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Congress tries to close the oil & gas industry's "Halliburton Loophole" to the Safe Drinking Water Act June 09 -- Members of the House and Senate leadership have introduced a bill that would close the so-called "Halliburton Loophole" in the Safe Drinking Water Act that exempts hydraulic fracturing, and would require the public disclosure of hydraulic fracturing chemicals. The Halliburton loophole authorizes oil and gas drillers, exclusively, to inject known hazardous materials -- unchecked -- directly into or adjacent to underground drinking water supplies.. The exemption is known as the "Halliburton loophole" because former Vice President Dick Cheney, ex-CEO of Halliburton, is associated with its creation. Halliburton developed hydraulic fracturing in the 1940s, and remains one of the three largest manufacturers of fracturing fluids.
Fracking, EARTHWORKS' Oil & Gas Accountability Project
May 27 -- NPR's Morning Edition did a story on hydraulic fracturing (commonly known as "fracking"), its dangers, and efforts to overturn the "Halliburton loophole". The loophole is a Cheney-era exemption from the Safe Drinking Water Act for fracking. There is strong evidence that the Environmental Protection Agency actively ignored sound science when it issued its report on fracking that is sometimes used to justify the loophole.
Flowers for cellphones April 20th, take your old phone to Farragut Sqaure for recycling -- win a prize
Apr 17 -- On Monday April 20th, Councilman Jack Evans and the Golden Triangle will host 'Flower for Phones' with the onsite support from DC Department of Public Works' Office of Recycling and the non-profit organization Earthworks (with a rain date on Tuesday, April 21) from 11:00am to 2:00pm in Farragut Square Park and Golden Triangle Park. The 'Flowers for Phones' project encourages people to drop off used cell phones to be recycled. In exchange, participants will receive a yellow flower to plant and a chance to win prizes from Golden Triangle BID merchants including Results Gym, the Quincy hotel, BLT Steak, the Melting Pot, and others.
Leading UK Jewelers Say *No* to Dirty Gold from Alaska Mine Apr 14 -- Six prestigious UK jewelry retailers and designers representing 260 stores today pledged their support for Bristol Bay, Alaska. They announced they won't buy gold from Anglo American's proposed "Pebble" mine -- a massive open-pit operation being considered in the bay's headwaters. The Bristol Bay watershed supports the world's most productive wild sockeye salmon fishery, which is critical to the state's economy and to the livelihoods of many Alaska Native communities. The UK is the largest consumer of Bristol Bay canned sockeye salmon.
New Bingaman Mining Legislation Would Bring Tens of Thousands of Jobs to Rural Communities Senate Mining Reform Initiative Would Bring Bring 19th Century Law into 21st Apr 02 -- For the first time in over a decade, the Senate is moving forward with reform of one of the most archaic policies governing our public lands. Senator Bingaman has introduced S. 796, the Hardrock Mining and Reclamation Act of 2009, to regulate the mining of hardrock minerals -- like gold, copper and uranium -- on public lands. This bill will create jobs and provide economic opportunities for rural communities while cleaning up a massive legacy of toxic mining pollution. The bills reclamation fee could create an estimated 55,000 new jobs over the next 10 years for rural western communities. .
Toxics Release Inventory Conceals Toxic Threat to Drinking Water TRI highlights need for regulation of nation's largest mercury polluter Mar 19 -- Published today, EPA's Toxics Release Inventory again shows metal mining to be the nation's largest polluter: of 4.09 billion lbs of toxics reported, 28% or 1.15 billion were released by mining. Unfortunately, one of the most serious threats to our nation's drinking water supply is left unknown. Oil & gas producers do not have to report their toxic releases. The TRI did reveal the extent of mercury mining pollution. According the TRI, metal mining accounted for 90% of all reported mercury releases, 6.22 million pounds. Despite this, no federal regulations require mines to reduce mercury air emissions.
