Guest Viewpoint: Home rule must protect from perils of fracking | Press & Sun-Bulletin | pressconnects.com
November 16, 2011
Debate on Fracking: Was Syracuse Right to Ban the Controversial Natural Gas Drilling Process?
November 4, 2011
Debate on Fracking: Was Syracuse Right to Ban the Controversial Natural Gas Drilling Process?. Amy Goodman, Democracy Now Nov. 4, 2011
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Debate on Fracking: Was Syracuse Right to Ban the Controversial Natural Gas Drilling Process?
We’re broadcasting live from Syracuse, which recently became the third city in New York state to ban the natural gas drilling process known as hydraulic fracturing, or fracking. The Syracuse Common Council voted unanimously last week to ban fracking within city limits. They also voted to limit where wastewater from the fracking process can be stored. Fracking is controversial because it injects millions of gallons of water, sand and chemicals deep into the earth in order to break up shale rock and release natural gas. Many feel this extraction process raises a myriad of human health and environmental issues. Supporters of fracking say it has led to an exponential increase in gas production and has not been harmful to either the environment or human health. To find out more about the issue of fracking, we host a discussion with three guests: Kathleen Joy, Syracuse Common Council majority leader, who led the city’s efforts to ban hydrofracking; Don Siegel, professor of earth sciences at Syracuse University; and Oren Lyons, Faithkeeper with the Council of Chiefs of the Onondaga Nation. [includes rush transcript]
Tully Oct. 3, 2011 How to Craft and Adopt Local Laws to Protect Land and Natural Resources
August 31, 2011
Monday October 3, 2011 1-5pm Tully, NY
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Education & Information
for Local Town Governments
How to Craft and Adopt
Local Laws
to Protect Land and Natural Resources
This is a hands-on, how-to workshop. Examples of local laws will be reviewed. Process of adoption will be reviewed. Possible benefits and risks will be outlined. The newly revised, released DEC sgeis will serve as background.
There is no one law for every town. This workshop is being presented with a clear understanding that laws must be in accordance with each individual town’s comprehensive plan, existing zoning ordinances, designations and actual natural features.
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How to Get your town to ban drilling 7/11
July 29, 2011
Local Organizing to Ban or Control Fracking in Your Town.
For example: Town of Spafford – Skaneateles watershed – very small portion of town within watershed and setback bounds ‘protected’ by DEC ban- Town has lakefront on Skan and Otisco Lakes.
At five Town Board meetings locals have spoken to the Board and asked for protections. No response. This month they agreed to “look” at a moratorium – asked for examples, engaged in conversation with the sixty people in attendance who spoke against fracking, non-comittal but paying attention.
Two local women organized a public meeting at the Grange – last night July 28th, and are going to form a committee to work on a ban. I lost count at 85 in the room last night. Handful of local farmers that sat together, wanted to talk after about leasing.
Local MD presented overview and major issues. I spoke briefly on DEC, watershed, leases (don’t blame farmers – who knew back then?) fielded questions. Lots of info taken from the table. Lots of new faces, hands in the air when Dr. Carlberg asked “Who knows very little or nothing about fracking?”
Petition launched, folks took paper copies to gather signatures, will be online at our local site fivetownwatershed.wordpress.com. Next grassroots-organizing-a-local-committee meeting for Spafford residents – August 17th. Contact Anne McElroy – mcelroys71@gmail.com .
Town Board and attorney were personally asked to come – no one showed – someone pointed that out loud and clear. Next TB meeting – August 9th at 7pm Town Hall. We’ll see.
This meeting was organized in two weeks and really successful -folks that were concerned came outta the woodwork because two women stepped up and organized. And they found kindred spirits right away with folks who are willing to work on it
If there’s not a public conversation in your town – show up and speak with your officials – they’re likely already talking about but may not be moving on it and won’t unless they hear from you.
The Case for a Ban on Fracking – foodandwaterwatch.
http://www.foodandwaterwatch.org/water/fracking/fracking-action-center/local-action-documents/
Lots of general information at gdacc.wordpress.com and specific info on towns at:
I’d be happy to speak to anyone who’s considering they ought do this in their town- I’d never been in front of a Town Board before last year. It’s only hard the first time. Only takes one person to get it going. Time is running out before drilling permits can be granted.
Mary M
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European Union report says ban fracking | Scoop News
July 28, 2011
European Union report says ban fracking | Scoop News.
European Union report says ban fracking
European Union report says ban fracking
“It is ironic that the Petroleum Exploration and Production Association (PEPANZ) issued a position paper glorifying fracking as the saviour of the world’s energy problems within hours of a European Union requested study that considers banning the practice outright across Europe” says Emily Bailey, a member of Climate Justice Taranaki.
“While industry PR agents try to convince the public that the chemicals used in hydraulic fracturing are similar to many found in other commercial uses or in the household, they fail to mention that a recent Taranaki Regional Council report stated the use of highly toxic chemicals including Xcide 102 – a biocide toxic to humans, domestic animals, fish and wildlife; Inflo-150 – a friction reducer containing methanol and ethylene glycol, both highly toxic, hazardous substances; and GBW-41L (Hydrogen peroxide) – an animal carcinogen harmful to humans even at low concentrations in vapour form. Environmental agencies in the US and elsewhere now admit these chemical cocktails have not been tested properly and even minute quantities can cause serious health impacts. Although the Hazardous Substance and New Organisms (HSNO) Act requires any hazardous substance manufactured or imported into NZ to have an approval from Environmental Risk Management Authority (ERMA), there is no requirement under the regulations for ERMA to be notified when the substance is being used.” says Bailey.
In a study requested by the European Parliament’s Committee on Environment, Public Health and Food Safety, scientists conclude that “at a time when sustainability is key to future operations it can be questioned whether the injection of toxic chemicals in the underground should be allowed, or whether it should be banned as such a practice would restrict or exclude any later use of the contaminated layer… and as long-term effects are not investigated.”
Bailey further explains “while the toxic chemical input is of major concern, the industry fails to respond sufficiently on the many other problems of oil and gas exploration and production, which is becoming more risky as resources run out. These problems include leaks or failures of steel and cement drill casings, deep-well injection of toxic waste which may also increase seismic activity, the storage of explosives on farms and in communities during seismic surveying, increased green house gas emissions, offshore and onshore oil spills that damage fisheries, and waste product contamination of air, water and soils.”
“The industry’s failures are backed up by insufficient laws that often do not require resource consent, do not provide adequate testing or follow-up procedures and rarely allow for public input. The levels for determining who is an affected party are ridiculously low and those parties have little power to change the activities anyway. Landowners have legal rights to refuse entry but are often bullied or coerced into submission as can be seen in the US and Australia.”
“The public doesn’t need industry spin when it comes to fracking. What we demand is that our government follow several US states and France’s lead and ban this dangerous extraction method. Meanwhile landowners can follow Australian farmers and ‘Lock the Gate’ while our communities continue being pro-active and finding solutions to reduce our use of fossil fuels” concludes Bailey.
ENDS
Citizens demand Marcellus drilling ban in W.Va. – GreenwichTime
July 26, 2011
Citizens demand Marcellus drilling ban in W.Va. – GreenwichTime.
GDACC 
