Shale Gas Jobs? WHERE?

Van Buren County is in the heart of the Fayetteville Shale Play and is experiencing some of the heaviest drilling and road damage in the state along with neighboring counties.  They call it the "sweet spot," yet we can see from these statistics from the USDA, unemployment figures have risen in Van Buren in the five years the gas companies have been boasting about how many jobs they have brought to the area.  The meager severance tax is not able to even meet a fraction of the cost of the destruction of our roads in this area, while politicians still chant the mantra big gas feeds them.  We have a population in this sacrifice zone who have been crying out for anyone in government to listen to their sometimes desperate situations to no avail. Water contamination, earthquakes, air choked with toxins, compressor stations that roar 24/7 at such a high level people can't sleep are just some of the problems.  Some in government say all these problems are worth it because of this great economic boon the gas industry is bringing us.  I say; what boon?

CONFIRMED: They've used diesel in fracking in ARKANSAS!

The Arkansas Times reported today that diesel has been used in fracking in Arkansas.  The Halliburton Loophole grants an exemption from the Clean Water Act except where diesel is used in fracking.  The congressional report states:

According to EPA, any company that performs hydraulic fracturing using diesel fuel must receive a permit under the Safe Drinking Water Act. We learned that no oil and gas service companies have sought—and no state and federal regulators have issued—permits for diesel fuel use in hydraulic fracturing. This appears to be a violation of the Safe Drinking Water Act. It also means that the companies injecting diesel fuel have not performed the environmental reviews required by the law...

 So, now that we know, what are we going to do about it?  What are ADEQ and AOGC doing?  We really want to know!  I propose that since they broke their end of the agreement, they should be forced to disclose all chemicals used down those gas holes.  Don't ya think?

Whole lot of Freakin' Frackin' Goin' on!

The Perils of Partial Testing

Theo Colborn and the TEDX says "Product manufacturers should be required to divulge 100% of the chemicals used in their products in order to allow effective monitoring of air and water quality."   In separate excel spreadsheets they list close to 1,000 chemicals and their health effects that could be used in the process.  The gas industry has attempted to discredit landowners who have been victims of water and air contamination by insinuating that we are saying they use these 1,000 chemicals down each gaswell hole. We are simply stating that these are the chemicals we know are out there; some of which could be down the gas hole. We also believe there are many more chemicals available to gas companies that we may never know about. The problem with testing a contaminated water well without full disclosure is that it is akin to hitting the lottery. To test for the list of nearly a 1,000 chemicals that Dr. Colborn has compiled would be a prohibitive expense for anyone. The only reasonable solution would be full disclosure. This would allow a landowner to test for those specific chemicals placed down gas wells in a five mile radius of their homes.

Partial testing (or just choosing a few chemicals from the list and testing those) is perilous. If the results come out clean, it still does not mean the citizen is safe to consume the water. If fifty items are tested, what are the mathematical chances something else could be in there, especially if we already know that there are close to 1,000 chemicals available to the gas companies to use in fracking, perhaps even more. We know of many cases where agencies or gas companies have offered partial testing to people claiming their water was fouled, and then the agencies/companies did partial testing and declared the water was safe to drink. Later testing done by independent companies would reveal the existence of very toxic chemicals. One woman in Split Estate relied on these declarations of "safe" water and later discovered a very toxic chemical (which was NOT tested for) was in her water and she later developed endocrine tumors. I have spoken to many, many victims with similar stories.   If one decides to do partial testing you might find toxins, so that is a starting point.  WARNING... if you decide to do partial testing and your water comes out clean, know this: it does not mean you are safe.  The only assurance of safety can come from full disclosure and testing for those specific chemicals.

We simply must have full disclosure.  Read this list of chemicals from TEDX and their deleterious health affects and I'm sure you will be convinced.  Another list, plus a reprint of Dr. Colborn's published paper , Natural Gas Operations from a Public Health Perspective is also a must read.

More earthquakes yesterday, including another earthquake in Van Buren County

Another earthquake closer to the new Bee Branch Injection well that went online recently.....connection?  We have been waiting for it to go online to see if there were any earthquakes afterwards.  This is now the fourth earthquake since January 5th when they went online.  This is outside of the Guy cluster so please Arkansas Geological Survey...take notice!  The AOGC at their last meeting extended the moratorium on new injection well applications, but is not demanding the shutting down of all injection wells. 