Newmont's internal review confirms failure to properly engage with affected communities EARTHWORKS calls on Newmont to respect community rights, and their own report Mar 11 -- The world's second largest gold producer, Newmont Mining, now recognizes it has failed to properly engage with communities impacted by its operations. The Community Relations Review, funded and commissioned by Newmont, was written following a shareholder resolution pushed by Christian Brothers Investment Services and other faith-based investors. EARTHWORKS commends Newmont for undertaking a review of its community relations, and considers the review an important first step in addressing and repairing Newmont's checkered track record of conflicts with communities. What it does with this information will be the true test. President Obama heads to Canada, will talk dirty energy  Feb 14-- President Obama is traveling to Canada to meet with Prime Minister Stephen Harper this week. One of the topics on their agenda: dirty tar sands oil. Tar sands oil has been called the dirtiest oil on the planet, and you can tell President Obama and Prime Minister Harper that tar sands oil doesn't fit in our new energy economy.
No Dirty Gold celebrates 5th anniversary by signing up 50th jewelry retailer Feb 5 -- Just days before its 5th anniversary on Valentine's Day, the No Dirty Gold campaign is announcing its 50th signatory to the "Golden Rules" for more responsible sourcing of precious metals. These retailers, representing some 23% of the US jewelry market, have pledged to source metals that were produced more responsibly, meeting the human rights, social, and environmental criteria of the Golden Rules.
Chairman Rahall introduces mining law reform in the House Jan 27 -- EARTHWORKS applauds Chairman Rahall's introduction of the Hardrock Mining and Reclamation Act of 2009. Almost identical to the bill that passed the House in the last Congress, there is new hope for passage this Congress as Senate Energy Committee Chairman Bingaman has also identified mining reform as a priority for this Congress. EARTHWORKS is committed to working with both Chairmen to to finally update the 1872 Mining Law -- which has left a legacy of thousands of miles of poisoned streams, hundreds of thousands of abandoned mines, and hundreds of billions of dollars in giveaways to the mining industry.
Abandoned mine cleanup and the economic recovery plan Jan 21 -- President Barack Obama has pledged to get down to business immediately, and EARTHWORKS is also. And we need your help.The House of Representatives has begun debate on the President's economic recovery package -- which could include funding for abandoned hardrock mine cleanup. Specific funding for abandoned mine cleanup should definitely be included in the economic recovery plan - it's a no brainer. It puts people to work, helping rebuild local economies while it cleans up mine-polluted water and removes public safety threats. And there are projects around the country, ready to go.
Protests in Ecaudor Jan 19 -- The largest indigenous organization in Ecuador, CONAIE, along with many other groups and communities have led massive protests against the mining law approved on the 12th of January. Primary among its flaws, the new law doesn't require the consent of the community where the mine is proposed, and it fails to adequately protect areas that are inappropriate for mining. Also, communities weren't properly consulted in creating the law. Read more about the new mining law and the struggle to protect communities from mining impacts in Ecuador. Gold Quarry, Jerritt Canyon gold mines sanctioned by EPA for toxic pollution Dec 18 -- The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has initiated enforcement action at the Gold Quarry and Jerritt Canyon Mines after investigations found serious problems with the handling and disposal of hazardous waste. The notices of violation went to mine owners Newmont and Queenstake (now Yukon-Nevada Gold Corp.). EARTHWORKS applauds nomination of Senator Salazar as Interior Secretary Dec 18 -- "EARTHWORKS congratulates Senator Ken Salazar on his nomination to be Secretary of Interior. We know Senator Salazar to be a solution-oriented bridge builder whose intimate knowledge of public lands issues gives hope for a new day in the management of public lands -- and the valuable cultural, environmental, and natural resources they contain." No Dirty Gold featured in National Geographic  Dec 15-- The cover story of the January issue of National Geographic Magazine is The Real Price of Gold. Mentioning the No Dirty Gold campaign, please give the story a read to learn more about the devastating effects of irresponsible gold mining around the world. Check out No Dirty Gold for more info. And if you haven't already, please sign the No Dirty Gold pledge!. A new generation for oil & gas regulation Dec 12-- New rules put in place in the state of Colorado, and in Santa Fe County, New Mexico, are paving the way for strong, sensible regulation of the oil and gas industry in the West. These new regulations take into account water quality, private landowners, and public health in ways that have never been done before. EARTHWORKS' applauds these governments for their committment to protecting their communities and citizens.
