Here is the final report from the Nova Scotia Hydraulic Fracturing review panel, and here is a well thought out response from one of the panel’s members. One of his quotes: “If we undertake activities because they create jobs, then crime, wars, epidemics, or hurricanes could be seen as beneficial.”
A must-watch movie from Australia
If you want to recommend to someone one movie about the issues surrounding shale gas, this is the one. It is a superb, and rather frightening, look into all the negative issues surrounding fracking in Australia. https://www.youtube.com/watch?&v=XrE7LzZCn1E
Industry blames the geology for 243 cases of drinking water contamination
A new Associated Press report highlights 243 cases in Pennsylvania in which fracking companies prospecting for oil or gas were found by state regulators to have contaminated private drinking water wells. The industry blamed the geology, and a lack of standards, for these incidents. The industry even states that surface spills are responsible for many incidents of contamination, as if that somehow makes it OK. Read the whole story here: http://wivb.com/2014/08/28/243-cases-in-pa-where-fracking-contaminated-wells
Fracking company sues NB government
Windsor Energy, a fracking company which was prevented from conducting seismic testing in New Brunswick because the government believed they were breaking the rules, is suing the NB government for loss of potential revenue – for $105m. Read the story here: http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/windsor-energy-lawsuit-against-n-b-government-linked-to-election-1.2737266
A good day to be an Indian
The Supreme Court’s recent decision granting aboriginal title for the first time will be the focus at this week’s annual meeting of the Assembly of First Nations. In response to the Supreme Court decision, Elsipogtog Councilor Robert Levi said Elsipogtog band councilors intend to reveal a legal strategy to prevent seismic testing for shale gas in the province when they attend this week’s national meeting, which begins Tuesday. Read the full story here
New report details 340 risks and harms of fracking
‘Concerned Health Professionals of NY’ just issued a Compendium of Scientific, Medical, and Media Findings Demonstrating Risks and Harms of Fracking. This document contains 340 references to other documents that raise serious issues related to the health and environmental effects of fracking. The conclusion: “… fracking poses significant threats to air, water, health, public safety, and long-term economic vitality”. Read the document here
EIA downgrades Monterey Shale estimate by 95%
In an article released last night, the Los Angeles Times reports that the Energy Information Administration (EIA) has drastically reduced its estimate of recoverable oil in California’s Monterey shale formation from 13.7 billion barrels to just 0.6 billion barrels—a reduction of over 95%. The downgrade has major implications for California’s energy and economic future, as well as the debate over hydraulic fracturing (“fracking”) and other forms of well stimulation-enabled oil development. The perception of an impending oil boom has dominated energy policy discussions in California since the release of a 2011 report by EIA which had estimated up to 15.4 billion barrels of recoverable tight oil—64% of the nation’s total—in the state’s Monterey shale formation. The estimate was widely cited by drilling proponents, and economic forecasts based on it projected millions of new jobs and billions in new tax revenue. “The oil had always been a statistical fantasy,” said geoscientist J. David Hughes, author of Drilling California: A Reality Check on the Monterey Shale.
Fracking’s greatest risk is water contamination: leaked report
A new report, commissioned by the federal conservatives, states that “publicly-available science on shale gas extraction [is] woefully inadequate [with] a long list of potential negative environmental effects — of which water contamination is the most worrisome”. If the federal government is saying this, then there really are serious issues with the future of fracking.
The landmark report, commissioned by Environment Canada, has found water contamination to be the greatest threat posed by the shale gas extraction method known as fracking.
“Most experts agree that impacts on water raise the greatest environmental concern by shale gas development,” says the report’s executive summary, a copy of which was obtained by iPolitics Wednesday.
http://www.ipolitics.ca/2014/05/01/frackings-greatest-risk-is-water-contamination-leaked-report/
Fracking banned in Los Angeles
The City of Los Angeles is in the process of banning hydraulic fracturing. ‘Until chemicals are disclosed and problems are honestly reported, until we’re safe from earthquakes, until our atmosphere is safe from methane leaks, we need a fracking moratorium”. Read the story here.
Exxon CEO Joins Lawsuit Against Fracking Project
As ExxonMobil’s CEO, it’s Rex Tillerson’s job to promote the hydraulic fracturing enabling the recent oil and gas boom, and fight regulatory oversight. The exception is when his $5 million property value might be harmed. He has joined a lawsuit that cites fracking’s consequences in order to block the construction of a 160-foot water tower next to his and his wife’s Texas home. Read the full story here.
