Global Frac News

  • CAPP Talks out of Both Sides of Their Mouth: One Day Frac Operations “Occasionally Contaminate Water,” Next Day it’s “Quite impossible”
    CAPP speaks on natural gas and fracking by Gord Fortin, October 31, 2014, Edson Leader The Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers (CAPP) held an open house where they discussed fracking as well as natural gas industry happenings. The event was hosted by the Edson and District Chamber of Commerce and held on Oct. 27 at the Galloway ...
  • UK Public Health Report Admits Harm for Residents Living Near Fracing: “lack of public trust and confidence, stress and anxiety from the uncertainty which could lead to poor mental wellbeing, noise related health effects, issues related to capacity for flowback waste water treatment and disposal”
    Fracking in Lancashire ‘may affect mental health’, report by head of Public Health finds by Elaine Dunkley, November 7, 2014, BBC Living near fracking sites could affect mental health and wellbeing, according to a new report. The report, by head of Public Health Lancashire Dr Sakti Karunanithi, looked into the potential health impacts if fracking was ...
  • Oil and Gas Industry and Oldest State Agency Move to Decimate Community and Democracy in Oil-Soaked Texas
    Random thoughts with updates about the Denton fracking ban by TXSHARON, November 5, 2014, Blue Daze People drove pickup trucks with Greg Abbott stickers to the polls, voted straight Republican and still voted for the ban. Eighty plus year-old ladies voted for the ban then ranted against Obama. They voted in Myra Crownover again despite her threats to ...
  • Fracking Bans Pass in Denton, Texas, Two California Counties and One Ohio Town
    Fracking Bans Pass in Denton, Texas, Two California Counties and One Ohio Town by Anastasia Pantsios, November 5, 2014, Ecowatch With a record number of fracking issues on local ballots in California, Texas and Ohio, the outcome was decidedly mixed. Of the eight measures—three in California, four in Ohio and one in Texas—four passed and four ...
  • FRAC HISTORY MADE TONIGHT IN TEXAS: CITY OF DENTON VOTES TO BAN HYDRAULIC FRACTURING!
    We WON! A few thoughts from president Cathy McMullen November 5, 2014 This is a victory for the citizens of the city of Denton.  For our families, for our health, for our homes, and for our future. What does this fracking ban mean? It means we don’t have to worry about what our kids are breathing at city playgrounds. It means ...
  • PA DEP: September Drilling Communication Event Contaminated Drinking Water in Doddridge County, Proves drilling, perforating, acidizing, fracing, cavitation, servicing chemicals must be fully disclosed – without trade secrets – before any activity, not just frac chemicals long after fracing
    DEP: September Drilling Accident Contaminated Water in Doddridge County by Glynis Board, November 4, 2014, WVPublic In September, drilling for shale gas in Doddridge Country went wrong when operators accidentally drilled into one of their own wells that was engaged in production. West Virginia’s Department of Environmental Protection confirmed late last week that the accident contaminated ...
  • Corridor’s exploration on Anticosti Island will use fracking
    Corridor’s exploration on Anticosti Island will use fracking by Roger Taylor, Business Columnist, November 3, 2014, Chronicle Herald Nova Scotia may have a ban on high-volume fracking in the province, but that hasn’t stopped Corridor Resources Inc. from using the process in its search for oil and gas elsewhere. Corridor of Halifax announced Monday that it and ...
  • Nova Scotians think for themselves, say no to Triangle’s plan to dump millions of litres of 7 year old frac waste into Amherst water treatment system on Tantramar Marshes
    Amherst faces fracking water flak by The Chronicle Herald, November 3, 2014 AMHERST — An open house on Amherst’s plan to dispose of treated hydraulic fracturing water through its waste-water system drew a skeptical crowd Monday evening. When naturalist and author Harry Thurston stood up to poll the more than 100 people in attendance to find out ...
  • How low will the con go? Questerre Energy CEO Michael Binnion pitches fracking in Quebec
    Questerre Energy CEO pitches fracking project in Quebec by Nicolas van Praet, November 3, 2014, The Globe and Mail Despite lingering public skepticism toward shale gas development in Quebec, the head of the province’s oil and gas association is pitching preliminary plans for a home-grown gas production project he says could help prevent shortages. “There is ...
  • Study: Toxic Chemicals, Carcinogens at Levels Far Exceeding Federal Limits Near Frac Sites, Will almost certainly lead to cancer increase in surrounding areas
    Toxic Chemicals, Carcinogens Skyrocket Near Fracking Sites, The spikes almost certainly will lead to a cancer increase in surrounding areas, a study author says by Alan Neuhauser Oct. 30, 2014, US News Oil and gas wells across the country are spewing “dangerous” cancer-causing chemicals into the air, according to a new study that further corroborates reports ...
  • Canada Apologizes with New Anthem, “We have sinned egregiously”
    WATCH: New Canadian Anthem by Dan Murphy, October 17, 2014, VancouverObserver Canada’s new national anthem debuts in San Francisco  Le Droit’s Guy Badeaux, The Montreal Gazette’s Terry Mosher, and former Province cartoonist Dan Murphy at Satire Fest, where Canada’s new anthem received critical acclaim by Dan Murphy, October 18, 2014 … There were a few Canadians in the mix. ...
  • Moving-On-To-Greener-Frac-Pastures: After paying 5 times maximum fine to escape criminal charges and finding it “could not develop the necessary techniques to drill and complete Collingwood wells…to obtain a favorable rate of return,” Encana leaving Michigan
    Encana leaving Michigan by Peter Payette, September 23, 2014, IPR A leading producer of natural gas in Michigan is pulling out. … Encana has drilled most of the wells in Michigan using the method known in the industry as horizontal hydraulic fracturing. … These wells are expensive–millions of dollars per well, rather than hundreds of thousands ...
  • High Court of Justice suspends fracking in Golan Heights, Israel Union for Environmental Defense, local residents and regional water corporation object to fracing for tight oil in seismically sensitive area
    High Court suspends fracking in Golan Heights, Environmentalists, local residents object to oil drilling in seismically sensitive area by Ido Efrati, October 22, 2014, Haaretz.com The High Court of Justice on Tuesday issued an interim injunction against construction of an experimental oil drilling rig in the Golan Heights. The injunction comes after the High Court issued ...