EARTHWORKS in your community! Nov 3-- EARTHWORKS' Bruce Baizel recently went to Sullivan County, New York, in anticipation of new natural gas drilling in the Marcellus Shale. Bruce participated in a panel discussion, titled "Making Sure We Get It Right: Health, Land, Law and Natural Gas Production", of residents' rights and laws regarding gas drilling in Binghamton, NY along with other members of the environmental community. Natural gas drilling comes with many environmental hazards, health risks and a slew of other problems.
Montanans want 1872 reform Oct 28-- A poll conducted for EARTHWORKS and the Sportsmen for Sensible Mining in Montana reveals that an overwhelming majority of Montanans support changes to the outdated 1872 mining law which governs hardrock mining in America. 1872 reform has stalled in the Senate after passing the House of Representatives, but Montanans are ready for reform.
U.S. Representatives fight to protect clean water Oct 17-- Representatives Diana DeGette (D-CO), John Salazar (D-CO) and Maurice Hinchey (D-NY) have introduced legislation to repeal an exemption for hydraulic fracturing contained in the Energy Policy Act of 2005. EARTHWORKS's Oil & Gas Accountability Project has announced its strong support for this piece of legislation and has put out a press release applauding these Representatives for their outstanding work in protecting communities from the effects of mining.
EARTHWORKS leadership transition Sept 25-- On September 30, Stephen D'Esposito will step down as President and CEO of EARTHWORKS, a position he has held for ten years. EARTHWORKS will continue to build on its 20-year track record of protecting communities and the environment by reforming the mining and energy industries through legislative, markets and corporate campaigns. Everyone at EARTHWORKS wishes Steve the best in his new position as president of RESOLVE. BLM considers mining exploration in California wilderness Sept 24-- Timberline Resources wants to explore for minerals on ten square miles centering around Conglomerate Mesa. The area is a de facto wilderness within sight of Mt. Whitney, and bracketed by federally designated wilderness areas. Judging from their materials, Timberline hopes to find a gold deposit similar to those in Nevada that are extracted via open-pit cyanide leach mines. Take Action! EARTHWORKS Launches No Dirty Energy Campaign
Aug 19--In the face of skyrocketing energy demand and declining energy reserves, EARTHWORKS' Oil & Gas Accountability Project has launched a new No Dirty Energy campaign. The new campaign raises awareness of the impacts of Dirty Energy extraction and production on local communities and the global climate. "Unconventional fuels" are among the dirtiest of the dirty energy sources -- and so the campaign is initially focusing on tar sands oil. For every three barrels of tar sands oil produced, it burns two barrels. Modeled on the successful No Dirty Gold camapign, the No Dirty Energy campaign uses consumer pressure to persuade corporate bad actors to change their behavior for the betterment of local communities and the environment.
Newmont Urged Not to Destroy Ghana Forest Aug 14-- EARTHWORKS and groups from 2 other continents are criticizing plans by Colorado-based Newmont to develop an open pit gold mine in the middle of the Ajenjua Bepo Forest Reserve. Newmont's Environmental Impact Statement leaves out critical elements regarding the area's biodiversity, water supply and wildlife.
U.S. Department of The Interior Finds Abandoned Mines A Huge Risk to Human Health and Safety Aug 12-- A report released by the Office of the Inspector General at the U.S. Department of the Interior has concluded that the Bureau of Land Management and the National Park Services are putting the public's health at risk by ignoring abandoned mines, especially in the western states. This report underscores the need for mining law reform in the United States.
House of Representatives Protects the Grand Canyon! Jun 25-- Today Chairman Grijalva (D-AZ) and the House Natural Resources Committee took an important step in protecting the Grand Canyon from uranium mining. By a 20-2 vote the committee passed a resolution to withdraw new claim staking for the next three years.
EARTHWORKS sues to protect local fisheries in Montana  Rock Creek. Home of bull trout, for now. >Credit: Douglas Day Jun 10-- EARTHWORKS and three other groups have sued Revett Minerals and the state of Montana to protect a threatened bull trout fishery from the Rock Creek Mine proposal in the Cabinet Mountains wilderness. The suit challenges their attempted end-run around public comments and state laws which prevent pollution in state waters that would harm local fisheries.
