OUTDOOR Forum at canaaninstitute.org

[Mike_L]

If you're not on this list, you should join it.
http://groups.google.com/group/marcellusgasinfo?hl=en
You just have to go to the site, and request permission to join.
Lisa

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Michael Ludgate - forum administrator
The Canaan Institute http://www.canaaninstitute.org/

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[Mike_L]

Speaking out really does pay off. The sages of yesteryear who cautioned “Be nice to the company or they will get you” have been proven wrong.

In anticipation of a new well construction, and in the discussion of compensation, remember that you are entering a time (probably a lifetime) of monitoring, reporting and investigating activities around the well to protect your own health and well being, and that of your neighbors. It is no small task - don’t sell yourself short.

http://www.earthworksaction.org/pubs/LOguideCh4.pdf
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Michael Ludgate - forum administrator
The Canaan Institute http://www.canaaninstitute.org/

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[Mike_L]

How Halliburton Technology is Wrecking the Rockies

In the spring of 2003, almost two years after the Amos well blew its top, Laura and Larry Amos were vacationing in Key West, Florida. Laura had been feeling unusually thirsty and her body seemed swollen -- problems she attributed at first to the stresses of new motherhood. But during a day of snorkeling, she began to wonder if something else was wrong. "I could hardly get my breath," she says. Even with a flotation device, she remembers, "I could barely make it back to land."

It turned out that Amos had extremely high blood pressure and dangerously low potassium levels, but her physician back in Colorado was unsure of the cause. Several office visits and weeks of worry later, a doctor in a nearby city diagnosed her with Conn syndrome, a benign tumor in one of her adrenal glands. After surgery that removed the tumor and the entire gland in July 2003, Amos's blood pressure and potassium levels quickly returned to normal.

The National Organization for Rare Disorders classifies Conn syndrome as a rare, or "orphan," condition, one affecting fewer than 200,000 people in the United States, and at first Amos blamed her health problems on a stroke of bad luck. But in the summer of 2004, she ran across a memo to a Colorado office of the U.S. Forest Service, written about two years earlier by Theo Colborn, author of the 1996 book Our Stolen Future and an internationally recognized expert on hormone-disrupting chemicals (see "Hundreds of Man-Made Chemicals Are Interfering With Our Hormones and Threatening Our Children's Future" by Gay Daly, OnEarth, Winter 2006). Colborn's memo described the possible health effects of a solvent called 2-butoxyethanol (2-BE), known by the EPA to be used in some fracturing operations. The clear solvent is odorless and tasteless at low concentrations, and it can be swallowed, inhaled, or absorbed through the skin. Colborn reported that 2-BE was associated with higher-than-normal incidences of adrenal tumors in rats and mice and calculated that potentially toxic concentrations of 2-BE could contaminate domestic water wells near fractures.

REMAINDER of ARTICLE and SOURCE http://www.nrdc.org/onearth/06sum/rockies4.asp

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Michael Ludgate - forum administrator
The Canaan Institute http://www.canaaninstitute.org/

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[Mike_L]

SOURCE http://www.riverreporter.com/issues/08-08-28/head1-rage.html

Milanville man goes to gas land for first-hand look
‘The Rage of Nature’ film to document experience
By SANDY LONG sandylong@riverreporter.com

UPPER DELAWARE RIVER REGION — When filmmaker Josh Fox, a resident of Milanville, PA, first heard that gas exploration might be on the horizon for the Upper Delaware region, he began gathering information on the subject. The more he learned, the more concerned he became.

When he began to have trouble sleeping, Fox decided to see for himself what the industry and its manifestations looked, sounded and smelled like, as well as how it affected the humans exposed to it. Eight thousand miles and 90 days later, Fox had visited Texas, Colorado and Wyoming, and concluded, “It was far worse than I imagined.”

“I was hoping it wasn’t such a big deal,” said Fox in an interview with Dick Riseling, whose show, “WJFF Connections,” is broadcast on WJFF 90.5 FM radio. “But this is a big deal.” The interview stirred such interest that the station aired it a second time and will broadcast it again (see sidebar on page 4).

