3/4/2013: RFK Jr. aided Cuomo in his fracking decision; U.K. anti-fracking protest draws Greenpeace's attention

RFK Jr. gave Cuomo advice on NY fracking – “New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo came as close as he ever has to approving fracking last month, laying out a limited drilling plan for as many as 40 gas wells before changing course to await the findings of a new study after discussions with environmentalist and former brother-in-law Robert F. Kennedy Jr., several people familiar with his thinking told The Associated Press. The turning point, which could delay a decision for up to a year or longer, came in a series of phone calls with Mr. Kennedy. The two discussed a new health study on the hydraulic fracturing drilling method that could be thorough enough to trump all others in a debate that has split New York for five years. "I think the issue suddenly got simple for him," Mr. Kennedy told the AP, then went on to paraphrase Mr. Cuomo in their discussions: " 'If it's causing health problems, I really don't want it in New York state. And if it's not causing health problems, we should figure out a way we can do it.'" (Associated Press)

Anti-fracking protestors in the U.K. take issue to Chancellor George Osborne’s home – “Campaigners against the controversial natural gas extraction process called fracking have set up a fake drilling operation - on a village green in the Chancellor's constituency. The process of fracking, which extracts shale gas deposits from beneath the earth, has been proposed at numerous sites across the British countryside. Chancellor George Osborne is one of the main supporters of shale gas - which has been proposed in his own Tatton constituency in Cheshire - and he has offered lucrative tax breaks for shale gas companies operating in the UK. But Greenpeace campaigners have set up a huge demonstration in Tatton's main town of Knutsford in protest against the plans.The front page of Greenpeace’s website has been dedicated to the anti-fracking protest today, with a live webcam and statements supporting their cause. A statement on the site said: 'Fracking is a dangerous gamble that will threaten local environments, derail efforts to tackle climate change and cost green jobs and investment. 'Across the street from his office is a beautiful village green where teams of activists have constructed a huge fake fracking operation - to show the Chancellor what his gas nightmare will look like.” (Daily Mail)

Groundwater tracers could help ease fracking fears – “The future of fracking could include a patented, proprietary truth serum that would turn every backyard well into an oracle. Given its potential value in the courtroom and in public relations, a thimbleful of this magic potion could cost as much as a luxury automobile. It’s still largely in the hypothetical stage, but if these “tracers” prove themselves in lab tests and at actual drill sites, they could resolve one of the most contentious aspects of fracking: whether deep injection of water and chemicals causes contamination of underground drinking water sources. BaseTrace, a Morrisville startup formed last year by a group of 20-somethings, has developed what its founders believe is a fail-safe tracer with no dangerous side effects. An eyedropper’s worth of their additive would leave unique markers in several million gallons of fracking fluid. If the frack fluid were to leach into an aquifer and then migrate into a local drinking well, it could be traced back to the drilling operator who pumped the chemical mixture in quest of natural gas. The concept of fingerprinting frackers has caught the attention of the N.C. Mining & Energy Commission, which is reviewing regulations that would encourage or require the use of tracers in this state, although such products are still in development. The state board is writing environmental safeguards and public protections for fracking, which, for the time being, is prohibited in North Carolina by moratorium.” (News and Observer)

WVU law student competition set to tackle case on fracking – “Law students will tackle a hydraulic fracturing case at the annual National Energy & Sustainability Moot Court Competition in Morgantown…The competition is set for March 14-16 at the West Virginia University College of Law…The case being argued involves the Environmental Protection Agency and a fictitious drilling company accused of violating the Clean Air Act and Migratory Bird Treaty Act. It was developed by James Van Nostrand, director of the school's Center for Energy and Sustainable Development.” (Associated Press)