Fracking your future (Eagle: air pollution, transportation, estimated)

[CosmicWizard]

Exxon CEO Comes Out Against Fracking Project Because It Will Affect His Property Values

[CosmicWizard]

Is Colorado next in line for more earthquakes?

What’s Causing the Huge Spike in Earthquakes in Oklahoma?

"A dramatic uptick in earthquakes has been shaking central Oklahoma this year, continuing a recent trend of unusually high earthquake activity in the state and leading scientists to speculate about a possible link to oil and gas production there."

[Idunn]

Originally Posted by CosmicWizard

Exxon CEO Comes Out Against Fracking Project Because It Will Affect His Property Values

'UPDATE — Rep. Jared Polis (D-CO) has formally extended a welcome to Tillerson to the fracking critic club, with this statement Friday:

I would like to officially welcome Rex [Rex Tillerson, ExxonMobil's CEO] to the ‘Society of Citizens Really Enraged When Encircled by Drilling’ (SCREWED). This select group of everyday citizens has been fighting for years to protect their property values, the health of their local communities, and the environment. We are thrilled to have the CEO of a major international oil and gas corporation join our quickly multiplying ranks.' [1]

1) 'Exxon CEO Comes Out Against Fracking Project Because It Will Affect His Property Values,' Climate Progress
Exxon CEO Comes Out Against Fracking Project Because It Will Affect His Property Values | ThinkProgress

[Idunn]

"Tillerson’s lawyer claims the noise, traffic, and actual fracking does not bother the ExxonMobil CEO, stating that it is the possible depreciation of his $5 million property in Bartonville, Texas that he is worried about." [1]



Turns out Rex Tillerson might have more to complain about than the incessant noise and dust from heavy oil trucks through his neighborhood—or, as claimed, just his loss of property value (Rex, of course, being in a financial position to move at whim).

For one thing, he might suffer earthquake damage (to himself and/or his home). But other interesting possibilities are:

• That, 'A recent study showed that the fetus of pregnant woman living within a 10-mile range of a fracking well is in much greater danger of congenital heart defects (CHD) and neural tube defects (NTD).'[1] Rex might not have to worry about this one, being male (extended family can access their own risks).

• Or that, 'Another recent study found that chemicals used in fracking are suspected of being endocrine disruptors, which “could raise the risk of reproductive, metabolic, neurological and other diseases, especially in children who are exposed to” the materials.'[1] More of a possible problem here for Rex, even if otherwise having no problem with fracking (if NIMB).

• Something more potentially troubling for Rex could be the advisory and letter recently sent to President Obama by 1,000 health professionals and doctors. Their concerns "included drinking water contamination, carcinogenic air pollution, acute and chronic health effects, and greenhouse gas emissions." They continue in their letter to the President in saying that those living within a half-mile of a fracking site (being a whole LOT of people, including in Colorado) “had a higher excess lifetime risk of developing cancer than people living farther away.”[1]

Oh. Now Rex has a problem.

1) 'Exxon CEO: Don't frack in my backyard,' RT
Exxon CEO: Don't frack in my backyard ? RT USA

[Mike from back east]

Colorado is the first state to clamp down on fracking methane pollution. Article in Bloomberg today reports this:

"Colorado regulators approved groundbreaking controls on emissions from oil and natural gas operations after an unusual coalition of energy companies and environmentalists agreed on measures to counter worsening smog.

Anadarko Petroleum Corp. (APC), Noble Energy Inc. (NBL) and Encana Corp. (ECA), among the state’s largest oil and gas producers, worked with the Environmental Defense Fund to craft regulations approved yesterday by the Colorado Air Quality Control Commission that would fix persistent leaks from tanks and pipes."

[Idunn]

"Energy producers would be required to routinely inspect well sites for leaks, as often as once a month, depending on how much oil or gas a well produces. When leaks are discovered, they must be fixed within 15 days." [1]



Presumably a step in the right direction. Good. Although as I've noted before, new regulations are meaningless—save in impressing constituents—unless backed up. The Colorado Air Quality Control Commission (CAQCC) has had an at times dubious record in oversight. Furthermore, with but 8 inspectors, in no position to adequately oversee even the present degree of fracking in this state. Governor Hickenlooper saw to it that a proposed 60 additional inspectors would not be monitoring Colorado's oil infrastructure.