EARTHWORKS Tells American Petroleum Institute: May 28 -- Rather than actually trying to solve the problem, the API has responded to skyrocketing energy prices by creating a multimillion dollar advertising campaign aimed at burnishing its public image. EARTHWORKS sent a letter to the API urging them to spend the money instead on renewable energy investment. The letter also informs the API that the best public relations a company can hope for is to do good works and have others sing their praises. The letter to API is the first move in EARTHWORKS' new No Dirty Energy campaign, a complement to the successful No Dirty Gold campaign.
EARTHWORKS congratulates ICMM on selection of new president May 15 -- "EARTHWORKS congratulates the International Council for Mining and Metals on [Dr. Tony Hodge's] appointment as its new president. [Dr Hodge's] breadth and history of experience working with industry, government and other stakeholders should well serve the ICMM -- and the industry -- in this challenging time."
EARTHWORKS and others urge action in the Sudan May 12 -- An extensive coalition of religious, human rights, corporate accountability and other groups from 17 countries world wide have signed on to an open letter to the UN Global Compact, urging it to pressure PetroChina before an upcoming shareholders meeting to work with the Sudanese government to end the crisis in Darfur. PetroChina is linked to the Sudan's largest petroleum industry company and in a unique position to help end the 5 year genocide in the region. Prison for protecting your community? Tell the Ontario government to release jailed indigenous leaders! April 22 -- As you read this message, seven First Nation leaders sit in jail for peacefully protesting mining activities on their traditional lands in the boreal forests of Ontario, Canada. Your voice can help convince Ontario that this heavy-handed approach is unacceptable - and that the free, prior and informed consent of local communities is an essential pre-requisite to mining. Take Action!Jewelry retailers urge protection for Alaska's Bristol Bay Report highlights impacts of Alaska's Pebble mine proposal and others that violate the Golden Rules.
Feb 12 --Five of the nation's leading jewelry retailers supporting the Golden Rules today announced their support for the protection of Alaska's Bristol Bay from large-scale metals mining. The proposed Pebble gold-copper mine threatens the fisheries and livelihood of people in the Bristol Bay area. The Pebble proposal features in the report Golden Rules: Making the Case for More Responsible Mining, also released today, as a mine that violates the Golden Rules 28 jewelry retailers have now signed on to the Golden Rules to indicate their desire to source minerals from mines that uphold principles protecting human rights and the environment. |
Community Voices Western Shoshone Nation, USAThe 1863 Treaty of Ruby Valley between the US government and the Western Shoshone Nation recognized the Western Shoshone people as the landowner of Shoshone lands, entitled to royalties for the extractive activities. But no royalties have ever been paid. NewsHalliburton's Interests Assisted by White HouseLA Times: Vice President Dick Cheney's office has backed measures favoring hydraulic fracturing, a technique developed by Halliburton Co., Cheney's former employer. Behind Gold's Glitter: Torn Lands and Pointed QuestionsThere has always been an element of madness to gold's allure. Golden Gamble in Grass Valley: A Legacy of RiskAt the Idaho-Maryland Mine, up to four tons of ore would have to be processed to produce one ounce of gold. But the steps taken to scrape together that ounce pose what scientists call two of the mining industry's biggest environmental risks: cyanide contamination and acid mine drainage. A High Regard for the EarthDavid Maisel's Aerial Photos Re-Survey the Boundaries Between Ugly and Beautiful PublicationsPredicting Water Quality Problems at Hardrock Mines -- an EARTHWORKS white paperA Failure of Science, Oversight, and Good Practice Our Drinking Water at RiskWhat EPA and the Oil and Gas Industry Don't Want Us to Know About Hydraulic Fracturing. (Full Report) Oil and Gas at Your Door? (2005 Edition)A landowner's guide to oil and gas development. Preserving our Public LandsA citizen's guide to understanding and participating in oil and gas decisions affecting public lands. |
