This article focuses on the new emphasis on hydraulic fracking by environmental groups like 350.org. Bill McKibben is "part of a push to scale back the oil and gas industry's efforts to expand shale drilling", in this case, the state of Ohio. Fracking has led to water and oil pollution, large water consumption needs, and tremors to the injection of the fracking wastewater into the earth. Ohio Governor Kasich passed a law allowing tracking in state parks in 2011. The USFS then removed 3,000 acres from a federal oil and gas lease sale. The Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) allowed for 27 new wells in February and 19 new wells in January, adding more drilling and fracking to the state of Ohio. In addition, brine-injection wells are asked to stop drilling to see if they are the reason for 12 earthquakes in a non-siesmically active area. The new bill as of March 2012, known as the Senate Bill 315, would "raise the state's brine disposal fees from five to ten cents on in-state waste and from twenty cents to $1 on out-of-state waste". The govenor of Ohio has also proposed a new 2012 budget to expand prices on the oil and gas industry and cut taxes. It is clear that Ohio governor is attemption to expand fracking with little regulations on state residents. Bill McKibben has now promoted "Don't Frack Ohio" in attempt to reduce the concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere from 394ppm to 350ppm.
The Climate Movement Takes On Fracking: Interview With Bill McKibben
Sarah,
ReplyDeleteYour article was very informational, containing a large amount of facts and quotes. I thought that it was great that you referenced the 350.org website that we talked about in class. I also though it was amusing that Bill McKibben is promoting a "Don't Frack Ohio" campaign. Great post!