"The Preservation League of New York State plans to announce this week that it will list swaths of land in drilling
regions upstate as endangered historic and cultural resources and seek drilling restrictions
around the properties.
League officials argue that proposed state rules that would govern hydrofracking once this type of drilling is
green-lighted by the Cuomo administration do not take many historic resources in the Marcellus or Utica Shale
regions into account.
As a result, they say, some valuable properties would be vulnerable to damage from industrial activity.
The officials say they are trying to protect buildings and agricultural landscapes dating back to the
1700s and 1800s in 30 counties.
In their comments to the state Department of Environmental Conservation, which is currently reviewing
the proposed fracking regulations and an environmental impact study, preservationists are urging state officials
to require a survey of historic and cultural resources as a condition of granting a drilling permit application.
Once such resources are identified, buffer zones should be created to protect those sites, they say."
http://green.blogs.n...-fracking-wars/
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17
#TarSands #GasFracking.
Started by Hayden, Oct 20 2011 01:59 PM
553 replies to this topic
#162
Posted 07 April 2012 - 03:31 AM
"Releases of methane, a far more potent greenhouse gas, may counterbalance virtually all the benefits of CO2
reductions projected to result from substituting gas power for coal.
(Robert W. Howarth, Renee Santoro, Anthony Ingraffea, Methane and the greenhouse-gas footprint of natural gas
from shale formations, Climatic Change (2011); Wigley T. (2011) Coal to Gas:
The Influence of Methane Leakage. Climate Change Letters. DOI 10.1007/s10584-011-0217-3.)
The human health impacts of gas extraction on local communities may rival those associated with coal.
A new study by Centers for Disease Control finds that breast cancer rates have dropped in every county in Texas, but have increased in the six counties with the heaviest natural gas air emissions.
The U.S. Geological Survey just slashed its estimate on the amount of gas in the Marcellus Shale by 80%,
raising doubts about all the industry's positive economic projections about jobs, royalties, and revenues.
Industry based those projections on resource estimates that the federal government has now jettisoned.
Meanwhile local communities are finding the costs of irresponsible drilling to be ruinous.
Contaminated well water, poisoned air, nuisance noise and dust, diminished property values and
collapsing quality of life are often the predictable collateral damage of gas shale development in the rural towns of the east.
In a devastating admission, the industry now acknowledges that it absolutely cannot afford to pay localities the costs of roads damaged from the thousands of truck trips per wellhead, leaving those ruinous costs to local taxpayers,
many of whom will see no benefits from the shale boom, but only declines in their quality of life."
(The Unanswered Questions About the Economic Impact of Gas Drilling in the Marcellus Shale: Don't Jump to Conclusions.
March 2010. Christopherson & Rightor. How Should We Think About the Economic Consequences of Shale Gas Drilling?
May 2011. Stephen G. Osborn, Avner Vengosh, et al., Methane Contamination of drinking water accompanying
gas wells drilling and hydraulic fracturing, PNAS Early Edition, April 14, 2011; Riverkeeper, Fractured Communities Sept. 2010.)
http://organicconnec...y/#.T4Airpl8Bqw
reductions projected to result from substituting gas power for coal.
(Robert W. Howarth, Renee Santoro, Anthony Ingraffea, Methane and the greenhouse-gas footprint of natural gas
from shale formations, Climatic Change (2011); Wigley T. (2011) Coal to Gas:
The Influence of Methane Leakage. Climate Change Letters. DOI 10.1007/s10584-011-0217-3.)
The human health impacts of gas extraction on local communities may rival those associated with coal.
A new study by Centers for Disease Control finds that breast cancer rates have dropped in every county in Texas, but have increased in the six counties with the heaviest natural gas air emissions.
The U.S. Geological Survey just slashed its estimate on the amount of gas in the Marcellus Shale by 80%,
raising doubts about all the industry's positive economic projections about jobs, royalties, and revenues.
Industry based those projections on resource estimates that the federal government has now jettisoned.
Meanwhile local communities are finding the costs of irresponsible drilling to be ruinous.
Contaminated well water, poisoned air, nuisance noise and dust, diminished property values and
collapsing quality of life are often the predictable collateral damage of gas shale development in the rural towns of the east.
