Ring of Fire’s Weekly Rewind

House Passes Bill to Eliminate Fracking Regulations

On Wednesday, the House passed a bill that will block the Department of the Interior (DOI) from regulating fracking in states that already have regulations in place. The bill, H.R. 2728, passed the House in a 235 – 187 vote. Twelve Democrats voted in favor of the legislation and two Republicans voted against it. … Read more.

Gas Pipeline Explodes Prompting Evacuation of Texas Town

An entire Texas town was evacuated yesterday after a Chevron drilling crew punctured a gas pipeline near a drilling rig, triggering an explosion. The explosion occurred at about 9:30 am CST in north Texas near Milford, according to the Associated Press. … Read more.

Bill to Charge $5k for Opposing Drilling Projects

This week, the House will vote on a bill that could impose a $5,000 fee on any person who opposes a proposed drilling project. The bill, also known as the Federal Lands Jobs and Energy Security Act, will make it easier for oil and gas companies to drill on public lands, ClimateProgress reports. … Read more.

The GOP Wants to Take Away our Veterans’ Healthcare

It has become apparent over the last three years that Republicans talk about helping vets when they come home from combat, but in reality want to take it away. Since 2011 the GOP has tried unsuccessfully to cut benefits our disabled veterans desperately need. … Read more.

$2.475 Billion DePuy Hip Settlement Announced

Patients that have suffered at the hands of Johnson & Johnson’s failed DePuy ASR metal-on-metal hip implant may soon be in talks regarding a DePuy hip settlement. Multiple law firms across the nation are stating that Johnson & Johnson has agreed to a settlement in the DePuy ASR litigations for patients implanted with the recalled DePuy ASR XL Acetabular hip that have undergone revision surgery as of August 31, 2013. … Read more.