This is the USGS site:

Letter from a concerned Citizen about the ADEQ subsidized Natural Gas Station in North Little Rock

This letter to the editor was written by a local Van Buren County housewife and grandmother, Linda Mills,  in response to this article in North Little Rock Times which you can read here.  She really makes some great points.  Why is our tax money being used to subsidize an infrastructure to benefit the natural gas industry?  This is a must read!

There was a ground-breaking recently in the city of North Little Rock for a CNG (compressed natural gas) station. The station will cost almost $750,000 and $500,000 of that came from the state and the gas industry.


Why is the state subsidizing any of this station? The Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality only has four full-time inspectors and one supervisor to answer citizen complaints in about 21 counties in the Fayetteville Shale. These counties have thousands of gas wells.

Instead of helping fund multi-million dollar gas company projects, why not hire more inspectors to protect the citizens who live in the gas fields?

Why can’t our state offer funding to ADEQ or the Health Department to test the citizen’s water wells that have been ruined by these gas companies?

And what about the horrible condition of our roads? Our state bowed down to the gas companies and passed a ridiculously low severance tax. The money collected so far isn’t even a tenth of what’s needed to repair the damage done to our state highways.

But the state highways are great compared to our rural roads in the gas fields. Our chip seal road is like many in Van Buren County, so full of potholes it’s like driving an obstacle course. There are long sections where the chip seal is completely gone.

I am sick of hearing about the gas company’s wonderful economic impact for our state. There is a dark side of gas drilling that doesn’t get as much publicity. Living in a gas field can be a living hell at times.

It takes at least 2,000 truck trips per well and most of them are tractor-trailers carrying huge equipment, or dump trucks laden with gravel. These trucks use our gravel or chip seal roads and come by our homes, sometimes every day, all day, for weeks.

The constant traffic and noise, the stench of diesel in the air, and contaminated water are things we are forced to endure. There are people who live so close to compressor stations that the pictures on their walls vibrate and they are chronically sleep-deprived. If the gas companies truly wanted to be the “good neighbors” they’re always talking about, why don’t they enclose these compressors as they are building them?

I would like to see our state fund an environmental study about the impact from gas drilling, and do baseline water and air tests. It would be nice to think they cared as much for their tax-paying citizens as they do for the gas companies.

 



New Brunswick, Canada Ministers in Arkansas to View Shale Gas Production

Ministers from the government of New Brunswick, Canada spent time scouting for information about Arkansans experiences with shale gas production.  They met with Southwestern Energy, ADEQ and AOGC, but also took some time to tour with citizens who have experienced the negative effects of shale gas production.  A New Brunswick Business Journal reports here.

I'm happy to hear the ministers are looking to protect their environment, but I would suggest they listen to the advice of Dr. Ingraffea of Cornell University before embarking on such a treacherous journey with the seduction of big money obfuscating the looming issues of aquifer integrity and the health and safety of citizens.  Shale gas production is a many-headed hydra with clawing deadly problems associated with every step.  Drilling muds are laced with toxins, diesel and crude oil.  Pipelines literally form a textile web all over the countryside scarring forestland and pulsating with compressor stations that roar like hideous monsters keeping the populace from rest while spewing toxins into the once clear air from their attached dehydration units.  Not to mention the fact that these pipelines occasionally rip the landscape apart with blow-outs.  Fracking fluids are extremely toxic and millions of gallons of water are removed from our eco-system to be lost to the water cycle forever.  The flow-back water not only contains the toxic frack fluids, but is also saturated with naturally occurring toxins such as heavy metals and radon gas.   The other very dark fact is the millions of gallons of waste must be disposed of safely.  HOW? Land farms are a joke.  Yeah, just dump the toxic soup on someone's farm and let's watch it slowly evaporate into the air or soak into the ground to reach the aquifer sooner or later.   Dumping of this toxic waste is a reality everywhere there is shale gas production.  Injection wells are are not a good option; they have been known to cause earthquakes, sinkholes and water contamination.   If industry admits faulty cement casings can be a major cause of water well contamination with frack fluids, how do they expect casings to fare during earthquakes?  In some instances, these cement casings are very thin and vulnerable.  Do they shatter during earthquakes?  The USGS just does not know.  The Arkansas Oil and Gas Commission admitted at the Guy, Arkansas earthquake meeting that no one is testing these gas well casings after earthquakes.  Additionally, when gas companies test the casings initially, they test at approximately 7000 psi, yet frack at 20,000 psi.  How can we know if the casings survive even the fracking process.  We don't know that either.  What we do know is this:  every region they have fracked people have experienced water contamination.

