Fracking your future (Denver, Boulder, Longmont: inspector, quality of life, shop)

[wanneroo]

Originally Posted by Idunn

You better believe I do.

John Stewart has said that the viewers best appreciating his program already have a sound understanding of world events—from other sources. Being true to an extent, and naturally a good deal of content is satirical.

Nevertheless one might learn many a thing from this source that are never or barely touched upon in the mainstream media. From that ostensibly comedy, and no good reflection on the supposed "news" elsewhere. Those having payed attention of late will also know that this program has increasingly become the place to be for the influential—many a politician among them—wishing a broader, more educated, audience.

I would also add, sadly, that any American wishing to be well informed in this day and age must by necessity read what they might in our press, but look beyond to foreign publications to a gain a fuller picture of what at times is simply not found domestically.

While the source of anything might always be considered, an interview can more or less be taken on its own merits, and one decide for themselves. Josh Fox had some interesting things to say, and in this a beginning point for anyone so interested. As far as I know, none of the major networks even mentioned him or this issue the same day.

I think when you start quoting "news" on Comedy Central as the gospel for your anti fracking beliefs, you've jumped the shark.

[delta07]

Originally Posted by wanneroo

I think when you start quoting "news" on Comedy Central as the gospel for your anti fracking beliefs, you've jumped the shark.

I definitely didn't take Idunn's link as "the gospel." I think it's important to note, as Idunn previously stated, that comedy central provides an important link in current events that are un or under reported in the conglomerate media sources America has today. While there is a hint of satire amongst this news, there's also a prime source of truth behind every news story.

[that412]

Originally Posted by wanneroo

I think when you start quoting "news" on Comedy Central as the gospel for your anti fracking beliefs, you've jumped the shark.

Have you never seen the "The Daily Show?"

The "fake" is in the presentation - i.e., the parody of being a big prime time news show, the satirical "investigative reporting," etc. But the stories that Stewart reports on are entirely true.

[Idunn]

"Pennsylvania's Department of Environmental Protection has tracked gas leaking from wells across the state. They found 6.2 percent of new gas wells were leaking in 2010, 6.2 percent in 2011 and 7.2 percent so far in*2012." [1]



Balcombe is a long way from Colorado, being situated about halfway between London, England and the seacoast town of Brighton. Yet their citizens no different in facing the prospect of being fracked, and in the end perhaps no way to stop it. [2]

The UK government is keen on doing so, with given reason in part they must to insure the UK's energy independence—for 25 years. This is the projected amount of energy they could derive from fracking throughout the entire nation. Set against environmental consequences, whatever they may be, which will last for centuries.

The citizens of Balcombe Parish, being a picturesque rural area, are not interested in industrial development of any type, and certainly not fracking. Against the environment they presently enjoy, they are mindful of the changes that could result if the UK government and the fracking company Cuadrilla have their way. Or that they might expect 4 fracking wells per square mile, 32 such wells within the parish of Balcombe, and more than 300 wells within 5 miles of the village. Within the license area 1,200 wells could be drilled. [2]

A poll was taken of those opposed and reasons why. Of those responding, the results were thus:

1. Increase in road traffic through the village (46)
2. Pollution of water supplies (36)
3. Impact on the environment (28)
4. Risks, but no benefits, for Balcombe (27)
5. Too many unknowns (23)
6. Impact on an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (15)
7. Effect on property values (14)
8. Tremors, landslip or subsidence (14)
9. Ethical considerations (11)
10. Effects on the railway infrastructure (8) [3]


Cuadrilla says that it would use the following fracking solution:

• 99.75% water and sand

• 0.125% hydrochloric acid (a cleaning agent)
• 0.075% polyacrylamide (a lubricant)

• 0.050% a biocide (to prevent biological clogging)

Being rather simple, if so, as usually there are far more chemicals involved. Both polyacrylamide and biocides contain toxins hazardous in concentration. [4]

A good deal of the water used in Balcombe Parish comes from within underground layers of water-bearing permeable rock, retrieved via wells and boreholes.

