Category Archives: Case News

Alberta worked with industry on fracking PR strategy by Charles Rusnell, November 29, 2011, CBC News Officials from the Energy Resources Conservation Board, the arm’s length regulator of the oil and gas industry in Alberta, also attended the meetings. Minutes from a … Continue reading →

Buyer nixes deal for controversial Wyoming natural gas assets by Jeremy Fugleberg, November 28, 2011, Star-Tribune In a terse news release issued Wednesday, Legacy Reserves LP of Midland, Texas, said it will not buy the natural gas assets in the Pavillion area … Continue reading →

Helms says EPA could halt fracking in oil patch by Lauren Donovan, November 27, 2011, Bismarck Tribune Diesel or some distillate gets used only when it’s very cold and other oils would freeze or when there’s no available alternative. “If you didn’t … Continue reading →

‘Frack hell is imminent’ November 25, 2011 by Caroline Zentner, Lethbridge Herald “I have learned that in Alberta you are to toe the line whether you’re an oil patch consultant or a citizen.”… “I have learned painfully that I trust no politician … Continue reading →

Shale gas will be ‘revolutionary’ in Alberta, ERCB head says, Regulators retool for a coming wave of unconventional gas development by Jeff Lewis, November 21, 2011, Alberta Oil Magazine Alberta’s Energy Resources Conservation Board (ERCB) is quietly preparing for the arrival of … Continue reading →

Gas Industry Geologists – Not Doctors – Decide If Water Is “Safe” in Alberta Fracking Contamination Cases by Carol Linnit, November 15, 2011, Desmogblog

RFF to study shale-gas development by Marty Niland, November 14, 2011, Energy Now! University of Texas at Austin professor Mukul Sharma gave an overview, concluding that the benefits of development outweigh its risks. He dismissed concerns that the process causes large earthquakes, … Continue reading →

Busted! Fracking Chemical Found in Wyoming Water Supply by Tina Casey, November 13, 2011, Cleantechnica.com As an aside, according to Abrahm the Pavillion gas wells at the center of the residents’ problems are currently owned by the Canadian company EnCana, which continues … Continue reading →

EPA Finds Fracking Compound in Wyoming Aquifer by Abrahm Lustgarten and ProPublica, November 10, 2011, Scientific American

Encana donates $1.5 Million  to create Institute for Sustainability and the Environment at Mount Royal University News Release by Mount Royal University, November 9, 2011 “The knowledge students will gain from the use of this equipment in a learning environment, … Continue reading →

EPA Pavillion Pavillion Groundwater Investigation 2010-2011 Sampling Summary of Results and Next Steps November 9, 2011, EPA

EPA to announce new water well sampling data at meeting in Pavillion on Wednesday by Mead Gruver, November 8, 2011. Associated Press Doug Hock, an Encana spokesman, said Tuesday that Encana did not plan to send a representative to the EPA meeting.

16×9 Untested Science: Fracking natural gas controversy Published by 16x9onglobal to Youtube on April 13, 2012, originally released November 5, 2011 (Season 4 Ep. 10)

WATCH: Extended Preview – Untested Science, 1:22 min November 5, 2011, Global News But experts say ‘fracking’ can cause contaminated ground water, earthquakes and pollute our land with toxic chemicals. http://www.globalnews.ca/video/extended+preview+untested+science/video.html?v=2164397054

Encana sale in Pavillion area raises concerns November 4, 2011, The Associated Press “So we continue to believe that whatever groundwater contamination people are claiming that they have in their wells is naturally occurring,”

Citizens Call for Investigation and Halt to Encana’s Proposed Sale of Pavillion Gas Field Press Release by Powder River Basin, November 3, 2011 “EnCana has made huge profits in our community and is in the middle of a superfund investigation that … Continue reading →

Alberta water practices questioned, Scientist claims Encana contaminated her well-water through fracking process by Richard LaRose, November 2, 2011, The Gateway Bob Curran, a spokesperson for ERCB, refused to comment due to the on-going legal case, but noted the ERCB has stringent … Continue reading →

Untested Science by Carolyn Jarvis and Anne Hainsworth, October 31, 2011, Global News, 16×9 “I’ve lived at my place since 1998 and the water change is incredible,” says Jessica, “one Christmas I was in tears because there was so much … Continue reading →

Living in fear of fracking, Rancher concerned about effects on water supply by Rebecca Penty, October 29, 2011, Calgary Herald Curran said the ERCB will make public the chemicals companies use in “frac” jobs when requested

High water use, contamination top list of shale gas concerns by Mike De Souza, October 24, 2011. Postmedia News Water use and contamination are at the top of the list of environmental concerns surrounding shale gas exploration in Canada, Environment Minister Peter … Continue reading →

New oil and gas well regulations could affect landowners “Cleverly written document” fails to address increased impact by Lindsey Wallis, October 13, 2011, Fast Forward Weekly Alberta’s Energy Resources Conservation Board (ERCB) announced changes to the well-spacing framework, which environmentalists say is … Continue reading →

Alberta’s new Energy Minister Morton shows a green side by Nathan Vanderklippe, October 12, 2011, The Globe and Mail That provides “consistency,” said Lowell Jackson, an energy company executive and chair of the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers. … He expects Mr. … Continue reading →

ERCB announces changes to well spacing framework by Government of Alberta, October 6, 2011 Subsurface well-density controls for coalbed methane and shale gas have been removed across Alberta. NEWS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE ERCB ANNOUNCES CHANGES TO WELL SPACING FRAMEWORK Calgary, … Continue reading →

Fracking in Canada: Why the public outrage? by Leah Karpus, Alive, October 2011

UNANIMA International Courage Award Presentation speech to Jessica Ernst in New York at the Church Centre of the United Nations, October 1, 2011 UNANIMA applauds Ms. Ernst’s courage to stand up for her rights in the face of the powerful entities … Continue reading →

Why conceal water well data from Albertans? by Alex McCuaig, September 29, 2011, Medicine Hat News “Our ground water — that’s public,” said Chris Gerritsen, president of the Alberta Water Well Drilling Association (AWWDA). “We own it collectively.” Gerritsen used the example of … Continue reading →

Reader applauds Eagle for coverage of fracking by Shaun Fluker, September 27, 2011, Cochrane Eagle Thank you for publishing Mike Gervais’ letter on Sept. 21 wherein he accuses the Eagle of advocacy in its coverage of a panel discussion on … Continue reading →

“It Can’t All Be True”: Canadian Government Launches New Fracking Studies by Carrol Linnitt, September 23, 2011. Desmogblog Quebec’s cautionary approach has prompted others to ask why provinces like British Columbia, Alberta, and New Brunswick, where there is equal cause for concern, … Continue reading →

2011 09 11 Report on the POWERS Frack Alberta Workshop by Doug Malsbury,  September 11, 2011.  Alberta Surface Rights Group On September 10/11 several members of Alberta Surface Rights Group attended the “POWERS” (Protecting Our Water & Ecological Resources Society) information … Continue reading →

What Fresh Hell is This? September 10, 2011 Across Alberta and in the community of North West Rocky View, hydraulic fracturing is being forced on us with a vengeance. We need to know what we are dealing with for our … Continue reading →

Canadian Gas Producers Issue Five Principles For Protecting Environment During Fracking by Jeremy Hainsworth, September 8, 2011, Canadian Natural Gas Canadian natural gas producers Sept. 8 announced five principles for hydraulic fracturing to guide water management and improved reporting practices for water … Continue reading →

Inquiry into Access Request may affect Water Well Owners and Tenants in Alberta by Government of Alberta, September 8, 2011, Pincher Creek Voice Beginning October 18, 2011, the Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner of Alberta (OIPC) will conduct a public … Continue reading →

Canadian Gas Producers Issue Five Principles For Protecting Environment During Fracking by Jeremy Hainsworth, September 8, 2011, Canadian Natural Gas Canadian natural gas producers Sept. 8 announced five principles for hydraulic fracturing to guide water management and improved reporting practices for water … Continue reading →

