The Solar and Wind Expo

Shale Gas Exclusive: Cuomo's fracking plan takes shape

On Monday, I posted that representatives from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation were presenting environmental groups with aspects of Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s plan to begin shale gas development in New York. I have since learned more about the plan from sources who have been briefed on it. These details were presented as conditions “on the table” to allow permitting of initial wells, with the final outcome still a work in progress. It’s worth keeping in mind that the Cuomo administration briefed environmental groups on these points in the wake of criticism that the DEC was working too closely with industry to develop the plans. It’s also worth noting that these ideas have been presented to environmental groups verbally but not in writing, according to my sources.

Leaked Information Swirls About Imminent Actions of DEC and Governor Cuomo

The rumors are beginning to build about the expected release of the Governor’s/DEC’s plan for fracking in NYS. Recently, it was reported that “environmental groups” were being briefed on plans– in response to a hubbub that ensued when FOILED documents indicated that the DEC had been meeting with industry groups in advance of releasing its draft SGEIS, but not environmental groups. Fred LeBrun, a reporter for the Albany Times Union, purported to have some leaked information, from said environmental groups, which he published under the headline “End of the Anti-frack World Near.”

Longmont fracking ban will go to ballot

A petition for an anti-fracking ballot issue, filed July 20 by the group "Our Health, Our Future, Our Longmont," has enough signatures to go before voters in November, City Clerk Valeria Skitt announced Tuesday night. The petition needed 5,704 valid signatures to qualify; Skitt said at least 6,609 of its signatures had been validated.

Maryland had highest rate of new foreclosure filings in U.S.

The rate of new foreclosure filings in Maryland far exceeded any other state's this spring, a spike caused in large part by the national robo-signing legal settlement that unleashed a flood of new cases.
Almost 20 in every 1,000 home loans in Maryland — twice the national average — were drawn into the foreclosure process during April, May and June, according to survey data released Thursday by the Washington-based Mortgage Bankers Association.

"If you look at what's going on in foreclosure starts, Maryland now has exceeded Florida, has exceeded Georgia — some of the states that have been up there at the top in terms of the percent of loans on which foreclosure actions have started," said Jay Brinkmann, the trade group's chief economist.

Links:

July hottest US month on record BBC

Fossils point to a big family for human ancestors Nature

Facebook wants court to rule ‘Like’ button is protected speech Associated Press

How to Spot the Next Big Banking Scandal MIT Technology Review

Chinese telecoms giants are taking over the world. Should we be scared? Maeve McClenaghan

China’s answer to subprime bets: the “Golden Elephant” Reuters

China’s July disappoints MacroBusiness

Economic growth in eurozone impossible without break-up – Wolfson Prize winner RT

Greek Government Could Collapse In These Times

Greece’s Power Generator Tests Euro Fitness Amid Blackout Threat Bloomberg

Southern White Democrats Face End of Era in Congress Wall Street Journal