Ministers please remember this, caution and waiting can be worthwhile.  The United States is presently squandering its aquifers in the rush for fools gold.  Waiting can only help you learn from our mistakes and prevent an irreversible disaster.

Gasland Receives OSCAR NOMINATION for Best Documentary!

Gasland's Josh Fox receives Oscar nomination

Kudos to Josh Fox!  Gasland wins OSCAR Nomination for Best Documentary!  Fabulous news!!! Everyone should see this film....a masterpiece and a fine work of environmental justice.  Gas lobbyists go into a frothing frenzy over this news.  Ordinary citizens, victims of the abuses of the shale gas drilling/fracking process,  rejoice!  Read about it here.

The VOICE OF THE PEOPLE: Video of Quitman Compressor Meeting with Southwestern Energy

Those who are seeking relief from the destructive practices of gas drillers should not ever get discouraged.  Why?  We are fighting such giants, right?  The reason we should never despair is the more they drill, the more victims they create.  Without a lot of money or time, they are creating a huge group of activists by doing what they do best:  ruining people's lives.  Ruining water...poisoning air....destroying property values and yes, blasting them from their homes with the RUMBLE of compressor noise.
Watch this priceless video of the faithful, good and true residents of Arkansas challenging the Southwestern Energy management.  This will encourage you to see the fight in some of these "salt of the earth" citizens who are tired of the gas industry destroying their lives.  Representatives of these great people should take notice....the next election cycle will be coming up, oh so soon.


SWN Compressor Noise Quitman, AR Jan 18. 2011 from leuhooster on Vimeo.

Ex Gas Driller Writes a Letter Telling the TRUTH

Jack is an ex-gas driller who is convinced that the current scheme of drilling/fracking is dangerous and fraught with misinformation. He sent me the following letter that really sets things straight:

The truth could have set them free and they would have no fear.  Some truths:

• The truth is that the sand fracking has been the same for many years, only the pressure, chemicals, or fluids are changed for different formations. Since horizontal slickwater fracking began to be utilized recently, new biocides and other chemicals have been added. The lack of disclosure of the toxic chemicals is suspect. If they are hiding something it is for a reason, and you would be smart to fear.

• They say shale play is no different than any other drilling; in the past it was called directional drilling now it called horizontal drilling. The truth is they now start all drilling from the surface with TOXIC chemicals and if you only consider fracking alone; you will miss the greater danger. Most of the fresh water is contaminated in drilling the surface without laws in place for protection.

• They say the ARKANSAS OIL and GAS COMMISSION is a state agency. The truth is it was designed by oil and gas, for oil and gas, and is run by oil and gas; and because they judge one another and you will always lose.


• They claim gas drilling is good for our small cities. The truth is they are destroying the small cities. Property is devalued, taxes go up, people are fleeing the area, schools are considering closing, many cannot sell their property near a "dump site" and the rural community that feeds the small city is losing their water wells and will lose all. I have known many a prospering contractor who bought into this GAS scheme soon finds when the drilling ends and production takes over (without the need of local support or labor), that he will lose his family home and all he has gained.


• They claim you have to frack to get gas from shale. No, the truth is, there is only so much gas in any one given spot, if you drill in four different directions your gas well will produce at a slower rate for more years. This would actually create a better tax base for Arkansas and slower profit for the gas companies.


• They claim it is too late to tax the oil and gas. No, the truth is, we can call for a vote if we are a democratic state. Let us have, say, ten percent at the well head volume and retail price.


• They say drilling with air hurts nothing. Wrong, oil heat and air forms a toxic mix, for the same reason you have a pvc valve on your car. The manufacturer will tell you air from this compressor is not for breathing. So why does the state allow this near homes, and schools? Near my home they were using up to eight thousand cubic per minute.


• No oil or gas well produces without toxic gas. All natural gas must be cleaned and dried before it has a commercial value; the toxic gas is most often filtered or separated and released to air near homes and schools. These very toxic gases are of great danger. Also, where ever you see a pipe line compressor beware of the low the noise. It is often nerve wracking. If you examine the scientific evidence you will find that this noise is also a danger to hearing and the heart.


