Hydraulic Fracturing and Water Resources A California Perspective

Hydraulic Fracturing and Water Resources A California Perspective by Frederick T. Stanin, Fall 2012, Groundwater Association of California HydroVisions Vol 21, No. 3
The keynote speaker, California Assemblyman Robert Wieckowski, is the author of AB 591, a bill aimed to require disclosure of chemicals used by oil and gas producers engaged in hydraulic fracturing. Why a symposium on hydraulic fracturing? Stated simply, hydraulic fracturing as applied in the current revolution of natural gas exploration was the environmental story of 2011. … One of the biggest challenges is fashioning language that promotes disclosure but also protects trade secrets. … Mr. Melrose also indicated that vertical wells may prove to be economically viable, relieving the need for more expensive and water-intensive horizontal wells for hydrofracturing operations.

Earl Hagström added the perspective of a defense attorney. He presented hydrofracturing issues as being about risk and reward, but that there is the possibility of transferring the risk to other parties by means of contract or insurance. He predicted that there will be a lot of litigation over insurance claims.

The most memorable moment was when Dr. John Cherry, the renowned hydrogeologist from the University of Guelph, characterized the activities in the U.S. as a grand experiment with no proper scientific research on the effects of hydrofracturing on the environment. He challenged the funding mechanisms for such research in the U.S. because of the ties between universities and industry (or other parties), and indicated that the U.S. would be better off with a funding system similar to that in Canada, where the funding is not similarly tied and thus scientific research can proceed relatively unencumbered. [Emphasis added]

[Refer also to:

Cenovus, Syncrude and Suncor and other oil and gas companies “helping draft” curriculum for students from kindergarten to Grade 12!

Cenovus donates $1.5 million to Lakeland College

Talisman pledges $1.25 M to Mount Royal University, Alberta

EPA Fines Talisman For Fracking Violations

EnCana racks up the fines

Burning Waters: UVic Partner’s environmental record questioned

Encana donates $1.5 Million to Mount Royal University

EnCana donates $7.5 Million to the University of Alberta

Cenovus donates $3 Million to the University of Alberta

University of Calgary Prostitutes Itself To Big Oil & Gas

EnCana to donate $1 Million to the University of Calgary

Encana donates $1 million to Red Deer College

EnCana $1 Million donation to University of Calgary questioned as company awaits energy decision

Million-dollar Nexen donation to Mount Royal University to benefit future journalists, educators

Imperial Oil donates $1 Million to Mount Royal University

Cenovus donates $3 Million to the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology

Is the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology overflowing with oil money?

ConocoPhillips Canada supports University of Lethbridge and places students link previously went to: http://www.thisismyu.ca/stories/donor/2010/11/conocophillips-canada-sees-benefits-support

Trican Donates $5 million for cancer research at the University of Calgary

Trican donates $5 Million to Fight Chidhood Cancer and for research at the University of Calgary

Enbridge donates 1.2 million to the University of Calgary, research chair first of its kind dedicated to holistic cancer care

EnCana donates $50,000 to Northern Medical Program Trust

Enbridge Donates $500,000 to the Alberta School of Business

June 2013 Cenovus 3 million endowment to University of Alberta to assess energy and environmental options for industry and government “How much water is required to produce a unit of energy?”

What Fresh Hell is this?

Expert Panel Chair Appointed for Council Assessment on Shale Gas ]

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