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.