Congress Considers Fast-Tracking Gas Pipelines Through Federal Lands

SELC testifies before Congress on the need to consider the local communities impacted by natural gas pipelines on federal lands

By Augusta Free Press

Southern Environmental Law Center Senior Attorney Greg Buppert testified before the U.S. House of Representatives Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources on Wednesday on the failure of the proposed National Energy Security Corridors Act to account for the significant impacts that natural gas pipelines crossing federal lands would have on the surrounding local communities and private property. The proposed legislation would allow pipelines to be sited through federal lands without providing the general public an opportunity to weigh in.

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Maryland House, Senate Pass Measures to Curb Fracking

Protesters rally in Annapolis to encourage a moratorium on hydraulic fracturing, known as fracking/Photo by Algerina Perna, Baltimore Sun

By Erin Cox and Timothy Wheeler, Baltimore Sun

Both chambers of the Maryland General Assembly separately passed measures Tuesday that mark the most aggressive action the legislature has taken to curb natural gas extraction in the state.

The Maryland House of Delegates passed a three-year ban on fracking and the Senate approved tough new legal standards for drillers. Each bill must clear still the other chamber, but the actions signaled the legislature was willing to go further than it has before to limit natural gas drilling.

Fracking Liability Bill Passes Maryland Senate Committee

By Cumberland Times-News

CUMBERLAND — A bill that would impose strict liability on gas drillers for injuries and property damage is advancing in the General Assembly.

On a 7-4 vote, the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee sent the bill to the full Senate with a favorable recommendation.

Dominion’s Promises Vanish Into Thin Air

By The Virginian Pilot

Three days.

That’s how long it took Dominion Virginia Power to abandon its pledge of transparency for a law that eliminated state regulation of its base electricity rates until 2020.

Republican and Democratic supporters of SB1349, sponsored by Virginia Beach’s Sen. Frank Wagner, touted the measure as a way to lock in current base rates and protect Dominion’s customers from paying more because of federal environmental regulations.

In exchange, the utility agreed to absorb any losses, let this year’s review of base rates proceed, boost its use of renewable energy sources and permit state regulators to inspect its financials.

Western Maryland Realtors Support Fracking Moratorium Bills

By Associated Press

OAKLAND, Md. — Real-estate brokers in far western Maryland are supporting a proposal in the Maryland General Assembly for an eight-year moratorium on hydraulic fracturing for natural gas pending further study.

The Garrett County Board of Realtors expressed concern Tuesday about the possible impact of fracking on public health. They say fears of health problems from well-water contamination can reduce home values by at least 20 percent.

Bills Call for Moratorium on Fracking in Maryland

“Don’t Frack Maryland” Rally outside Statehouse in Annapolis, March 3/Photo Chesapeake Climate Action Network, flickr

Environmental groups want more research on effects

By Sarah Fleischman, Calvert Recorder

After the Marcellus Shale Advisory Commission’s reports to satisfy then-Gov. Martin O’Malley’s executive order, the only bills related to hydraulic fracturing during this year’s state legislative session are anti-fracking, while environmentalists say there is a “notable absence” of legislation to allow fracking in Maryland.

Critics of Fracking in Maryland Turn Out for Hearing on Bills

“Don’t Frack Maryland” Rally outside the Maryland Statehouse on March 3/Photo courtesy of Chesapeake Climate Action Network.

By Associated Press

ANNAPOLIS, Md. — Fracking opponents came out in force Tuesday to speak their minds at a Senate hearing on legislation that would limit natural gas drilling in Maryland.