  • Rosebud included? Brookfield Capital Partner’s Ember Resources buys most of Encana’s “fee-lands” (royalty-free) in Alberta’s Horseshoe Canyon play; Ember will be one of Prairie Sky’s biggest payees, paying 5 percent overriding royalty
    Encana reaches agreement to sell Clearwater assets to Ember Resources for C$605 million by DrumhellerMail, October 8, 2014 Encana Corporation announced today that it has reached an agreement with Ember Resources Inc. (Ember) to sell the majority of its Clearwater assets, located in southern and central Alberta, for approximately C$605 million, although much of the assets ...
  • New York Court of Appeals, the state’s highest court, rejects oil and gas industry’s second bite at communities, Towns can use local zoning laws to keep fracking out
    New York high court upholds community fracking bans by Bob Downing, October 16, 2014, ohio.com From Earthjustice today: ALBANY, NY – Today the New York Court of Appeals, the state’s highest court, rejected an attempt by the oil and gas industry to revive a case on local fracking bans that the court decided earlier this year. In the precedent-setting ...
  • Baytex Finally Successful, Gags & Settles Poisoned Alberta Families: Does a lawyer-touted “positive outcome” of displacing and gagging poisoned families, stop the poisoning? “Our house is contaminated…there’s a smell now…Part of the torture of all this is not only abandoning our farm, but the health experts…told us we shouldn’t bring anything (with us).”
    Baytex settles lawsuit by buying four farms by Dan Healing, October 7, 2014, Edmonton Journal Baytex Energy Corp. has resolved a lawsuit brought by a Peace River extended family by buying the four farms they claimed they were forced to abandon because of emissions from its heavy oil works. Both Baytex and family representative Brian Labrecque confirmed ...
  • The Road to Hell Part 2: As expected, Nova Scotia Frac ban bill follows “Alberta Model,” Is badly flawed, filled with loopholes to enable fracing free-for-all
    Fracking ban bill is badly flawed, environmental coalition says by The Canadian Press, October 6, 2014, CTV News A coalition of environmental groups opposed to hydraulic fracturing in Nova Scotia says legislation that would ban the practice is seriously flawed. The group had initially applauded the province’s Liberal government when it announced a renewed moratorium last ...
  • What’s Encana up to this time? Faruqi & Faruqi, LLP Announces Investigation of Athlon Energy Inc. Over Proposed Sale of Company to Encana Corporation
    ATHLON ENERGY INC. INVESTOR ALERT: Faruqi & Faruqi, LLP Announces the Investigation of Athlon Energy Inc. Over the Proposed Sale of the Company to Encana Corporation – ATHL October 3, 2014, Money CNN Faruqi & Faruqi, LLP, a leading national securities firm headquartered in New York City, is investigating the Board of Directors of Athlon Energy Inc. October ...
  • The Most Ambitious Environmental Lawsuit Ever: ‘The idea of making the industry live up to its legal responsibility is not going to die’
    The Most Ambitious Environmental Lawsuit Ever by Nathaniel Rich, October 2, 2014, New York Times The lowest section of the Mississippi River Delta looks like a maple leaf that has been devoured down to its veins by insects. The sea is rising along the southeast coast of Louisiana faster than it is anywhere else in the ...
  • CASE CLOSED! Is Harper tough on crime? Citizen Marilyn Burgoon launches private prosecution over 33,000 litre jet fuel spill into Lemon Creek by Calgary-based company, Neither Harper or BC government took action against the company
    Slocan Valley woman seeks to file Fisheries Act charges over fuel spill, Neither the federal or provincial government has moved against owner of a tanker truck that spilled jet fuel into Lemon Creek by Peter O’Neil, October 2, 2014, Vancouver Sun A B.C. woman frustrated by government inaction has launched a private prosecution over a 33,000-litre ...
  • New Study: The more natural gas wells in an area, the more residents end up in hospital
    Study: More gas wells in area leads to more hospitalizations by Elizabeth Skrapits, October 2, 2014, The Citizens’ Voice, Wilkes-Barre, Pa. The more natural gas wells in an area, the more of its residents end up in the hospital. So indicate the results of an unreleased study that was revealed at a state Senate Democratic Policy ...
  • Benzene Exposure Near the US Permissible Limit Is Associated With Sperm Aneuploidy
    Benzene Exposure Near the US Permissible Limit Is Associated With Sperm Aneuploidy by Xing C, Marchetti F, Li G, Weldon RH, Kurtovich E, Young S, et al. 2010. Benzene Exposure Near the US Permissible Limit Is Associated With Sperm Aneuploidy. Environ Health Perspect :-. doi:10.1289/ehp.0901531 Received: 02 October 2009; Accepted: 06 January 2010; Published: 06 January 2010 Ahead of ...
  • Surprises in the Mail and a Confession by CAPP: Ian Jessop interviews Jessica Ernst about hydraulic fracturing and her lawsuit
    October 2, 2014, CFAX1070
  • Fracking in wintry areas linked to high ozone pollution; The high levels were “clearly related” to oil and gas emissions of nitrogen oxides (NOx) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs)
    AIR POLLUTION: Dirty winter air in eastern Utah linked to oil and gas production by Amanda Peterka, October 1, 2014, E&E News Oil and gas production is causing excessive wintertime ozone pollution in eastern Utah’s Uinta Basin, according to a study led by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and released today. The smog-forming pollutant is forming ...
  • The Road to Hell: Nova Scotia’s “proposed law also includes an exemption that would allow fracking for testing and research purposes”
    Nova Scotia moves ahead on onshore fracking ban by Michael MacDonald, The Canadian Press, September 30, 2014, The Globe and Mail Nova Scotia is moving ahead with legislation that would ban high-volume hydraulic fracturing for onshore oil and gas, but the proposed law also includes an exemption that would allow fracking for testing and research purposes. Energy ...
  • Why was a 2012 Health Canada Report, admitting significant health hazards and risks to groundwater and air from hydraulic fracturing, kept from the public?