What Fox encountered on his travels he likened to a “war zone”—uninhabitable and unsellable homes permanently contaminated with hydrogen sulfide; severe health impacts, such as lesions on the brain, neuromuscular effects, loss of the sense of smell; endless truck traffic seven days per week; hundreds of new roads; a foul stench in the air; and seemingly ceaseless noise. During the trip, he interviewed endocrinologist Theo Colburn, whose research on the potential human health impacts from drilling has indicated a correlation with multiple chemical sensitivity; gastrointestinal, liver and respiratory problems; neurological effects; and long-term effects on cardiovascular health.

Fox is in the process of turning his experience into the film, “The Rage of Nature,” which will document his personal journey and perceptions. As a result of what he learned, Fox has concluded that the process of natural gas extraction is “a comprehensive assault on the health of humans, animals and the planet.” He acknowledges that a small number of people and businesses will prosper, but adds, “The majority will not benefit; they will suffer.”

And while Fox says he respects landowners’ rights to do what they choose with their land, he notes, “It’s everybody’s air. It’s everybody’s water. These should fall under the jurisdiction of the community.”

Based on conversations he had in areas where drilling has been occurring, Fox anticipates the Upper Delaware region will experience “a wave of regret,” and a sense of “being swindled or cheated” by the process. “In terms of tourism and recreation, this will no longer be that kind of area once drilling starts,” he said. Fox also believes that the region’s second-home industry will be jeopardized by the presence of drilling rigs and associated activities.

“We’ve got what money-can’t buy—quality of life and peace of mind,” he added.

“The Rage of Nature” is currently being edited and is expected to be completed in January 2009.

Fox is also the founder and artistic director of International WOW Company, a theater group with a membership of over 100 actors, dancers, musicians and technical and visual artists spanning 28 countries on five continents.

Hear it. See it.

• Hear Riseling’s interview with Fox on WJFF 90.5 FM on September 1 at 7:30 p.m. or visit www.wjffradio.org, then click “archives” and scroll down to “WJFF Connections,” then click download to listen online for the next several weeks.

• Visit www.internationalwow.com to learn more about Fox’s work and to access a link featuring clips from “The Rage of Nature.”

• Attend Black Bear Film Festival’s Envirofest at the Grey Towers Historical Site in Milford, PA on Sunday, October 19 ( www.blackbearfilm.com ). Fox will present clips from the film and answer questions.

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Michael Ludgate - forum administrator
The Canaan Institute http://www.canaaninstitute.org/

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[Mike_L]

BE WARY OF THESE KIND OF "INFORMATIONAL" MEETINGS THAT ARE USUALLY ORGANIZED BY THE GAS COMPANIES OR THEIR LANDMEN ...

HERE ARE SOME CLIPS FROM ONE OF THE LIST-SERVES:

[Mike_L]

Natural gas well burns near Rulison - Blaze still under investigation

RULISON, Colorado — A fire erupted from a natural gas drilling rig near Rulison early Wednesday. Flames were still burning the rig late into the day.

There were no injuries, and the fire was contained to the wellpad, said Mike Morgan, the Rifle Fire Protection District chief.

Fire crews from Rifle, the Grand Valley Fire Protection District, along with officials from the Garfield County Sheriff’s Office, responded to the drilling rig fire south of the Colorado River and east of Rulison about 1:30 a.m, Morgan said.

SOURCE http://www.vaildaily.com/article/20080828/NEWS/808289983/1062
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Michael Ludgate - forum administrator
The Canaan Institute http://www.canaaninstitute.org/

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[Mike_L]

please check out all of them. especially Oil and gas drilling near Bogus
Rocks
and flyover
http://picasaweb.google.com/AlleghenyDefenseProject

any of these is scary.
maybe used. this is in northwest PA. look at what the forest service has
allowed. unlined pits???!!!
wonderful
the slideshows have captions
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Michael Ludgate - forum administrator
The Canaan Institute http://www.canaaninstitute.org/

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[Mike_L]

Hi all,

I'm writing to try to identify and most effectively mobilize those groups working hard to inform the public about natural gas drilling and potential effects on our region. It is clear from the emails, news reports and personal accounts of landowners and concerned citizens, that the current dialogue needs to be amped up in order to connect directly with our local, state, and federal governmental politicians and organizations.

