Hydraulic fracturing, commonly referred to as “fracking” is one of the most controversial environmental issues at the moment.  It involves the high-pressure injection of water, sand, and various chemicals to release natural gas trapped in deep shale formations.  While the practice has long been denounced by environmentalists for its negative environmental impacts and low net energy gains, proponents such as Congressman Andy Harris have argued that there hasn’t been substantial proof that these negative effects are caused by the process of fracking.

But now there is

In December, federal regulators linked the contamination of an aquifer to fracking for the first time.  The EPA conducted a study from 2008 to 2011 in which they analyzed the environmental effects of this emergent technology in Pavillion, Wyoming.  They found that water in Pavillion was polluted with chemicals such as cancer-causing benzene, methane, diesel fuels, and toxic metals.
Residents near other fracking sites have reported increased respiratory illnesses, skin lesions, blood oozing from eyes, livestock deaths, and fish kills.  There is little reason to doubt that these effects have been largely an effect of unmonitored fracking. 

(Conventional drilling for natural gas (right-hand side) involves drilling at shallower depths for concentrated deposits of natural gas.  Hydraulic fracturing involves driller at deeper depths utilizing horizontal drilling techniques and injecting highly-pressurized liquids to loosen veins of natural gas, thus increasing extraction in otherwise unmineable shale formations) 

Just like other forms of unsustainable or non-renewable energy sources, fracking for natural gas has developed despite its negative environmental and human-health consequences because the oil and gas industry enjoys intimate and frighteningly powerful connections to government officials.  The $238 million that the industry has put into gubernatorial and congressional elections has persuaded many lawmakers to support fracking and block federal regulation.  They have been able to expand this environmentally-destructive practice and the consequences are being felt by local populations now.

Yet, there is some hope.  Currently, the Frac Act is pending in Congress, which would repeal the Safe Water Drinking Act exemptions that the fracking industry is currently enjoying.  Ask your representative to support the Frac Act and close the loopholes that allow unsustainable fracking. 

What else can be done?  Tturning to clean sources of energy, such as wind power and solar power and increasing energy efficiency, the demand for hydraulic fracking will be decreased.  It's also important to stay knowledgeable on the issue and how certain bills are progressing.  Read more about this issue as well as other information on hydraulic fracturing to stay informed!

*

This month's "customer of the month" is actually a group of three guys who share a house in the Dupont neighborhood of Washington DC.

Nigel (pictured) is studying law at American University, Aaron is a medical researcher at NIH, and John works on the Hill as a Senate Legislative Assistant.

Clean Currents:  Well, guys - you sure are representing very "DC pursuits - law, research, and politics!".

Nigel: Haha, yeah I guess that is what attracted us to Washington in the first place.

Clean Currents:  What is your favorite Clean Currents wind powered business?

Nigel:  We LOVE Ben’s Chili Bowl.  We also love going to Local 16 for a drink!

Clean Currents:  What is something, beyond choosing wind power, that you do in an effort to live a greener life?

Nigel:  All of us decided independently that when we moved here, we would leave our cars behind.  We use bikes, our feet, and public transportation to get around the wonderful city of Washington DC.  We also do the majority of our shopping at a grocer within walking distance and we always bring our own bags.

*

We are about one month into this year’s General Assembly Session in Annapolis and the picture is starting to crystallize in terms of what kinds of energy bills will be debated and voted on by Maryland’s elected leaders.

Foremost is Governor Martin O’Malley’s keynote offshore wind bill.  Another interesting bill, sponsored by Del. Carr and Sen. Pugh, is aiming to protect consumers from bad practices of some energy suppliers.  Several other environmentally oriented bills are wending their way down the pike including a bill that would tweak the solar carve out, a bill dealing with the disposal and treatment of chicken litter, and another about energy efficiency retrofit financing, or on-bill financing. 

We’ll be delving into these later on, but let’s turn the spotlight to offshore wind and consumer protection.

Offshore Wind Power in MD

O’Malley has been vocal in pushing his environmental agenda, of which the development of offshore wind in Maryland’s waters (SB 237/HB 441) is key.  In 2008, the General Assembly doubled Maryland’s Renewable Portfolio Standard, requiring electricity suppliers to purchase 20 percent of the electricity they sell from renewable sources by 2022.  In order to meet this requirement with home grown generation, Maryland must capitalize on the resources off its shores.