    Potential Health Hazards from Shale Gas Exploration and Exploitation by Severine Louis, M.Sc., Toxicologist Project Manager- Risk Analysis and Marie-Odile Fouchecourt, Ph.D. Toxicologist Project Director-Risk Analysis, May 4, 2012, for Mr. Richard Carrier, Head, Chemical Assessment Section Safe Environments Directorate, Health Canada, 0/Ref.: RA 11-410, Y/Ref.: SO No. 4600000047 [The Council of Canadian Academies (CCA) did not reference or mention this report, even though Health ...
  • Goliaths of Mammon “To the lovers of Mammon which includes Harper and Prentice, whatever Mammon wants, Mammon gets even if Humanity is harmed — with extinction — in the process”
    Subject: Fwd: Goliaths of Mammon Date: Sat, 27 Sep 2014 19:29:43 -0500 From: Michael Milillo To: Danielle Smith MLA, Legislative Assembly of Alberta <email hidden; JavaScript is required>, Ken Paulson, BC Oil and Gas Commission <email hidden; JavaScript is required>, Alan Boras, NATIONAL <email hidden; JavaScript is required> CC: Adele M. Hurley, The Program on Water Issues <email hidden; JavaScript is required>, Brian Dutton, Encana Corporation <email hidden; JavaScript is required>, The Hon. Jonathan Denis, Alberta Minister of Justice <email hidden; JavaScript is required>, The Hon. Diana McQueen, ...
  • Tar Wars is here! Calgary Herald provides useful “guide to the cast of Tar Wars, a new local drama series starting this fall”
    Tar Wars is here by Mike Priaro, September 29, 2014, Calgary Herald Summer is over. In September, we all enjoyed the last episode of reruns of the epic serial PC Party of Alberta, showing the coronation of golden boy Jim Prentice, as new leader. Only the venerable soap Coronation Street exceeded the PC Party of Alberta in longevity. ...
  • Tout comme Jessica Ernst l’est devenue… as Jessica Ernst / has become…
    Tout comme Jessica Ernst l’est devenue… translation of post (below) by Julie Ali by Ami(e)s du Richelieu, September 24, 2014 La demanderesse a fait une demande d’accès à l’information pour avoir accès à des filières en relation avec les enquêtes sur les causes de contaminations de méthane dans des puits d’eau potable à des endroits spécifiques. L’agence ...
  • Study finds treated fracking waste water still too toxic
    Study finds treated fracking waste water still too toxic by Andy Tully, September 28, 2014, Oil Price One of the biggest concerns about hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, is that the vast amount of wastewater produced by the process of extracting oil and gas from shale rock deep underground is incredibly toxic. Most often, the wastewater is injected ...
  • In Canada, authorities cover up and make citizens pay for Big Oil’s crimes; Oilfield Executive Nathan Garber pleads guilty to ‘most egregious environmental crimes’ in North Dakota
    Montana man pleads guilty to ‘most egregious environmental crimes’ in North Dakota by Associated Press, September 26, 2014, Billings Gazette A Montana executive accused of dumping toxic drilling liquid and endangering drinking water for a county in southwest North Dakota has pleaded guilty to 11 felony charges in federal court. Executive Drilling LLC President Nathan Garber, ...
  • 3 more water wells contaminated. Sulfolane-contaminated drinking water still plagues Edson, 6 months later. Where are Alberta’s law firms?
    More wells reported contaminated by Sulfolane by Ed Moore, September 19, 2014< Edson Leader Alberta Health Services and Alberta Health have reported that three more water wells within a five km radius of the Bonavista South Rosevear Gas Plant have been confirmed as having Sulfolane contamination. “We do have some wells that had been tested previously that are ...
  • “No duty of care,” legally immune, Charter violating Alberta Energy Regulator (AER) may order vertical compulsory pooling; “communication between…separate pools having…different ownership had been induced by hydraulic fracture stimulation”
    Canada: Vertical Compulsory Pooling Of Oil And Gas Resources Appears To Be Available In Alberta by Michael A. Marion and Chidinma Thompson, September 16, 2014, Mondaq There has long been debate as to whether vertical compulsory pooling of oil and gas resources is possible in Alberta given that pooling is usually done on an areal or horizontal ...
  • UNBELIEVABLE! A Regulator Regulates, Not Like in Alberta Where Courts Give the AER “No Duty of Care” Legal Immunity for Gross Negligence, Bad Faith, Failing to Protect Groundwater, Even for Charter Violations! DEP Fines Range Resources $4.15 Million for Violating Environmental Regulations, Consent order and agreement will close five Washington County impoundments
    COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA Dept. of Environmental Protection, Commonwealth News Bureau Press Release September 18, 2014 CONTACT: John Poister, DEP 412-442-4203 DEP Fines Range Resources $4.15 Million for Violating Environmental Regulations, Consent order and agreement will close five Washington County impoundments PITTSBURGH — The Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) today announced it has signed a wide-ranging consent order and agreement with Range Resources ...
  • WPX Energy Leaking Frac Waste Pit Contaminates Three Families’ Well Water, Company Fighting Regulator Order to Provide Permanent Safe Water for Bathing; if you shower in contaminated water, “you end up breathing water droplets and any contamination in the water enters your lungs”
    Donegal Township families fight driller to get clean water by Kari Andren, September 17, 2014, Triblive News From January to June, Ken and Mildred Geary had to use bottled water to cook, clean and shower because a leak from a gas drilling company’s pond contaminated their underground well water. The state Department of Environmental Protection has ...
  • Action needed on abandoned energy wells leaking methane in Quebec
    Action needed on abandoned wells, group says by Karen Seidman, September 14, 2014, The Montreal Gazette Activists are demanding the Quebec government move quickly to set up an action plan to address what they say is an urgent problem with abandoned wells that are leaking methane gas. At a news conference on Sunday, members of the ...
  • Natural gas production contaminated drinking water in Texas and Pennsylvania with explosive levels of methane, study finds
    Natural gas production contaminated drinking water in Texas, study finds by Neela Banerjee, September 15, 2014, LA Times The discovery came two years after the Environmental Protection Agency halted its investigation in the Parker County community over concern about costs and legal risks. In the new study, scientists were trying to determine the origins of high methane ...
  • Ian Jessop Interviews Jessica Ernst on the Court of Appeal Ruling, Granting the AER Complete Legal Immunity, even for Charter Violations
    Ian Jessop Interviews Jessica Ernst on the Court of Appeal Granting the AER Complete Legal Immunity, even for Charter Violations September 16, 2014, CFAX 1070 At 1:30 PM
  • RCMP ignore “volley of gunfire” to concerned citizen’s home but warn government and industry: “Environmental extremists pose ‘clear and present criminal threat’ to Canada’s energy sector – more likely to strike at critical infrastructure than religiously inspired terrorists.” Canadian and Australian oil and gas lobby groups warn: Industry operations “impact aquifers” and “contaminate water resources” as pre-determined “bullshit” investigations, cover-ups and court rulings fix everything. No word if “religiously inspired terrorists” plan to retire because of the intense competition
    Last Stop for High Profile Fracking Suit: Supreme Court, In striking Ernst appeal, Alberta court wraps blanket of immunity around regulator by Andrew Nikiforuk, September 16, 2014, TheTyee.ca The Alberta Court of Appeal has effectively ruled that one of the nation’s most powerful regulators can violate the nation’s Charter of Rights and Freedoms by banishing citizens and falsely ...
  • Confessions of an Oil and Gas Worker: I live in Heaven, but I work in Hell…
    Confessions of an Oil and Gas Worker: I live in Heaven, but I work in Hell… by WEPAC.ca, September 11, 2014 I live in Heaven, but I work in Hell… My family and I moved away from Alberta last September in order to have a better life. We chose a place that was near my wife’s hometown ...
  • Alberta fracking case could go to Supreme Court
    Alberta fracking case could go to Supreme Court by Brenton Driedger, September 15, 2014, 630 CHED A legal fight over contaminated water and hydraulic fracturing could wind up before the Supreme Court. Jessica Ernst has lost an appeal to sue the Alberta energy regulator over fracking on her property northeast of Calgary. But she still says her charter ...
  • Fracking blind
    Fracking blind by Courtney Howard, board member, Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment; Yellowknife, September 15, 2014, The Globe and Mail Re Nova Scotia Has A Fracking Attitude Problem (Sept. 11) Konrad Yakabuski correctly writes that “the recent dramatic rise in high-volume fracking has led to legitimate concerns about groundwater contamination, climate-warming methane gas leaks, even earthquakes.” Inexplicably, ...
  • The Parrs’ $2.9 Million jury verdict on frac harm stands: “Dallas County court last week denied Aruba Petroleum Inc.’s request for a new trial,” Aruba plans to appeal
    No do-over for drilling nuisance case by Ellen M. Gilmer, September 15, 2014, E&E News An oil and gas company will not get a second shot at arguing the high-profile nuisance trial that awarded $3 million to a Texas family in April. A Dallas County court last week denied Aruba Petroleum Inc.’s request for a new ...
  • Heavily frac’d Hudson’s Hope, BC, issues water advisory: “A resident…observed a substance surfacing into the Brenot Creek.” Do not “use the water from Lynx Creek and Brenot Creek” for drinking water, livestock watering, irrigation … “At this time we cannot comment on the water quality of water wells that are within the proximity of the contaminated site.”
    Hudson’s Hope issues water quality advisory as heavy metals detected by Common Sense Canadian, September 10, 2014 A water quality advisory has been issued by the District of Hudson’s Hope, in northeast BC. Residents are being warned not to drink or use water from Lynx and Brenot Creeks. The district advises against using it for “drinking water, livestock watering, and ...
  • Texas Court Orders Sierra Club to Pay $6.4 Million to Bankrupt Energy Future Holdings/Luminant Generation to Cover Costs Incurred “in discovery and expert witness fees”
    United States: Yes, Virginia, It Is Possible To Win A Fee Award Against An Environmental NGO by Seth D. Jaffe, September 10, 2014, Mondaq Last week, Judge Walter Smith, Jr., ordered the Sierra Club to pay more than six million dollars – yes, you read that correctly – to Energy Future Holdings and Luminant Generation, after finding ...
  • Clock Ticking for Texas Families to Take Legal Action on Fracking Pollution, Two-year statute of limitations gives “huge advantage to the industry not to have to worry about new cases. That’s what’s going to save the industry a boat load”
    Clock Ticking for Texas Families to Take Legal Action on Fracking Pollution, Texas has a two-year statute of limitations, which means people have just two years from the time they notice a problem until they file a lawsuit by David Hasemyer, September 9, 2014, InsideClimate News Attorney Tomas Ramirez is confident he’ll win an appeal in ...
  • Divine intervention or diversion? Nova Scotia slams door shut on high volume horizontal fracing, but opens it wide for other known invasive, contaminating experiments. “These did occasionally contaminate water resources,” CAPP says
    Andrew Younger statement on Nova Scotia hydraulic fracturing ban by Andrew Younger, September 3, 2014, The Chronicle Herald Since becoming the province’s minister of energy, I’ve read all the letters from Nova Scotians which have reached my office both for and against high volume slick water hydraulic fracturing. I’ve read numerous studies and reports commissioned by various parties, including the ...
  • September 26, 2014 Global Frackdown in the Yukon with CELDF: Democracy School Workshop, Ordinance Working and Public Lecture. Come Learn to Say “NO!” Presented by Frackfree Yukon Alliance
      To Defend Community Rights in Yukon Democracy School Workshop with (CELDF) Community Environmental Legal Defense Fund with  Mari Margil and Thomas Linzey  Learn to ask and recognize where and how laws, regulations and their application harm communities, by siding with corporations.  CELDF will assist and empower Yukoners to establish Community Rights to protect their health, safety, wealth and their ...
  • Texas Supreme Court to Hear Oral Arguments in Range Resources vs Lipskys and their Methane Contaminated Drinking Water: “That’s exactly what the First Amendment is for — it’s to allow people to express those ideas …This is probably the poster child for what Slapp is”
    Highest Court to Weigh in on a Dispute Over Water by Jim Malewitz, September 4, 2014 AUSTIN — Steve Lipsky’s tainted water well has already stirred a national debate about the impacts of oil and gas production. Now it stars in a free-speech dispute that has landed in the state’s highest court — the biggest test ...