Political leaders are desperate for information and advice, and the natural gas industry does great PR. For instance, at the highest level, folks like Nancy Pelosi (and Barak Obama) apparently think that natural gas is "clean." What they do not understand is how "unclean" extracting this resource currently is. Local and regional leaders are equally flummoxed and confused. Some are just NOW becoming aware of the potential impact of a lightly regulated industry taking hold in their communities. Supervisors of townships should not be emailing for advice on protecting their constituencies against the gas industry in their back yards-- at the eleventh hour. But this is happening.

Hillary Clinton has voiced a concern about natural gas drilling in NYS. This is an opportunity for those of us who wish to combine our interests and focus them directly on a representative who might actually have the clout to slow the machine down. Governor Paterson must be strongly approached as well, for though we can applaud his statements that gas drilling in NYS will move forward carefully, many irresponsible leases continue to be signed. The gas industry machine is moving forward, and slowing it down may be the difference between making CNY/upstate NY look more like Newark than the agricultural region it is now.

I have identified a few local grassroots groups that are working hard to get information out.

CDOG Chenango Delaware Otsego Gas
CEA Citizen's Energy Alliance (Spencer NY)
BRSC Binghamton Regional Sustainability Coalition

Other groups that may not wholey be in common cause YET, (since they apparently rate financial benefits to individual landowners over the life-sustaining needs of municipalities and townships at this time):

CNY Landowner's Coalition
Cooperative Extension and Farm Bureau

Sadly, the Farm Bureau may be soley working for landowner's enrichment and may be a lost cause as far as protecting non-leasing farmer's rights. But working to find common cause with Farm Bureau may be helpful in mitigating damages. The pro-drilling CNY Landowner's Coalition has many folks on the site's forums sharing worries and grave concerns about environmental impacts.

List-serves and email groups are great, and serve to inform. Yet we are scattered. I am not a politician but common-sense seems to indicate that we cannot depend on the EPA, the DEC, Sierra Club, Audubon Society, ACLU etc,etc,---or any political party to help us. We are truly "on our own" right now,and we need to focus and combine forces in a much bigger, broader way if we want to slow this process down and protect ourselves.

MEETINGS IN CNY

#1 Meetings must go to the cities. Right now, cities like Ithaca, Binghamton, and NYC should be sharing information and joining forces. Smaller communites should keep having town meetings and discussions, and info should be easily shared at all levels.

#2 CDOG, BRSC, CEA and perhaps landowner's coalitions like CNY Landowner's Coalition need to find common cause.

#3 Representatives from these groups need to organize a New York State citizen's lobbying group, supported by the appropriate political leaders and scholars, economists, geologists, agricultural specialists, environmentalists, public health leaders etc-- who would advocate for the well-being of the public over the "needs" of gas industry in NYS.

Thank you for reading all this! Please forward this email to folks who want to get on board in a focused effort to rally our leaders around a common cause of protecting New Yorkers against the highly politicized and the heretofore irresponsible interests of the natural gas industry. If gas companies drill here and drill now, it should be on OUR terms, not theirs. The response of New Yorkers must be "MAYBE drill here, but drill on OUR TERMS, when and IF we say it's okay and not any sooner!"

Lisa Ann Wright
Ithaca NY
thewriterwrites@yahoo.com
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Michael Ludgate - forum administrator
The Canaan Institute http://www.canaaninstitute.org/

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[Mike_L]

QUESTION:

[Mike_L]

FYI, at the DEC meeting in Albany of Aug 14th Stuart Gruskin stated that the DEC will insist that all fracturing chemicals be disclosed, it is his hope that FOIL can be avoided by disclosing chemicals only and not the formula. SOURCE: [MarcellusGasInfo] LIST-SERVE
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Michael Ludgate - forum administrator
The Canaan Institute http://www.canaaninstitute.org/

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[Mike_L]

What can go wrong drilling a well.

