Meter Reading: Researchers Say Fracking Fluids Can Migrate, Dry April Could Mean Strong Wildfire Season, and More

BP Gulf spill judge orders Jan. 14 trial on U.S. claims – “The judge presiding over the BP Plc litigation tied to the 2010 Gulf of Mexico oil spill set a Jan. 14 trial date to determine fault for the sinking of the Deepwater Horizon drilling rig and resulting undersea leak.” — Fuel Fix

Fracking Fluids May Migrate to Aquifers, Researcher Says – “Chemically treated drilling fluid can migrate through thousands of feet of rock and endanger water supplies, said a hydrologist whose research calls into question the safety of hydraulic fracturing for natural gas.” — Bloomberg

A Dry Month Raises Fears for Wildfire Season – “A drier-than-normal April has made firefighters worry about the risk of another devastating wildfire season. In the first three days of May, Travis County firefighters put out 12 brush fires. It’s not hard to understand why they are worried.” — KUT

San Marcos to enter Stage 2 water restrictions Monday “San Marcos will enter Stage 2 drought restrictions effective Monday, May 7, 2012 at noon in response to quickly falling levels of the Edwards Aquifer. The aquifer has dropped 19 feet in the last 30 days.” — Statesman

TransCanada to file new Keystone XL permit — UPI.com – “TransCanada is preparing a new application to build the Keystone XL pipeline that would carry oil from Canada to the United States.”