Each week, we review the papers, studies, reports, and briefings posted at the “indispensable” RFF Library Blog, curated by RFF Librarian Chris Clotworthy.
A Realistic View of CNG Vehicles in the U.S.
As U.S. natural-gas prices have fallen and supplies have increased in recent years, compressed-natural-gas (CNG) vehicles are garnering renewed attention. Major automakers, such as Ford and General Motors, have announced plans for a half-dozen different vehicle models powered by CNG. Cummins Westport is introducing a full range of medium- and heavy-duty engines that run on either compressed or liquefied natural gas. Clean Energy Fuels, backed by longtime natural-gas proponent T. Boone Pickens, has opened almost 500 CNG truck-refueling stations as part of its America’s Natural Gas Highway network. Companies that operate large vehicle fleets have also embraced CNG. Waste Management, for example, has said it plans to convert most of its refuse trucks to run on CNG... via – Boston Consulting Group
[What GAO Found] In its Fiscal Year 2012 Climate Change Adaptation Roadmap, the Department of Defense (DOD) identified climate change phenomena such as rising temperatures and sea levels as potentially impacting its infrastructure, and officials at sites GAO visited or contacted noted actual impacts they had observed. For example, according to DOD officials, the combination of thawing permafrost, decreasing sea ice, and rising sea levels on the Alaskan coast has increased coastal erosion at several Air Force radar early warning and communication installations. Impacts on DOD’s infrastructure from this erosion have included damaged roads, seawalls, and runways. In addition, officials on a Navy installation told GAO that sea level rise and resulting storm surge are the two largest threats to their waterfront infrastructure. For instance, they are concerned about possible storm surge during work on a submarine that will be cut in half while sitting in a dry dock. Officials explained that if salt water floods the submarine’s systems, it could result in severe damage… via – US Government Accountability Office
Corporate Climate Change Risk Disclosure Database
[National Journal] An activist group on Monday unveiled a new tool for keeping tabs on what companies are—and aren’t—disclosing about risks they face from global warming. The investor advocacy group Ceres has launched a searchable database of what 3,000 large corporations say about climate change in annual reports to the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Ceres tool is fresh evidence that shareholder activism is playing a growing role in battles over climate change. The new database looks at filings from companies in the Russell 3,000 index of the largest U.S. corporations, but users can also look more narrowly at the S&P 500. Activists say that investors should have more information about how publicly held companies may be affected by federal and state climate and energy policies, as well as the physical risks that climate change creates for businesses from threats such as rising sea levels and severe weather… via – Ceres
Fracking Waste Water May Introduce Pollutants into Groundwater through Exposed Soils: Cornell Study
[Science Codex] The oil and gas extraction method known as hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, could potentially contribute more pollutants to groundwater than past research has suggested, according to a new study in ACS’ journal Environmental Science & Technology. Scientists are reporting that when spilled or deliberately applied to land, waste fluids from fracking are likely picking up tiny particles in the soil that attract heavy metals and other chemicals with possible health implications for people and animals… via – Environmental Science and Technology
Impact Analysis of the Marcellus Shale Safe Drilling Initiative [in Western Maryland]
[Energy in Depth] A study recently released by the Regional Economic Studies Institute (RESI) at Towson University shows shale development will provide many benefits for western Maryland. With the Marcellus Shale lying beneath parts of western Maryland, the report specifically looked at how two counties – Allegany and Garrett – would be affected from development. While the report looked at many aspects, one thing is clear. These two Maryland counties would greatly benefit from thousands of jobs and hundreds of million dollars in newfound revenue created from the safe and responsible development of the Marcellus Shale... via – Towson University for the Maryland Dept. for the Environment
[Overview of the Public Health Study] On June 6, 2011, Governor O’Malley issued Executive Order (E.O.) 01.01.2011.11, which established the Marcellus Shale Safe Drilling Initiative. The purpose of the Initiative is to assist regulators in determining whether and how gas production from the Marcellus Shale and other shale formations in Maryland can be accomplished without unacceptable risks of adverse impacts to public health, safety, the environment, and natural resources... via – Univ. of Maryland, School of Public Health, Institute for Applied Environmental Health for the Maryland Dept. of Natural Resources and Dept. for the Environment
