Wastewater Pipelines Unregulated
What could possibly be wrong with leaving the safe operation of fracking wastewater pipelines to the folks who produce this toxic pollutant? Of course, that question is facetious. Unaddressed leaks reduce the amount of toxic waste for disposal. Legal remedies for damage are costly to achieve. So, the downside risk is limited if nobody is actively policing the operation of the pipeline. But the expenses of inspection and maintenance come right off the profit line of the operator. What could go wrong indeed!
Yes, Ban It
We are happy to discover some good news about fracking: New Your State has banned CO2 fracking. There’s grumbling about lost economic opportunity, but keep in mind that all of the long-term costs are deferred and externalized. So it’s “other people’s money” that must deal with the health effects, the pollution, and the long chain of expenses related to climate change. The economic opportunity is an illusion cultivated by the energy lobby.
Unfortunately, Pennsylvania has not awakened to the realities. Taxpayers subsidize fracking in so many hidden ways. Fracking does nothing good for locals or the planet.
Seasonal Direct Action
“Direct action” is the term that is used to describe protests. Some are benign, like the caroling against fracking described below. Others are disruptive and seek to get in the way of business as usual to bring attention to the issue being protested. Direct actions become more extreme when the stakes are high and civil remedies for injustice are frustrated. Let us hope that direct action, even benign protest, is not necessary to prevent the excesses of the energy industry.
This group will be caroling — but with pointed anti-fracking lyrics.
Commission to decide nominations for Salt Fork, Leesville, bids for Egypt Valley
We need you, and we need your positive energy in person on Monday, December 9, 2024, at 12:15 p.m. at Ohio Department of Public SafetyCharles D. Shipley Building, Atrium1970 W. Broad Stre…
Protesters rally against fracking near Ohio parks
Protesters are gathering at the Columbus Public Safety Building today to voice opposition to plans that could expand fracking activities near the state’s parks. Participants are raising concerns over environmental and health risks, emphasizing the potential dangers to Ohio’s natural spaces. Jenny Morgan, a longtime activist and environmental advocate, highlighted the potential health hazards associated with fracking.…
Drill for Geothermal?
We would all welcome the use of drilling technology that did no harm and left fossil fuels in the ground while tapping the always-on heat stored in Earth’s core. But, even if we aren’t fracking, and we don’t intend to produce gas or oil, I’m skeptical that we are capable of punching holes through the aquifer without creating paths for nasty stuff to migrate. Though I’m less sanguine than the authors, here is the hopeful article.
Still Too Many Who Favor Fracking
As we reel from the ravages of two major hurricanes, and anticipate more and worse, there are still those among us who disbelieve the dire warnings of science. Will we learn to “keep it in the ground” soon enough to save our children?
Fracking Makes This Worse
Wells to Store Surplus Solar Energy
Geothermal, and high pressure undeground storage of water are two experimental techniques being studied for short-term storage of wind and solar energy. Since both sources are intermittent, the generation capacity is often not available when needed. Batteries are not the only solution, “hot rock” and subterranean pressurized caverns present alternatives.
It remains to be seen if the dangers of fracking can be avoided with these wells.
How a Technology Similar to Fracking Can Store Renewable Energy Underground Without Lithium Batteries – Inside Climate News
Three Houston startups are using fracking-like techniques to create underground storage caverns for pressurized water, which when released drives a turbine to send power to the grid.
Vicious Cycle
One possible consequence of methane release is a persistent blanket of it that accelerates global warming and grows worse as methane trapped in permafrost and ice is released. The sea is already “boiling” with methane off the coast of Russia.
Yet Another Pollution Incident Denied
(The accused says it wasn’t them, the politician says it’s premature to fix blame, the EPA says fracking is the likely source — the familiar dodge. Meanwhile, the victims must tough it out. Fracking does nothing good for locals. Moreover, the gas they want to sell is speeding us all toward more climate disasters.
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