Author Archives: Ian Holt
How to map points from Excel in Google Earth Pro
Environmental professionals often use Google Earth as an inexpensive way to view and analyze data. In February, we wrote about the relaunch of Google Earth Pro as a FREE program available to anybody with a computer. One of the key advantages … Continue reading
What is a Texas Municipal Settings Designation (MSD)?
A Municipal Settings Designation, or MSD, is a voluntary regulation that prevents contaminated groundwater from being used beneath a specific property. This means that a property owner can voluntarily request a city ordinance to prohibit future use of the groundwater … Continue reading
Duke Energy Corp. pleads guilty
Last year, tens of thousands of tons of coal ash spilled into the Dan River from a closed power plant previously operated by Duke Energy. The spill occurred when underground storm water pipes broke and an estimated 39,000 tons of … Continue reading
First federal fracking regulations in 30 years
The regulation of hydraulic fracturing has recently been seen as a local and state government issue. After more than 30 years however, the Obama administration has unveiled the nation’s first major federal regulations. According to the Interior Department, the new … Continue reading
Pennsylvania to form Geospatial Coordinating Board
Last November, the Pennsylvania House and Senate passed a bill to establish the Geospatial Coordinating Board. This board will consolidate maps and data from all levels of government to create a central repository for geospatial information.
America’s changing energy landscape
Commercial energy production in the United States has in recent years been a mixture of coal, nuclear, natural gas, solar, and wind. Due to advancements in technology and the abundance of natural gas, traditional coal powered plants and nuclear reactors … Continue reading