In a devastating admission, the industry now acknowledges that it absolutely cannot afford to pay localities the costs of roads damaged from the thousands of truck trips per wellhead, leaving those ruinous costs to local taxpayers,
many of whom will see no benefits from the shale boom, but only declines in their quality of life."
(The Unanswered Questions About the Economic Impact of Gas Drilling in the Marcellus Shale: Don't Jump to Conclusions.
March 2010. Christopherson & Rightor. How Should We Think About the Economic Consequences of Shale Gas Drilling?
May 2011. Stephen G. Osborn, Avner Vengosh, et al., Methane Contamination of drinking water accompanying
gas wells drilling and hydraulic fracturing, PNAS Early Edition, April 14, 2011; Riverkeeper, Fractured Communities Sept. 2010.)
http://organicconnec...y/#.T4Airpl8Bqw
#163
Posted 08 April 2012 - 05:45 AM
NEW YORK (AP) -- "A federal report says oil and gas production may explain a sharp increase in earthquakes in the nation's midsection.
The researchers found the rate of quakes has jumped six-fold from the late 20th century through last year,
with a particularly sharp rise from 2009 to 2011. That includes mild quakes.
The study from the U.S. Geological Survey has not been published, but it is scheduled to be presented
at a scientific meeting later this month."
(I bet no gop members will attend.)
http://www.wsaw.com/..._146488145.html
The researchers found the rate of quakes has jumped six-fold from the late 20th century through last year,
with a particularly sharp rise from 2009 to 2011. That includes mild quakes.
The study from the U.S. Geological Survey has not been published, but it is scheduled to be presented
at a scientific meeting later this month."
(I bet no gop members will attend.)
http://www.wsaw.com/..._146488145.html
#164
Posted 08 April 2012 - 12:37 PM
President Obama is getting hammered on the Keystone pipeline, Electric utilities are already counting on the natural gas made available from fracking for their new power plants to replace coal, and the Republicans are pointing to this increase as a success story.
It almost seems like this to me, if you burn down all the building's in America it would create a whole lot of new jobs for firefighters and rescue workers, but once everything is used up then what?
To me it’s like the same scenario-drill baby drill, burn it all and forget about the future. Oh and when everything is gone blame it on the bleeding heart environmentalist for not doing anything to save it, thanks Koch’s brothers and GOP, the 1% wins again and the world goes to hell, literally.—My personal view.
It almost seems like this to me, if you burn down all the building's in America it would create a whole lot of new jobs for firefighters and rescue workers, but once everything is used up then what?
To me it’s like the same scenario-drill baby drill, burn it all and forget about the future. Oh and when everything is gone blame it on the bleeding heart environmentalist for not doing anything to save it, thanks Koch’s brothers and GOP, the 1% wins again and the world goes to hell, literally.—My personal view.
#166
Posted 12 April 2012 - 04:47 AM
"Conservative government officials hailed the data, which showed emissions in Canada rose by just 0.25 percent
in 2010 from the year before, hitting 692 megatons. (That's something to hail?)
Tar sands output generates more greenhouse gases than conventional oil production.
John Bennett, executive director of the Sierra Club Canada, said the government's failure to impose a cap
on industrial emissions means the 2010 figures are meaningless.
"We are reaching a tipping point," Bennett said.
"Emissions must start dropping rapidly to avoid the worst impacts of climate change.
Where is the sense of urgency? Where are the regulations? Where are the programs to make it happen? Nowhere."
http://www.huffingto....html?ref=green
in 2010 from the year before, hitting 692 megatons. (That's something to hail?)
Tar sands output generates more greenhouse gases than conventional oil production.
John Bennett, executive director of the Sierra Club Canada, said the government's failure to impose a cap
on industrial emissions means the 2010 figures are meaningless.
"We are reaching a tipping point," Bennett said.
"Emissions must start dropping rapidly to avoid the worst impacts of climate change.
Where is the sense of urgency? Where are the regulations? Where are the programs to make it happen? Nowhere."
http://www.huffingto....html?ref=green
#167
Posted 14 April 2012 - 05:05 AM
"The Obama administration said Friday it is creating a high-level working group to coordinate federal
oversight of natural gas production, amid industry complaints that excessive regulation could stymie
a natural gas boom that has pushed prices to 10-year lows.
In an executive order signed Friday, President Barack Obama said the group was needed to make sure a
host of federal agencies that oversee drilling work together.
