First International Conference on Mining Impacts to the Human and Natural Environments (Punta Gorda, March 15, 2008)

FRACKING (NATURAL GAS)

Organizations created to address Fracking:

Community Environmental Legal Defense Fund “Building sustainable communities by assisting people to assert their right to local self-government and the rights of nature.”

do a search for "fracking' in their search box

Marcellus Shale Protest "MarcellusProtest.org is an information clearing house about Marcellus Shale gas drilling and activism and related issues".

EARTHWORKS hydraulic fracturing of oil and gas wells is a non-profit organization dedicated to protecting communities and the environment from the destructive impacts of mineral development, in the U.S. and worldwide.

Grounded in the power of the River and the community, the Delaware Riverkeeper, backed by the Delaware Riverkeeper Network, staunchly champions the needs of the Delaware river and in so doing ensures its unfettered ability to protect and provide for all the human and nonhuman communities that love, appreciate and depend upon it.

Damascus Citizen-working to protect the watershed region

The Endocrine Disruption Exchange

The following are stories I found via Environmental Health News.

Their fracking archive is far more extensive than I could ever compile. Look there for the most recent news stories on fracking (Aug 17, 2012)

Panelist reviewing fracturing study has his own industry ties. A retired aerospace executive - appointed to review a study on hydraulic fracturing after it was disclosed the study's author has strong industry ties - has such ties himself. Houston Chronicle, Texas (Aug 16, 2012).
http://www.chron.com/business/article/Panelist-reviewing-fracturing-study-has-his-own-3794639.php

Fracking and academic freedom. A former researcher who says he left the Colorado School of Mines due to pressure from the oil and gas industry has now lost his university job in Wyoming after an industry association complained to his superiors about comments he made about fracking. Boulder Weekly, Colorado (Aug 16, 2012).

Drilling critics face a divide over the goal of their fight. With a deadline looming this week for the public to weigh in on gas drilling in New York State, the antifracking movement itself has become divided over what its goal should be: securing the nation’s toughest regulations, or winning an outright ban? New York Times [Registration Required]
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/10/nyregion/gas-drilling-critics-in-new-york-face-a-divide-over-their-goal.html

DEP's Marcellus Shale drilling numbers do not add up. Research by the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette shows that there are 495 more wells producing gas, or ready to produce gas, than DEP has recorded as ever being drilled, and 182 of those wells don't even show up on the state's Marcellus Shale permit list. Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Pennsylvania.
http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/12008/1202172-503.stm

Fracking moratorium urged as doctors call for health study. The U.S. should declare a moratorium on hydraulic fracturing for natural gas in populated areas until the health effects are better understood, doctors said at a conference on the drilling process. Bloomberg News
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/g/a/2012/01/09/bloomberg_articlesLXJW7C0YHQ0X.DTL

Add quakes to rumblings over gas rush. Hydraulic fracturing, or fracking has come under fire for its potential to pollute air and water. But a string of mostly small tremors in Ohio, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Texas, British Columbia and other shale-gas-producing areas raise the disquieting notion that it could lead, directly or indirectly, to a damaging earthquake. New York Times [Registration Required]
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/13/science/some-blame-hydraulic-fracturing-for-earthquake-epidemic.html

'Us vs. Them' in Pennsylvania gaslands. In what is shaping up as a key victory for the shale-gas industry, Gov. Corbett and the legislature appear close to stripping municipalities of the power to impose tough local restrictions on wells and pipelines. And the industry isn't stopping there. Philadelphia Inquirer, Pennsylvania. [Registration Required]
http://www.philly.com/philly/news/20111212_Us_vs__Them_in_Pa__Gaslands.html

Investors press natural-gas drillers to cut risks from fracking. Natural-gas producers must do more to reduce environmental harm from hydraulic fracturing and disclose U.S. drilling risks, according to groups representing investors with more than $130 billion in assets. Bloomberg News
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-12-13/investors-press-natural-gas-drillers-to-cut-risks-from-fracking.html

Landowners left out of the loop on 'fracking' risks. Natural gas companies that use hydraulic fracturing disclose the risks, such as leaks, spills and explosions, to shareholders, but property owners aren't privy, according to a report by the Environmental Working Group. Los Angeles Times, California. [Registration Required]
http://www.latimes.com/news/science/environment/la-na-fracking-land-20111212,0,7015897.story

Similar pipes, different rules. When the owners of a Tennessee natural gas pipeline decided to expand the pipe in the Marcellus Shale region of Pennsylvania, the federal safety rules they had to follow filled a book. Now another company is building a pipeline the same size, but designed to operate at even higher pressure. But for this line, in a rural area, there are no safety rules at all. Philadelphia Inquirer, Pennsylvania. [Registration Required]
http://www.philly.com/philly/news/special_packages/inquirer/marcellus-shale/20111211_Similar_Pipes_Different_Rules.html

New study on fracturing isn't changing many minds. A federal report linking hydraulic fracturing with water contamination is providing fresh ammunition to opponents of the oil and gas production technology, but advocates are showing no signs of giving ground. Albany Times Union, New York.
http://www.timesunion.com/news/article/New-study-on-fracturing-isn-t-changing-many-minds-2394889.php

