Governor Tom Wolf Asked to Look into Fracking and Childhood Cancers More than 100 organizations and 800 individuals have signed a public letter asking for the State Health Department to investigate shale gas drilling and its potential links to large amounts of childhood cancer. The letter was delivered to Governor Tom Wolf and Dr. Rachel […]
Mon Valley Residents Upset About Fracking Site in Their Community
Mon Valley Residents Upset About Fracking Site in Their Community A proposed fracking site near U.S. Steel’s Edgar Thomson mill is causing problems for nearby residents. They have written two dozen statements and sent them to the state Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) opposing Merrion Oil and Gas drilling a well next to the mill. […]
New EPA Proposal Requires Gas Plants to Publicly Report Toxic Emissions
New EPA Proposal Requires Gas Plants to Publicly Report Toxic Emissions The Environmental Protection Agency recently released a proposal concerning the documentation of toxic chemicals produced by natural gas drilling. Until now, natural gas processing plants did not need to publicly report toxic chemicals that are released into the environment, leaving nearby communities unaware of […]
Revisions to PA Act 13 Is A Victory For Environmentalists
Revisions to PA Act 13 Is A Victory For Environmentalists Environmentalists are pleased to announce that a number of provisions to Pennsylvania’s oil and gas law have been struck down by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court. Many of the issues environmentalists have been fighting for over the past four years are because of a piece of […]
What to Know About Benzene Exposure at the Workplace
What to Know About Benzene Exposure at the Workplace What Is Benzene? Benzene, also known as benzol, is a colorless flammable liquid created as a by-product during the coal manufacturing process. It can be detected by a sweet odor, but should never be inhaled deliberately. Benzene is commonly used as a motor fuel or as […]
Revised Toxic Chemical Restrictions Could Triple the Amount of Benzene in Florida Waters
Revised Toxic Chemical Restrictions Could Triple the Amount of Benzene in Florida Waters The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is proposing looser restrictions when it comes to determining what toxic chemicals can be disposed of in their waters, and how much. If the proposal is approved, exposure for some chemicals, such as benzene, could […]
Dangerous loophole found in fracking practice
Dangerous loophole found in fracking practice Hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, is closely monitored by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to enforce the strictest safety codes. Unfortunately, sometimes these regulations have loopholes. Fracking involves injecting a chemical cocktail into the ground at high-pressure rates to release hydrocarbons from the shale below. The mixture varies in its composition, with a […]
Fatal truck accidents on the rise in fracking communities
Fatal truck accidents on the rise in fracking communities Hydraulic fracturing, more commonly known as fracking, is a booming industry around the United States, but the growth isn’t without criticism. Many believe the negative side effects, including property damage, water contamination and released gases, outweigh the benefits. New studies are regularly completed to highlight discoveries associated with fracking. For example, […]
New side effect discovered in controversial fracking practice
New side effect discovered in controversial fracking practice Hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, isn’t without notoriety. The practice is riddled with objections and complaints from those affected. Communities near wells experience chemical exposures and contaminated water supplies, among other risks. Amidst all the negative publicity, a new threat emerged following a study by the National Institute […]
Fracking at the Pittsburgh airport to begin this month
Fracking at the Pittsburgh airport to begin this month Discussions began last year regarding oil and gas drilling at the Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT). Allegheny County owns the more than 9.000 acres where the airport is located and the area is rich with layers of natural gas. For the struggling airport, the approval was more […]