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By arimoore, on February 1st, 2010% Date & Time: Friday, February 5th, 11:00pm – 3:00pm
Location: Chemung County Courthouse, Hazlitt Building 203 Lake St. Elmira, New York
Hello beginning and advanced anti-fracking activists:
Activism difficulty level: 2
Come out and show your support for the people of Horseheads and their attorney Helen Slottje at the full hearing of their case against Schlumberger.
We need some like-minded warm bodies to fill the anti-fracking side of the courtroom and show our support for the people of Horseheads and our common cause. We also need to show any press who might be there that this issue is far from dead; in fact, we’ve only just begun to fight to protect our towns, farms, and wildlands. This court appearance is intended to be peaceful and respectful, and should not involve chanting or demonstrating in the courtroom. Outside the courtroom may be a different story; go ahead and bring signs if you want and we can discuss with Helen.
CARPOOLING: I can take 3 people in my car. I’ll leave Ithaca at 9:45, drive time approx 1 hr. Let me know if you need a ride or can give a ride.
TIME: Hearing begins at 11 a.m. Plan to spend a couple of hours—I’m not sure how long this will take.
DRESS CODE: It’s court; interpret as you will, but “spiffy” is probably not a bad idea.
BACKGROUND: Schlumberger has already built and begun operating phase 1 of a 4 phase hydraulic fracturing support facility in the town of Horseheads, without going through a full environmental review or receiving all of the proper permits. The site lies above the primary aquifer for the City of Elmira and across the street from the Ridge Road Elementary School. On the site are paper bags full of toxic chemicals to be used in the hydraulic fracturing process, along with explosives and other materials. People for a Healthy Environment, a group formed by Horseheads citizens outraged by the Village Board of Trustees’ “capricious and arbitrary” approval of the site plan, are asking for the temporary shutdown of the facility, pending a 12- to 18-month environmental review.
More background:? http://www.stargazette.com/article/20091115/news01/911150385/Lawsuit-seeks-complete-reassessment-of-Schlumberger-project-in-Horseheads
By arimoore, on December 1st, 2009% The free panel presentation, “Gas Drilling: Legal Issues For Land Owners” held on Thursday, Oct. 29, 7:00-9:30 pm at the Cornell Vet School is now available on the ccetompkins.org website in 2 installments:
http://ccetompkins.org/legalissues1.wmv (167MB)
1 hour 43 minutes – Panel Presentation
http://ccetompkins.org/legalissues2.wmv (146MB)
1 hour 16 minutes – Questions & Answers
The event included presentations by legal experts on the terminology and issues surrounding natural gas leases, and was followed by an opportunity to ask questions. Topics included general lease terminology, force majeure lease extensions, compulsory integration (the legal extraction of gas from under unleased land), liability issues, and the protection of rights and property. it was sponsored by Cornell Cooperative Extension South Central NY Agriculture Team, with Shaleshock Citizens Action Coalition, the Community Science Institute, Finger Lakes Bioneers, Interfaith Action for Healing Earth, NYS Assemblywoman Barbara Lifton, Sustainable Tompkins, and the Tompkins County Farm Bureau.
By arimoore, on November 30th, 2009% The lawsuit accuses Cabot of negligence and says it has failed to restore water supplies to residents when it has been disrupted by gas drilling. It seeks a permanent injunction to stop the drilling processes that are blamed for the contamination, as well as unspecified compensatory damages. Read more
By arimoore, on October 9th, 2009% Gas Drilling: Legal Issues for Landowners (with or without a lease)
A free educational forum, open to all
With increased natural gas development in the Southern Tier will come new and complex legal issues that affect both landowners and communities. Please join us on Thursday, October 29, from 7:00 to 9:30 pm to hear presentations by legal experts, followed by an opportunity to ask questions.
The forum will be held at Cornell Vet School’s James Law Auditorium on Tower Road, just a block from Rt. 366.
Topics will include
- lease terms and considerations
- “force majeure” lease extensions
- intricacies of lease extension/expiration
- compulsory integration (the legal extraction of gas from under unleased lands)
- liability issues
- protection of rights and property
All are encouraged to attend this unique event sponsored by the Cornell Cooperative Extension (CCE) South Central NY Agricultural Team, together with Shaleshock Citizens Action Coalition, Community Science Institute, Finger Lakes Bioneers, Interfaith Action for Healing Earth, NYS Assemblywoman Barbara Lifton, Sustainable Tompkins, and Tompkins County Farm Bureau.
For more information, please contact Schuyler CCE at 607-535-7161, or Tompkins CCE at 272-2292, or by email at: cab377@cornell.edu. More details will soon be posted to the CCE Natural Gas Development Resource Center website: http://gasleasing.cce.cornell.edu/ .
By arimoore, on October 9th, 2009% 11/3 7 pm at Cornell Cinema (Willard Straight Hall) with an introduction by Shaleshock representative Helen Slottje
The natural gas drilling boom hit the midwest with promised of big money and promises of a clean alternative to fossil fuels. The reality has been far more complicated, with landowners forced to accept drilling rigs right outside their front doors, groundwater becoming contaminated, and public health issues, especially among children. Split Estate focuses on Garfield County, Colorado, where the breathtaking panoramas and clear mountain water are threatened by an industry that is exempt from federal protections like the Clean Water Act , and where one resident demonstrates the degree of benzene contamination by setting a stream alight with a match. A cautionary tale, and one that is all the more important to hear now, and in the Finger Lakes, as gas companies prepare for a massive hydro-fracking push throughout our area. “This film is of value to anyone wrestling with rational, sustainable energy policy while preserving the priceless elements of cultural heritage, private enterprise above-ground, and the precious health not only of people but the land itself.” (Gov. Bill Richardson, New Mexico)
2009, color, 1 hour 16 minutes, USA
By arimoore, on October 9th, 2009% 10/23 7 pm free screening at Unitarian Church of Ithaca, 306 North Aurora Street, co sponsored by the Unitarian-Universalist Social Justice Council and Shaleshock. Followed by discussion and presentation of information about impacts of gas drilling in Marcellus Shale
The natural gas drilling boom hit the midwest with promised of big money and promises of a clean alternative to fossil fuels. The reality has been far more complicated, with landowners forced to accept drilling rigs right outside their front doors, groundwater becoming contaminated, and public health issues, especially among children. Split Estate focuses on Garfield County, Colorado, where the breathtaking panoramas and clear mountain water are threatened by an industry that is exempt from federal protections like the Clean Water Act , and where one resident demonstrates the degree of benzene contamination by setting a stream alight with a match. A cautionary tale, and one that is all the more important to hear now, and in the Finger Lakes, as gas companies prepare for a massive hydro-fracking push throughout our area. “This film is of value to anyone wrestling with rational, sustainable energy policy while preserving the priceless elements of cultural heritage, private enterprise above-ground, and the precious health not only of people but the land itself.” (Gov. Bill Richardson, New Mexico)
2009, color, 1 hour 16 minutes, USA
By arimoore, on October 7th, 2009% New York Natural Gas Summit: Challenges and Opportunities is a pro-drilling event that folks with more critical perspectives may be interested in attending.
November 30, 2009
Owego Treadway Inn, Owego, New York
Goals and objectives: To inform and educate; prepare for challenges; prepare for opportunities; gather information for ongoing research; network between multiple stakeholders
Audiences: Local government officials; Landowner Coalition representatives; Citizens seeking more information; Researchers and Educators
Continue reading Of local interest: New York Natural Gas Summit
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About Us Shaleshock is an information hub connecting people to regional groups and projects working to stop exploitative drilling in the Marcellus Shale.(more)
2009 Signs of Sustainability
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