FRACKING, FAIRNESS AND THE FUTURE

Excerpts:

"In New York, a memo from the New York Department of Transportation revealed that “Pavement structural damage done by the passage of a single large truck is equivalent to that done by about 9,000 automobiles.”xi Areas with heavy drilling are expecting 1.5 million heavy truck trips annually and could see an increase in peak hour trips by 36,000 trips per hour. A similar impact can be expected in Ohio. This type of traffic—on rural roads that aren’t designed for such loads— will quickly result in expensive maintenance costs In New York, a memo from the New York Department of Transportation revealed that “Pavement structural damage done by the passage of a single large truck is equivalent to that done by about 9,000 automobiles.”xi Areas with heavy drilling are expecting 1.5 million heavy truck trips annually and could see an increase in peak hour trips by 36,000 trips per hour. A similar impact can be expected in Ohio. This type of traffic—on rural roads that aren’tdesigned for such loads— will quickly result in expensive maintenance costs."

"The increased demand for housing has driven up rent in rural areas, which, in turn, has displaced many long-time residents. Areas that saw few homeless people have experienced a sudden increase in family homelessness and in families doubling or tripling up in their living quartersThe increased demand for housing has driven up rent in rural areas, which, in turn, has displaced many long-time residents. Areas that saw few homeless people have experienced a sudden increase in family homelessness and in families doubling or tripling up in their living quarters."

"In addition to being associated with possible health consequences, hydraulic fracturing is connected to multiple environmental concerns, such as increased air pollution and a probable contamination of local water supplies."

Read more at: http://innovationohio.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/Fracking-Fairness-and-the-Future-Full-Report.pdf

DeWine: Drilling laws ‘not adequate’

Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine thinks Ohio’s natural-gas and oil drilling laws are “not adequate” compared with other states.

“I think Gov. [John] Kasich has made the point very correctly that fracking can be very good for our economy,” DeWine told The Vindicator on Tuesday. “We want to encourage growth and jobs, but at the same time, we have to assure the public that the protections are in place.”

DeWine said through investigation and research, he has come to three conclusions regarding Ohio’s laws: The state is not stringent enough on penalizing violations, the attorney general’s office has no jurisdiction to help landowners who may have been swindled by landmen, and there is a need for stronger chemical disclosure regulations.

“If there is a problem later on health officials and first responders need to have an understanding what is in there,” he said. “It just makes common sense.”

Click to read more ...

Could Fracking be to Blame for Quakes in Ohio?

It was recently published in Scientific American, the winner of the 2011 National Magazine Award for General Excellence, that the fracking itself is not the cause of the repeated quakes, but rather it's possible that the disposal of fracking wastewater into wells is the culprit.

Because of the close proximity of the quakes to a wastewater injection site, the Ohio Department of Natural Resources had mobile seismographs installed in the vicinity of the quakes.

The seismographs revealed, with 95 percent certainty, that the last two earthquakes were within 100 meters of each other.

Additionally, they both placed within 0.8 kilometers of the injection well and at roughly the same depth as the fault that caused the quakes.

Youngstown, Ohio, tends to be seismically inactive, but it's friction that keeps the faults from moving, AccuWeather Expert Senior Meteorologist Jim Andrews said.

"By injecting fluid underground, existing faults may be unlocked."

Click to read more ...

How Shale Fracking May Hurt Your Investment

Quick Look: Companies like Continental Resources and Chesapeake Energy are two oil companies largely engaged in shale fracking, with Chesapeake forecasting more than 50% of its revenues coming from shale. Integrated oil companies that aren't completely dependent on shale will be a safer bet for investors.

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/g/a/2012/01/26/investopedia70484.DTL

State approves two new gas/oil wells in the area

Quick Look: ODNR permitted a well in Mahoning County’s Goshen Township on State Route 14 — also known as Cleveland-East Liverpool Road SEmD just north of W. Middletown Road. ODNR permitted another well in Columbiana County’s Washington Township, on Hazel Run Road near Steubenville Pike Road.

 http://www.vindy.com/news/2012/jan/25/state-approves-two-new-gasoil-wells-in-t/?nw

Fracking debate parallels 99 percent’s campaign against the 1 percent

Many 99 percenters (and I imagine many of the wealthy, too) have begun to make their voices heard. Witness the bans and moratoriums on fracking implemented by different states and communities across the country. Witness the recent shutdown by the state of Ohio of five "fracking" wells around Youngstown after a series of earthquakes. Witness the recent polling data indicating that 72 percent of Ohioans think that fracking should be halted (Reuters, Jan 19, 2012). Witness the grassroots opposition by Athens' residents and organizations who want a moratorium on fracking because evidence of its ill effects cannot be ignored.

Some supporters of fracking demonize fracking opponents as "environmental extremists," "anti-Ohio" and "anti-jobs." Many of our critics belong to the 1 percenters; others are certain politicians. Some live among the 99 percenters, hoping to cash in on the boom. But extremists, anti-Ohio and anti-jobs we are not. We are simply acting as responsible stewards of our environment and protectors of our health and quality of life. Many fracking opponents are not against oil and gas exploration/extraction so long as best practices and strong, enforceable regulations are put into place to protect the environment and public health. In the absence of such regulations, fracking cannot be allowed. Athenians, stand strong and continue to make your voices heard — No Fracking!

Jim Montgomery

Rosewood Drive
Athens

Join the protest! http://www.facebook.com/events/139941972791724/

Click to read more ...

Anti-fracking group to submit county plan

According to a report submitted by the group on their experiences, they were hosted by the Wetzel County Action Group in their tour. Many Athens area residents have been taking the Wetzel tour, and have submitted descriptions of what they've observed as op-eds to The Athens NEWS.

"Northern Wetzel County is home to 33 Marcellus Shale gas wells and three compressor stations installed by Chesapeake (Energy) in a six-square mile area of the county since 2007," the report states. "Chesapeake has a total of 140 wells permitted in Wetzel, and many additional wells and permits exist with other companies. What was once miles of bucolic forested and agricultural West Virginia countryside is now a rural industrial petrochemical complex."

The report was provided by local resident Al Blazevicious. Other members of the group included Ann Brown, Ken Edwards, Jane Jacobs, Bruce Kuhre, Loraine McCosker, Celia Wetzel and Athens City Council member Michele Papai. Some of these individuals, including McCosker and Wetzel, have been outspoken critics of horizontal hydraulic fracturing.

"We saw numerous ridgetop drill pads and compressor stations, and spoke to several farmers who experienced significant impacts on their water, air, land, livelihoods, property values, personal health and quality of life," the group reported.

That change in landscape was a major thrust of the group's report.

"The life and viewscape in Wetzel County has changed from rolling agricultural hills, woods, streams and ponds, to an industrial landscape," they said. "The ridgetops are now filled with gas wells, storage tanks, compressor stations, huge storage ponds with slipping dams, while the trucks, noise, pollution and frack waste roll on (into southeast Ohio)."

They wrote that responsible citizens have an obligation to themselves and the community to view the impacts of the drilling technique firsthand.

Click to read more ...