Suzuki – Trading water for fuel is fracking crazy
It would be difficult to live without oil and gas. But it would be impossible to live without water. Yet, in our mad rush to extract and sell every drop of gas and oil as quickly as possible, we’re trading precious water for fossil fuels. Read the story here.
Public Forum on Water, Wednesday February 26
INVITATION TO PUBLIC FORUM ON WATER (including Deep Water Wells) on Wednesday, February 26 beginning at 7:00 p.m. at Rodd Charlottetown Hotel, Kent Street, Charlottetown.
Keynote speaker – Maude Barlow, National Chairperson of the Council of Canadians, and two local speakers as well, TBA
In 2008/2009, Maude served as Senior Advisor on Water to the 63rd President of the United Nations General Assembly and was a leader in the campaign to have water recognized as a human right by the UN. She is also the author of dozens of reports, as well as 17 books, including her latest, Blue Future: Protecting Water For People And The Planet Forever.
“Do not listen to those who say there is nothing you can do to the very real and large social and environmental issues of our time. There are serious problems that beset our world. I’m not now talking about a false sense of optimism based on ignoring the very real crises we face, but there is so much room for hope. And such a need to bring joy and excitement to our commitment to a different future. I swear to you this is true. The life of an activist is a good life because you get up in the morning caring about more than just yourself or how to make money. A life of activism gives hope, which is a moral imperative in this work and in this world. It gives us energy and it gives us direction. You meet the nicest people, you help transform ideas and systems and you commit to leaving the earth in at least as whole a condition as you inherited it.”
—Maude Barlow, National Chairperson of the Council of Canadians, June 2009, addressing Trent University after receiving an honorary Doctor of Laws.
Book launch and fracking discussion
An invitation: Please join author C. Alexia Lane for a community discussion surrounding her new RMB manifesto, On Fracking. Ms. Lane is an engaging, dynamic and vibrant speaker and this is a topic that is important to everyone who cares about the safety of our land, water and future. All are welcome! January 22, 2014, @ 6:30pm – 8:15pm Reading at 7:30pm. The Haviland Club, 2 Haviland Street, Charlottetown. http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17852161-on-fracking
No Fracking Way T-shirts
Men In Black T-Shirts is selling a PEI fracking T-shirt. Price is $20 per
shirt for most sizes; 2XL and 3XL are $24 each. Prices include HST. Order from us, or see http://www.meninblacktshirts.com.
A Dairy Farmer Shares Her Story About Fracking: What Have We Done?
The article is a personal story about what happened to this family and their surrounding farming community. It was written in 2012, but we can only assume that conditions have gotten worse, not better. http://www.publicherald.org/archives/16845/investigative-reports/energy-investigations
NFU asks for a ban on fracking
District 1 Region 1 of the National Farmers Union, representing PEI, has sent a letter to the Minister of Environment, Labour, and Justice asking for a ban on high volume hydraulic fracturing. The letter supports the recommendations outlined in the recent Standing Committee report. Read the letter here.
Two Groups ask PEI Government for a Moratorium
The Council of Canadians and the PEI Watershed Alliance have sent letters to the PEI Minister of Environment supporting a moratorium on fracking. The letters both support the recommendations of the government’s own Standing Committee, which calls for a moratorium.
The letter from the Council of Canadians: http://canadians.org/media/council-canadians-calls-pei-government-ban-fracking
The letter from the PEI Watershed Alliance: http://dontfrackpei.com/web/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/Fracking-Letter-Nov-2013.pdf
Some truth about fracking wouldn’t hurt
As a former oil and gas engineer and one who has managed hydraulic fracturing (fracking) operations in Western Canada and the U.S. for 28 years, I am following the situation in your province [Newfoundland] with keen interest, having a family connection in Newfoundland. I feel an obligation to bring to your attention some facts from the industry. Read the story here.
In solidarity with Elsipogtog
Ten people from various groups joined today in support of the protestors in New Brunswick, and there were other similar events across the country. After handing out 200 pamphlets, and getting honks from many cars, the group visited UPEI.
Moratorium announced on fracking in Newfoundland
Natural Resources Minister Derrick Dalley has declared a moratorium on fracking in the province. Dalley started off the fall sitting in the House of Assembly by announcing that the government will not approve fracking onshore and onshore-to-offshore hydraulic fracturing pending further review. Dalley said the government will be doing public consultation before it develops any policy for fracking. Both the Liberals and the NDP are supporting the move. Read the full story here and read the government statement here