PBS NewsHour reports on a new study that shows a lack of air quality regulations on fracking in the Texas Eagle Ford Shale play. NPR looks at new rules developed by regulators in Colorado, the first in the nation to restrict methane emissions.
Judy Woodruff of the PBS NewsHour interviews Jim Morris of the Center for Public Integrity, one of the co-authors of a new report written with Inside Climate News and The Weather Channel investigating how fracking is impacting air quality in one of American's largest shale formations, Texas' Eagle Ford Shale play.
Morris states that they found "all manner of toxic chemicals that are associated with oil and gas production that appear to be making people sick, (e.g.) benzene, which can cause cancer, sulfur dioxide, which causes severe lung problems."
Among the findings reported by Inside Climate News is that "Texas' air monitoring system is so flawed that the state knows almost nothing about the extent of the pollution in the Eagle Ford."
Only five permanent air monitors are installed in the 20,000-square-mile region, and all are at the fringes of the shale play, far from the heavy drilling areas where emissions are highest.
Elizabeth Shogren of NPR reports on a state taking a different approach toward emissions from fracking, the first to restrict methane emissions. Shogren interviews Dr. Larry Wolk, executive director of Colorado's Department of Public Health and Environment.
Wolk "says the rules will help his state clean up its smog problem and fight climate change. Three of Colorado's largest drilling companies helped craft the rules. Dan Grossman from Environmental Defense Fund worked with the companies to come up with the rules."
Of course, Colorado's citizens may have played a role in getting the state to take a pro-active role in addressing emissions from energy production. As we posted last November, "(f)racking bans passed overwhelmingly in the Front Range cities of Boulder, Fort Collins and Lafayette." Broomfield, the fourth city to hold a fracking moratorium referendum, passed it by 20 votes, but a judge will rule on its validity.
FULL STORY: NPR: Colorado Becomes First State To Restrict Methane Emissions

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

Walmart Announces Nationwide EV Charging Network
The company plans to install electric car chargers at most of its stores by 2030.

Chicago Approves Green Affordable Housing Plan
The Mayor’s plan calls for creating a nonprofit housing corporation tasked with building affordable housing that meets Green Building standards.

E-Scooter Parking: A Guide
How smart planning — and ample designated parking — can end conflicts over shared scooters.

‘It’s Been 50 years’: Public Transit Law Passes in Montana
Legislation would fix transportation district issue, allow for greater reach on city bus routes.

Top 10 Tech-Ready Cities
An index ranks U.S. cities based on their preparedness for the ‘smart city future.’
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
City of Moorpark
City of Tustin
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions