Global Frac News

  • In Canada too? US EPA: “Salt water intrusion affecting the inland part of the United States is largely due to oil exploration.”
    Salt Water Intrusion in the United States by Bob D. Newport and Robert S. Kerr, 1977, US EPA ABSTRACT Salt water intrusion, from one or more sources outlined in this report, has resulted in degradation of subsurface fresh water aquifers in 43 states. Numerous case histories delineating current problems exist, providing adequate documentation of the seriousness of salt water intrusion. Waste ...
  • Arthur Berman: The Shale Gas Revolution Is A Media Myth. Big banks are catching on. Will investors too?
    It’s gas, not renewables, that is pushing up electricity prices, report finds by Peter Martin, July 14, 2017, The future of energy in Australia Coal has dominated the National Energy Market, but the closure of Hazelwood power station heralds a potential transition to renewables. From July 1, Sydney prices climbed 15 to 20 per cent, Adelaide prices 16 to ...
  • Cumulative impacts from too much toxic oilfield waste dumped in water bodies, “spread” on pastures, cropland and roads? Over 200 cattle found dead in SW Saskatchewan pasture; Tests found 24,000 mg/l sulphate & 33,400 mg/l dissolved solids in dugout water. Chief veterinary officer suggests lack of rain & evaporation to blame
    Read first:  2017 07 17: US EPA: “Salt water intrusion affecting the inland part of the United States is largely due to oil exploration.” Cattle found dead on Saskatchewan pasture drank toxic water, tests confirm by Jennifer Graham, The Canadian Press, July 13, 2017, The Globe and Mail Tests have concluded that about 200 cattle found dead ...
  • 4.2M earthquake rattles Oklahoma state-wide, Felt also in western Arkansas & Wichita, Kansas, Numerous aftershocks. Mitigation obviously not working. Waste disposal in the Area of Interest had previously been sharply reduced, with no new drilling or fracking
    4.2 Magnitude Quake, Aftershocks Rattle Residents Across Oklahoma by Matthew Nuttle, July 14, 2017, News9 LINCOLN COUNTY, Oklahoma – An earthquake centered in Lincoln County jolted residents across Oklahoma, Friday morning. The 4.2 magnitude temblor was struck at approximately 8:47 a.m., 3.3 miles east southeast of the town of Avery, Oklahoma, or about 54 miles east northeast ...
  • Alberta ‘sunshine’ list partly cloudy; It pays well to lie & deregulate: AER CEO Jim Ellis pay & benefits: $737,060 in 2016, $621,680.71 in 2015
    Government ‘sunshine’ list is partly cloudy by Janet French, July 12, 2017, Edmonton Journal in Calgary Herald Alberta’s sunshine lists look straightforward — they outline the names of top earning employees, their role, their salary and the cost of any extra benefits they’ve earned. Although more transparency about top-paid public servants and the CEOs of public agencies ...
  • Large-scale battery storage to transform Australia’s renewable energy future
    Large-scale battery storage to transform Australian renewable energy, The world’s largest lithium-ion battery to be installed in South Australia by the end of 2017 will transform and fast track reliable renewable energy in Australia by Dr Alex Wonhas, July 11, 2017, Mining Review This is true not only for renewable energy in Australia but on a ...
  • London Bridge is Falling Down, Falling Down, Falling Down. London Bridge is Falling Down, All Because of Fracking!
    A home at 2900 Balmoral, in the Fairfax Estates addition, had a chimney collapse from a 4.3 earthquake that hit Edmond at 5:39 am Tuesday, December 29, 2015. Photo By Doug Hoke, The Oklahoman 2017 06 21: Texas: New Study by TAMEST, State’s Top Scientists (mostly industry supporters, so findings especially damning): Drilling in Shale causes ...
  • Andrew Nikiforuk on Denman Island July 16, 2017: “In Conversation” Main Stage session with Des Kennedy
    Denman’s writers festival celebrates 15 years by Comox Valley Record, July 07, 2017 Local author and gardening expert Des Kennedy’s “In Conversation” Main Stage session this year will be with be Andrew Nikiforuk, a crusading investigative journalist whose most recent book, Slick Water details the damaging effects of “fracking” and the courageous attempts of an Albertan ...
  • New B.C. government unlikely to be anti-business or impede fracking according to oil and gas producers at forum in Calgary
    New B.C. government unlikely to be anti-business or impede fracking: oil and gas producers by Carter Haydu, July 10, 2-17, Daily Oil Bulletin In spite of any campaign rhetoric, British Columbia’s incoming NDP coalition government is unlikely to impede the practice of hydraulic fracturing in the northeastern part of the province and will not likely assume ...
  • New Study: Sulfide-producing bacteria dominate hydraulically fractured shale oil & gas wells. “An estimated 70% of waterflooded reservoirs world-wide have soured.”
    Industry and regulators have known for decades that the oil and gas industry sours sweet formations. What do our authorities do?  Deregulate & lie to enable it. Sulfide-producing bacteria dominate hydraulically fractured oil and gas wells Press Release by American Society for Microbiology, July 5, 2017, Washington, DC – July 5, 2017– Researchers have found that the ...
  • UK: “We fear a fracking disaster in our area” & “Pro-fracking lobby never let evidence get in the way of their advocacy for this environmentally destructive and reprehensible industry”
    LETTERS in Gazette Herald July 8, 2017 ‘We fear a fracking disaster in our area’ by Ian Conlan, Malton DO we have to wait for disaster before fracking is banned? “Fracking has insufficient regulations and poor monitoring,” says Mike Hill, chartered engineer on his shale gas office website. Our pro-fracking MP said two days after the Grenfell Tower fire ...
  • Alberta Energy Regulator ramping up the propaganda, ready to expand global impact
    1 Comment to AER’s propaganda: Diana Daunheimer The AER announced the MOU with ICORE June 1, only Yedlin attempted to take this old, pile of dung announcement and make it news. The proposition that the AER operates within any parameters of regulatory excellence is a vacant and misleading talking point, robotically drooled out by stakeholder relations. The AER ...
  • AER trying to pretend it’s a regulator? Trying to deflect from Nikiforuk’s reporting on life-threatening leaking energy wells in Calgary, Medicine Hat, Calmar, Edmonton, more?
    2017 06 28 MUST READ (not reported in any main stream media in Canada): Energy Industry Legacy: Hundreds of Abandoned Wells Leaking Methane in Alberta Communities, Tyee obtains unreleased report that shows leaks pose threats to health, explosion risk by Andrew Nikiforuk, The Tyee Alberta Energy Regulator lays charges against Nexen Energy for 2015 pipeline spill by Ian Bickis, The Canadian ...
  • Republic of Ireland: President Michael Higgins signs bill making fracking illegal!
    President has signed onshore Fracking ban into law by Leonie McKiernan, July 6, 2017, Leitrim Observer In a short statement issued to www.leitrimobserver.ie this afternoon the President’s press office noted: “Having considered the Petroleum and Other Minerals Development (Prohibition of Onshore Hydraulic Fracturing) Bill 2016, the President has signed the Bill and it has accordingly become law.Tar éis dó ...
  • Cochrane Eagle Frack Poll & ACORRDS (Albertans Concerned Over Responsible Resource Development Society) looking for public awareness on frack impacts to human & animal health
    Snap of stats taken July 5, 2017: Cochrane Eagle Frack Poll: Results as of July 1, 2017, just past midnight ACORRDS (Albertans Concerned Over Responsible Resource Development Society) looking for public awareness by Lindsay Seewalt, Jun 29, 2017, Cochrane Eagle A small army of rural Cochranites say they are tired of being ignored and having their voices overshadowed by the ...
  • Happy Canada Day! Two more crude oil spills in Alberta from one Journey Energy pipeline. Second spill polluted a waterbody; Pollution cover-up enabler AER investigating
    Crude oil spills in central Alberta linked to Calgary-based Journey Energy by Bryan Passifiume , June 30, 2017, Calgary Herald Cleanup efforts are underway after two separate pipeline leaks in central Alberta. The Alberta Energy Regulator said it learned Wednesday of crude oil emulsion leaking from a pipeline owned by Calgary-based Journey Energy just south of Winfield, a ...
  • Oklahoma: ‘Frack hits’ on the rise; Frackers Collide With Traditional Oil & Gas Drillers; Hundreds of damaging cases of “involuntary stimulation”
    Frackers Collide With Traditional Oil Drillers, ‘Frack hits’ are threatening the peaceful coexistence of new and old wells by Erin Ailworth, June 20, 2017, Wall Street Journal Supersized new oil wells are sometimes running into existing wells, a little-noticed consequence of the shale boom that has started to trigger complaints and lawsuits. The emerging problem is known as a ...
  • Compare Republic of Ireland’s Frac Ban with Germany’s Non Ban Frack Ban: Germany redefines fracking; “Conventional” fracking allowed!
    Excellent Wordsmithery Trickery PACKAGE OF REGULATIONS COMES INTO FORCE, No fracking in Germany by The Federal Government of Germany, February 13, 2017 Commercial fracking of shale gas will not be permitted in Germany. Four exploratory boreholes for scientific purposes are to be permitted, to make it possible to assess the consequences for the natural environment. The new legal provisions ...
  • Gaspé, Québec: Plusieurs puits abandonnées fuient encore; Several abandoned energy wells still leaking; Natural Resources Ministry handing out permits for more drilling instead of fixing the life threatening problems
    Plusieurs puits abandonnées fuient encore by Stéphanie Collin, le 16 juin 2017 à 15 h 22, chau.teleinterrives.com Translation by Amie du Richelieu, June 29, 2017: Members of the groups Tache d`huile and Environnement Vert Plus denounce the inability of the Natural Resources Ministry to solve the problems of the abandoned wells that are still leaking. They also denounce the fact that the ...
  • Bravo Brava Courage, Compassion, Community! Republic of Ireland Frack Ban Completes Final Stage: Seanad passes fracking ban!
    Campaigners celebrate as Seanad passes fracking ban by Leitrim Observer Reporter, 28 Jun 2017, Love Leitrim has welcomed the passing of the legislative ban on fracking as it completed the final stage in the Seanad today, Wednesday June 28 and will now be sent to the President to be signed into law. Love Leitrim’s spokesperson Eddie Mitchell acknowledged ...
  • Why commit to spend a billion to take on $billions in US Oilfield liabilities? Destroy the retirement of hardworking Canadians, burden us with US oilfield’s toxic legacy? Canada Pension Plan arm commits up to $1 billion to buy oil assets in U.S.
    Canada Pension Plan arm commits up to $1 billion to buy oil assets in U.S. Published on: June 28, 2017 | Last Updated: June 28, 2017 9:08 AM MDT The Canada Pension Plan Investment Board says it will commit up to $1 billion to a partnership with a Texas company which will buy oil and gas producing ...
  • “Flawed science or scientific fraud?” (Sounds like Alberta) USEPA significantly underestimated oil & gas sector methane emissions? Inspector General has opened an investigation. “This is a big deal. (A 2 % methane leakage rate = 200 coal plants of GHGs)”
    EPA’s Methane Estimates for Oil and Gas Sector Under Investigation, An environmental group argues the agency significantly underestimates methane emissions from the oil and gas industries. The inspector general is now investigating by Phil McKenna, June 22, 2017, InsideClimateNews The Environmental Protection Agency’s Office of Inspector General will investigate how the agency estimates methane emissions from the oil ...
  • France to ban all new oil and gas exploration in renewable energy drive, ‘Ecological transition’ minister says law will be passed later this year
    Macron meets Schwarzenegger and vows to stop oil and gas licences, In a dig at Trump’s climate change inaction, French president welcomes the green campaigner and says there will be ‘no new exploration licences’ by James Murray for BusinessGreen, 26 June 2017, The Guardian The new French government has sought to further burnish its green credentials with the announcement ...
  • Dutch Quakes Rattle NAM (Exxon, Shell partnership); Judges in Assen rule that NAM is liable for Groningen earthquake victims’ stress; NAM’s Gas Greed and global warming could wipe out Wadden Sea heritage site
    Gas company NAM is liable for Groningen earthquake victims’ stress DutchNewsNL, March 1, 2017 Gas company NAM is responsible for the ‘immaterial’ damage suffered by people living in the Groningen earthquake zone as well as the actual damage to their homes, judges in Assen said on Wednesday. The case was brought by ...
  • CAPP Induced Planned Deflection & Dismissal of Frack Quake Risks & Harms? U of A Study: Human-induced seismicity (leaves out the tens of thousands of small frack quakes) and large-scale (why leave out the medium & small-scale production that’s fracked?) hydrocarbon production in PA, WV, OK, ND, TX, USA and SK, AB, BC, Canada
    June 27, 2017 (day after the silly paper was reported on in main media) Natural Resources Canada: 3.6M earthquake at Fox Creek, Encana and Haliburton fracking in the area (Nothing about this one on AER /AGS yet; they record 6 earthquakes, all under 2.1 mag, for the month of June, 2017): *** An important reported 2017 tidbit about ...
  • CBC News: Alberta is a Fracking Black Hole for Information! Since 2006, Ernst has been trying to get disclosure of the chemicals Encana injected into her community’s drinking water aquifers and elsewhere, with zero success, not even for her lawsuit, Alberta Rules of Court do not allow trade secrets but no authority is compelling Encana to disclose the information
    CBC article below June 8, 2006 interrogation and attempted intimidation of Ernst by ERCB (now AER) lawyer & bully Rick McKee, Ernst presented these questions: None of Ernst’s questions have yet been answered, not even by Dr. John Cherry and his Council of Canadian Academies’ Fraudulent Frac Panel in 2014. 2012 04 16: Biggest Ernst Legal Victory so far ...
  • More Propaganda CAPP style? AER, Charter Violating, No Duty of Care, Legally Immune, Abuser of Power, Pollution & Law Violator Enabler, “warns” industry it “could” go after directors, executives to clean up the current $300 Billion in oilfield liabilities. Really? With Ex-Encana Exec/Ex-Cenovus Exec/Ex-CAPP Exec Gerard Protti as AER Chair?
    Alberta looks at different ways of making sure companies clean up old wells The AER warns that it could go after directors and executives to ensure proper reclamation by Tracy Johnson, June 20, 2017, CBC News Related Stories Landowners left in the lurch by Alberta’s legacy of abandoned oil and gas wells Glimmers of hope in Canada’s oilpatch as investors ...
  • Calgary Executive Million Dollar Bonuses Increased 40.6% in 2016, Comparatively Nothing Paid to Clean Up Liabilities/Abandoned Wells/Facilities
    CEO bonuses in Calgary rebound along with oil prices by Amanda Stephenson, June 15, 2017, Calgary Herald For executives of Calgary’s largest publicly traded companies, 2016 marked not only the beginning of the oil price recovery but also a return to the days of healthy CEO bonuses. While many occupiers of the city’s C-suites saw their bonuses slashed ...
  • Texas: New Study by TAMEST, State’s Top Scientists (mostly industry supporters, so findings especially damning): Drilling in Shale causes pollution, earthquakes, billions in road damages annually, billions in trucking industry damages annually, 75% increase in rural crashes involving commercial vehicles. Health & Climate Change Impacts Not Assessed. Why Not? Too terrible?
    Where is Alberta’s Task Force and Report? Why did the Texas Task Force not assess Health & Climate Change Impacts? Too terrible for them to handle? Compare to Canada: 2014 10 01: Why was (still is!) a 2012 Health Canada Report, admitting significant health hazards and risks to groundwater and air from hydraulic fracturing, kept from the public? *** READ THE ...
  • Calgary wants control over contaminated sites (1,766 known in the city!): “Oftentimes the authority is not aligned with the ability.” AER & industry set taxpayers up to be hung with $300 Billion in oilfield liabilities. Enabled by the courts? Alberta Cancer Cases Expected to Sky Rocket – How much caused by oilfield pollution? 18,600 new cancer cases expected in Alberta in 2017!
    2017 02 17: BNN interviews Alberta Oil Patch Consultant Brent Nimeck: “This problem is 30 years in the making. … I would call it a Ponzi Scheme…. This is an orchestrated fraud from multiple angles: Industry, CAPP and the Alberta Energy Regulator have enabled this to happen. … Through our independent analysis and we’ve confirmed ...
  • Texas Supreme Court rules against multibillion dollar tax refund to oil & gas drillers
    Texas Supreme Court rules against multibillion dollar tax refund to oil and gas drillers by Jeffrey Weiss, June 17, 2016, Dallas News Texans could have been faced with billions of dollars in new taxes or lost services, had the Texas Supreme Court ruled differently Friday. The case turned on whether oil and gas companies can claim state sales tax ...
  • What’s a Frack Ban For? For Country, Security, Public Health, Safe Food & Drinking Water! For Communities, Farm & Family and Democracy! What Does Fracking Bring? Lots of Permanent Harms, Eradication of Long Term Jobs, “Widespread industrialisation, permanent environmental degradation, and severe damage to public health.”
    Fracking: ‘We argued and protested. We met at marts and concerts. We persisted and we succeeded’ by Scott Coombs, Member Love Leitrim, June 17, 2017, The Journal A BAN ON fracking on the Irish onshore cleared its last major hurdle on Wednesday May 31, when the Dáil passed a Bill to amend the Petroleum and Other Minerals ...
  • Unknown ‘oil’ substance spills (or dumped?) into Bow River and Western Irrigation Canal
    Unknown ‘oil’ substance spills into Bow River and Western Irrigation Canal by Calgary Herald, June 16, 2017 Calgary firefighters worked to contain a mystery spill near Harvie Passage on Friday. Crews responded to reports of an unknown substance in the Bow River and the Western Irrigation Canal and worked with Alberta Environment and the city’s water services department ...
  • Authority Bias Protecting Big Oil & Gas? CN Rail fined $2.5 million for spilling 90 litres diesel into North Saskatchewan River; Will Husky be charged & fined for spilling 225,000 litres bitumen into it? Encana not charged, fined nothing for intentionally injecting 18 Million litres frac fluid and more of other fluids into a community’s drinking water aquifers while continuing to refuse to disclose the toxic chemicals in the mix
    Subject: Fw: CN Rail fined $2.5 million for spilling 90 litres diesel into North Saskatchewan River; What will Husky be fined for spilling 225,000 litres oil into it? Date: Fri, 16 Jun 2017 11:35:32 -0600 From: Stewart Shields To: Ministre / Minister (EC) email hidden; JavaScript is required, Office of the Premier email hidden; JavaScript is required CC: email hidden; JavaScript is required, email hidden; JavaScript is required, email hidden; JavaScript is required, email hidden; JavaScript is required, email hidden; JavaScript is required, email hidden; JavaScript is required, email hidden; JavaScript is required, email hidden; JavaScript is required, email hidden; JavaScript is required ...
  • Family’s lawsuit against aquifer fracker Encana gets boost from federal judge, Lockers have right to introduce evidence backing up claim of bias due to Encana’s funding of State’s investigation
    Family’s fracking lawsuit just got a boost from a federal judge by Heather Richards, Jun 15, 2017, Casper Star-Tribune A Wyoming family won the right to call one of Gov. Matt Mead’s advisers to provide evidence in its case alleging that a gas company polluted groundwater and then lied about it. U.S. District Judge Alan Johnson’s decision Wednesday calls for ...
  • Characterization of the chemicals used in hydraulic fracturing fluids for wells located in the Marcellus Shale Play
    Characterization of the chemicals used in hydraulic fracturing fluids for wells located in the Marcellus Shale Play by Huan Chen and Kimberly E. Carter, 15 September 2017, Journal of Environmental Management Volume 200, Pages 312–324,  doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2017.05.069 •517 chemicals were used for fracturing fluids in the Marcellus Shale Play. •Some organic chemicals reported in the hydraulic fracturing fluids are toxic. •Many ...
  • Another Settle & Gag to Keep Details Under Alberta’s Toxic Rug? Prairie Mines & Royalty (previously Obed) Fined $4.5 Million For Spilling Toxic Waste, Contaminating Athabasca River; Encana Fined Nothing for Breaking the Law, Fracturing, Contaminating Rosebud’s Drinking Water Aquifers
    Guilty plea leads to $925,000 penalty for Obed Mountain Coal Mine spill Press Release by AER, June 9., 2017 Prairie Mines & Royalty ULC will be required to pay a total penalty of $925,000 as a result of a spill from a wastewater containment pond at the Obed Mountain Coal mine approximately 30 km east of ...
  • Irish Cattle & Sheep Association welcomes ban on fracking, “Fracking offers no tangible benefits to landowners or rural communities. It provides no upside for farmers but potentially a lot of downside….”
    Farming association welcomes ban on fracking by Ronan Dodd, 10 Jun 2017, Tipperary Star ICSA president Patrick Kent has welcomed news that the Bill banning fracking in Ireland has now passed through all stages of the Dáil. Commenting on the impending ban, Mr Kent said: “Fracking offers no tangible benefits to landowners or rural communities. It provides no ...
  • Water, not gas, is our main resource
    Water, not gas, is our main resource by Stephen Bowker, Victoria, June 11, 2017, Times Colonist Hey B.C., stop this myopic squabbling about electricity and natural gas and look what is happening in the world markets. Fracking not only caused a glut of natural gas in B.C., but around the world. Appalachian natural gas now supplies the ...
  • Which makes more sense?
  • California Farmer Blames Fracking Waste Water Injection For Water Quality Issues; Files Lawsuit Against Companies Involved While “Regulator” Enables the Pollution
    California Farmer Blames Fracking For Water Quality Issues by Sara Jerome, June 6, 2017, A farmer in California claims fracking wastewater injected into the ground is tainting the environment and harming his crops. Farmer Mike Hopkins is waging a legal battle over the issue. “The problem began about eight years ago when the leaves of his newly planted cherry ...
  • June 2017: BC & Toronto screenings for Neal Livingston’s new film “100 Short Stories”
    Nelson Wednesday June 7th @ 5:00 pm Civic Theatre, 719 Vernon Street Kamloops June 8th @ 7:00 pm Smorgasbord Deli, 225 7th Ave. Vancouver Friday June 9th @ 7:00 pm Vancouver Public Library Peter Kay / Alma VanDusen Room 350 West Georgia Street Powell River Sunday June 11th @ 10:30 am Patricia Theatre, 5848 Ash Ave Campbell River Monday June 12th @ 7pm North Island – Timberline Theatre 1685South Dogwood Street *** TORONTO June 17-24th Neal ...
  • New study on diesel pollution: “There is strong evidence that particulate matter (PM) emitted mainly from diesel road vehicles is associated with increased risk of heart attack, heart failure, and death.” Ever wonder why so many get sick when the oil & gas industry invades your home & community? Air pollution cost Canadians $36 Billion in 2015 alone!
    DIESEL POLLUTION LINKED TO HEART DAMAGE, PM2.5 associated with harmful changes to heart structure and function Higher education protective against the damage by European Society of Cardiology, 26 MAY 2017 Prague, Czech Republic – 26 May 2017: Diesel pollution is linked with heart damage, according to research presented today at EuroCMR 2017 (1). “There is strong evidence that particulate ...
  • Ireland “Victory for the long term.” Frac bill passed in Dail! “The scientific evidence overwhelmingly shows that permitting fracking in Ireland and Northern Ireland would pose significant threats to the air, water and the health and safety of individuals and communities here.”
    Congratulations Ireland and all who worked so hard to protect their country, communities, families, water, air, food and lands! Courage Both the boar’s head and the knight’s helmet denote courage, fierceness and endurance in battle. 2017 01 16: Condolences from Ireland on Supreme Court of Canada Ernst vs AER ruling damaging our civil Canadian Charter Rights and protecting abuse ...
  • Republic of Ireland: Ban on Fracking imminent – probably!
    Ban on fracking imminent – probably! by Leitrim Observer Reporter, 27 May 2017 After six years of lobbying, presentations, demonstrating, petitions and publicity events, campaigners against fracking in Ireland last Wednesday had succeeded in getting a private members Bill put through to the final stage of process in the Dáil to get a Ban on Fracking on ...
  • Firestone Colorado: Much larger pocket of industry’s explosive gas discovered after 3,000 Anadarko wells shut down because of fatal home explosion caused by Anadarko’s leaking methane
    Watch news clip at link: New pocket of gas discovered in Firestone neighborhood by Kevin Vaughan, KUSA TV, May 25, 2017, News9 Click to watch news clip A new concern about underground gas in a neighborhood in Firestone. It’s the same neighborhood where a house exploded in April, killing Mark Martinez and Joey Irwin and seriously inuring Mark’s wife Erin. (Photo: ...
  • Supreme Court of Canada took a year & a day to rule on Ernst v. AER, a much less complicated case! Texas Supreme Court rules in two months that energy regulator doesn’t have exclusive jurisdiction over McAllen’s radioactive contamination win against Sabine Oil & Gas Corp. (previously Forest Oil), Refuses to wipe out $22.7 million (US) arbitration award while Supreme Court of Canada punts Ernst’s “valid Charter claim” against AER into outer space, orders Ernst to pay AER’s legal costs
    Ernst’s lawsuit was filed two years after McAllen’s. Ten years later, Ernst’s lawsuit is nowhere near discovery yet, never mind trial and appeals of a trial win. Ernst’s lawsuit rots in preliminaries, and will likely rot many more years in preliminaries as evidenced by the long times taken by the courts to release their rulings in ...
  • Corrections to Kevin Van Tighem’s “Betrayed – The Jessica Ernst Decision” published (without fact checking) by Alberta Views on the Supreme Court of Canada’s ruling in Ernst vs AER
    Subject: Clarifications to Kevin Van Tighem’s “Betrayed, The Jessica Ernst Decision,” Alberta Views April 2017. Date: Wed, 5 Apr 2017 23:51:38 -0600 From: Jessica Ernst email hidden; JavaScript is required To: email hidden; JavaScript is required Dear Editor, Re: Clarifications to Kevin Van Tighem’s “Betrayed, The Jessica Ernst Decision,” Alberta Views April 2017. Thank you for ...
  • “To What Extent Does Abuse of Power Help Oil & Gas Development in Canada?” Frac Conference, Cochrane Ranchehouse by ACORRDS: IMPACTS OF FRACKING & RENEWABLE ENERGY ALTERNATIVES
    The Nikiforuk & Ernst presentations were recorded by Will Koop from Vancouver and will be uploaded to youtube soon. Complete slides of Andrew Nikiforuk’s talk (in PDF) Some slides included below: *** One attendee wrote this about Ernst’s presentation: I hadn’t fully appreciated just how great the challenges you face are. Your incredible presentation left me in awe. If every Canadian ...
  • Pennsylvania Supreme Court won’t hear Loren Kiskadden’s drinking water contamination case even knowing Range Resources withheld vital tracer evidence. What good are courts and rules of court if courts ignore them?
    Pa. Supreme Court won’t hear Amwell drilling case by Gideon Bradshaw, May 4, 2017, Observer Reporter The state’s highest court won’t hear the appeal of an Amwell Township man who alleged state environmental regulators erred when they concluded activities at a fracking site near his property didn’t cause problems with his groundwater supply. The court rendered a decision ...
  • After communities say “NO!” to fracking, Shoal Point Energy claims it can produce oil from Newfoundland shales without fracking. Another corporate con to get licence with which to later frack?
    Let’s drill without fracking: Shoal Point Energy not giving up on western N.L., Some area residents say they don’t want any drilling for oil in the region by Colleen Connors, April 28, 2017, CBC News Shoal Point Energy is not giving up just yet on retrieving what it estimates to be half a billion barrels of oil ...
  • Peru’s courageous Supreme Court serves justice (compare to Canada’s cowardly fact-fabricating Supreme Court in Ernst vs AER). Huge legal victory for Landowner Máxima Acuña! Deals blow to US-based Newmont Mining Corp’s “long-stalled efforts to build a US$5 Billion gold mine”
    Victory for Peru’s Campesina Activist Maxima Acuña Against Mining Giant by telesur, 3 May 2017 Acuña’s fight has been an inspiring story as a victory for small Indigenous farmers against transnational corporate power. Peru’s Supreme Court on Wednesday ruled in favor of Maxima Acuña, a campesina and winner of the Goldman Environmental Prize, acquitted of land misappropriation charges ...
  • World Press Freedom Day: UN releases 15 cartoons that sum up challenges every journalist faces
    Thank you to the many reporters and journalists with the courage, integrity and ethics to report honestly on matters of importance to humanity instead of just about money and feeding greed, often at great risk to themselves and very low pay, sometimes no pay. Why did Google not do a Doodle for it? World Press Freedom Day: ...
  • Argentina: Unanimous vote! Entre Rios province creates more protection for Guaraní Aquifer region and prohibits “The prospecting, exploration and exploitation of liquid and gaseous hydrocarbons by non-conventional methods, including the fracking technique.” This on top of over 50 municipal bans across the country.
    Dear Diego and All who have been part of this historical fracking ban, Wonderful news, we rejoice with you All, your success encourages us all even more to continue in our efforts globally to keep our water, land and air, communities, municipalities, provinces and countries frack free! … Warm wishes, Marilyn Lilley South Africa ‘Entre Ríos is the first province free ...
  • Investigation finds Anadarko guilty, not Nature in Firestone Colorado home explosion: Investigators say industry’s gas migrated into home from abandoned flow line attached to energy well, killed two, injured two. How many homes globally have industry’s methane migrating into them, putting lives at risk with regulators everywhere looking the other way?
    MUST WATCH RAW: Firefighters detail cause of deadly Firestone home explosion 21:06 Min., Firestone Fire Chief Press Conference, May 2, 2017, News9 Transcribed from the conference: This monitoring uncovered the presence of combustible gas in the french drains in the window wells of the Martinez home, and the basement and french drain of the adjacent home on April 17th. The ...
  • Complaint against the lying AER & Alberta govt by Stewart Shields. Comment by Diana Daunheimer: “Grant Thorton LLP triple dipping, with the help of the AER?” AER vs Redwater: AER seeks leave to appeal to the Supreme Court of Canada
    Subject: Lets Stand Shoulder To Shoulder Against Government Interference In Well Abandonments Date: Sun, 30 Apr 2017 12:27:49 -0600 From: Stewart Shields email hidden; JavaScript is required To: email hidden; JavaScript is required, email hidden; JavaScript is required, email hidden; JavaScript is required, email hidden; JavaScript is required, email hidden; JavaScript is required, Liberal Canada email hidden; JavaScript is required, Office of the Premier email hidden; JavaScript is required, email hidden; JavaScript is required CC: email hidden; JavaScript is required, Debbie carlson email hidden; JavaScript is required, Doreen Mueller email hidden; JavaScript is required, email hidden; JavaScript is required, email hidden; JavaScript is required, email hidden; JavaScript is required, goodale email hidden; JavaScript is required, email hidden; JavaScript is required, email hidden; JavaScript is required, email hidden; JavaScript is required, email hidden; JavaScript is required, email hidden; JavaScript is required, mccallum email hidden; JavaScript is required, Ministerial ...
  • Nikiforuk: Canada’s Methane Leakage Massively Under-reported, Studies Find, New data shows ‘fracking and LNG industry is a much dirtier industry than it is made out to be.’
    One of the comments: annie_fiftyseven “Methane can also migrate from well sites into soil where it kills vegetation or contaminates groundwater. It can also surface in people’s homes, basements and water well pumps … ” … where it explodes and kills husbands and brothers, and seriously injures science teachers and their now fatherless kids. April 26, 2017 – ...
  • Fracking is bad health policy. Published In the Vancouver Sun no less!
    Fracking is bad health policy by Courtenay Howard and Trevor Hancock, April 26, 2017, Vancouver Sun Concerns about the health effects of ‘fracking’ — formally called hydraulic fracturing — are high, and Maryland has just become the third U.S. state to ban the practice. Yet here in B.C., LNG produced by liquefying fracked gas continues to be a priority ...
  • Is Anadarko leaking explosive methane into homes in Colorado? Company to shut down 3,000 oil wells after fatal home explosion April 17, 2017 in Firestone, Weld County that killed two, injured two.
    How many fatalities and home explosions have been caused by the oil and gas industry’s leaking “natural” gas? How many have been silenced by settlements and gag orders? How many billions in liabilities has the oil and gas industry, the courts and enabling “regulators” and politicians covered-up? How many deaths? How many children? Possible link between Anadarko-operated gas well and ...
  • Nasty Slick Water Florida Politicians! Triple betrayal! Fracking investment bill would undo 2016 Supreme Court ruling
    Fracking investment bill could undo court ruling by Associated Press, April 26, 2017, WFLA TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) – Florida power companies may soon be able to charge customers to fund out-of-state fracking projects under a measure that is moving ahead in the Florida Legislature. A Senate panel on Tuesday approved a bill (SB 1238) that would undo a 2016 ...
  • Oil Soaked Fascist Canada Keeps on Sliding: Drops again in 2017 World Press Freedom Index. All the better to frac us with coast to coast to coast?
    Canada’s World Press Freedom rank: 2015 – 8th 2016 – 18th 2017 – 22nd *** SUPREME COURT OF CANADA ENABLES MEDIA LOCK-UPS FOR CASES IN THE PUBLIC INTEREST  Creepy: The Canadian Parliamentary Press Gallery requested media lock-up for release of Supreme Court of Canada’s ruling in Ernst vs AER. More creepy: Supreme Court of Canada agreed to request it! Details on Ernst vs ...
  • From Smokes to Smokestacks: Lessons from Tobacco for the Future of Climate Change Liability. Do Comparisons Between Tobacco and Climate Change Liability Withstand Scrutiny?
    From Smokes to Smokestacks: Lessons from Tobacco for the Future of Climate Change Liability by Martin Olszynski, Sharon Mascher and Meinhard Doelle, April 25, 2017, Georgetown Environmental Law Review (2017, Forthcoming) 36 Pages Abstract In this article, we imagine a future Canada (circa 2030) wherein the world has managed to avoid the worst climate change but nevertheless has begun to experience considerable warming. ...
  • Another Wow! Oregon House passes 10-year fracking ban
    Oregon House passes 10-year fracking ban by Tracy Loew , April 25, 2017, Statesman Journal The Oregon House has passed a 10-year ban on hydraulic fracturing, or fracking. There currently are no operational hydraulic fracturing wells in Oregon, but there is potential for coalbed methane fracking in the Willamette Valley, according to a recent U.S. Geological Survey report. ...
  • Want a job that kills babies? New Study in Pennsylvania: Fracking strongly related to increased mortality in young babies – Polluted well water is likely cause
    PDF of the complete study: There’s a World Going on Underground —Infant Mortality and Fracking in Pennsylvania Fracking kills newborn babies – polluted water likely cause by Oliver Tickell, 25th April 2017, The Ecologist A new study in Pennsylvania, USA shows that fracking is strongly related to increased mortality in young babies. The effect is most pronounced in counties with ...
  • Fox Creek’s Barb Ryan provides excellent summary of Canada’s new tarsands study insanity! Industry under-reporting VOC pollution by factor of 2 to 4.5. Is industry also under-reporting toxic frac pollution & drinking water contamination?
    Comment by Fox Creek’s Barb Ryan to the study: So, let me get this straight. Industry is not /was not reporting properly, comprehensively, or accurately. (We already knew that) AER, the best in the world, doesn’t notice or doesn’t care, doesn’t hold anyone to account. (We knew that too) Government is complicit in the deal. (Well duh) Science compiles the ...
  • Diana Daunheimer’s Excellent Summation of AER & CAPP’s Evil Synergy Alberta as to why Trudeau govt caves in to oil & gas industry pathetic whines about costs, Delays requiring reductions in industry’s leaking methane for 2 years (and if reelected, for 4 more years?)
    Brilliant comments by Diana Daunheimer to the National Observer article below, with the best summary ever on AER/CAPP’s Evil Synergy Alberta: Diana Daunheimer This the way. Lobby, lobby, lobby. CAPP and AUC, AGS, COSIA, CAGC, CAODC, CEPA, CERI, CHOA, CSPG, CSEG, CSUR, CIAC, CASA, CCS, CIM, CCC, CAC, CPIA, CIAC, CAPPA, CAPL, CAPLA, Enform, EPAC, GPAC, IASA, IEA, ...
  • Nexen (Eaten by CNOOC Ltd.; Feast enabled by Steve Harper) asks Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo for $19.5M tax break due to Long Lake blast. Brilliant comment by Shane Shaugnessy: “Our company killed a couple employees and damaged some important equipment. Due to these events we would like the opportunity to do less to support the communties we harm and pollute while still draining as much wealth and intellectual property back to China.”
    Shane Shaugnessy “Our company killed a couple employees and damaged some important equipment. Due to these events we would like the opportunity to do less to support the communties we harm and pollute while still draining as much wealth and intellectual property back to China.” Domi Dom Oh those poor Chinese National Oil Companies! Is this a joke?! ...
  • Putting a value on injuries to natural assets: The BP oil spill. Who will put a value on injuries to natural assets, farms, families, communities from oil & gas onshore?
    Putting a value on injuries to natural assets: The BP oil spill by Richard C. Bishop, Kevin J. Boyle, Richard T. Carson, David Chapman, W. Michael Hanemann, Barbara Kanninen, Raymond J. Kopp, Jon A. Krosnick, John List, Norman Meade, Robert Paterson, Stanley Presser, V. Kerry Smith, Roger Tourangeau, Michael Welsh, Jeffrey M. Wooldridge, Matthew DeBell, Colleen Donovan, Matthew Konopka and Nora Scherer, Science  21 Apr 2017: Vol. 356, Issue 6335, pp. 253-254, DOI: 10.1126/science.aam8124 Article Figures & Data Info & Metrics eLetters ...
  • AER’s $300 Billion Ponzi Scheme Closer to Fruition? Alberta Court of Appeal favours creditors over the environment, upholds Redwater decision. Did AER set this up to create horrific legal precedent to let companies hang their toxic pollution and massive damages on the public via the impotent Orphan Well Program?
    Creditors over environment: Alberta Court of Appeal upholds Redwater Energy decision, Decision could affect handling of abandoned wells across Canada by Tracy Johnson, April 24, 2017, CBC News Related Stories Why the battle over one small oil company’s remains is being closely watched Sudden rule change to stem Alberta’s orphaned wells surprises industry Creditors vs. cleanup: Court case that rocked ...
  • No Duty of Care, Charter violating, Legally immune (even for acts in bad faith & gross negligence) AER fails again! Yet another crude oil pipeline spill into an Alberta waterway
    Pipeline break spills crude oil into Strathcona County creek, Spill contained before it could flow into North Saskatchewan River, Alberta Energy Regulator confirms by Zoe Todd, April 23, 2017, CBC News Four energy companies are cleaning up crude oil that spilled into an unnamed creek in Strathcona County on Friday. The creek, near 17th Street and Baseline Road, flows ...
  • AER escalating nothing to a grand total of nothing! Energy watchdog escalates scrutiny of pipeline operators with a voluntary form, for some.
    Comment Diana Daunheimer This is not increased scrutiny, but another flimsy, deluded PR move by the AER to convince the public they properly inspect, regulate and enforce the Pipeline Act, related directives and enactments. It’s comedic the AER is requesting voluntary disclosure by companies, when they should be in possession of all pipeline integrity information already, as ...
  • Shareholder/attorney in Colorado law firm warns Xiuhtezcatl Martinez’s victory will have tremendous impact on oil & gas development if not overturned. The American Petroleum Institute…will appeal even if the state doesn’t.
    Attorney: Overturn justices’ gas ruling, Fears harmful industry impacts by Dennis Webb, April 19, 2017, The Daily Sentinel RIFLE — A March Colorado Court of Appeals ruling will have a tremendous impact on oil and gas development if not overturned by the state’s high court, an attorney said Wednesday. “It’s also part of a growing trend where courts are ...
  • Cenovus (Encana spawn) plans to accelerate drilling on acquired ConocoPhillips gas properties in NW Alberta and NE BC
    Cenovus plans to accelerate drilling on acquired ConocoPhillips gas properties by Dan Healing, The Canadian Press, April 21, 2017, Calgary Herald Cenovus Energy plans to ramp up the drilling of conventional gas wells on the lands it is buying from Houston-based ConocoPhillips in a $17.7-billion deal announced last month. The Calgary-based company intends to spend $650 million in 2019 ...
  • Ray Kemble sues Cabot Oil and Gas, claims the company contaminated his water and air: New Lawsuit Filed in Next Chapter of Dimock, Pennsylvania, Fracking Water Pollution Saga
    New Lawsuit Filed in Next Chapter of Dimock, Pennsylvania, Fracking Water Pollution Saga by Steve Horn, April 20, 2017, desmogblog.com On April 12, Dimock, Pennsylvania resident Ray Kemble filed a nuisance and negligence lawsuit against Marcellus Shale drilling company Cabot Oil and Gas for alleged contamination of his groundwater and air. Kemble lives around the corner from the embattled Carter ...
  • Welcome to Canadian “justice” in Hell: CSIS officials and Federal Justice Dept lawyers being taught to tell the truth and share information with courts!
    CSIS officials, counsel learning to share information with courts by Colin Freeze, April 17, 2017, The Globe and Mail Faced with what is being called an “urgent need” to win back the trust of judges, federal-government spies and their lawyers are trying to learn how to be more forthcoming in court. [Do any of them, notably the ...
  • Research finds CBM (CSG) responsible for contaminating Condamine River with bubbling flammable methane, “methane emissions from below ground could increase significantly”
    Comments to posting of this post to Alberta Surface Rights Group Facebook Page: Melbourne research into Condamine River bubbling and CSG by Queensland Country Life, 18 Apr 2017 THE affects of coal seam gas (CSG) extraction causing the Condamine River to bubble are far from over with new research finding that methane emissions from below ground could increase ...
  • MUST READ Amazing New study: Hazardous Chemicals Go Unregulated in Routine Oil and Gas Operations. Chemical regulations that govern hydraulic fracturing do not apply to numerous other uses of same chemicals on oil & gas development fields. (The toxic secrecy is much worse in Canada)
    On a 2012 speaking tour in Michigan, citizens asked Ernst what was going to happen to all the toxic waste. Ernst replied, “We’ll be made to eat and drink it.” *** PDF of the complete paper For Immediate Release April 19, 2017 Contact: Alex Abu-Hakima, email hidden; JavaScript is required, (510) 250-3264 Hazardous Chemicals Go Unregulated in Routine Oil and Gas Operations Chemical regulations that govern ...
  • Scotland Frac Consultation: Nearly 90% of respondents want frac ban. 95% agreed fracking poses “too many risks relating to pollution of the earth, water and air, and increased seismic activity”, only 4% disagreed
    ‘87% BACKING’ FOR LABOUR BID TO BAN FRACKING IN SCOTLAND by Aberdeen Evening Express, April 19, 2017 Labour’s move to ban fracking in Scotland has been backed by nearly 90% of the public in a new consultation. Scottish Labour’s environment spokeswoman Claudia Beamish held the consultation to gauge support for her Member’s Bill to outlaw the controversial gas ...
  • Did the oil & gas industry write the proposed changes to Alberta’s Municipal Government Act? Cowardly threat-stabbing NDP!
    Municipal Act not a cure-all by Dave Mabell, April 18, 2017, Lethbridge Herald Poll Should municipalities have authority over oil and gas drilling within city limits? Results as per 10:10 pm April 18, 2017 They place more emphasis on environmental protection. But changes to the province’s Municipal Government Act offer no protection against oil or gas drilling in Lethbridge ...
  • Australia: AGL’s irrigation trial using CBM (CSG) waste water found to be ‘unsustainable’ or too toxic? It “left behind” (on what?) unacceptably high levels of salt and heavy metals
    AGL’s irrigation trial using CSG waste water found to be ‘unsustainable’ by Peter Hannam, April 16, 2017, The Sydney Morning Herald AGL has ended its trial of using coal seam gas waste water for irrigation in northern NSW after regulators found it left behind unacceptably high levels of salt and heavy metals. [Where? In the animals the fodder was ...
  • Fortify? Globe and Mail: Study fortifies link between fracking and earthquakes in British Columbia
    Study fortifies link between fracking and earthquakes in British Columbia by Sunny Dhillon, April 17, 2017, The Globe and Mail A new study examining earthquakes in northeastern British Columbia strengthens the link between hydraulic fracturing – or fracking – and increased seismic activity, a research scientist says. The study, published in this month’s Bulletin of the Seismological Society ...
  • Nasty Read! How a Judge Scrapped Pennsylvania Families’ $4.24M Water Pollution Jury Verdict in Gas Drilling Lawsuit
    How a Judge Scrapped Pennsylvania Families’ $4.24M Water Pollution Verdict in Gas Drilling Lawsuit by Sharon Kelly and Steve Horn, April 11, 2017, Desmogblog.com For many residents of Carter Road in Dimock, Pennsylvania, it’s been nearly a decade since their lives were turned upside down by the arrival of Cabot Oil and Gas, a company whose Marcellus ...
  • PM Justin Trudeau on 35th anniversary of Canada’s Charter of Rights and Freedoms: “The Charter protects the rights and freedoms that are essential to our identity as Canadians. It allows us to express ourselves as individuals….” But not if Encana fracks your drinking water supply & the AER violates your Charter rights maliciously trying to silence you and prevent you from exposing the cover-up, & you seek your right to remedy from the Supreme Court of Canada.
    CANADIANS HAVE CHARTER RIGHTS? CRIMINALS AND CORPORATIONS (THAT ALLEGEDLY KILL WORKERS) HAVE CHARTER RIGHTS. THE COURTS MAKE SURE OF IT. Civil Canadians trying to seek their right to remedy when their Charter rights are violated by the energy industry (via it’s enabling AER) do not. Just ask the Supreme Court of Canada. Third annual march celebrates Canadian Charter of Rights ...
  • Here come more frac quakes! Northeast B.C. ‘cautiously optimistic’ as natural gas drilling recovery takes hold
    Northeast B.C. ‘cautiously optimistic’ as natural gas drilling recovery takes hold by Dan Healing, The Canadian Press, Vancouver Sun, April 16, 2017, Edmonton Journal CALGARY — Increasingly empty industrial yards around the northeastern B.C. city of Fort St. John are a welcome sign for Jennifer Moore. Moore, a regional economic development officer, says the return of parked ...
  • Corporate Greed Knows No Bounds, Especially in Alberta: Despite economic slowdown, Alberta work fatalities jump by 15 per cent last year
    Despite economic slowdown, Alberta work fatalities jump by 15 per cent last year by Chris Varcoe, April 16, 2017, Calgary Herald As the provincial economy geared down last year, the number of Albertans who died on the job still went up, with workplace fatalities jumping 15 per cent. New Alberta government figures show 144 people died in 2016 ...
  • What Is It Like to Live Without Running Water? Recent study predicts that in next 5 years, more than 1/3 of Americans will not be able to afford water
    New WHO report raises alarm on dirty water, The World Health Organization says nearly two billion people on the planet do not have access to clear drinking water. The new report urges considerable increases in revenue to meet the growing demand for clean water by DW, April 13, 2017 More than one in four people on the planet ...
  • PEI Draft Water Act: ‘How come fracking isn’t in the legislation?’ Because the PEI government lied, like all governments in Canada lie when it comes to fracking, federally and provincially?
    ‘How come fracking isn’t in the legislation?’ public gives feedback on draft Water Act About 50 people showed up to the last of 4 public consultation meetings by Sarah MacMillan, April 13, 2017, CBC News About 50 people attended the province’s final public consultation meeting on the draft Water Act Wednesday evening in Pooles Corner. Environment Minister Robert ...
