Not only did Americans vote on members of Congress this week, but citizens of several states also voted on various science- and health-related policy issues. How did those turn out? On the upside, an anti-fracking law was defeated. On the downside, workplace vaping was banned and bogus medical marijuana laws passed.
drilling
Yale University researchers analyzed groundwater from 64 wells in several fracking-dense Pennsylvania counties where Marcellus shale drilling is taking place. In the largest study of its kind they found no association between fracking and well water contamination.
Colorado's Gov. Hickenlooper and the Environmental Defense Fund worked together with some industry reps to craft tough new restriction on fracking-related methane leaks. Is everybody happy? No. But compromise worked and the beneficiaries are the people of Colorado: a classic win-win.