A Silcon Valley startup called Planet Labs has designed small satellites, known as cubesats, that are the size of shoe boxes and cost just thousands of dollars to produce (as opposed to conventional satellites that can require hundreds of millions). Planet Labs intends to launch 131 satellites in the next 12 months, making it the largest network of satellites on Earth.
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The EPA is seeking comments on a proposal that would require or incentivize the voluntary disclosure of fluids used in hydraulic fracturing or “fracking.” Non-disclosure of fracking fluids has been a hot topic in recent years and people still debate whether the drilling technique is truly safe or if it poses real threats to public health and the environment. In response to citizen petitions, the EPA is asking that the public participate in the possible reform. Continue reading
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 an Emergency Order requiring new notifications for large amounts of crude oil shipped out of the Bakken by rail. The new order requires all railroad carriers transporting trains with 1,000,000 gallons or more of Bakken crude oil to submit specific information to the State Emergency Response Commission (SERC) for each state the route intersects. Continue reading
Photo credit: LuAnn Hunt/City of Lynchburg via AP Photo/Bloomberg BusinessWeek
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 the tight oil formations. Crude oil production is creeping back up to peak levels reached in 1970. Since the recent oil boom has accelerated quickly and in new areas of the US, existing infrastructure has had to process unprecedented loads of crude out of the Bakken across the US to refineries. With existing pipelines in and around the Bakken area at full capacity much of the crude is transported across the country by rail. Recent rail crashes, spills, and explosions indicate the need for rail infrastructure improvements to protect the environment and public safety. Continue reading
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 or not the permit will be approved but seeks input from other federal agencies. Continue reading
A public meeting was held in Wichita, Kansas on Thursday, April 10, 2014 to discuss potential health risks associated with groundwater contamination that originated from an old dry cleaning facility. The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) informed residents of the site history and how the contamination originated. Many homes in the impacted area rely solely on groundwater wells to provide their water and currently do not have access to the public water supply. Some residents in the affected area have been instructed not to drink their well water due to the toxic chemical known as tetrachloroethylene exceeding safe drinking limits. More tests are needed to fully determine the plume boundary, but studies up to this point indicate that the toxic chemical is migrating in a southwestern direction from the source. Continue reading
