News bites: Jackson's EPA successor to inherit fracking fight

Resigning Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lisa Jackson’s successor will have to guide the agency through regulation of hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, Reuters notes.

New York Harbor oil terminals will continue to operate through a potential Gulf and East coast dock strike, Reuters reports.

Noble Corp. said it fixed problems with its Discover drilling rig, and that Royal Dutch Shell will be able to use it in Alaska’s Chukchi Sea next year, according to Bloomberg.

Electric vehicle sales will double next year and sales of hybrid models will increase by a quarter, the Houston Chronicle reports, citing a study by the Natural Resources Defense Council and Baum & Associates.

Shale drilling companies could cut costs and water use by sharing materials, trucking and equipment with competitors, the Houston Chronicle reports, citing a study by Accenture.

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