This is a great slide show if you have time to look at it.
http://www.wvsoro.org/resources/how_a_well_is_drilled/index.html
_________________
Michael Ludgate - forum administrator
The Canaan Institute http://www.canaaninstitute.org/

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[Mike_L]

Hi there, folks-

I'm building a site with NYS gas drilling pertinent related links in one central spot. Here it is:

http://sites.google.com/site/nymarcellusshale/

If you have meetings to announce or if you recommend good websites and listserves please pass them on to me here or on the website. I only have three pages so far but plan to have a lot more on the site-

Thanks!
Lisa
_________________
Michael Ludgate - forum administrator
The Canaan Institute http://www.canaaninstitute.org/

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[Mike_L]

OIL & GAS ACCOUNTABILITY PROJECT

We are pleased to provide you with this timely report on potential oil and gas development in the Marcellus Shale formation in northeastern Pennsylvania and southeastern New York. Oil and gas leasing is taking this region by storm and we have been deluged with calls, emails and letters from residents seeking information. Requests range from what is the difference between deep and shallow gas drilling to how to negotiate mineral leases and surface use and damage agreements to how to organize to what kind of regulations and laws exist to protect water and air quality from oil and gas development.

THE REPORT IS HERE
http://www.earthworksaction.org/pubs/OGAPMarcellusShaleReport-6-12-08.pdf
_________________
Michael Ludgate - forum administrator
The Canaan Institute http://www.canaaninstitute.org/

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[Mike_L]

Is lefty Ithaca decidedly unresponsive, considering we are ten miles of supposedly "green" folks surrounded by "reality"?

Some thoughts, for what they are worth.

Last I knew--well I THOUGHT Ithaca's Mayor Peterson was trying to get up to speed on gas drilling in our region. An interesting twist is she has been recently appointed to the Executive Committee of the NYS Conference of Mayors. The NYS Conference of Mayors just had a big hoopla in Binghamton focusing on the financial benefits of gas drilling in NY, so she should be "better" informed than she was a few weeks ago when she said in an email to me that Ithaca City had been propositioned about water-- from a Colorado gas leasing company. But after that email I have not heard a peep from her either to me personally or in the papers. (Guess she figured out I'm nobody important.)

But I'm wondering if Cornell, and perhaps Cornell/Ithaca City is already heavily invested in upstate NY's potential natural gas boom- so any niggling questions about water and protections from town supervisors and Jane Q.Public might might just be little annoyances in the way of their grand plan. Ignore us and we'll go away...like that....

Here's a link for the smart folks to look at-- let me know if I'm being knee-jerk about this:
http://www.utilities.cornell.edu/utl_cchp_gasline.html

And here's the first graph of a headline story from the website for the August NYS Conference of Mayors- (totally unbiased, doncha think? I LOVE the headline the most, so reflective of corporate PR...in some corners known as BS...but by any other name smells as sweet)

NATURAL GAS EXPLORATION SYMPOSIUM A HUGE SUCCESS

"More than one-hundred and ninety city, village, town and county officials from across New York’s Southern Tier and Catskill regions convened in Binghamton on August 12, 2008 for a first in the state comprehensive one-day symposium that addressed the myriad issues and concerns local officials are facing as it relates to the Marcellus Shale natural gas exploration. The symposium, which drew extensive press coverage, provided effected NYCOM members with a well-balanced perspective on the economic, infrastructure, health and land use issues surrounding natural gas exploration. Many of the speakers at the symposium have been generous enough to provide NYCOM with links to their presentations."

"a HUGE success!!" "well-balanced!!" "generous speakers!!"
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"Reading out the figures in a shrill, rapid voice, he proved to them in detail that they had more oats, more hay, more turnips than they had had in Jones's day, that they worked shorter hours, that their drinking water was of better quality, that they lived longer, that a larger proportion of their young ones survived infancy, and that they had more straw in their stalls and suffered less from fleas." --George Orwell, Animal Farm


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_________________
Michael Ludgate - forum administrator
The Canaan Institute http://www.canaaninstitute.org/

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[Mike_L]

http://www.acronymfinder.com/

!!

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_________________
Michael Ludgate - forum administrator
The Canaan Institute http://www.canaaninstitute.org/

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