Learning too late of perils in gas well leases. Americans have signed millions of leases allowing companies to drill for oil and natural gas on their land in recent years. But some of these landowners — often in rural areas, and eager for quick payouts — are finding out too late what is, and what is not, in the fine print. New York Times [Registration Required]
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/02/us/drilling-down-fighting-over-oil-and-gas-well-leases.html

Fracking rules often lag behind industry's growth. Every state and provincial jurisdiction in North America has different rules for oil and gas extraction, but when it comes to shale gas, a common theme emerges: science and regulation have lagged behind the rapid growth of the industry. CBC New Brunswick, New Brunswick.
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/story/2011/12/01/nb-shale-gas-regulations-1237.html

Fracking foes dominate raucous Manhattan hearing. In the first two hours of a state hearing here on hydraulic fracturing yesterday, 30 witnesses approached a microphone in a Lower Manhattan auditorium to tell state regulators what they think about the drilling practice commonly known as fracking. Only one spoke in favor of lifting New York's moratorium on drilling for shale gas. Greenwire
http://www.eenews.net/public/Greenwire/2011/12/01/4

FRACKING FLUIDS – THE DEEPER, THE DIRTIER — New Study Finds Bottom-of-Barrel Flowback Fluids Much More Contaminated (PEER Nov 17, 2011)

Situation Normal All Fracked Up (New York Times Magazine Nov 16, 2011)

'Fracking' chemical found in town's aquifer Residents of Wyoming area with natural gas wells complained about water smell, color (msn Nov 10, 2011)

EPA to probe gas drilling's toll on drinking water (Associated Press Nov 3, 2011)

Exclusive: Fracking company - we caused 50 tremors in Blackpool – but we're not going to stop- Gas drilling not a threat, says energy company (The Independent Nov 3, 2011)

Save the Delaware video (October 2011)

The Trouble with health problems near gas fracking (NPR, Sept 29, 2011)

PA Environmentalist Groups Try to Make a Federal Case Against McKeesport Sewage Treatment Plant over Marcellus Wastewater (Marcellus Drilling News)

Part 1 of special report: Oil and gas development pumps life into South Texas small townsOil field drilling offers hope to people who have carved out lives in small towns

(Victoria Advocate Sept 24, 2011)

"Fracking future: Controversial methods of extracting fuel from shale expaning in Ohio (The Columbus Dispatch Sept 25, 2011)

"Fracking" wastewater floods Ohio (The Columbus Dispatch Sept 25, 2011)

Gas well debate over Indiana county drill site takes a violent turn (Pittsburg Post Gazette Sept 25, 2011)

Gas wells on public land get federal scrutiny: Park Service asks state for details (Pittsburg Post Gazette Sept 25, 2011)

Air Pollution in the gas fields (Living on Earth Week of Sept. 23, 2011)

The Environmental Protection Agency has scheduled a series of hearings in Pennsylvania, Texas and Colorado to hear residents’ health concerns about air pollution from natural gas drilling operations. As Conrad Wilson of KDNK in Carbondale, Colorado reports, tests show high levels of ozone and toxic benzene

Gas Drillers Face ‘Chaos’ in Land Law Ruling (Bloomberg Sept 23, 2011)

Should Fracking Stop? Extracting gas from shale increases the availability of this resource, but the health and envirnnmental risks may be too high (Nature, Sept 2011)

Auburn sewer rate hike may be temporary (Auburn pub.com July 19, 2011)

Arkansas Company cited for reportedly Dumping Toxic waste in White County (Arkansasmatters.com July 16, 2011)

...According to a report by the Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality, sludge used in natural gas drilling was being dumped in the ground in seven different locations near Pangburn and Searcy...

...Before implementing the ban, the city council received petitions and saw hundreds rally at city hall in opposition of accepting the water at the plant. They also consulted multiple representatives from the natural gas industry who argued that gas exploration and processing water at public plants can be safe practices.

Local officials had said the companies were not permitted to bring content from wells that use the controversial high-volume, hydraulic fracturing process often called “fracking” that uses millions of gallons of chemically treated water. Plant officials also said the city has processed the water for more than a decade without any problems or contamination.

Opponents to the policy have said the water coming out of the wells contains known carcinogens and is an environmental hazard. The plant discharges into the Owasco River, which flows northward from the city.

In April, the city cited six natural gas firms for failure to comply with plant regulations, and multiple firms ceased bringing water to the plant after that..

Talisman Terry's Energy Adventure in the Wondrous Land of Fracking (Common Dreams and the Colbert report July 15, 2011)

Fracking Demands Effective Safeguards for All (NRDC July 11, 2011)

Natural Gas (New York Times Energy and the Environment resource)

Drilling down series (Articles in the Drilling Down series from The New York Times examine the risks of natural-gas drilling and efforts to regulate this rapidly growing industry).