Some say oil and gas drilling (along with production) can be clean and safe. True, if the government demands it. These corporations have one goal: money. They are without human emotions: they have no sorrow, no guilt, no happiness, and no ending. They will continue to destroy until something stops them. They must be controlled, and you, the citizen, have that say.





Jack

New Injection Well in Bee Branch, AR goes online and GUESS WHAT? EARTHQUAKES NEARBY!

New Injection Well

Bee Branch, Arkansas has a new injection well (just outside of the moratorium rectangle that AOGC created) that went online according to AOGC documents, December 2010 to January 2011.  It is located in Bee Branch on Hwy 65 next to the Chuck Wagon restaurant.  The last indication report that they are injecting was posted by AOGC January 4th, 2011.  An earthquake occurred the very next day January 5th in Bee Branch, AR....not very far from the injection well.  Another two occurred  approximately 3-5 miles west of Twin Groves, AR yesterday...also in line with this January 4th quake.  These are the first series of quakes that are not in a cluster near Guy, Arkansas.  I hope Scott Ausbrook has been watching this injection well and has noticed the change in the pattern.  I hope the Arkansas Oil and Gas Commission and the representatives of the good state of Arkansas take notice.  This is a link to the Arkansas Geological Website which shows the January 5th quake.  They are now delaying the posting of new quakes by 4-6 days so you must use this link to the US Geological website to see the two that occurred yesterday.

Letter by Engineer Describing Negative Health Effects of Noise from Gas Compressors!

Retired engineer, Charles Morgan, has written a very good letter describing the negative health effects of low frequency noise from compressor stations.  He describes how much of this is out of the hearing range of humans, yet has been responsible for damage to internal organs and it also leads to serious disease in humans.  Read his letter here.  

EPA asserts Clean Water Act provisions on diesel in drilling/fracking.

New York Times reports that EPA is enforcing the Clean Water Act with regards to fracking and drilling with diesel. Read about it here .   This has encouraged landowners who have discovered diesel fuel in their drinking water wells.  This is a great move in the right direction!

KATV Reports on Quitman Compressor Problem....Gas Compressors are ruining people's lives!

40 year Quitman resident is rocked by the oppressive noise of Southwestern Energy's SWN compressor stations.  KATV reports


Quitman residents later met with Southwestern Energy Officials at 2PM yesterday. Many residents claim the extremely loud compressor noise has ruined their lives. Compressors should all be silent...either use electric compressors or design a silent unit. Also, these compressors include dehydration units which spew forth dangerous toxins into the air continuously. There is current technology which would allow them to capture these emissions and protect citizens from poisonous emissions. Why doesn't Southwestern Energy follow their motto and "do the right thing" and not destroy people's quality of life?

Call your representatives to complain about compressor stations.

Oh, the Web They Weave...Pipeline Explosion in Van Buren County, Arkansas

Southwestern Energy's pipeline blows in Van Buren County. Two workers are reported injured. The Van Buren County OEM stated the explosion went eighty feet in the air and was the first explosion of this magnitude. The Culpepper Volunteer Fire Department was blocked from the immediate area.  Why?  Did they not want photos exposing this?  One woman expressed concern: "It's scary to live where I live and be surrounded by so many pipelines. They go through woods, pastures, etc. We have a volunteer fire department."

With the ever increasing web of pipelines criss-crossing across our gas fields in Arkansas, we must ask, what kind of emergency training in gas fires and chemicals explosions do our volunteer fire departments actually have? Are they sufficiently prepared? Do we have emergency evacuation procedures in place to safely remove nearby residents? Are these pipelines retrofitted to earthquake safety standards as they are in California? Some say no. Some of pipelines are placed very near homes. One gentleman I interviewed said there was a pipeline installed on his property against his wishes that was a mere 200 feet from his house. He watched it laid in the ground and was deeply disturbed by the proximity. He believed if it blew, there would be a good chance he'd be dead. Once again, gas companies have been granted the status of public utilities and have miserably twisted the power of eminent domain to the detriment of our good citizens.

Read about this at Arkansas Matters and KATV

Compressor Station Meeting Quitman City Hall 2PM Tomorrow!

Concerned Citizens meeting with Southwestern Energy Officials at Quitman City Hall Tomorrow. Noise, Pollution from dehydration units and other issues are on the table! Please come and voice your opinions!