Hydro-Frac Information meeting Report-Sept 7/11 Eagle Hill by Doug Malsbury, September 7, 2011, Alberta Surface Rights Group Three speakers made presentations and then answered questions from the floor. Tom McGee-ERCB Bob Willard-ERCB Graham Gilchrist- Farmers Advocate Office There was also a lot … Continue reading →

Local group presents workshop on the ‘dangers’ of fracking by Rachael Maclean, September 7, 2011, The Cochrane Eagle The ERCB maintains that naturally-occurring conditions were likely the cause of contamination in Rosebud-area wells. [Emphasis added]

Western Canadian Energy Ministries “Collaborate”in Secret with Influential Petroleum Cartel on Development of Controversial Fracking Policies Press Release, September 6, 2011, BC Tap Water Alliance Participation from all other “external” stakeholders was excluded. … In contrast to information that identified … Continue reading →

What Fresh Hell is this? Press Release, August 22, 2011, POWERSAlberta Companies extol the virtues of “good neigbour” policies through their advertising compaigns, donations to local schools and community theatres and frocking colouring books for our children. When asked critical … Continue reading →

Hydraulic Fracturing: Alberta NDP Calls For Probe Into Controversial Natural Gas Extraction Method The Huffington Post, August 19, 2011 Notley says the Progressive Conservative government is working exclusively with the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers on a public relations campaign to … Continue reading →

Documents Reveal Industry and Gov’t Collude on Shale Gas Alberta New Dems release secret agreements about handling public opinion by Andrew Nikiforuk, TheTyee.ca, August 19, 2011 “My biggest concern is that there is a government plan to work with industry on shale … Continue reading →

Notley: review needed as PCs seek to bury fracking opposition Press Release, August 18, 2011. “This document shows the PCs’ contempt for everyday Albertans. The questions and opinions of Albertans should be respected, not treated as PR problems,” Notley says. “The … Continue reading →

Alberta fears ‘misinformation’ by greens on fracking: report, NDP calling for safety investigation by Karen Kleiss, Edmonton Journal, August 18, 2011. “The Conservative government has already made its decision around the safety and the pros and cons of hydraulic fracturing of shale … Continue reading →

Department of Energy panel: Gas drillers should reveal fracking chemicals, manage impacts by Michael Rubinkam, The Associated Press, Canadian Press, August 11, 2011.

EPA probe of fracking contamination includes retrospective by Don Hopey, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, August 5, 2011. The EPA, in a statement released Wednesday evening, also said it has identified several other cases where contamination of drinking water wells allegedly occurred due to nearby … Continue reading →

Australian Petroleum Association: Coal seam damage to water inevitable by Ben Cubby The Sydney Morning Herald, August 3, 2011. The coal seam gas industry has conceded that extraction will inevitably contaminate aquifers. “Drilling will, to varying degrees, impact on adjoining aquifers,” said … Continue reading →

Fracking, shale gas and health: A case for precaution by Barb Harris, Prevent Cancer Now, August 2011. Finally, there is a seldom-mentioned health impact of fracking, its impact on mental health, as well as the emotional and financial stresses of living in … Continue reading →

Le Gaz de la Discorde by Nicolas Mesly, Cover Story in Le Coopérateur agricole, July August 2011 Issue Les analyses de son eau ont en effet révélé une quantité effarante de méthane. Cinq ans plus tard, M. Zimmerman n’a toujours pas d’eau … Continue reading →

Meeting with local officials in the Lublin Province by the Polish Exploration and Production Industry Organization, July 28, 2011 On July 27, 2011, Paul Ferensowicz – an expert of the governmental agency ERCB operating in Alberta (Canada) paid a visit to … Continue reading →

Fingerprinting of gas contaminating groundwater and soil in a petroliferous region, Alberta, Canada by Barb Tilley and Karlis Muehlenbachs, In Proceedings from International Network of Environmental Forensics conference, Cambridge, UK, July 25-27, 2011 Public attention to possible water well contamination by CBM … Continue reading →