Each week, we review the papers, studies, reports, and briefings posted at the “indispensable” RFF Library Blog, curated by RFF Librarian Chris Clotworthy. Check out this week’s highlights below:
Sustainability for the Nation: Resource Connection and Governance Linkages
…in order for the nation to be successful in sustaining its resources, “linkages” will need to be built among federal, state, and local governments; nongovernmental organizations (NGOs); and the private sector. The National Research Council (NRC) was asked by several federal agencies, foundations, and the private sector to provide guidance to the federal government on issues related to sustainability linkages. The NRC assigned the task to as committee with a wide range of expertise in government, academia... — via National Research Council
The Shale Oil Boom: a U.S. Phenomenon
The dramatic surge in U.S. shale oil production could more than triple the current American output of shale oil to five million barrels a day by 2017, which would likely make the United States the No. 1 oil producer in the world, according to a new study by a researcher at Harvard Kennedy School... — via Belfer Center, Kennedy School, Harvard University
Greater Likelihood of Groundwater Methane Near Fracking Sites in PA: New Duke Study
...Researchers from Duke University, the University of Rochester and California State Polytechnic University analyzed 141 drinking water wells in northeastern Pennsylvania’s Marcellus Shale, expanding upon a previous study published in 2011. They found methane in 82 percent of the water samples. In samples taken within 1 kilometer of natural gas wells, methane concentrations were six times higher on average than water from wells farther away... — via Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences
No Special Risks Posed by Pipelines for Heavy Oil Sands Crude: NRC Study
TRB Special Report 311: Effects of Diluted Bitumen on Crude Oil Transmission Pipelines analyzes whether shipments of diluted bitumen have a greater likelihood of release from pipelines than shipments of other crude oils. The oil sands region of Canada is the source of diluted bitumen shipped by pipeline to the United States. — via National Research Council
National Assessment of Geologic Carbon Dioxide Storage Resources
The United States has the potential to store a mean of 3,000 metric gigatons of carbon dioxide (CO2) in geologic basins throughout the country, according to the first-ever detailed national geologic carbon sequestration assessment released today by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). The assessment comes on the heels of a national plan to combat climate change announced by President Obama yesterday. — via U.S. Geological Survey
For more from the RFF Library blog, click here.