The EPA is poised to regulate air pollution from oil and gas wells as soon as next week.
The agency also has pursued tighter rules on wastewater from drilling operations."
http://www.huffingto...html?ref=topbar
Executive orders are ok for starters, but laws/regulations must be put in place for long term protections
against the industry giants.
What good is cheap natural gas to a nation that can't drink the water?
oversight of natural gas production, amid industry complaints that excessive regulation could stymie
a natural gas boom that has pushed prices to 10-year lows.
In an executive order signed Friday, President Barack Obama said the group was needed to make sure a
host of federal agencies that oversee drilling work together.
The EPA is poised to regulate air pollution from oil and gas wells as soon as next week.
The agency also has pursued tighter rules on wastewater from drilling operations."
http://www.huffingto...html?ref=topbar
Executive orders are ok for starters, but laws/regulations must be put in place for long term protections
against the industry giants.
What good is cheap natural gas to a nation that can't drink the water?
#168
Posted 17 April 2012 - 12:31 PM
I really can't believe the government is resorting to this kind of activity. Fracking is never safe and environmental friendly. I pity those people residing the area. I really hope the government will find alternative means, not fracking.
#169
Posted 17 April 2012 - 05:14 PM
I wouldn't call it a lost cause.
They used to put asbestos in tile too.
They figured out a way to make tile just as sturdy and long lasting without using those toxins.
Hope springs eternal.
The two main issues are the lack of transparency, and the chemicals used.
No one knows the chemical cocktail mix oil companies are using.
(Thanks, in part, to halliburton/chaney.)
But I can't give the epa any pats on the back either. They are just as guilty of complicity.
The whole process is a mess, but the worst part is the "leavings" they pump back up to the surface
and deposit it in "ponds."
They used to put asbestos in tile too.
They figured out a way to make tile just as sturdy and long lasting without using those toxins.
Hope springs eternal.
The two main issues are the lack of transparency, and the chemicals used.
No one knows the chemical cocktail mix oil companies are using.
(Thanks, in part, to halliburton/chaney.)
But I can't give the epa any pats on the back either. They are just as guilty of complicity.
The whole process is a mess, but the worst part is the "leavings" they pump back up to the surface
and deposit it in "ponds."
#171
Posted 19 April 2012 - 03:00 AM
"The Environmental Protection Agency announced new rules Wednesday to control the problem of
air pollution coming from wells being drilled by the booming oil and natural gas drilling industry.
Currently, waste products from the drilling operations, which include a mix of chemicals, sand and water,
can be pumped into open enclosures or pits, where toxic substances can make their way into the air.
The new rules will require this fluid to be captured by 2015, and flared — or burned off — in the meantime.
Some states, including Colorado, already require companies to do what the EPA will soon require everywhere.
The EPA says capturing these materials will reduce smog and protect people from toxic pollutants like benzene that
can cause cancer.
The new rule gives companies until 2015 to start doing green completions, and exempts certain kinds of wells."
http://www.npr.org/2...ing?ft=1&f=1025
Now, if we can get chemical transparency, and better water protections for the "stew" that they bring
to the surface, fracking won't be so bad.
air pollution coming from wells being drilled by the booming oil and natural gas drilling industry.
Currently, waste products from the drilling operations, which include a mix of chemicals, sand and water,
can be pumped into open enclosures or pits, where toxic substances can make their way into the air.
The new rules will require this fluid to be captured by 2015, and flared — or burned off — in the meantime.
Some states, including Colorado, already require companies to do what the EPA will soon require everywhere.
The EPA says capturing these materials will reduce smog and protect people from toxic pollutants like benzene that
can cause cancer.
The new rule gives companies until 2015 to start doing green completions, and exempts certain kinds of wells."
http://www.npr.org/2...ing?ft=1&f=1025
Now, if we can get chemical transparency, and better water protections for the "stew" that they bring
to the surface, fracking won't be so bad.
#173
Posted 20 April 2012 - 02:22 PM
SpiroFlo, on 20 April 2012 - 09:47 AM, said:
Pretty sure the EPA won't stop with air quality. Much of the oil and gas industry thinks this will go down the path of stopping fracking entirely.
is a viable option.
