Even though the impact of fracking is still not understood, Illinois has taken a step forward to regulating fracking and institutionalizing it in the state. Many of the Illinois environmental groups still hope for a moratorium, but have taken a practical approach to working with lawmakers and industry to craft a bill that provides for disclosure of chemicals and greater protection than other states.
Illinois House passes fracking bill
"Under the legislation companies who wish to 'frack' for oil and gas in Illinois will be subjected to some of the toughest disclosure laws in the country.
The state is preparing itself for a potential oil boom. Proponents say fracking will bring jobs, tax dollars and investment to parts of the state that desperately need them and that the drilling can be done safely."
In an interesting contrast of approach to environmental impact, several European countries have taken a more cautionary approach to fracking. Those knowledgable in the field recognize the relationship among food, energy, and water. Fracking not only uses significant amounts of water (keeping that water from use for agriculture permanently - based upon current practice), but has impacts on the existing water sources once fossil fuels reserves are disturbed. This poses risks to crops and industries centered around those crops. What cost will the state bear if fracking negatively impacts the quality of corn and soybeans produced by the farmers in Illinois? Do we want to wait to find out?
German brewers say fracking will mess up the country's beer
"Brewing the world's best hefeweizen, you see, requires great drinking water -- and fracking, they said, 'could reduce or even completely eliminate the security of the water supply.' In a letter, the organization argued that this newfangled way of extracting energy would conflict with Europe's oldest food purity law, the Reinheitsgebot of 1516, which stated, 'We wish to emphasize that in future in all cities, markets and in the country, the only ingredients used for the brewing of beer must be barley, hops and water.'"
On the other side of the fracking issue, the seismic change in energy markets created by historically inexpensive natural gas has further jeopardized the future of coal. On one side, marginalizing coal has environmental benefits, however, on the other side, extending the viability of fossil fuels and introducing technology that does not yet have enough history to understand the long-range impact has equal risks.
Plans shelved for coal export terminal in Oregon
"That means three of the original six proposed coal export terminals that have locked Oregon and Washington in controversy are now either shelved or off the table. Developers still are exploring or seeking permits for terminals in Boardman, Ore., Longview, Wash., and at Cherry Point near Bellingham, Wash.
Thousands of residents have signed petitions and turned out for hearings to block the plans, which would involve shipping coal from the Powder River Basin in Wyoming and Montana on long trains to the coast."
Many understand that an aggressive and significant change in fuel supply to local, renewable sources not only eliminates the negative impacts of "dirty fuels", but also increases the local economic engines of growth. Not every state/city/county has access to stores of fossil fuels, but every locale has access to sun, wind, rain, and earth. Using these sources makes our communities more resilient, and stabilizes our economies.
Maine and New Hampshire small businesses support clean energy standards...
"Scientific opinion polling shows small business owners in Maine and New Hampshire believe government can play an important role in creating financial incentives that help small businesses take energy efficiency measures. ...What’s more, small business owners support EPA action to limit carbon emissions that cause climate change and set standards for existing power plants, refineries and other major emitters."
Those older than a certain age will recognize the Soylent Green-ish nature of this technology, but we cannot miss the opportunity (assuming we use acceptable sources) to feed the world at low cost and with good nutrition. I expect that a version similar to this will allow us to recycle leftover material (I refuse to call it trash or waste) into food or materials we need in our daily life. This can change the nature of manufacturing in this country, and restore more stability to our cities and towns.
The audacious plan to end hunger with 3-D printed food
He sees a day when every kitchen has a 3D printer, and the earth’s 12 billion people feed themselves customized, nutritionally-appropriate meals synthesized one layer at a time, from cartridges of powder and oils they buy at the corner grocery store. Contractor’s vision would mean the end of food waste, because the powder his system will use is shelf-stable for up to 30 years, so that each cartridge, whether it contains sugars, complex carbohydrates, protein or some other basic building block, would be fully exhausted before being returned to the store.
Happy Friday!
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