  • BP Found Grossly Negligent In 2010 Deepwater Spill, Fines May Rise, but Appeals May Delay & Diminish Restitution
    BP Found Grossly Negligent in 2010 Spill, Fines May Rise by Margaret Cronin, September 4, 2014, Fisk and Laurel Brubaker Calkins BP Plc (BP/) acted with gross negligence in setting off the biggest offshore oil spill in U.S. history, a federal judge ruled, handing down a long-awaited decision that may force the energy company to pay ...
  • Court ruling: Local government has a constitutional charge to protect the environment and quality of life for its citizens, Gorsline case rejects gas operations in residential neighborhood
    Court ruling: Local government has a constitutional charge to protect the environment and quality of life for its citizens, Gorsline case rejects gas operations in residential neighborhood Press Release by Citizens for Pennsylvania’s Future, September 3, 2014, PR Newswire HARRISBURG, Pa. On Friday, August 29, Judge Marc F. Lovecchio of the Court of Common Pleas of ...
  • Drinking or fracking? World Resources Institute report finds top shale plays globally are in places with scarce water
    40 Percent of Countries with Largest Shale Energy Resources Face Water Stress by Paul Reig and Andrew Maddocks, September 02, 2014, WRI Dozens of countries are deciding whether or not to develop their shale gas and tight oil resources in order to reduce emissions, create new jobs, and increase national energy supplies. However, extracting natural gas ...
  • Alberta Energy Regulator still won’t admit the truth: Hydraulic fracturing directly causes earthquakes
    Earthquake hazard linked to Fracking in Alberta by Derrek, September 2, 2014, West Coast Native News Earthquake hazard linked with deep well injection in Alberta, Deep well disposal and storage of oilfield waste over time leads to increased earthquake risk by CBC News, September 01, 2014 August 9, 2014: Power restored after 4.3-magnitude earthquake hits western Alberta Alberta officials ...
  • Do you dream about living in Hell? Watch “The MLS Show from Hell” to find your dream home!
    MLS from Hell 1:17 Min. by NY Friends of Clean Air and Water, August 30, 2014 Hell’s very own Multiple Listing Service of abandoned and condemned homes, made toxic by industrial pollution. You can’t buy these at any price! No one will ever live here again… Call 1-800-Live-In-Hell… [Refer also to: FrackingCanada Fracking Rocky View County: Many homes in hell ...
  • “Disgust with AB Research Council Report goes beyond Alberta”
    “The Stelmach two-step” by Paul and Helen Rez-Rouleau, Victoria BC, January 24, 2008, The Edmonton Journal  Recent news from Alberta demonstrates the truth of the old saying, “Who pays the piper calls the tune.” The oil and gas companies are the payers; Ed Stelmach and his Conservatives dance to their tune. First, we have Stelmach in Washington D.C. claiming that ...
  • Every greed-fed “two million gallons of water per day” taken “no charge” sold to be intentionally contaminated by fracing: “It’s all clean water, one way out.”
    Allenport company finds niche in supplying water for fracking by Madasyn Czebiniak, August 19, 2014, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Lue Ann Pawlick’s new business, Frac Water Resources, sells water from the Monongahela River to Marcellus Shale energy companies for use in fracking. Her 24-7 operation at the former Wheeling-Pittsburgh Steel mill in Allenport ships between 100 and 300 ...
  • Pulaski couple sues township over drilling harm, wants judge to order township to amend local zoning laws to only allow drilling in industrial areas
    Pulaski couple sues township over drilling effects by WFMJ, August 28, 2014 A couple has filed suit against Pulaski Township, saying that supervisors improperly approved natural gas drilling in a neighborhood. Timothy Chito and Elizabeth Kesner say they purchased a home in 1996, but recent drilling about 1,500 feet away is affecting their quality of life ...
  • “Moving Forward” to Hell: Pa DEP finds third home’s water supply contaminated by WPX’s leaky waste pit; Ken and Mildred Geary, in their 80’s, without safe water
    State determines wastewater from gas drilling contaminated drinking water in Westmoreland County by Don Hopey, August 27, 2014, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette The state Department of Environmental Protection has officially determined that drinking water at a third residence is contaminated by WPX Appalachia LLC’s leaky Marcellus Shale gas drilling wastewater impoundment near Stahlstown, Westmoreland County. Whether that gets any ...
  • U.S.Centers for Disease Control Preliminary Study: Finds dangerous levels of benzene in frac workers’ urine; Imagine the urine of children living beside frac’ing
    Preliminary Field Studies on Worker Exposures to Volatile Chemicals during Oil and Gas Extraction Flowback and Production Testing Operations by Eric J. Esswein, MSPH, CIH, John Snawder, PhD, DABT, Bradley King, MPH, CIH, Michael Breitenstein, BS, and Marissa Alexander-Scott, DVM, MS, MPH, August 21, 2014, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention This blog describes NIOSH evaluations of ...
  • Pennsylvania, for the first time, after years of legal battles with news outlets, released details of 248 cases where oil and gas drilling and related activities ruined private water wells
    Pa. releases list of wells impacted by drilling by Kevin Begos and Michael Rubinkam, August 28, 2014, Associated Press in WFMJ Six years into a natural gas boom, Pennsylvania has for the first time released details of 248 cases where oil or gas drilling and related activities ruined private drinking water wells. [What about the incessant promise that ...
  • Environment Canada Keeping Nearly a Thousand Frac Chemicals Secret: Memo released through Access to Information Legislation
    Enviro Canada Lists ‘Some 850′ Chemicals In Fracking by Blacklock’s Reporter, August 27, 2014 Environment Canada has quietly compiled a list of nearly a thousand chemicals, toxins and additives used by shale gas drillers nationwide. The department would not disclose the list, but states in a confidential memo it was compiled through “North American sources”. The memo ...