Fracking water test leaves salty aftertaste (Pennlive.com July 9, 2011)

Lawsuits Predicted as New York Towns Ponder Whether to Block Fracking (Common Dreams July 8, 2011)

FRACKING FLUIDS POISON A NATIONAL FOREST New Study Details Changes in Soil Chemistry and Devastation of Trees and Plants (PEER, July 6, 2011)

Land Application of Hydrofracturing Fluids Damages a Deciduous Forest Stand in West Virginia(abstract from Journal of Environmental Quality

..."In scores of internal e-mails and documents, officials within the Energy Information Administration, or E.I.A., voice skepticism about the shale gas industry. One official says the shale industry may be “set up for failure.” “It is quite likely that many of these companies will go bankrupt,” a senior adviser to the Energy Information Administration administrator predicts...

Critics Find Gaps in State Laws to Disclose Hydrofracking Chemicals (Common Dreams June 21, 2011)

Alberta woman blames natural gas fracking for flaming well water (The Canadian Press – Jun 12, 2011)

Video: Join My Friends in the Call to Keep New York Tap Water Safe from Fracking (on earth June 8, 2011)

Josh Fox's view: Ban fracking now (USA today June 6, 2011)

"Fracking" the cause of two minor quakes? Mining company doesn't deny the controversial natural gas extraction process triggered the temblors in northwest England (CBS News June 2, 2011)

How to Fight Fracking in Your Neighborhood The use of local ordinances to keep natural gas drilling activities out of communities is becoming a popular tactic, even though ordinances might not hold up in court. (Rodale June 1, 2011)

Firewater and fracking: Who can we trust? (MSNBC June 8, 2011)

Intoduction to ‘Firewater?’ (David Ratigan MSNBC June 8, 2011)

Day 2 (David Ratigan MSNBC June 9, 2011)

Day 3 Bill Richardson (David Ratigan MSNBC June 10, 2011)

Second tremor in two months shakes local confidence View from Blackpool (The Independent, June 1, 2011)

Small earthquake in Blackpool, major shock for UK's energy policy Controversial shale gas drilling halted pending investigation into possible connection with tremors (The Independent June 1, 2011)

EPA Chief Says Fracking Not Proven to Harm Water (Healthy and Green Living, May 27, 2011)

Focus on Fracking: The heat's on the natural gas industry (Worker's World May 21, 2011)

Chesapeake Energy fined record penalty for contaminating private water supplies (WaterWorld.com), May 18, 2011

"The Pennsylvania DEP has fined Chesapeake Energy over $1 million for violations related to natural gas drilling activities. The majority of the fine -- $900K -- is for contaminating private water supplies in Bradford County. DEP's well-plugging fund will get $200,000 of that amount."

Shale gas drilling 'contaminates drinking water (BBC News -Science and EnvironmentMay 9, 2011 )

Who finally tells us the nasty chemicals used for shale gas drilling in Western Canada? The US Congress.

In one blunt 30-page report the U.S. Congress has now spilled the beans on an extreme Canadian energy sport.

Believe it or not, the U.S. Committee On Energy and Commerce disclosed what our very own energy regulators won't: it listed the contents of hydraulic fracking fluids for shale gas and oil production.

Methane contamination of drinking water accompanying gas-well drilling and hydraulic fracturing (Osborn et al PNAS April 14, 2011)

Studies say Natural Gas has its own Environmental Problems (NY Times Apr 11, 2011)

Regulation Lax as Gas Wells tainted Water Hits Rivers (NY Times Feb 27, 2011)

Marcellus shale gas 'dirtier' than coal? (Feb 24, 2011 Baltimore Sun)

Saving Pennysylvania's sustainable farms from Marcellus shale frakwater waste (Examiner.com Feb 2, 2011)

What you need to know about natural gas production by Theo Colborn of The Endocrine Disruption Exchange.

U.S. Takes action to protect public health in southern Parker County (1/18/11) EPA region 6

This is a civil action for injunctive relief and civil penalties pursuant to Section
1431(b) of the Safe Drinking Water Act (“SDWA” or “the Act”), 42 U.S.C. § 300i(b).
Specifically, this civil action seeks to (a) require defendants Range Production Company and
Range Resources Corporation (collectively, “Range” or “Defendants”) to achieve and maintain
compliance with an Emergency Administrative Order issued by the EPA, pursuant to Section
1431 of the SDWA, 42 U.S.C. § 300i, on December 7, 2010 (“Emergency Order”); and (b)
obtain civil penalties to redress Range’s continuing violations of the Emergency Order. A true
and correct copy of the Emergency Order, dated Dec. 7, 2010, is attached hereto as Exhibit A.

EPA's list of fracking fluids

Gas drilling's threat to our water (Tribune-Democrat Sept 12, 2010)

Pa. allows dumping of tainted waters from gas boom (Yahoo news AP Jan 3, 2011)

With Natural Gas Drilling Boom, Pennsylvania Faces an Onslaught of Wastewater (ProPublica, Oct 3, 2009)

Natural Gas Drillers Protest Nomination of Fracking Critics for EPA Review Panel (NY Times Spet 30, 2010)

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