#174
Posted 27 April 2012 - 10:51 AM
Had to blog on all the heat between the EPA and the oil & gas industry (promotional links deactivated for this here forum):
Vortex Tools comments on EPA administrator Al Armendariz’s analogy on the need to “crucify” the oil & gas industry, and the war of words from both sides in April 2012.
Lately, however, that hasn’t been the case.
Ring the bell.
On April 5th, Rep. Stephen Fincher (R-TN) declared, “We must cut the EPA’s legs off.”
While I think the EPA, like many regulatory government agencies, has unfortunate biases and agendas, there’s still a need for them; so in my grace, I will state that they should indeed still have legs (how nice of me).
Rep. Fincher, however, clarified his comment farther: “I hate to say that because it sounds rotten, but they are choking this country to death with legislating through the bureaucracy in Washington.I mean, we have fought dust legislation; we have fought water. You name it — it is something every day from the Environmental Protection Agency, and every group I talk to has the same message: ‘Please stop them.’ “
Then, on April 18th, the EPA issued air pollution rules for fracking wells. The rules state that oil & gas companies can flare (or burn off) the gas for now, but by 2015, that option will be gone. Instead, the oil & gas industry will be required to collect the gas. As a result, this will require pipelines and other equipment that,for many companies, is considered a hassle now.
Considering the environmental impact and energy value of the gas (plus the financial/energy value of the liquids in rich gas), this regulation against flaring is long overdue, but then again, Vortex Tools has been opposed to flaring gas rich with natural gas liquids (NGLs) for a long time, especially since these NGLs are valuable and Vortex makes them easy to recover.
Despite what many perceive to be a healthy step for energy efficiency, many in the oil & gas industry believe that the EPA will not stop regulating until fracking is banned. (This is, of course, exactly what environmentalists want.) This latest regulation isn’t the first step to that marker, and it’s unlikely to be the last.
And here we are today — April 26th, 2012 — where news broke on a video clip from 2010. In the video, top EPA official, Region Six Administrator Al Armendariz used the example of crucifixion to explain the EPA’s enforcement methods on the oil & gas industry:
The highlights:
I’ll give Armendariz credit: He at least knew then that his analogy was “crude” and “not appropriate” (which laid the groundwork for his apology yesterday… two years after the fact). Past that, however, he should probably know that examples on ruthlessly torturing and murdering people to establish your power might not go over well. Plus, apparently that Jesus fella changed how Christians, a large part of the population, will respond to casual crucifixion examples (even if they are historically accurate).
Since the fracking debate is especially heated this year, it’s no surprise that both sides are digging up questionable content from the past. Also in the obvious box, the Armenadiz video prompted the following obvious responses:
Well, April’s not over yet. Maybe we’ll have a few more heated comments between the EPA and the oil & gas industry before the month is out.
EPA Administrator Calls to “Crucify” the Oil and Gas Industry
Vortex Tools comments on EPA administrator Al Armendariz’s analogy on the need to “crucify” the oil & gas industry, and the war of words from both sides in April 2012.
Lately, however, that hasn’t been the case.
Ring the bell.
On April 5th, Rep. Stephen Fincher (R-TN) declared, “We must cut the EPA’s legs off.”
While I think the EPA, like many regulatory government agencies, has unfortunate biases and agendas, there’s still a need for them; so in my grace, I will state that they should indeed still have legs (how nice of me).
Rep. Fincher, however, clarified his comment farther: “I hate to say that because it sounds rotten, but they are choking this country to death with legislating through the bureaucracy in Washington.I mean, we have fought dust legislation; we have fought water. You name it — it is something every day from the Environmental Protection Agency, and every group I talk to has the same message: ‘Please stop them.’ “
Then, on April 18th, the EPA issued air pollution rules for fracking wells. The rules state that oil & gas companies can flare (or burn off) the gas for now, but by 2015, that option will be gone. Instead, the oil & gas industry will be required to collect the gas. As a result, this will require pipelines and other equipment that,for many companies, is considered a hassle now.
Considering the environmental impact and energy value of the gas (plus the financial/energy value of the liquids in rich gas), this regulation against flaring is long overdue, but then again, Vortex Tools has been opposed to flaring gas rich with natural gas liquids (NGLs) for a long time, especially since these NGLs are valuable and Vortex makes them easy to recover.