The potential risk to water in the area are principally from possible spillage at the wellhead or underground through the casing. In the United States there are many examples of significant spills near the wellhead, unintentional or otherwise. Per possible underground contamination, according the Balcombe Parish Council's own report:

"Provided the well casing is correctly designed and properly constructed, this ought not to happen." [4]

Theoretically. And yet one is relying on the ultimate integrity of concrete to insure that their vital water supply is NEVER contaminated. Yet gas industry documents show that 6% of cement jobs fail immediately. The drilling company Archer reports that nearly 20% of oil and gas wells are leaking worldwide. A 2003 joint publication of ConocoPhilips and Schlumberger indicate a 60% failure rate over 30 years. [1]

Or one might look at this a different way. That the citizens of Balcombe Parish enter this with clean water and a tranquil environment, wishing to retain as much. Outside forces wish to intrude upon this and depart later in possibly having done no irreparable environmental damage. If acknowledging the need of energy by everyone, these citizens still question if such a bargain and risk could ever be worth it.

Colorado might ask the same.

1) 'Fracking is hardly leakproof,' Times Union
Fracking is hardly leakproof - Times Union

2) 'Fracking in Balcombe: A Community Says No,' Frack Off
http://frack-off.org.uk/fracking-in-...unity-says-no/

3) 'Fracking Poll Results,' Balcombe Parish Council
http://balcombeparishcouncil.files.w...ll-results.pdf

4) 'Fracking: A Report,' Balcombe Parish Council
http://balcombeparishcouncil.files.w...ing-report.pdf

[lurtsman]

The Daily Show actually does a better job of presenting news than Fox or MSNBC. I studied investigative journalism for a bit, and went through the studies on informed consumers. The results showed that those relying on The Daily Show as their primary source of information were more informed about the issues, and both sides viewpoints of those issues, than viewers of either Fox/MSNBC. It's ironic, but it's true. They are far more likely to be able to do things like point to Iraq on a map. They can tell you which country the consulate was attacked in (not just the city). Hint: The country's name does not start with a B.

Of course, this doesn't describe everyone, but the percentages that could do it were higher for the viewers of the satire than for those watching regular news. Perhaps because the nature of the satire encourages more brain involvement, or perhaps because they quote other news programs and poke holes in them.

[ScoPro]

I'll bet some of you think Gasland & Gasland II's Josh Fox is accurate and honest.

[CosmicWizard]

ScoPro wrote: I'll bet some of you think Gasland & Gasland II's Josh Fox is accurate and honest.

So what! Never heard of this. What is it?

[Idunn]

Among other considerations would just be the truck traffic. But a single fracking job requires over a thousand truck visits. Each well might as well be fracked up to ten times, so make that 1,000 truck transits times ten. Then, as well, that there are often many such wells drilled in a neighborhood.

So, if making one's own list, aside from all the heavy traffic, perhaps this:

• Dust from now heavily used dirt roads liberally coating everything.

• The pungent aroma of diesel exhaust.

• The wafting of chemicals from wellheads that can literally make one sick.

• Unsettling vibrations from the heavy truck traffic.

• Neighborhood real estate values possibly taking a permanent nosedive.

But a potential list of what one might come up with. AND, it might be noted, the list of personal complaints cited was clearly labeled as such. There is such a thing as context. Those were the issues others had. Someone else might have a different opinion. If something to consider if in the position of having a fracking operation appearing out of the blue next door—and what one might like or not about it.

[Colorado Rambler]

THIS must be protected:

[Idunn]

Benzene levels on Parachute Creek have doubled in a week to 3.9 parts per billion. 5ppb is the limit considered safe for drinking water.

Crews have been working to clean a spill revealed in March. Blamed on a mechanical failure, 10,000 gallons of hydrocarbon liquids were released into surrounding soil and groundwater. In dealing with this, about 130 tons of contaminated soil have been removed per day. [1]

The town of Parachute, CO uses the water of Parachute Creek. The creek continues on to flow into the Colorado River.



Governor Hickenlooper and his state attorney general, John Suthers, have informed me that, much as they might like to, they cannot become involved in local matters—or apparently anything beyond the reaches of the capitol lawn—even when knowing that other agencies in Colorado are in violation of the law and sworn oaths. That they 'cannot' and will not do, even as the supposed ultimate authorities in the state.

However, when it comes to Longmont and fracking they have no such qualms. Hickenlooper has just enjoined the state in a second lawsuit against Longmont, to thwart that communities' efforts to remain fracking-free.

The communities of Lafayette, Broomfield, Fort Collins and Boulder are considering similar citizen initiatives to prevent fracking within their towns.

1) 'Benzene levels increase near oil and gas spill by Parachute Creek,' The Denver Post
Benzene levels increase near oil and gas spill by Parachute Creek - The Denver Post