The Stream, April 23: Manila Water Seeks Compensation from Philippines Government

The Global Rundown

The Philippines‘ largest water company is seeking compensation after a government decision limiting prices it can charge. Fracking companies in North Dakota are trying to turn their waste into clean energy. An environmental activist abandons his Earth Day attempt to swim a toxic New York canal half-way through.

“It’s like swimming into a dirty diaper.” — Christopher Swain on New York City’s Gowanus Canal before he ended his attempt to swim it a little less than half-way through. (Reuters)

By The Numbers

$US 1.8 billion – Compensation sought by Manila Water from the Philippine government after a decision barring the company from charging higher water rates to offset corporate income tax. Manila Water asserts that this decision constitutes a change in contract, and has asked the government to cover lost potential revenue. Reuters

Science, Studies, And Reports

Companies fracking North Dakota’s Bakken shale formation are working on reusing their waste water to create clean geothermal energy. Waste water from fracking comes out of the ground boiling hot, and companies are trying to harness that heat energy into electrical energy through the use of turbines. Bloomberg

On The Radar

A man planning to swim New York City’s polluted Gowanus Canal on Earth Day to raise awareness about water pollution abandoned his attempt partway, citing weather concerns. He got out of the canal after swimming about two-thirds of a mile, but says one day he will try again and swim the entire length. Reuters