  • Federally commissioned report, California Council on Science and Technology: Fracking is at shallower depths than previously realized, “It turns out that they’re fracking right around the water table”
    Fracking may endanger groundwater in California by David R. Baker, August 28, 2014, San Francisco Chronicle Fracking for oil in California happens at shallower depths than previously realized and could pose a risk to precious groundwater supplies, according to a federally commissioned report released Thursday. The report found that half of the oil wells fracked in the ...
  • Hedge fund buys 5.3 per cent stake in Bellatrix (previously Angle Energy), plans to shake up the board and tell management to “maximize shareholder value”
    Calgary oil explorer Bellatrix target of activist investor Orange Partners by Lauren Krugel, August 20, 2014, The Canadian Press in Calgary Herald In a regulatory filing Tuesday, New York-based Orange Capital LLC disclosed it has bought a 5.3 per cent stake in Bellatrix, which has land throughout Western Canada but is mainly focused on west-central Alberta. ...
  • Massive fish kill reported at Dalworthington Gardens lake after XTO Energy cited for taking water out for fracking; “All of us who’ve lived around here have been watching this lake go down for a very long time”
    Massive fish kill reported at Dalworthington Gardens lake by Todd Unger, August 27, 2014, WFAA A small lake that was the subject of a News 8 story last week about low water levels is now the site of a growing fish kill. Neighbors who live around Pappy Elkins Lake in Dalworthington Gardens woke up to find ...
  • Dirty Trick Pulled on Denton Texas, Vantage Energy Gets to Break Denton’s Moratorium with 5 New Gas Wells; Meanwhile FEMA halts flood assistance for properties with gas leases
    Driller gets waiver to drill 5 new gas wells during Denton’s moratorium by Peggy Heinkel-Wolfe, August 27, 2014, Denton Chronicle A Colorado energy company claimed the city of Denton’s moratorium on new gas wells has caused it hardship and received a waiver this week to drill five gas wells on land owned by a former Dallas ...
  • Toxic Insanity: DEP issued permit to Range Resources for experimenting, adding radioactive waste to aggregate for paving well pads and access roads
    A DEP permit has been issued to Range Resources, allowing the company to experiment with adding (radioactive) gas drill cuttings to the aggregate used to pave well pads and access roads. PA citizens have 30 days to appeal the decision. LAND RECYCLING AND ENVIRONMENTAL REMEDIATION, 44 Pa.B. 5494, August 16, 2014 RESIDUAL WASTE GENERAL PERMITS Permit Issued under the Solid Waste ...
  • Sanjel Corp. plans frac fleet expansion, Customer demand drives 120,000 h.p. decision
    Sanjel plans fracking fleet expansion Customer demand drives 120,000 h.p. decision by Dan Healing, August 27, 2014, Calgary Herald Privately owned Sanjel Corp. says it will answer growing customer demand with a 120,000-horsepower expansion to its hydraulic fracturing fleet. In a news release Wednesday, the Calgary-based company said the addition will take its total North American fracking ...
  • Fantastic Courage in Colorado: Longmont City Council votes 7-0 to appeal judge’s decision saying Longmount has no right to ban fracing within city limits
    Longmont City Council votes unanimously to appeal judge’s decision on fracking ban by Tony Kindelspire, August 26, 2014, Times-Call Applause and a standing ovation greeted the 7-0 vote Tuesday night by the Longmont City Council to appeal Boulder County District Court Judge D.D. Mallard’s ruling in July that said Longmont had no right to ban fracking ...
  • Pennsylvania: Venango County Man Falsified Certificates Related To Plugging Abandoned Oil Wells; “The discovery of Wright’s falsification…has required the re-inspection, and likely re-drilling and re-plugging, of 95 wells”
    Venango County Man Falsified Certificates Related To Plugging Abandoned Oil Wells Press Release by United States Department of Justice, August 25, 2014 ERIE, Pa. – A resident of Pleasantville, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty in federal court to a charge of making false statements in matters relevant to permits issued under the Safe Drinking Water Act, United States Attorney David ...
  • Justin Trudeau endorses calls for frac moratorium, while BC’s Rich Coleman lies again
    B.C. defends fracking record by Ada Slivinski, August 26, 2014, QMI Agency Vancouver B.C.’s Ministry of Natural Gas Development is pointing to the safety record of fracking in the province after federal Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau endorsed calls for a moratorium on shale gas exploration repeatedly made by New Brunswick’s Liberal Leader Brian Gallant. “B.C. has never ...
  • Utah grapples with regulation-violating toxic frac waste water; Danish Flats Environmental Services waste ponds sneakily avoided regulation for years; Methanol: “Largest single hazardous air pollutant emitted”
    Utah grapples with toxic water from oil and gas industry, Grand County evaporation ponds avoided air quality regulation for years by Brian Maffly, August 24, 2014, The Salt Lake Tribune A massive stream of wastewater tainted with hydrocarbons has been flowing into Utah from oil and gas mining on Colorado’s West Slope. Evaporation ponds used to process ...
  • UK: Frac’ing ‘threat’ wiped £535,000 off home’s value; Valuation Office Agency (sets values for tax purposes): “any industrial or commercial development near homes, potentially including fracking, could reduce their value”
    Fracking digs deep hole in house values by Jonathan Leake and Ellie Thomson, August 24, 2014, The Sunday Times Fracking could be such a blight on homes near drilling sites that they will be placed into lower council tax bands, the government’s property valuation agency admits. The Valuation Office Agency (VOA), which sets the values of ...
  • Campbell River resident sees right through CAPP! Who Believes CAPP? The OGC? The AER?
    The ‘facts’ on fracking are all greenwashing by Joanne Banks, August 22, 2014, Campbell River Courier-Islander Campbell River – Re: “Fracking has never contaminated drinking water” The manager of the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers (CAPP) was quick to answer the letter by Rich Hagensen titled, “Start asking the right questions about LNG”. CAPP is simply greenwashing when ...
  • Encana’s noise keeping Weld County’s Mike Lozinski up at night: “When it happens at night, it’s ‘unreal'”
    Weld County resident says Encana’s fracking is costing him sleep, When it happens at night, it’s ‘unreal’ by John Fryar, August 16, 2014, Longmont Times-Call Mike Lozinski says he’s tired of not being able to get enough of the nighttime sleep he needs in order to be to be alert on his daytime job. The problem, Lozinski ...
