This is the page where you will find links, information, and support!
Send your comments to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC)
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Contact your state and U.S. representatives about the issues that matter to you!Don't forget, Local Government is a central player in important decisions. Please visit your local county commission on a regular basis with your concerns!
Slide show on How to Research, Document, and Report Environmental Issues, including FOIA requests,what's in the Horizontal Well Act, how to get help at the DEP, and other websites that help track gas drilling activity.Reports on many aspects of the pipelines can be found on the Pipelines tab!Conservation & Environmental Groups
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EPA Office of Environmental Justice organizational chart (in other words, whom to call when you have a problem)
EPA's Hydraulic Fracturing Research Advisory Panel The FERC (Federal Energy Regulatory Commission) must approve interstate pipelines. Their website is full of information on the number of pipelines permitted and under consideration, as well as information on laws, rules, and policies that govern them. Office of Pipeline Safety - The Department of Transportation's (DOT) Pipeline and Hazardous Material Safety Administration (PHMSA), acting through the Office of Pipeline Safety (OPS), administers the Department's national regulatory program to assure the safe transportation of natural gas, petroleum, and other hazardous materials by pipeline. The Pipelines and Informed Planning Alliance is sponsored by the United States Department of Transportation, Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, Office of Pipeline Safety. PHMSA, the Pipeline Hazards and Safety Administration, is a treasure trove of info on federal laws regarding pipeline safety. This document has federal code on pipeline safety, including information and regulation regarding High Consequence Areas. This page has general regulations. This page has pipeline technical info. This page will give you a breakdown of the number of miles of pipeline in the United States, separated by type. The Department of Transportation has a section on pipeline safety and hazmats. The National Transportation and Safety Board (NTSB) is charged with determining the probable cause of transportation accidents and promoting transportation safety, and assisting victims of transportation accidents and their families. |
Consumer Advocacy Organizations
The Center for Public Integrity’s nationally honored environmental investigations have explored everything from tainted air in cities across the U.S., to questionable green energy contracts to workplace hazards.
The Pipeline Safety Trust promotes pipeline safety through education and advocacy, increased access to information, and partnerships with residents, safety advocates, government, and industry, resulting in safer communities and a healthier environment.
Food & Water Watch envisions a healthy future for our families and for generations to come, a world where all people have the wholesome food, clean water and sustainable energy they need to thrive. We believe this will happen when people become involved in making democracy work, and when people, not corporations, control the decisions that affect their lives and communities. The Center for Health, Environment & Justice (CHEJ) acts to build healthy communities nationwide, with social justice, economic well-being and democratic governance. We provide essential resources, strategic partnerships and training to local leaders to achieve this mission. Please also see this page from the Pediatric Environmental Health Specialty Units on the risks of hydraulic fracturing to babies and children. Project Wet has a plethora of programs and activities to teach school-aged children how to conserve and protect water resources in their communities. Grants and partnerships are available to connect people and teachers to these programs. Represent.Us is the nation’s largest grassroots anti-corruption campaign. We bring together conservatives, progressives, and everyone in between to pass powerful anti-corruption laws that stop political bribery, end secret money, and give voters a stronger voice. Together, we’re fixing our corrupt political system – so our leaders represent us. Science-Based OrgsThe Center for Accountability in Science examines the science behind stories in the news.
The Union of Concerned Scientists - Our scientists and engineers develop and implement innovative, practical solutions to some of our planet’s most pressing problems Physicians for Social Responsibility has news, reports, and other information relating to health and public policy. PSE Healthy Energy is a multidisciplinary research and policy institute focused on the adoption of evidence-based energy policy. |
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Rules, Legislation, and Guidelines Governing Gas Infrastructure
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Industry Guidance on Gas Well Drilling and Completion
Includes guidelines on water use/withdrawal, site construction, and water disposal. Erosion Manual This contains info on E&SC (erosion and sediment control) for well pad and pipeline construction. Includes info on access roads, stream crossings, impoundments, and reclamation. This is a good place to start learning about the proper techniques of building these structures in the most environmentally sound way, and what to look out for if you are monitoring pipeline construction sites or well pads. |
Rules, Laws, & Guidelines, Federal |
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The Energy Policy Act of 2005 (aka the Halliburton Loophole) exempted fluids used in the natural gas extraction process of hydraulic fracturing (fracking) from protections under the Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, Safe Drinking Water Act, and CERCLA[21]. It created a loophole that exempts companies drilling for natural gas from disclosing the chemicals involved in fracking operations that would normally be required under federal clean water laws.
This link from the Energy Information Administration explains the Natural Gas Act very generally. For more info, check out the Wiki article. National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requires federal agencies to assess the environmental effects of their proposed actions prior to making decisions. EPA's Clean Water Rule This document, Hazard Mitigation Planning: Practices for Land Use Planning and Development near Pipelines, was prepared by the Pipelines and Informed Planning Alliance (PIPA) and sponsoredby the U.S.Department of Transportation, Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA), and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). |
Blogs |
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Ken Ward's Sustained Outrage has been covering the ravages of the fossil fuel industry, chemical industry, water safety, and public health in WV since Feb. 2009.
Michael Barrick's Appalachian Chronicle covers the ethics of oil and gas development in WV. This blog from a retired coal miner gives an interesting view of The War on Coal. |
Books |
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Dark Money: The Hidden History of the Billionaires Behind the Rise of the Radical Right : This report explains the Kock empire and their efforts to influence politics in America
This Changes Everything by Naomi Klein is one economist's view of how we should think about markets and the value of life on the planet. Days of Destruction, Days of Revolt, by Chris Hedges, is a scathing indictment of corporate greed and environmental destruction in rural Appalachia. Our Stolen Future, by Theo Colburn, examines the role of endocrine disruptors in public health. Informational ResourcesChemical Info:Toxnet: Your resource for searching databases on toxicology, hazardous chemicals, environmental health, and toxic releases
Industry ResourcesINGAA, representing Interstate Natural Gas Pipeline Companies, has info on laws and regulations.
Xylene Power, a Canadian company, has produced a very information-intensive document regarding safety setback. This would be a great document to present to county commissions, lawmakers, or industry policymakers looking to improve their standards. Effect of industry on ecosystem services, economics of an area, etc.NewsChris Hedges' website Truthdig takes investigative journalism a step further, telling truth to power unapologetically. Chris' website covers all the news you didn't hear about all the topics the powers that be don't want you thinking about, including dirty politics and the destruction of Appalachia.
And speaking of unapologetic investigative reporting, Rachel Maddow offers deep analysis and incisive social commentary on the news you may not have heard, in depth and from an angle you may not have gotten from the mainstream media. Rachel is smart, sassy, and refreshingly blunt, but still classy.
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