Thursday, June 12, 2014
The Michigan Daily - michigandaily.com
Study examines concerns over 'fracking' in Mich.
Thursday, June 12, 2014
The Michigan Daily - michigandaily.com
'11
Residents express
concerns despite low
rates of utilization
By IAN DILLINGHAM
Editor in Chief
As debates occur nationwide
over the continued use of hydrau-
lit fracturing - colloquially
known as fracking - to extract oil
and natural gas from shale depos-
its deep beneath the surface of the
earth, University researchers have
released a report examining public
perceptions of this controversial
practice in Michigan.
The Center for Local, State and
Urban Policy published the report
last week, compiled with data
from the center's biannual Michi-
gan Public Policy Survey of local
governments. About 1,350 juris-
dictions responded to the survey,
which also gauged perceptions on
issues pertaining to wind energy,
bankruptcy and the Great Lakes.
CLOSUP program manager
Thomas Ivacko said the survey's
goal was to shed light on public
opinion, especially given that the
issue will likely only intensify
moving forward as it has in other
states.
"The objectivewastoget a sense
of how fracking is playing out as an
issue in Michigan communities,"
Ivacko said. "Even though it's not
happening much, it is a topic of
conversation in quite a few plac-
es."
The survey revealed surpris-
ing results in several areas. For
example, it demonstrated that
fracking is still a rare occurrence
in Michigan despite the media
attention it has received. Only 6
percent of jurisdictions reported
that the practice was occurring
in their area.
The study also showed public
perception of fracking may not
be very clearly defined. While
only 11 percent of officials said
the majority of their jurisdiction
would support fracking, almost
one-third of those same officials
said they support fracking them-
selves.
In addition, the data also point-
ed to some regional disparities on
the issue, with greater support
for fracking in northern regions
of the Lower Peninsula where the
practice is more commonly imple-
mented.
Ivacko noted that fracking is tiot
a new occurrence. In fact, accord-
ing to the Michigan Department
of Environmental Quality, oil and
gas companies have been using the
technique - pumping water, sand
and chemicals into wells to allow
for the release of natural gas and
oil - since 1952.
Recently, however, some com-
panies have utilized an updated
method, known as high-volume
hydraulic fracturing, to service
larger areas and extract greater
quantities of oil and gas. These
wells descend up to 5,000 feet
below the ground and extend hori-
zontally once they reach an ideal
depth.
Ivacko said the new technique
is controversial, in part, because
it uses more water and chemicals.
Whereas vertical wells may use up
to 100,000 gallons of water, some
horizontal wells can require as
much as 20 million gallons.
However, the Michigan DEQ
has said that current practices do
not present a safety risk to humans
and are not placing a strain on
resources.
Among the factors encourag-
ing fracking, survey respondents
listed - in order - "revenue for
land-owners," "local property
tax revenue" and "potential envi-
ronmental benefits from cleaner-
burning gas instead of coal" as the
top three.
The top three factors discour-
aging factors were "potential risks
to water resources", "potential
environmental damage linked to
fracking operations, such as spills,
leaks, etc." and "potential risks to
citizens' health".
The study found the opinions
varied between jurisdictions, but
that most, regardless of how they
viewed fracking, wanted greater
control over regulating the prac-
tice.
Among local officials, 63 per-
cent felt that local governments
should have a great deal of author-
ity in regulating fracking in their
jurisdiction, whereas only 16 and
45 percent felt federal and state
governments should have a great
deal of authority, respectively.
Current law places the majority of
regulatory power in the hands of
the state government, as opposed
to local ones.
"Local governments in Michi-
gan really are pretty severely
restricted in what they can do
about fracking," Ivacko said. "Cer-
tainly for townships and for coun-
ties, it's going to be a great uphill
battle for them to stop any kind of
fracking in their jurisdiction."
While cities, townships and
counties do all have varying
degrees of control over frack-
ing operations, Ivacko said they
remain limited.
"At the moment, for the most
part, local governments are going
to lose out," he said. "Clearly this
is a state-level policy topic and the
state has reserved the authority to
regulate it for themselves."
420 Maynard St.
Ann Arbor, MI 48109-1327
www.michigandaily.com
IAN DILLINGHAM SIMONNE KAPADIA
73441-415ext. 251 73B-48115ext. 1241
lidillemichigandalycom simkapa@mich andaiycom
CONTACTINFORMATION
Newsroom Ofsce-housa
S n a.-Ts. 1a.m. - 2pa.m
734-763-2459 op.3
NewsTips news@michigandaily.com
torrectins correcions@michigandaily.com
LettestntheEditort .seaa*yy: "'"anaily..
or visit michigandaily.com/etters
Photo Department photo@michigandailycom
ArtsSection arts@michigandal.com
Editorial Page opinionA.michiandaily.com
Magazine ,aement@michigandaily.com
Advertising Phone734.418-411 5
Dpm ent aiypa y@gmailcm
Porikos commits
to 'M' hockey
cOURTESY OF MICHIGAN RUGBY
The Michigan club rugby team won the Big Ten title and reached the national quarterfinals before losing to Kutztown.
