After the Fracking Ban, What's Next For New York? An Interview with Sane Energy Project
On December 17, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo announced a ban on hydraulic fracturing (fracking) in New York State. Citing the health risks associated with fracking, Cuomo said “I’ve never had anyone say to me, ‘I believe fracking is great.’ Not a single person in those communities. What I get is, ‘I have no alternative […]
The Secret Love Affair Between Roger Bate and Big Tobacco
Our latest DeSmog UK epic history post reveals how the once-hidden romance between Roger Bate of the Institute of Economic Affairs and Big Tobacco became a public affair. The relationship between the young Roger Bate and the Big Tobacco companies is intriguing. Bate was recruited as head of the Institute of Economic Affairs’ (IEA) Environment Unit. As […]
Have Frackers’ Shares Hit Rock Bottom?
A major investor in British fracking has suffered a catastrophic fall in share price as protesters continue to fight attempts to drill the countryside in pursuit of shale gas. Allan Campbell has now resigned as chief executive of AJ Lucas in Australia after two decades at the helm, as the company heads perilously close to the […]
Obama Administration Hopes Third Time’s A Charm For Chukchi Sea Lease Despite Major Risks
The US Department of the Interior released the final supplemental environmental impact statement for Chukchi Sea Lease Sale 193 yesterday, continuing to move the process of affirming the leases originally sold in 2008 forward despite acknowledging the major risks of allowing drilling in the Arctic. The story of the US government’s attempts to sell off its […]
State Solar Jobs Report Is Good News For The Economy And Environment
The Solar Foundation released its 2014 State Solar Jobs Census yesterday demonstrating that solar energy is still one of the fastest growing industries in the US, which is good news for our economy and the environment. California ranks number one, with 54,700 jobs in solar installation, manufacturing, sales and distribution. Massachusetts came in second with 9,400 […]
Singing Industry’s Tune: How Rep. Jeff Denham Plans to Delay Oil-by-Rail Safety Improvements
“I just want to make sure that we are all singing the same tune that we have a very safe industry and we want to work together on improving that industry.” Those were the words of Rep. Jeff Denham (R-CA), chairman of the House Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials on February 3rd at a […]
What Kinder Morgan is Keeping Secret About its Trans Mountain Spill Response Plans
Kinder Morgan, the company currently seeking permission to nearly triple the capacity of the Trans Mountain pipeline to carry Albertan crude to the west coast, has engaged in a protracted fight with the province of British Columbia in an effort to keep its oil spill response plans a secret. The company alleges its motivation has […]
Fact Check: Rick Perry Already Advocated Publicly for Bakken Oil Pipeline In Iowa
By David Goodner Rick Perry‘s Iowa spokesman says the potential presidential candidate won’t publicly advocate for the controversial Bakken oil pipeline project he has a personal stake in as newly appointed board member of Energy Transfer Partners. But Perry was on TV news telling Iowans they “should support efforts to build the Bakken Pipeline” three days […]
South Dakota Sen. John Thune Stumps For Oil-by-Rail Industry
Sen. John Thune (R-SD), chairman of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, recently got a bit overzealous in stumping for the oil and rail industries at a Jan. 28 hearing on freight rail challenges. Thune stated that he believes the timeline in the proposed rule to retrofit and replace the dangerous DOT-111 tank […]
Fracking Go-ahead For National Parks as Controversial Infrastructure Act Becomes Law
Weak fracking rules have officially been enshrined in law as the controversial Infrastructure Bill became an act last night. The new act will see national parks and groundwater protection zones at risk from fracking as the government backtracked on amendments agreed only weeks ago to increase the safety of hydraulic fracturing for shale gas. Amber Rudd, energy […]