The Allegheny Front for the week of
March 6-12, 2015
Drones Could Help Monitor Methane from Fracking
Can technology keep an eye on the fracking industry? Some think drones could help detect pollution and dangerous leaks from oil and gas fields. The technology is taking flight, but federal regulations could hold back the use of these drones.
Wolf Budget Includes Energy Efficiency and Renewables
The biggest headline grabber from Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf’s budget proposal is a new severance tax on the oil and gas industry, with much of the revenue going to schools. Leaders in state’s environmental community say they’re pleased with other pieces of the budget plan as well.
Journal Issue Examines Fracking and Health
The Journal of Environmental Science and Health published a special issue on fracking and health. The collected papers cover a range of issues, from mercury contamination in river ecosystems to access to information about drilling activity.
Food Writer Eats Her Winter Vegetables, and Likes Them
Writer Sherrie Flick prides herself on being a locavore—enjoying the fruits of a garden and trying to keep her carbon footprint low. But everyone has limits. With a winter CSA box from a local farmer, this cook faces hers.
1.5 Million at Risk in PA for Crude Oil Derailment
In Pennsylvania, nearly 1.5 million people are in potential danger if a train carrying crude oil derails and catches fire, according to a PublicSource analysis.
Monarch Butterflies Losing Food Source, Numbers Declining Sharply
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is considering whether to add the monarch butterfly as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act.