Rugby routs OSU, reaches
national quarterfinals
Ann Arbor
native adds size,
experience to small
2015 class
By ERIN LENNON
Daily Sports Writer
The Michigan hockey team's
defense just got a much-needed
lift.
Niko Porikos, a former defen-
seman for the Hamilton Red
Wings of the Ontario Junior
Hockey League, has commit-
ted to Michigan, per his Twitter
account. The program has yet to
announce the late addition to its
2014-15 roster.
Porikos, an Ann Arbor native,
tallied 21 points including nine
goals and 12 assists in 51 games
with the Red Wings.
"Couldn't be more excited to
announce Iwill be playing hock-
ey for the University of Michi-
gan. #GoBlue," Porikos tweeted
Monday.
A 21-year-old freshman, Por-
ikos adds experience to a five-
man freshman class that now
includes two defensemen, two
forwards and a goaltender. At
6-foot-3, 185 pounds, the left-
hander will also provide neces-
sary size.
Incoming freshman forward
Dylan Larkin, a projected first-
round NHL Draft pick, will also
provide a boost to a defense that
struggled mightily in Michigan's
second straight season without
an NCAA Tournament appear-
ance.
Porikos and incoming fresh-
man defenseman Cutler Martin
are expected to fill voids left by
Mac Bennett and Kevin Clare,
who combined for 24 points last
season.
Like last season, the Wolver-
ines' defense is young. Despite
Michigan's large freshman class,
only rising sophomore Michael
Downing played a key role on
the top-line pairing next to Ben-
nett. Defenseman Kevin Lohan
missed a majority of the regu-
lar season with an ACL injury
while Nolan De Jong added just
five points in 29 games. And
it remains to be seen whether
forward-turned-defenseman
Andrew Sinelli will return to the
unit or switch back to offense for
his senior campaign.
Either way, expect Porikos
and Michigan's underclassmen
to play key roles in Michigan
coach Red Berenson's defensive-
minded system.
EDITORIAL STAFF
Stephanie ,hen da
ManagingEditor
New grocery store to replace Kroger on S. Industrial
Luc
foC
h(
bui
Anr
Kroge
cery s
consto
Th
previt
in An
Indus
opera
1980s
sky's Market will over the lease. The Plymouth
Road and South Maple Road loca-
,us on accesible, tions will remain open.
However, the lease for the
ealthy food and South Industrial property will
be taken over by another gro-
lding community cery store: independently owned
Lucky's Market, which currently
By MARGO LEVY plans to open in January 2015
For the Daily after completing renovations on
the space.
n Arbor now has one less Lucky's Market founder Bo
r, but the number of gro- Sharon, who founded the com-
tores in the area should hold pany in Boulder, Colo., said he
ant, started the chain in 2003 with a
e chain grocery store, which commitment to fresh food and an
nusly had three locations emphasis on community. Today,
n Arbor, closed its South the company has expanded its
trial location Saturday after stores to Ohio, Missouri, Mon-
ting in the area since the tana and Kentucky.
due to contract disputes "We sell natural food at what
we call conventional prices, so it's
open to everybody," Sharon said.
The store will feature local
produce and groceries and Sha-
ron said store managers typically
have a large degree of autonomy
in deciding what they sell and are
encouraged to get to know the
community and the farmers in
the area.
"Each store has the ability to
put a product on a shelf," he said.
"We encourage our grocery man-
agers to go to Farmer's Markets
and talk to people and find prod-
ucts."
He added that, beyond the
products they sell, the company
also emphasizes community by
donating to local organizations or
individuals, with each employee
having a say in the who receives
the funding.
"We create a fund for each
store to support their team mem-
bers, to support the community,
their customers and their vendors
or anyone else that's in need,"
Sharon said.
The company already has some
familiarity with several food
items within Ann Arbor's food
markets - Lucky's Market cur-
rently sells Zingerman's products
at many of their stores around the
U.S. - and Sharon said overall,
the company is looking forward
to joining the business commu-
nity here.
"Ann Arbor just feels like
home," he said. "We're just excit-
ed to open up."
