The Marcellus Effect: Can Gas Drilling Emissions Cause Heart Attacks?
June 26, 2012
The Marcellus Effect: Can Gas Drilling Emissions Cause Heart Attacks?.
Institute of Medicine-The Health Impact Assessment of New Energy Sources: Shale Gas Extraction
May 17, 2012
Welcome – Institute of Medicine.
The Health Impact Assessment of New Energy Sources: Shale Gas Extraction –video
Community Air Screen Program – NYS Dept. of Environmental Conservation
April 25, 2012
Community Air Screen Program – NYS Dept. of Environmental Conservation.
Community Air Screen Program
What is the Community Air Screen program?
If you are concerned about what is in the air in your neighborhood, check out the Community Air Screen program. This new community-based program works with volunteers from local communities to screen for toxic air pollutants in order to begin to address some local air quality concerns. The goal of the Community Air Screen program is for community groups and citizens to partner with DEC to collect local-scale air samples.
Who Is Eligible?
Individuals as well as not-for-profits and neighborhood and community groups in New York State may apply. Priority is given to projects in or near low-income and minority communities and public locations where people are more likely to spend time outdoors.
Approximately 12 to 18 applicants will be selected for this program. A total number of sixty (60) air samples will be analyzed statewide.
Consider partnering with other concerned citizens or community groups in your neighborhood to strengthen your chance of being selected.
How to Apply:
Applications must be postmarked or emailed by midnight, May 24, 2012. The application is available in the right column as a downloadable PDF.
The application process is very easy – four simple questions – four page limit.
Complete the application using the writable PDF downloaded to your computer or by printing out a paper copy. Return the application to DEC postmarked or emailed by midnight May 24, 2012.
- Describe your local air quality concerns fully in Part 3 and Part 4 of the application.
- Limit your answers to the four page application form.
- All applicants will be notified by June 25, 2012 as to their acceptance.
Application return addresses: Email: CAS@gw.dec.state.ny.us or
Mail: New York State Department of Environmental Conservation
Community Air Screen Program
625 Broadway
Albany, NY 12233-3259
What should I know before applying?
- What am I responsible for?
- What is the time commitment?
- How does the sampling equipment work?
- What information do I need to record during sampling?
- What should you consider for sampling?
Other Questions? Email us at CAS@gw.dec.state.ny.us or call 518-402-8044.
Other Communities Participating in Citizen Sampling Programs
(see right column “Links Leaving DEC’s website”)
Southwest Ohio Air Quality Agency – Citizen Air Sampling Program
Western Australia, Department of Environment and Conservation – Community Air Sampling Program
Additional Information
- See our program overview
- Air toxics measured in this program
- EPA’s Guide to Community Sampling (see right column “Links Leaving DEC’s website”)
More about Community Air Screen Program:
- Community Air Screen Program Overview – More details about the Community Air Screen program.
- Pollutants Measured in the Community Air Screen Program – List of air toxics measured in this program.
- What Should I Know Before Applying for the Community Air Screen Program? – Information about the equipment and procedures to end up with good results
- Frequently Asked Questions for the Community Air Screen Program – Additional information on the Community Air Screen Program
Greater focus needed on methane leakage from natural gas infrastructure
April 10, 2012
Greater focus needed on methane leakage from natural gas infrastructure. Fulltext
Natural gas is seen by many as the future of American energy: a fuel
that can provide energy independence and reduce greenhouse gas
emissions in the process. However, there has also been confusion about
the climate implications of increased use of natural gas for electric
power and transportation. We propose and illustrate the use of
technology warming potentials as a robust and transparent way to
compare the cumulative radiative forcing created by alternative
technologies fueled by natural gas and oil or coal by using the best
available estimates of greenhouse gas emissions from each fuel cycle
(i.e., production, transportation and use). We find that a shift to
compressed natural gas vehicles from gasoline or diesel vehicles leads
to greater radiative forcing of the climate for 80 or 280 yr,
respectively, before beginning to produce benefits. Compressed natural
gas vehicles could produce climate benefits on all time frames if the
well-to-wheels CH4 leakage were capped at a level 45–70% below current
estimates. By contrast, using natural gas instead of coal for electric
power plants can reduce radiative forcing immediately, and reducing
CH4 losses from the production and transportation of natural gas would
produce even greater benefits. There is a need for the natural gas
industry and science community to help obtain better emissions data
and for increased efforts to reduce methane leakage in order to
minimize the climate footprint of natural gas.
Greater focus needed on methane leakage from natural gas infrastructure
April 10, 2012
Greater focus needed on methane leakage from natural gas infrastructure.
Natural gas is seen by many as the future of American energy: a fuel
that can provide energy independence and reduce greenhouse gas
emissions in the process. However, there has also been confusion about
the climate implications of increased use of natural gas for electric
power and transportation. We propose and illustrate the use of
technology warming potentials as a robust and transparent way to
compare the cumulative radiative forcing created by alternative
technologies fueled by natural gas and oil or coal by using the best
available estimates of greenhouse gas emissions from each fuel cycle
(i.e., production, transportation and use). We find that a shift to
compressed natural gas vehicles from gasoline or diesel vehicles leads
to greater radiative forcing of the climate for 80 or 280 yr,
respectively, before beginning to produce benefits. Compressed natural
gas vehicles could produce climate benefits on all time frames if the
well-to-wheels CH4 leakage were capped at a level 45–70% below current
estimates. By contrast, using natural gas instead of coal for electric
power plants can reduce radiative forcing immediately, and reducing
CH4 losses from the production and transportation of natural gas would
produce even greater benefits. There is a need for the natural gas
industry and science community to help obtain better emissions data
and for increased efforts to reduce methane leakage in order to
minimize the climate footprint of natural gas.
GDACC 