  • Australia Documentary by Brendan Shoebridge, The Bentley Effect, on Keeping Unconventional Gas Out, Tours Australia & UK: “It’s as simple as that, ‘Bugger Off!'”
    Website: The Bentley Effect, The Story of a Social Movement   The Bentley Effect – Official Movie Teaser 3:46 Min. Full Film Length: 1:25:25 Release Date: April 17, 2017 [Refer also to: 2015 12 18: Community stops Australia’s NSW Northern Rivers CBM/CSG exploration & extraction; Metgasco shareholders reluctantly accepted $25 million settlement from govt to buy back licence 2015 10 15: “A terrible terrible ...
  • After decades of lies to landowners and the public by CAPP, industry & energy regulators, University of Guelph Study Proves Potentially Explosive Methane Leaks from Energy Wells Affects Groundwater, Travels Great Distances, Poses Safety Risks. Will the lies stop now? Not Likely. Will groundwater monitoring begin now? Not Likely.
    Methane Leaks from Energy Wells Affects Groundwater, Travels Great Distances, Study Confirms, Researchers call for effective monitoring in Canada by Andrew Nikiforuk, April 12, 2017, TheTyee.ca A new University of Guelph study proves what many western Canadian landowners have long documented — that methane gas leaking from energy industry wells can travel great distances in groundwater and ...
  • Another Study! Federal and provincial scientists, BC OGC and AER Prove hydraulic fracturing directly caused (August 17, 2015) 4.6M frac quake in NE BC
    Fluid Injection and Seismic Activity in the Northern Montney Play, British Columbia, Canada, with Special Reference to the 17 August 2015 Mw 4.6 Induced Earthquake by Alireza Babaie Mahania, Ryan Schultzb, Honn Kaoc, Dan Walkerd, Jeff Johnsond, and Carlos Salasa, April 2017, Published online before print February 2017, doi: 10.1785/0120160175, Bulletin of the Seismological Society of America Author Affiliations a. ...
  • AER at it again: Trying to make the public believe it’s a regulator. Energy watchdog escalates scrutiny of pipeline operators to reduce spills. When AER escalates nothing, it’s still nothing.
    Energy watchdog escalates scrutiny of pipeline operators to reduce spills by Reid Southwick, March 31, 207, Calgary Herald Alberta’s energy watchdog is escalating its scrutiny of pipeline operators with far more reviews of their ability to detect spills and prevent them from happening. The Alberta Energy Regulator said Friday it plans to review the pipeline safety systems of ...
  • Ireland: Parliamentary watchdog backs ban on fracking: “Risks outweigh the benefits.” Warned it would be “irresponsible to allow it”
    Fracking is irresponsible, Dáil inquiry says by Sean O’Driscoll, April 11 2017, The Times A parliamentary watchdog has backed a ban on fracking and warned that allowing such exploration would be irresponsible. … In its report, seen by The Times and to be published on Wednesday, the joint committee on communications, climate action and environment, said that uncertainty over how ...
  • Triple Nasty Liar? Purpose of Steve Harper’s Trade Deal with China? Alberta Company Northern Cross Ltd. filed $2.2-billion lawsuit against Yukon government over frac moratorium
    Snaps taken April 11, 2017 of Northern Cross Yukon Ltd.’s website: That’s some “company.” Mammoth suit filed against Yukon government, Northern Cross Ltd. has filed a $2.2-billion lawsuit against the Yukon government over a fracking moratorium by Emily Blake, April 10, 2017, Whitehorse Star Northern Cross Ltd. has filed a $2.2-billion lawsuit against the Yukon government over a fracking ...
  • April 28, 2017, Vancouver Public Library, 7 – 9 pm: The Health Effects of LNG and Fracking, Event Organized by Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment BC
    The Health Effects of LNG and Fracking Event organized by Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment BC on April 28, 2017, eventbrite Fracking may have very significant effects on our health, from air and water pollution to climate change. Jurisdictions across the world are banning or putting a moratorium on fracking for health reasons, and we want to share ...
  • Must Watch! New German Documentary (with English Subtitles): The Tricks of the Oil and Gas Corporations/Die Tricks der Öl- und Gaskonzerne Verschmutzen und verharmlosen
    MUST WATCH! The Tricks of the Oil and Gas Corporations 44:28 Min. Documentary by NDR.de, April 6, 2017, English subtitles by Charlie Williams Die Tricks der Öl- und Gaskonzerne Verschmutzen und verharmlosen by NDR.de, March 6, 2017 Oil and gas producers like ExxonMobil are promising safe production and install their drilling rigs throughout Northern Germany. However, this documentary shows that things go wrong on a ...
  • New Trend? Bill to ban most fracking in Nevada wins approval by 7-4 vote
    Bill would ban most fracking in Nevada by Sean Whaley, April 6, 2017, CARSON CITY — A bill to ban fracking on non-federal lands in Nevada won approval in an Assembly Committee on Thursday after being amended to grandfather in existing permittees. Assembly Bill 159 as approved by the Natural Resources, Agriculture and Mining Committee would maintain the validity ...
  • Ohio: Fracking Suspended Near Wayne National Forest After 3.0M Earthquake. UK suspends fracking when it creates 0.5M earthquakes, Alberta & BC at 4.0M
    Investigation Continues Into Earthquake Near Wayne National Forest Fracking Sites by Gabe Rosenberg & Sam Hendren, April 5, 2017, WOSU Public Radio Oil and gas drilling operations in southeastern Ohio were shut down on Sunday after a 3.0 magnitude earthquake hit the Wayne National Forest, according to the Ohio Environmental Council. The state continues to investigate ...
  • What will President Trump do? Build a tall wall to block out the sun? Kentucky Coal Mining Museum switches to solar power: “We believe that this project will help save at least $8,000 to $10,000 off the energy costs on this building alone, so it’s a very worthy effort”
    Kentucky Coal Mining Museum switches to solar power by Travis M. Andrews, The Washington Post, April 6, 2017, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Housed in a former commissary building and tucked into the hollers of Harlan County – the heart of Kentucky mining country – is a museum dedicated to all aspects of extracting coal from the state’s mountains. Mining equipment decorates ...
  • AER continues to let tarsands companies off the hook for not readying their waste lakes for clean up. Who’s surprised? 13 years after Encana broke the law, fracked Rosebud’s drinking water aquifers, AER still not making Encana clean up
    Oilsands showdown coming over cleanup of tailings ponds: report by Bob Weber, March 30, 2017, Calgary Herald EDMONTON – Alberta’s oilsands could be heading for another showdown over tailings ponds after an independent assessment found that the cleanup plans of six major operators don’t meet new rules. [Why heed the rules with legally immune (even for ...
  • Republican Maryland governor signs fracking ban into law
    Maryland governor signs fracking ban into law by Brian Witte, AP, April 4, 2017, The Washington Post Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan signed a bill Tuesday to ban the hydraulic fracturing drilling process known as fracking in Maryland, the first state where a legislature has voted to bar the practice that actually has natural gas reserves. The Republican ...