Despite what many perceive to be a healthy step for energy efficiency, many in the oil & gas industry believe that the EPA will not stop regulating until fracking is banned. (This is, of course, exactly what environmentalists want.) This latest regulation isn’t the first step to that marker, and it’s unlikely to be the last.
And here we are today — April 26th, 2012 — where news broke on a video clip from 2010. In the video, top EPA official, Region Six Administrator Al Armendariz used the example of crucifixion to explain the EPA’s enforcement methods on the oil & gas industry:
The highlights:
“It was kind of like how the Romans used to conquer little villages in the Mediterranean. They’d go into a little Turkish town somewhere; they’d find the first five guys they saw and they would crucify them. And then, you know, that town was really easy to manage for the next few years. And so you make examples out of people who are, in this case, not compliant with the law — find people who are not compliant with the law, and you hit them as hard as you can and you make examples out of them, and there is a deterrent effect there. And companies that are smart see that, they don’t want to play that game, and they decide at that point that it’s time to clean up. And that won’t happen unless you have somebody out there making examples of people. So you go out, you look at an industry, you find people violating the law, (and) you go aggressively after them.”
I’ll give Armendariz credit: He at least knew then that his analogy was “crude” and “not appropriate” (which laid the groundwork for his apology yesterday… two years after the fact). Past that, however, he should probably know that examples on ruthlessly torturing and murdering people to establish your power might not go over well. Plus, apparently that Jesus fella changed how Christians, a large part of the population, will respond to casual crucifixion examples (even if they are historically accurate).
Since the fracking debate is especially heated this year, it’s no surprise that both sides are digging up questionable content from the past. Also in the obvious box, the Armenadiz video prompted the following obvious responses:
- The EPA defended its enforcement strategy;
- The White House issued a statement that Armendariz’ remarks do not reflect President Obama’s view; and
- Some Republicans are angry and again believe that the EPA needs to be shut down.
Well, April’s not over yet. Maybe we’ll have a few more heated comments between the EPA and the oil & gas industry before the month is out.
#176
Posted 30 April 2012 - 12:45 PM
And with one day left in April, EPA official Al Armendariz has resigned. I get a cookie for my statement that the slugfest would continue.
It’s the same old story: One side tries to pin the scandal on a lone fall guy while the other tries to take the comments of that one person as the standard for an entire organization. The truth is probably somewhere midway, but hey, this is politics. Who needs the truth when you can further your agenda?
It’s the same old story: One side tries to pin the scandal on a lone fall guy while the other tries to take the comments of that one person as the standard for an entire organization. The truth is probably somewhere midway, but hey, this is politics. Who needs the truth when you can further your agenda?
#177
Posted 01 May 2012 - 03:29 AM
I could post this in the "ALEC" thread, but people should be aware that ALEC (American Legislative Exchange Council)
is doing everything they can to protect the oil and gas companies from revealing the chemical "stew" ingredients.
Story here.
is doing everything they can to protect the oil and gas companies from revealing the chemical "stew" ingredients.
Story here.
#179
Posted 01 May 2012 - 06:13 AM
Yep, those who weep and wail about the death of the free market in the US are the same ones who have killed it with their one off legislation that picks winners and losers outside of the market and away from the will of the people. One industry or company writes legislation that ensures their dominance in a market no matter what newer, better, more efficient product, process or technology comes along. That same industry then writes legislation that allows them free, unfettered, unregulated reign over everything they can get their hands on.
Sounds like heaven to me ;-)
Sounds like heaven to me ;-)
#180
Posted 03 May 2012 - 04:13 AM
"Citizens from affected communities, together with environmental organizations and community groups,
announced a call to action to demand an end to putting oil and gas drilling profits ahead of public health, clean water,
air and the safety of our communities.
This event will be the largest of its kind and will take place on the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol, Washington, D.C.
from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on July 28, 2012.
For more information and a list of endorsing organizations and members of the citizen-based advisory council, click here."
Source
Comic that isn't funny but truthful.
announced a call to action to demand an end to putting oil and gas drilling profits ahead of public health, clean water,
air and the safety of our communities.
This event will be the largest of its kind and will take place on the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol, Washington, D.C.
from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on July 28, 2012.
For more information and a list of endorsing organizations and members of the citizen-based advisory council, click here."
Source
Comic that isn't funny but truthful.
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