In Praise of Cogeneration (Combined Heat and Power)

November 18, 2012

An idea that is on the fringes of the current debate about an appropriate energy future is the use of waste heat from electrical generation to supply heat for industry, business and residences. Called “cogeneration” or “combined heat and power” (CHP), the idea is to take advantage of the huge amount of heat in hot [...]

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Op-Ed Commentary: Fracking Pollution is Costly

November 17, 2012

4000 gallon Residual Waste Trucks. Source: marcellus-shale.us Charleston Gazette, November 15, 2012, by S. Tom Bond CHARLESTON, W.Va. — “Flowback” is the liquid that returns to the surface when a shale well is fractured. Figures for the amount of water required to fracture a shale well usually range from 3 million gallons to 5 million. [...]

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Regulation of Fracking and the Protection of Municipal Water Supplies

November 16, 2012

The National League of Cities will be voting on a resolution regarding fracking. The resolution has already passed the League’s Energy Environment and Natural Resource Steering Committee and will next be considered by the Energy Environment and Natural Resource Policy and Advocacy Committee at the end of November. The resolution is shown below with a [...]

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When Public Parks are Turned into Industrial Zones

November 15, 2012

It started with a 2003 agreement by Washington County officials: “WHEREAS, County made a determination that the leasing of oil and natural gas rights in the premises hereinafter described will be for the best interests of the County and authorized leasing of the same . . .” And things went downhill from there. Washington County [...]

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What Shale Gas Investors Should be Told About the Industry

November 14, 2012

What Shale Gas Investors Should be Told About the Industry The shale drilling industry is a giant – so large it takes a great deal of study to understand what is going on. For most folks it is like the elephant of the fable. One blind man felt its side and thought it was like [...]

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Update on New Chemical Plants to Crack Ethane

November 13, 2012

Georgia Gulf now owns the PPG chemical plant at Natrium, WV November 8, 2012… [Source: ICIS.com]… See here. HOUSTON (ICIS)–US-based vinyls producer Georgia Gulf joined a number of other US petrochemical companies that are either considering new crackers or proceeding with construction plans. Georgia Gulf said it is considering investing in a joint partnership on a condo [...]

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Notice: Responsible Drilling Alliance Meeting on Nov. 13th in Upstate PA

November 12, 2012

First Drilling Setup at Deering Site The Responsible Drilling Alliance is planning a series of regional membership meetings; the kick off scheduled for the southern tier this Tuesday November 13th in Montgomery, PA, which is in Lycoming County adjacent to Williamsport, PA. The RDA Board of Directors and Working Group will bring you up to [...]

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Fracking Problems in Australia and Elsewhere

November 11, 2012

  Fracking problems in Australia Australians in the rural areas of Queensland (the Northwest “state” in Australia) thought fracking coal seams was a great idea when it was introduced  seven years ago.  Australia has long been a major source of coal for Southwest Asia, and also a producer of liquefied natural gas.  More than 4,500 [...]

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‘Chasing Ice’ Movie Review: Watching as the Glaciers Melt

November 10, 2012

Source:  James Balog’s “Chasing Ice” Review Twenty years ago, James Balog didn’t believe in climate change. In fact, the whole concept seemed a little arrogant to him. Really, humans thinking they were actually powerful enough to affect the health of the entire planet? How cocky. Sure, the earth warmed, the earth cooled, but it did [...]

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Commentary: In the Absence of Strong State/Federal Regulations, Local Zoning and Bans Are Needed

November 9, 2012

Commentary by S. Tom Bond of Lewis County, WV Many areas now have moratoria or bans on shale drilling and / or hydraulic fracturing as presently conducted. The latest is Longmont, Colorado. Its city charter now bans the practice. Some 60% of the votes on Ballot Question 300 were against drilling and storage of drilling waste in the [...]

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