WAMU 88.5 : News

Filed Under:

Md. Officials Argue For Fracking Regulation At Hill Hearing

By: Elliott Francis // April 12, 2011
Play associated audio
comments

Congress held a hearing on Capitol Hill Tuesday morning on the environmental impact of that controversial drilling technique.

Hyrdaulic fracturing, also called "fracking," involves injecting chemically treated water into the ground to crack shale deposits and release trapped natural gas. Industry advocates say the technique is well-regulated and safe, but opponents warn it could contaminate water supplies.

Hearing co-chair Sen. Ben Cardin listened to, among others, Robert Summers, Maryland's acting Environment secretary. Summers urged the federal government to take a more active role in regulating future hydraulic fracturing in western Maryland's Marcellus shale deposits.

Experts say that site, along with others in neighboring states, contain enough natural gas to last approximately 20 years.

Arts & Culture

NPR

China Builds Museums ... But Will The Visitors Come?

China is on a spree to build world-class museums and has opened about 100 of them annually in recent years. Two of the biggest opened on the same day last fall on opposite banks of Shanghai's Huangpu River. But filling these museums — with both art and visitors — is proving more challenging.

Food

NPR

Washington State Butcher Spikes Pig Feed With Weed

Despite its name, the "pot pig" experiment isn't an attempt to develop a new meaty treat for stoners. Instead, a Seattle butcher is feeding marijuana seeds, stems and root bulbs to swine as a cheeky money-saving measure.

Politics

NPR

'I Was Dismayed' To Learn What Agency Did, Ex-IRS Chief Says

Under Douglas Shulman's watch, IRS personnel singled out some conservative groups for extra scrutiny. That, he conceded Tuesday, has "justifiably led to questions" about the tax agency's motivation.

Technology

NPR

Airbnb Stays Are Illegal In New York, Court Rules

People who use Airbnb, the web company that pairs travelers with residents who rent out their homes on a short-term basis, are breaking New York City's laws, according to an administrative law judge. The vacation rental business was found to run afoul of the city's occupancy code.

Leave a Comment

Help keep the conversation civil. Please refer to our Terms of Use and Code of Conduct before posting your comments.