What is ALEC? How Model Legislation is Written by Corporations
Founded in 1973 by Paul Weyrich and other conservative activists frustrated by recent electoral setbacks, ALEC is a critical arm of the right-wing network of policy shops that, with infusions of corporate cash, has evolved to shape American politics. Inspired by Milton Friedman’s call for conservatives to “develop alternatives to existing policies [and] keep them alive and available,” ALEC’s model legislation reflects long-term goals: downsizing government, removing regulations on corporations and making it harder to hold the economically and politically powerful to account.
Peru Oil Pipeline to Endanger “Uncontacted People” in “Most Biodiverse Area in South America”
On July 22, Peru’s Energy Ministry gave the green light to Anglo-French company Perenco to build a pipeline in a remote part of the Peruvian Amazon that was described by one US scientist as, “the most biodiverse area in South America.”Perenco is operating in an area between the Napo and Tigre rivers known as Lot 67, the first oil concession created in that region and initially licensed to US-based Advantage Resources in 1995.
VIDEO INVESTIGATION: Gas Well Flaring in the Marcellus Shale
“Flaring” is a term used to describe the burning of natural gas from a well that has not yet been linked to a pipeline. When a well is “flared,”a huge flame lights up the sky, reaching higher than tree tops, accompanied by a noise similar to a 757 jet engine. The sight and sound of a flaring well are quite intimidating, but the practice is not a risk to public health according to the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, or DEP.
Air Pollution from Gas Drilling a ‘Huge Problem’
The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) issued a press release in May regarding an “air quality study near Marcellus Shale natural gas operations in Bradford, Lycoming, Sullivan, and Tioga counties.” Eight sites were sampled over three five-day periods to determine if specific pollutants were a threat to anyones air quality in acute amounts.
New Documentary: DEBTOCRACY (Watch Full Movie)
For the first time in Greece, a documentary producer of the beholder. The DEBTOCRACY searches for the causes of the debt crisis and propose solutions that are hidden from the government and the mainstream media. The documentary will be distributed free by the end of March without usage rights and broadcast and subtitled in at least three languages.
New Jersey Legislature Bans Hydraulic Fracturing for Natural Gas (Fracking)
“Today, New Jersey sent a strong message to surrounding states and to the nation that a ban on fracking is necessary to protect public health and preserve our natural resources,” said Senator Bob Gordon (D-Bergen). “Any benefits of gas production simply do not justify the many potential dangers associated with fracking such as pollution of our lakes, streams and drinking water supplies and the release of airborne pollutants. We should not wait until our natural resources are threatened or destroyed to act. The time to ban fracking in New Jersey is now.”
Pennsylvania Marcellus Shale Waste Records Are Incomplete
On May 12, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) sent Pennsylvania DEP Secretary Michael Krancer a letter asking “Pennsylvania to do a better job sampling, monitoring and regulating Marcellus Shale wastewater discharges near public drinking water sources.” Specific requests from the EPA included using “stricter public drinking water standards” and enacting “legally enforceable wastewater disposal regulations instead of relying on voluntary actions.” Brine Treatment Corporation in Franklin County, Pa. has not stopped receiving Marcellus waste altogether but is now limiting the amount of Marcellus wastewater it accepts, treats, and discharges into waterways.
VIDEO: Ohio Senate Approves Bill to Allow Fracking in State Parklands
After citing the rise of gas prices, dependence to dictatorial regimes, and the great recession; Sen. Jordan proclaimed “Let’s use facts, not fear to make our decision” going on to record that the process of fracturing has been active for 60yrs, while failing to mention that recent chemical solutions and horizontal drilling practices have changed the face of drilling for the 21st century. These changes mark the points for interest groups concerned about the drilling. Certain environmental groups have spoken in favor for responsible drilling, but quickly shun current fracking methods; asking for the industry to provide safer alternatives.
HBO’s ‘Too Big to Fail’ Tells the Story of America’s Financial Collapse
Fade to the postscript. There we learn that, whoops, the banks didn’t lend it out after all. Instead, they got bigger, banker bonuses recovered, and Wall Street is getting bottle service at velvet-roped clubs all over again. The world was saved from ruin, but the banks quickly went back to business as usual and even felt self-righteous about it.
PEW Examines The Credit CARD Act Disregard for Business Credit Cards & Consumer Protection
The Credit CARD Act of 2009, signed into law two years ago, made consumer credit cards safer and more transparent. But, its rules did not apply to cards labeled for business or commercial use, placing millions of individuals and small business owners at risk. Practices the Federal Reserve deemed “unfair” or “deceptive,” such as hair trigger interest rates…
*Accepting cases in Pennsylvania and Ohio.
