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By arimoore, on September 22nd, 2009%
Petition: Schlumberger has history of environmental problems by G. Jeffrey Aaron:
An Ithaca-based environmental firm has presented a petition to Horseheads village planners that requests a full environmental impact study for the Schlumberger gas drilling support facility proposed for an 88-acre parcel near Wygant and Ridge roads.
The petition, e-mailed Monday to the village by Toxics Targeting Inc., includes the names of more than 60 residents primarily from the Horseheads and Elmira area who support the request, environmental data, a map showing more than 80 toxic spills or accidents that have taken place over the years within a quarter-mile radius of the proposed site, and federal records that document Schlumberger’ s environmental regulatory non-compliance at five of its facilities. (Read more)
By arimoore, on September 21st, 2009%
Read Tom Wilbur’s Marcellus Shale: A tale of two cities:
Nearly two years after drilling began in Dimock, residents, rich and poor, have learned to live with the routine din and clamor of drilling rigs and traffic.
As more wells come on line, royalty payments flow in as gas flows out. Some have made millions, while others have made just enough to disqualify them from food stamps… “All we want is a decent place to live and decent water,” said Fiorentino, whose royalty payments have averaged less than $300 a month. “Why do some people get water and compensation, and others don’t?” (Read more)
By arimoore, on September 21st, 2009%
Sudden death of ecosystem ravages long creek by Don Hopey, for Pittsburgh Post-Gazette:
Environmental agencies are treating the creek as a crime scene. Longtime environmental and fisheries officials say the fish kill, which preliminary counts have put at more than 10,000, is one of the worst they’ve seen… state and federal investigators are confounded because chemical analysis shows the creek water at the treatment facility site contains extremely high total dissolved solids, or TDS, and chlorides — properties found in wastewater from Marcellus Shale gas well drilling operations but not mine water. (Read more)
By arimoore, on September 9th, 2009%
Read Jennifer Tiffany’s letter to the Editor of the Ithaca Journal, Clean Water Matters Most:
Extracting natural gas from the Marcellus Shale by means of horizontal drilling and hydrological fracturing is a far more water-intensive process than vertical drilling. Threats to water supplies include possible contamination of ground and surface water supplies as well as drawing down clean ground and surface water supplies. This approach could have been responsible for possible contamination of water wells in northeast Pennsylvania and is being proposed as a way to drill across the Southern Tier of New York – including the watershed that provides drinking water to New York City.
I encourage Ithaca’s Common Council to be uncompromising in safeguarding the local water supply. This is an act of solidarity with people in many parts of the world working to protect clean water. (Read more)
By arimoore, on September 3rd, 2009%
Gas drilling companies such as Halliburton say the gas drilling technique known as hydraulic fracturing, or “fracking,” is safe, but opponents contend it pollutes groundwater with dangerous substances. Now, new evidence has emerged possibly linking natural gas drilling to groundwater contamination. ProPublica journalist Abrahm Lustgarten reports federal officials in Wyoming have found that at least three water wells contain chemicals used in hydraulic fracturing.
Downloadable Video and audio on democracynow.org »
By arimoore, on September 3rd, 2009%
Although the Safe Drinking Water Act regulates most forms of underground injection in order to protect drinking water sources, in 2005 Congress passed the “Halliburton Loophole,” which exempts hydraulic fracturing from the law’s reach (the exemption was given that name because Halliburton is one of the companies that provide hydraulic fracturing services). Since the exemption was enacted, hydraulic fracturing operations have been linked to contaminated drinking water in communities around the country.
Legislation to repeal the exemption has recently been introduced in both the House and Senate. Among other things, the legislation would require public disclosure of the chemicals used in hydraulic fracturing fluids.
Even if you did this in the last session, please do it again now: Send a message urging your senators and representative to co-sponsor legislation to repeal the Halliburton Loophole (H.R. 2766/S. 1215).
Take action now!
By arimoore, on August 31st, 2009%
Reuters: EPA Scientists Find 2-BE in drinking water wells near drilling operations reads in part: “Among the contaminants found in some of the wells was 2-butoyethanol, or 2-BE, a solvent used in natural gas extraction, which researchers say causes the breakdown of red blood cells, leading to blood in the urine and feces, and can damage the kidneys, liver, spleen and bone marrow.”
Fortuna Energy has refused to state for the record that this chemical 2-BE would NOT be a component of the chemicals to be injected into the Mallula test well in Van Etten. Help protect our water »
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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)
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