  • Refracking brings ‘vintage’ wells, “most of which are three to five years old,” to life; Exco’s Louisiana Haynesville shale production drops “69 percent…first year alone;” Encana’s drops “27 percent from 2012 levels”
    Refracking brings ‘vintage’ oil and gas wells to life by Reuters, August 22, 2014, The Daily Times A fracking boom isn’t enough for U.S. oil and gas producers – they’re now starting the re-fracking boom. [Encana’s been refrac’ing its wells at Rosebud, Alberta, for over a decade. Even above the Base of Groundwater Protection, Encana refracs ...
  • Texas, Louisiana oil and gas officials rehash complaints about regulation, activists, lawsuits
    Despite the boom, Texas, La. oil and gas officials rehash complaints about regulation, activists, lawsuits by Nathanial Gronewold, August 21, 2014, E&E News Lawsuits…are becoming increasing problems, even in the industry’s heartland. While a crude oil boom that has lifted fortunes in Texas and Oklahoma continues, industry insiders said…they fear activists will use the local courts and ...
  • Ohio: Wastewater company, Buckey Brine, sues man for biblical “It’s All About The Water” billboard; Defenders cite free speech and the truth
    Firm Sues Over Biblical Fracking Billboard by CBS Pittsburgh, August 20, 2014 Wastewater company sues man for biblical anti-fracking billboard; defenders cite free speech by Julie Carr Smyth, The Associated Press, August 21, 2014, The Edmonton Journal This photo taken on Sunday, Aug. 17, 2014, and provided by Robert A. Franco, shows a billboard in Coshocton, Ohio opposing ...
  • Post-conventional drilling, pre-unconventional “baseline” methane in NY and UK groundwater wells
    Groundwater is safe in potential N.Y. fracking area by Blaine Friedlander, July 29, 2014, Cornell Chronicle Two Cornell hydrologists have completed a thorough groundwater examination of drinking water in a potential hydraulic fracturing area in New York’s Southern Tier. They determined that drinking water in potable wells near conventional natural gas wells in Chenango County is ...
  • Nova Scotia: Atlantic Industrial Services wants to dump 30 million litres of frac waste into Dieppe’s sewage system
    Fracking wastewater proposal for Dieppe will see public input, Atlantic Industrial Services wants to dispose of 30 million litres in city’s sewage system by CBC News, August 19, 2014 The New Brunswick Department of Environment and Local Government says public consultations will be held soon about a proposal to dispose of fracking wastewater in Dieppe’s sewage system. ...
  • Connecticut: Three Year Fracking Waste Ban Signed into Law; Meanwhile, Michigan takes Pennsylvania’s Radioactive Frac Waste
    Connecticut: Fracking Waste Ban Signed by Samanthan Schoenfeld, August 19, 2014, Fox CT Connecticut is trying to stay ahead of a potential environmental problem. Monday, the governor signed a new bill into law that prevents fracking waste from coming into Connecticut. The ban will last three years. … Environment ...
  • Frac’ing could threaten air quality, workers’ and public health, University of Maryland report says
    Fracking could threaten air quality, workers’ health, latest report says, A Maryland report on hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, said the oil-drilling process could affect public health by Darryl Fears, August 18, 2014, Washington Post  The report is the second of three called for under Gov. Martin O’Malley’s 2011 executive order to study hydraulic fracturing…. O’Malley (D) ...
  • Pennsylvania DEP: Range Resources Inc.’s fracking waste pits contaminated groundwater and soil at three Washington County sites
    Pennsylvania DEP: Fracking waste tainted groundwater, soil at three Washington County sites by Don Hopey, August 6 2014, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Leaks of fracking waste water from three impoundments in Washington County have contaminated soil and groundwater, prompting the state to issue a violation notice at one site and increase monitoring and testing at another. John Poister, ...
  • Calgary’s Windsor Energy files $105 Million lawsuit against New Brunswick government and former Natural Resources Minister Bruce Northrup for lost future profits
    Windsor Energy lawsuit against N.B. government linked to election, Company president Khalid Amin claims more than $100M in damages for libel over Sussex seismic tests by CBC News, August 15, 2014 MLA Bruce Northrup was minister of natural resources when Windsor Energy conducted seismic tests in the Sussex area in October 2011. (CBC) The president of Calgary’s ...
  • The People of the Emerald Isle vs Tamboran & Fracing: VICTORY! They made it by….
    VICTORY – we made it by…. Fracking Ireland News Alert 2 August 16, 2014 Writing letters, educating/giving advice politicians, questioning re.breaking AARHUS convention, challenging the ‘permitted development rights’, calling for transparancy, consultation, providing them with evidence, researching the various Tamboran Resources Ltd’s, getting legal advice and taken action  regarding definition of ‘minerals and ‘gas‘, ….. putting the pressure ...
  • Nova Scotia Frac Patent Panel: Dr. David Wheeler learned bunches about frac’ing: Isn’t it like the blind leading the already educated?
    David Wheeler has learned bunches about fracking: “Not everyone is familiar with my CV, I guess” by Jacob Boon, August 14, 2014, The Coast After two weeks of intense public meetings, the final report on fracking in Nova Scotia will be released by the province’s advisory panel later this month. The head of that panel, and ...
  • Texas Judge Rules in One Day, Throws Out Mike and Myra Cerny’s Fracking Pollution Case; Compare to Justice Neil Wittmann taking nearly 9 months to grant AER’s motion for dismissal and more than 4 months with still no ruling on Alberta Government’s motion for dismissal, 3 years after the fact
    Judge Throws Out Texas Family’s Fracking Pollution Case, Dismissal is in contrast to a case in which a jury awarded $2.9 million to a family who also claimed to be sickened by fracking’s emissions by David Hasemyer, August 15, 2014, InsideClimate News A Texas judge has dismissed a million dollar lawsuit filed by a Karnes County, ...
  • The Science of Fracing: Dr. Anthony Ingraffea interview
    The Science of Fracing: Dr. Anthony Ingraffea interviewed on Inquiring Minds with Chris Mooney and Indre Viskontas, August 15, 2014, Mother Jones Starts at 18:00 Min.
