Author Archives: Carissa Ries
Source of water well contamination in Texas and Pennsylvania identified
The recent US shale boom has spurred economic growth but it has also generated a public debate about whether the hydraulic fracturing methods of extracting the fossil fuels cause water, air, or other environmental degradation. This week, the Proceedings of … Continue reading
North Carolina coal ash spill update
In February, 70 miles of North Carolina’s Dan River turned gray after a broken stormwater pipe released millions of gallons of sludge from a retired power plant. The company responsible for the spill, Duke Energy, found the source of the … Continue reading
EPA proposes amendment to All Appropriate Inquiries
This week the EPA proposed an amendment to all appropriate inquiries under CERCLA to remove reference to E1527-05 and replace it with the new E1527-13 standard. The public comment period is open until July 17, 2014. Summary from the Federal … Continue reading
DOT issues new guidelines for shipping crude oil by rail
In response to recent crude oil tank car derailments in North America, the US Department of Transportation (DOT), the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), and the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) issued new actions this week. The DOT issued … Continue reading
Railway accidents involving crude oil raise alarms
The Bakken area is one of the largest crude oil producing regions in the United States. The recent surge of production in the Bakken region is due to the increased use of hydraulic fracturing to access oil and gas from … Continue reading
Keystone Pipeline review process extended
On April 18, 2014 the State Department extended the length of time the eight federal agencies have to submit their views on the Keystone Pipeline permit application. Since the pipeline crosses an international boundary, the State Department ultimately decides whether … Continue reading