The Maryland Offshore Wind Energy Act of 2012 will enable Maryland to harness the powerful gusts of wind blowing off of Maryland’s shores and to create thousands of jobs in a new offshore wind industry.  By establishing an offshore wind renewable energy credit (OREC) carve-out within Maryland’s existing Renewable Portfolio Standard, the bill will create the right policy framework to encourage private investment in this emerging industry and provide our citizens with clean renewable electricity.   The OREC model being proposed would allow at least a 450 MW project to be built, creating 1,800 construction jobs and 360 ongoing maintenance jobs.

Along with state environmental leaders and environmental business owners, O’Malley has been trying to position Maryland at the forefront of the domestic offshore wind power industry.  Supporting offshore wind could place Maryland in an advantageous position with regard to fostering in-state green jobs, by developing supply chain and manufacturing companies to serve the offshore industry.  Maryland would also be able to produce serious amounts of clean energy within its borders, rather than importing over 30% of its current electricity needs from out-of-state.  Maryland consumers would also have the option to purchase wind power produced in-state at competitive rates.  The offshore wind bill failed to pass last year due to cost concerns, but this year’s bill includes built-in safeguards that will limit the anticipated rate impact to $2.00 per month for the average residential customer.  

In short, the offshore wind bill is all about building a viable and vibrant green power industry within Maryland.  It will lead to the construction of offshore wind farms and provide a huge economic boon for our region and Clean Currents is eager to be a part of this clean energy future.  Several environmental advocacy groups are leading the offshore wind charge including the Chesapeake Climate Action Network (CCAN).  Click HERE to learn how you can help support offshore wind in Maryland. 

Consumer Protection

Del. Al Carr and Sen. Catherine Pugh are stepping up to help protect the competitive electricity market in Maryland by providing consumers with clear rules and protections from energy suppliers that may try to take advantage of them.

Clean Currents supports this bill because we understand that protecting consumers from bad practices and setting clear rules for the market makes competition work better.  As some of you may know, there are energy suppliers out there that charge inordinate cancellation fees if you break their residential electricity contract - this bill would put an end to that.  The consumer protection bill would also delineate that you as a consumer can opt out of an automatic renewal if you so wish.  The bill would allow you to cancel your renewal or communicate with your electric supplier via email. 

There are some energy suppliers out there that will not allow you to notify them of certain things via email.  Instead, they want you to contact their “call center” where you are often subjected to a badgering by customer service reps.  This legislation will also ensure that if you sign up for a variable rate offer, the company will be required to let you know when the variable rate increases.  

I believe that Del. Carr and Sen. Pugh are showing great leadership in sponsoring this common sense bill.  I hope that other energy suppliers will stand with Clean Currents in protecting consumers and keeping the competitive market strong.  However, I’m afraid some electricity suppliers in the state will fight this legislation rather than change their business practices to be more consumer friendly.

Stay tuned to Clean Currents for more information on these and other bills making their way through the Annapolis legislature. 

Be sure to follow us on Twitter and “like” our Facebook page to keep up to date

*

President Obama submitted his 2013 budget to Congress earlier this week and the energy portion of the budget highlights the White House's focus on the environment and the creation of domestic green jobs.

A centerpiece of Obama's energy proposal calls for a $4.75 billion cut in tax credits and subsidies for oil and gas companies in 2013. While fossil fuels may lose out, there would be an increase in aid for renewable energy and conservation programs.

At a speech at NOVA Community College this week, The President said, "To lead in the growth industries of tomorrow, it is critical that we invest in research and development today." Indeed, in his budget proposal energy efficiency and renewable energy would get $2.27 billion, an increase of $460 million from last year.  The U.S. Dept. of Energy's budget would also increase to $27.2 billion in overall spending authority, a 3.2% increase over the current year.

Among programs benefiting in Obama’s energy proposals is the Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy, which would get $350 million in 2013, an increase from $275 million in 2012. Energy Department Secretary Steven Chu described ARPA-E as a “swing for the fences” program that supports research into cutting edge clean energy innovation.  The spending includes money for utility-scale energy storage, which many experts think is critical to address issues of renewable energy intermittency, and solar-energy research as part of the DOE's SunShot Initiative to make solar power competitive with fossil fuel sources without subsidies by 2020.

*