Whats Happening In Your Neighborhood?

Leaked EPA Documents Expose Decades-Old Effort to Hide Dangers of Natural Gas Extraction

March 9, 2011
Efforts by lawmakers and regulators to force the federal government to better police the natural gas drilling process known as hydraulic fracturing, or "fracking," have been thwarted for the past 25 years, according to an exposé in the New York Times. Studies by scientists at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on fracking have been repeatedly narrowed in scope by superiors, and important findings have been removed under pressure from the industry. The news comes as the EPA is conducting a broad study of the risks of natural gas drilling with preliminary results scheduled to be delivered next year. Joining us is Walter Hang, president of Toxics Targeting, a firm that tracks environmental spills and releases across the country, based in Ithaca, New York, where fracking is currently taking place. 

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ODNR tries to reassure; crowd wary

February 1, 2011
A question from Darla Bruno, a Jackson Township resident, likely summed up the attitude of many. “How are you going to regulate stupidity, laziness and greed?” she asked.

Tugend noted that ODNR has 22 inspectors and is hiring eight. He hopes to add six more this summer. 

Rob Borello, a Plain Township resident, countered that the state has only 22 inspectors to keep track of the 64,000 wells.

REACTION: Plain Township trustees are considering a ban on drilling in the township, even though the ...

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Opponents to Fracking Disclosure Take Big Money From Industry

January 17, 2011
Friday 14 January 2011

 A back-of-the-envelope analysis of campaign finance dollars contributed to the members of Congress who are speaking out on the issue shows that the Natural Gas Caucus received 19 times more money from the oil and gas industry between 2009 and 2010 than the group who signed Rep. Hinchey’s letter. According to data from Open Secrets, the 32 members against disclosure received $1,742,572. The average contribution from the oil and gas sector to individuals from that group...
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Children are especially vulnerable to air quality

January 2, 2011
"Daily exposure can lead to… asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and other pulmonary disorders… Children are especially vulnerable.”

 "The industry is exempt from many of our nation’s most important environmental laws, including the Safe Drinking Water Act and part of the Clean Water Act."

 http://www.farmanddairy.com/news/letters-to-the-editor/children-are-especially-vulnerable-to-air-quality/19176.html
 

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Crestview leasing proposal draws concern

December 15, 2010

December 12, 2010

“Citing health analyst Dr. Theo Colburn, she said at least half of the chemicals used in fracturing fluid are toxic, including carcinogens, neurotoxins and endocrine disruptors, and well and surface water is at risk of contamination by these materials.”

http://www.morningjournalnews.com/page/content.detail/id/527271/Crestview-leasing-proposal-draws-concern.html

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