The headline actually refers to Fracking, which is obscene in more ways than the other F-word. Here are a few updates on the quantities of radioactive materials being released into our environment, a look at the corruption created by fracking and what could be done instead, and what you can do to reduce your fracking [& carbon] footprint. Take a few minutes to look at … [Read more...] about FYI: F**cking Pennsylvania
fossil fuels
‘Progress’, a poem by Lisa J. Parker
…on the human effects of coal mining and other resource extraction industries: Progress In a ton of black gold boring through the fatness of the Blue Ridge on the Clinchfield freight lines, three generations are trapped. The first generation talks in short bursts of emphysemic speech, trying to stand straight, coughing quietly while the second generation glorifies the … [Read more...] about ‘Progress’, a poem by Lisa J. Parker
FYI – Noël Jones article on Fracking
The Neighbors of Easton blog has an article today titled 'Fracking in Western PA & Rendell’s New “Wuss” Book' which also discusses the importance of defending local self-government. A community rights ordinance is on the agenda for Easton City Council. Also see Noël's essay in the 2012 edition of our Sustainable Lehigh Valley directory. … [Read more...] about FYI – Noël Jones article on Fracking
Protesting the Dirty Power Plant in Portland
I've been following coverage of the protest at GenOn's Portland Generating Station and the local officials who tried to deter it. The protest, which was held last Saturday, called attention to the harm this plant does to local residents and the thousands of tons of greenhouse gas emissions [GHG] it spews into the air, thus increasing global warming. According to organizers, … [Read more...] about Protesting the Dirty Power Plant in Portland
Drilling & mining – worse than organized crime!
Let’s see… in 2010, 29 miners died in the Upper Big Branch mine because Massey Energy didn’t want to comply with safety regulations. BP’s Deepwater Horizon oil rig blew up, killing 35 workers and contaminating the Gulf of Mexico with over 50 million gallons of crude oil that will affect the ecosystem for years, maybe decades. Natural gas companies foul our land and ground … [Read more...] about Drilling & mining – worse than organized crime!
What is ‘Peak Oil’?
Most experts now agree that 'Hubbert's Peak' — the point at which world oil production starts to decline—has either already passed or will occur within the next year or so. Some of the world's largest fields, in Saudi Arabia, Mexico, and Kuwait, have already peaked. (U.S. production peaked 30 years ago.) Even as oil and gas production are declining, consumption continues at … [Read more...] about What is ‘Peak Oil’?
MountainTop Removal mining (MTR)
Mountaintop Removal mining is a technique used to remove coal that is found in relatively thin layers. The technique is basically to blast the top of the mountain and push the rubble off into the valleys to expose the coal seam, which is then trucked away. Then another round of blasting takes them down to the next layer, and so on. The practice uses far fewer miners than … [Read more...] about MountainTop Removal mining (MTR)