insistence of oil and gas companies.  Increased exposure to this chemical damages  nervous and respiratory systems and can lead to death.

These key pieces of legislation come at a time when rising oil prices and dwindling supply are making natural gas a very attractive alternative for energy companies and local economies. However, the risks to human health, wildlife and the environment are causing some lawmakers to take a second look at the impacts of oil and gas drilling. Click here to find out how you can take action to protect wildlife  and water from toxic fracking fluids.

Otsego County (NY) Gas Group

Hydraulic fracturing, also known as fracking, is the process of releasing natural gas from the ground. But, to get the gas out, water, sand and other chemicals have to go in. Lawmakers from big gas drilling states want everyone to know what those chemicals are and how it may affect your drinking water.

Members of the U.S. House and Senate recently reintroduced the Fracturing Responsibility and Awareness of Chemicals (FRAC) Act. The FRAC Act places hydraulic fracturing under the framework of the Safe Drinking Water Act and requires energy companies to disclose the chemicals used in the fracking process.

Representatives Diana DeGette (D-CO), Jared Polis (D-CO), and Maurice Hinchey (D-NY) sponsored the House version of the bill (H.R. 1084)with thirty-one cosponsors. Senator Bob Casey (D-PN) sponsored the Senate version (S.587) with seven co-sponsors.

“The FRAC Act provides an incredible opportunity to protect wildlife habitat and human health from toxic chemicals,” says Todd Keller, Senior Manager of Public Lands Campaigns for NWF. “Hunters, anglers, conservationists, and local communities are concerned about the impacts of hydraulic fracturing on water quality, wildlife, critical habitat. This legislation moves us toward responsible natural gas development. Exploration should not be done in a way that puts public health and wildlife habitat at risk from exposure to toxic chemicals.”

“This key piece of legislation follows on the heels of statements from Bureau of Land Management Director Bob Abbey that mischaracterizes the impacts of hydraulic fracturing on water resources and downplays the public’s right to know about what may be contaminating their drinking water. It is unfortunate a senior Department of the Interior official would be so cavalier with his words about such an important issue affecting communities all over the country.”

Click here to find out how you can take action to protect our nation’s waters from hydraulic fracturing.

Gasland movie poster. Image courtesy of GaslandTheMovie.com

A debate has begun over Josh Fox’s film, GasLand, the Oscar nominated documentary about hydraulic fracturing. Hydraulic fracturing or “fracking,” is the process by which natural gas and oil is extracted from the ground. Fox’s cross-country documentary records testimonies from families and communities whose drinking water have become contaminated by the “fracking” process and to shine a light on the darkness that has surrounded this industry “secret.”

With GasLand’s nomination, Energy in Depth (EID), a front group for a coalition of trade associations for the oil and gas industry, including the American Petroleum Institute (API) and the Independent Petroleum Association of America (IPAA), has issued a letter to the Academy of Motion Pictures and Sciences, saying that a litany of errors in the anti-drilling film should render it ineligible for best documentary feature.

“The filmmaker alternates between misstating and outright ignoring basic and verifiable facts related to the impact of these activities on the health and welfare of humans, wildlife and the environment,” said Lee Fuller, executive director for EID.

Still from Gasland the movie: a man lights his tap water on fire. Image courtesy of GaslandTheMovie.com

Last time I checked, people’s tap water lighting on fire greatly impacts the health and welfare of humans, wildlife and environment. Why is this so hard for some to believe?

We need to keep the light shining on this industry offense – send a quick tweet to the Academy of Motion Pictures and Science to support the truth on fracking in Gasland.

Because the truth is: fracking is affecting communities, from the people that live there to the animals that roam. Legislative Representative Bentley Johnson of National Wildlife Federation’s public lands campaigns explains:

“The impacts of drilling for natural gas leaves natural habitat scarred and wildlife populations decimated. Major declines in mule deer, pronghorn antelope and sage grouse have been attributed to the booming natural gas development infrastructure and development that is occurring in previously pristine areas. Hydraulic fracturing uses millions of gallons of water and the high-salinity waste water is often dumped into streams and rivers, putting trout and other species in serious jeopardy.”

Also during the hydraulic fracturing debate, you will hear particular phrases repeated again and again by industry and natural gas advocates. These common company lines often use tricky wording that deliberately mislead and deceive. However, they are legally able to stand by many of these phrases. Here is one example as described in Fox’s response to the letter called, Affirming Gasland (pdf) which de-bunks the industry’s response:

“This claim echoes the common industry line, “There has never been a proven case of water
contamination caused by hydraulic fracturing.” Industry representatives and lobbyists said this over
and over again in the film. It’s a carefully worded sentence that contains two major deceptions:

1) The word “proven” — How can you prove something that has never been investigated? HF [hydraulic fracturing] has never been investigated fully by the EPA. The fact that non-naturally-occurring chemicals specifically associated with HF fluids and drilling muds are showing up in people’s water supplies is the first level of proof; E-I-D [Energy-in-Depth] denies the testimony of the citizens. Very tricky wording, which belies the real truth. Quite deliberately.

2) The words “hydraulic fracturing” — The industry here defines HF here as the moment underground
fractures are split — and not the entire drilling process. The industry could never claim that there has never been a proven instance of water contamination due to the whole process of GAS DRILLING, but when they confine their definition to the single moment of the underground fracturing — a part of the process that has never been investigated — they can legally deny the obvious.”

Well, I can also legally stand by what I believe in and so can YOU by helping to generate lots of tweets to show support for the nomination. Go to the direct link at http://act.ly/31a or “retweet” the following and you’ll automatically sign the petiton: RT @wildlifeaction petition @TheAcademy to Support the truth on #fracking in @Gasland, not industry PR http://act.ly/31a RT to sign.

So if you’ve never seen Gasland, make sure to check out the film that has caused such a stir in Hollywood and across the country, and make sure to share with your friends this bit of information that EVERYONE should know about.

I posted this response on National Journal’s blog in response to the question:

Should the federal government seek to regulate a controversial extraction method for natural gas known as hydraulic fracturing?

In fact, since 2005, the process of hydraulic fracturing—used to extract natural gas–has been free from SDWA protections.

Hydraulic what?

Hydraulic fracturing is a means of extracting natural gas by blasting a solution of water, sand and chemicals into underground rock formations at high pressure.

By disturbing these rock formations, underground aquifers are subject to pollutants as well as the surface water to which they are connected.

Hydraulic fracturing provides the opportunity to tap difficult wells or to ramp up production of aging wells. However, the concern is that this disruption will also release previously undisturbed chemicals into the watershed such as mercury and arsenic.

A recent U.S. House resolution, the Fracturing Responsibility and Awareness of Chemicals Act of 2009 (FRAC Act), calls for companies to disclose what chemicals they are using in their processes–noting that the disposal of this drilling water mixture must be disposed of afterward.

With SWDA supervision, natural gas companies would be held accountable for the chemicals they are drilling into communities’ water supplies.

Click here to tell Congress to pass the FRAC Act today.

- By Kolleen Kawa, National Wildlife Federation