A key ruling on whether and/or how to allow the High Volume Horizontal Hydraulic Fracturing (or fracking) method of extracting natural gas is imminent in New York State. The decision could set a nationwide precedent.
In an op-ed piece for the American Society of Landscape Architects' blog The Dirt, Bryan Quinn weighs in on the environmental impacts of a practice that has the potential to pump billions of dollars into New York's economy.
"Such a large and accessible energy resource is undoubtedly welcome news to our energy hungry nation. But many are questioning if this boom (and likely future bust) is worth the costs to our state's environment as we watch the poisoned wells, toxic spills, stress to the rural transportation system, and minor earthquakes the practice has produced elsewhere."
FULL STORY: To Frack or Not to Frack?
New Oil and Gas Drilling in California May Be Subject to Moratorium
Gov. Gavin Newsom pleased environmentalists by doing what his predecessor, Gov. Jerry Brown, refused – halting all new oil and gas fracking and placing a moratorium on another extraction method linked to a massive oil spill in Kern County.
Department of Interior Plans to Open 1 Million Acres in California to Fracking
The Bakersfield Office of the Bureau of Land Management released an environmental study that is the basis for undoing a 2013 de facto moratorium on fracking on federal lands in California. The Supplemental EIS triggers a 45-day public comment period.
Law of Unintended Consequences Backfires on Anti-Pipeline Activists
Anti-fracking activists in New York who helped ban fracking and construction of a natural gas pipeline in the Empire State now have to contend with trucks transporting compressed natural gas from fracking operations in Pennsylvania.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
San Francisco's School District Spent $105M To Build Affordable Housing for Teachers — And That's Just the Beginning
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The Tiny, Adorable $7,000 Car Turning Japan Onto EVs
The single seat Mibot charges from a regular plug as quickly as an iPad, and is about half the price of an average EV.
As Trump Phases Out FEMA, Is It Time to Flee the Floodplains?
With less federal funding available for disaster relief efforts, the need to relocate at-risk communities is more urgent than ever.
With Protected Lanes, 460% More People Commute by Bike
For those needing more ammo, more data proving what we already knew is here.
In More Metros Than You’d Think, Suburbs are Now More Expensive Than the City
If you're moving to the burbs to save on square footage, data shows you should think again.
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