Earth Day Message for Trump Administration, et al.

April 22, 2017

VALUES AND VOICES, LETTER 39 on DAY 39, February 27, 2017 By William P. Brown, William Marcellus McPheeters Professor of Old Testament at Columbia Theological Seminary Dear President Trump, Vice President Pence, Members of the Trump Administration and 115th Congress, As an ordained Presbyterian minister and teacher, I love the Bible, as I know many of [...]

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Science Editorial: “Why EARTH Optimism?”

April 21, 2017

AAAS EDITORIAL:  Why Earth Optimism? By Andrew Balmford and Nancy Knowlton Andrew Balmford is Professor of Conservation Science in the Dept. of Zoology at the University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK. Nancy Knowlton is the Sant Chair for Marine Science at the Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC, USA. Source: Science, April 21, 2017: Vol. 356, Issue 6335, [...]

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Computer “Apps” are Automating Drilling & Fracking

April 20, 2017

Fracking 2.0: Shale Drillers Pioneer New Ways to Profit in Era of Cheap Oil From an Article by Erin Ailworth, Dow Jones Newswire, March 30, 2017 MIDLAND, Texas — Using a proprietary app called iSteer, Brian Tapp, a geologist for EOG Resources Inc., dashed off instructions to a drilling rig 100 miles away. This tool [...]

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The Permian Basin is Very Ritzy at $60,000 per Acre

April 19, 2017

Top shale play’s growing entry fee spurs risk-reward backlash From an Article by Joe Carroll, Bloomberg News Service, February 10, 2017 >>> Oklahoma Scoop, Stack seen drawing overflow as deals migrate Record prices for drilling rights in the Permian Basin, the most fertile U.S. shale field, are prompting oil companies and private equity investors to look [...]

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$$ Money Pours into the Oil Patch

April 18, 2017

Undaunted by oil bust, financiers pour billions into U.S. shale From an Article by Ernest Scheyder, Reuters News Service, April 16, 2017 Investors who took a hit last year when dozens of U.S. shale producers filed for bankruptcy are already making big new bets on the industry’s resurgence. In the first quarter, private equity funds [...]

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Research Shows that Methane from Gas Wells Affects Groundwater & Travels Great Distances

April 17, 2017

Researchers call for effective groundwater monitoring in Canada From an Article by Andrew Nikiforuk, The Tyee.ca, April 11, 2017 A new University of Guelph study proves what many western Canadian landowners have long documented — that methane gas leaking from energy industry wells can travel great distances in groundwater and pose safety risks, contaminate water [...]

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Letter 84 on Day 84, Values & Voices, April 13, 2017

April 16, 2017

From: ELLEN M. ROSS, Howard M. and Charles F. Jenkins Professor of Quakerism and Peace Studies, Swarthmore College, April 13, 2017 Dear President Trump, Vice President Pence, Members of the Trump Administration and 115th Congress, As leaders of our nation, I imagine you seek to bring all Americans together to build a better future. Quaker voices [...]

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Trees, Science and the Goodness of Green Space

April 15, 2017

Scientists dig to unearth answers to an age-old question—why are people healthier (and happier) when surrounded by nature? From an Article by Lindsey Konkel, Environmental Health News, April 12, 2017 The connection between trees, human health and well-being dates back millennia. The ancient Celts worshipped in sacred groves, believing the trees would protect them from [...]

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Appalachian Mountain Advocates Disputes Permit for MVP Pipeline

April 14, 2017

Law firm disputes W.Va. water quality permit for pipeline From an Article by Duncan Adams, Roanoke Times, April 11, 2017 An environmental law firm contends that a West Virginia state agency acted prematurely, relied on incomplete information and otherwise erred last month when granting a water quality permit for the controversial Mountain Valley Pipeline. Appalachian [...]

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Clean Power Plan is Needed for Nation, says Appeals Court Testimony

April 13, 2017

EPA Should Not Be Allowed to Dodge Clean Power Plan Ruling, Cities and States Tell Court Coalition of states, cities and green groups urges D.C. Court of Appeals to reject Trump administration request to stall decision on cornerstone climate regulations From an Article by John Cushman, Inside Climate News, April 6, 2017 The Trump Administration [...]

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