  • How does one meet “half way” an energy regulator that covers up industry’s non-compliance and claims in court it owes Albertans harmed by fracing “no duty of care?”
    Cooperation needed if going to ‘work together’ by Nielle Hawkwood, Lochend area resident near Cochrane, August 14, 2014, Cochrane Eagle Dear editor: Re: Editorial “Meet each other half way,” July 24. I wish to respond to the suggestion that both sides of the fracking “debate” should work together. The situation is one of competing interests. The oil and gas industry seeks ...
  • Fracking Beyond the Law: Despite Industry Denials, Investigation Reveals Continued Use of Diesel in Hydraulic Fracturing
    Fracking probe finds oil and gas companies illegally injected diesel by Bruce Finley, August 14, 2014, The Denver Post Fracking Beyond the Law: Despite Industry Denials, Investigation Reveals Continued Use of Diesel in Hydraulic Fracturing by Environmental Integrity Project, August 13, 2014 At least 33 companies drilled 351 wells in 12 states using prohibited diesel fuels without required permits in ...
  • American Chemical Society: A new look at what’s in ‘fracking’ fluids raises red flags but does not name the toxic chemicals of concern
    A new look at what’s in ‘fracking’ fluids raises red flags Press Release by American Chemical Society, August 13, 2014 Scientists are getting to the bottom of what’s in fracking fluids — with some troubling results. As the oil and gas drilling technique called hydraulic fracturing (or “fracking”) proliferates, a new study on the contents of the ...
  • Judge denies Range Resources’ testing request because company still hasn’t complied with court order to disclose frac chemicals, including those proprietary
    Range Resources’ testing request denied by Francesca Sacco, August 12, 2014, Observer Reporter A Washington County judge denied Range Resources permission to test the air, soil and homes of three Amwell Township families who claim to suffer health problems as a result of drilling activity and an impoundment at the Yeager well site on McAdams Road. President ...
  • A Government Frac Report Named Redact: UK government heavily censors state-sanctioned report on fracking
    Want to know how fracking will affect you? Sorry, that’s a state secret! by Geoffrey Lean, August 11th, 2014, The Telegraph Another week, another fracking fiasco. The Government has just published a report on the likely effects of the drilling on Britain’s countryside communities – including its possible impact on house prices – that is so ...
  • Nova Scotia: Mi’kmaq unanimous in opposition to fracking
    Mi’kmaq unanimous in opposition to fracking by Selena Ross, August 12, 2014, Herald News Nova Scotia Mi’kmaq will never support fracking in this province, their representatives say. The Native Council of Nova Scotia has left no room for misunderstandings. In recent months the province’s expert panel on fracking set up a meeting with the council, ...
  • What took so long for this to be reported? Oil companies fracking into drinking water sources, new research shows
    Oil companies fracking into drinking water sources, new research shows by Neela Banerjee, August 12, 2014, Los Angeles Times Some companies are fracking for oil and gas at far shallower depths than widely believed…according to research released Tuesday by Stanford University scientists. … Fracking fluids contain a host of chemicals, including known carcinogens and neurotoxins. Fracking into underground ...
  • Meet ASSIST: Alberta’s very own Spy Agency, “Alberta Security and Strategic Intelligence Support Team;” Did ASSIST break into Carmen Langer’s home and steal his files?
    Snap above taken Oct 14, 2019 from Alberta Justice & Solicitor General Website. Below, meet Ken Zielke, ASSIST officer/threat advisor: Above snap also taken Oct 14, 2019 Files on Bitumen Pollution Stolen from Peace River Activist, Carmen Langer says computer, memory sticks swiped from his home last weekend by By Andrew Nikiforuk, August 8, 2014, TheTyee.ca Un activiste de la ...
  • Wyoming Draft Report funded by Encana, says Encana not to blame, suggests nature and water well owners are; frac chemicals not disclosed by Encana to the state – What kind of a review is that?
    Wyoming report: Pavillion gas wells properly drilled; more study needed by Benjamin Storrow, August 6, 2014, Star-Tribune Natural gas wells in the Pavillion Gas Field were properly drilled and maintained, but more study is needed to prove if energy operations contaminated drinking water in the region, according to a draft report released by Wyoming regulators Wednesday. Those ...
  • Peace River, Alberta: Thieves stole computer, files but left cash, reports farmer Carmen Langer (who spoke out for years about Baytex’s toxic emissions)
    Thieves stole computer, files but left cash, Peace River activist says by Sheila Pratt, August 7, 2014, Edmonton Journal Longtime Peace River farmer Carmen Langer has spent years battling oil companies to try to clean up emissions that forced many families to move away. Langer was devastated last weekend when thieves broke into his house and stole ...
  • Texas: Flash fire burns four people, including 4 year girl; methane contamination in well water source possible cause
    Flash fire burns four people; methane contamination in water source possible cause by Todd Glass cock, August 5, 2014, Mineral Wells Index ORAN – A flash fire in a well house Saturday sent four people to area hospitals with burns. Palo Pinto County Fire Marshal Larry O’Neil said a family of four near Oran was injured ...
  • Local emergency declared in B.C. as Imperial president apologizes for toxic leak; When will Gwyn Morgan and Encana apologize for intentionally fracing Rosebud’s drinking water aquifers and refusing to come clean with the toxic chemicals injected?
    Red flags raised years before B.C. mine-tailings spill, consultant says  by Andrea Woo and Alexandra Posadzki, August 5, 2014, The Globe and Mail A tailings-pond breach in central British Columbia spewed enough waste water to fill 2,000 Olympic-sized swimming pools into the province’s pristine waterways and triggered a local state of emergency – but a consultant ...
  • Benedict Lupo, owner of Youngstown oil and gas drilling company, sentenced to 28 months for dumping frac waste; “The creek was essentially dead”
    Youngstown contractor sentenced to 28 months for dumping fracking waste by John Caniglia, Plain Dealer news researcher Jo Ellen Corrigan contributed, August 5, 2014, The Plain Dealer The owner of a Youngstown oil-and-gas-drilling company was sentenced Tuesday to 28 months in prison for ordering employees to dump tens of thousands of gallons of fracking waste into ...