ShohamGeva ManagingNews Editor
SENIOR EWS EDITO:Allana Akhtar
Aarica Marsh Editorial Page Editor
opiioneditors @n aendaily.com
SENIOR EDITORIAL PAGE EDITOR:
Michae Schramm
JakeLourim ManagingSportsEditor
sportseditors@michigannainy.coma
SENIOR SPORTS EDITOR:
Daniel Feldman
Gincrl uooro ManagingArts Editor
gb,,,noo~nk5.0ndily..,,
SENIOR ARTS EDITORS:
Adam Theise"n
Allison Farrand
and RubyWallau ManagingPhotoEditor
photo@michigandailycom
milySchamer y OManaging Design Editor
design~mnktgandaily.,..,
MeaghanThompson ManagingCopyEditor
copydesk@michigandaiy.com
The Michigan Daily (ISSN 0745-967) is
published every Thursday during the
syring and sooner terns hy stodents
at the University of Michigan. One copy
is available free of charge to all readers.
Additional copiesmay be picked up atlthe
laity's ofice tor 12. Subscripions tar tall
tern, startint it Setenher, oia U.S. nail
are $110. Winter term Stanuary through
April) is $115, yearlong (September
through Ayril) is $195. University atiiates
are subject to a reduced subscription rate.
On-campus subscriptions for fall term
are $35. Subscriptions must be prepaid.
The Michigan Daily is a member of The
Associated Press and The Associated
Collegiate Press.
'M' finishes 3-1 at
tournament after
Big Ten title
By MITCH BECKMAN
Daily Sports Writer
The Michigan rugby team rare-
ly gets spotlight. However, when
given the opportunity, it took full
advantage of it.
Playing on NBC last weekend,
the Wolverines routed Ohio State,
21-5, at the National Collegiate
Rugby Championship.
The victory over Ohio State fol-
lowed wins over Texas and Navy to
complete a 3-0 record in pool play.
Despite the impressive perfor-
mance, Michigan fell to eventual
runner-up Kutztown in the quar-
terfinals,14-0. Kutztown eventual-
ly lost to California in the national
championship game.
Despite the defeat, Michigan
coach Matt Trenary saw the season
as a big step forward for his pro-
gram. Michigan captured the Big
Ten title before taking part in its
first national tournament.
"It was a tremendous tourna-
ment for us," Trenary said. "The
win over Navy was a high-quality
win. We've never had a win like
that. I think we surpassed every-
one else's expectations. And in
the rugby world people are taking
notice. I'm already getting contacts
from high-school (kids) that are
interested in our program."
While the win over Navy may
have been the upset of the week-
end for the Wolverines, a dominant
performance over the Buckeyes
may have been their most impres-
sive match.
The win over Ohio State was
anchored by stout defense and a
balanced offensive attack. Fifth-
year senior Christian Mentzer and
juniors Sequoyah Burke-Combs
and Cole Van Horn each scored
tries for the Wolverines.
Michigan notched the first
pointsofthe game on an impressive
sequence that
saw five differ-
ent Wolverines "I thi
touch the ball
and ended with surpi
Mentzer dashing
almost half the everyor
field to score. expect
"After we
made a really
nice defensive
stand on our goal line, we just
started attacking," Trenary said.
"Then the ball goes between five or
six players and we go the full field
and score. Just seeingus utilize the
whole team on that sequence was
really great."
Ohio State answered quickly,
but those were the only points they
would score. The stifling Michigan
defense was helped by two more
tries and the game quickly opened
up in favor of the Wolverines.
This win highlighted the strong
weekend performance by the
Wolverines. They had strong per-
formances on the weekend from
Burke-Combs, who scored in all
three pool-play games, and senior
Alex Davidson, who had three tries
on the weekend.
Statistics aside, Trenary praised
his team's leadership after sud-
denly being thrustinto the national
spotlight.
"Sequoyah is a just a real pas-
sionate, fiery leader," Trenary said.
"He's a great athlete and brings
a lot of energy
to the field.
rk we Our captain,
(junior) Joel
issed Conzelmann, is
the balance to
le else's Sequoyah. He's
ations." very even-keel
and keeps every-
body pointed in
the right direc-
tion."
Though Michigan didn't end
the weekend as a champion, its 3-1
record on the weekend and trip to
the quarterfinals was a benchmark
for the program's success.
And for a sport looking to grow
in popularity on campus, a win
over Ohio State on national televi-
*sion doesn't hurt.
a
n
WANT TO SPEND YOUR SUMMER INSIDE WRITING? APPLY TO THE NEWS SECTION. EMAIL NEWS@MICHIGANDAILY.COM
PATRICK BARRON/Daily
Red Berenson will bring a five-man recruiting class to Ann Arbor this fall.