Industry self-enforcement in the United States has often proven like allowing the fox to guard the chickens. But within this design that is exactly where we end up, with energy producers now in charge and responsible for checking their own wells. The advantage of course is energy companies, versus the citizens of Colorado, must bear the costs and trouble of training and maintaining the associated personnel. As well provide the necessary equipment to capture these gasses—(95% by law, 5% allowed to escape into the air as leeway, presumably).

We'll see how this works out. Yet suggests that someone other than the state of Colorado and oil companies should be providing oversight of their presumed oversight, if actual results are expected.

As for the Environmental Defense Fund (EDF), they are not as pristine as they might be. If Governor Hickenlooper and the oil companies wanted an environmental partner they might have perhaps looked to an outfit like the Sierra Club—someone they probably would have had more contention with.

For one thing, the EDF believes in a practical approach, with that certain positive aspects. But they are not opposed to oil development and fracking. Far from it. Indeed they support this in believing that natural gas development is preferable to the continued mining and use of coal. So the lesser of two evils, if you will. And from an entirely practical standpoint one might welcome this, presuming their oversight of natural gas development is otherwise solid enough. Maybe. Only know that they believe in working in conjunction with companies, and not simply a principled advocate for the environment first.

As with Walmart, in example. Since 2005 the EDF has received $66 million, or 10 percent of their funding, from the Walton family, who control Walmart. This for their vocal support of Walmart's 'green' campaign as a corporation. Being noble enough in principle. Only not extending to the EDF's transparency in the arrangement. Or that they have gone to some lengths to hide this monetary compensation, even to the extent of flatly denying the transaction. [2]

Bringing us back to Colorado, and we with a truly vested interest in the environmental health of this state.

1) 'Colorado First State to Clamp Down on Fracking Methane Pollution,' Bloomberg
Colorado First State to Clamp Down on Fracking Methane Pollution - Bloomberg

2) 'EDF sells green cred to Walmart for the low, low price of $66 million,' Grist
EDF sells green cred to Walmart for the low, low price of $66 million | Grist

[wanneroo]

Originally Posted by CosmicWizard

If TEXAS ( yeah you heard right...TEXAS of all places ) can ban fracking, what the heck are we the people of Colorado waiting for?

A couple hundred people trying to get a ballot initiative going in Denton is not Texas banning fracking.

[wanneroo]

Originally Posted by Idunn

There may not be a visible haze, yet no doubt that Colorado's air quality is being negatively affected by fracking operations.

In example, one area I can point and personally attest to is near the Wyoming state line and close to the Pawnee National Grasslands. There are any number of fracking wells there that only last summer, and presumably now, were flaring off residual gas. These large flames are visible from a long distance off, continuing 24/7. I'm not even sure there are not ongoing gas operations within Pawnee National Grasslands; if whatever natural grassland there has long since been subsumed by the many privately controlled cows allowed to make this (national prairie, resource?) their home.

Air quality has been an increasing concern and growing problem in Texas. If memory serves, the community of Denton, TX recently took it upon themselves to address this issue—since the state refused to.

Colorado has been overrun with Johnny come latelies that suddenly consider themselves expert on all things Colorado as though there has never been air pollution in Colorado and suddenly due to a natural gas well there now is. North Colorado along the front range has always had varying air quality due to several factors, even before people came about.

I live around a bazillion fracked wells and if anything our air quality is better. Now like any new construction, yes when they build a well and frack it, lots of traffic, lots of stirred up dirt, but once done the wells themselves are hardly noticeable. As far as any mining operation goes, for the benefit from each well, the impact is minimal.

[wanneroo]

Originally Posted by Idunn

1) 'Exxon CEO: Don't frack in my backyard,' RT
Exxon CEO: Don't frack in my backyard ? RT USA

Consider your source, RT America, Putin's pet project of propaganda for Americans. The Russians are heavily involved in natural gas and oil production and the last thing they want is an America that is independent of their energy.

You often quote from sources like the Guardian or Russia Times, media sources with known agendas. Are they going to publish anything positive about natural gas production in the USA? Of course not. Instead of just regurgitating propaganda for these people why don't you actually go to some public meetings, talk privately with people that work in the business and so on. You have a very 2 dimensional view of what goes on in regards to natural gas production and fracking of a well.

[CosmicWizard]

wanneroo wrote: A couple hundred people trying to get a ballot initiative going in Denton is not Texas banning fracking.

Perhaps not, but it is a start in a most unlikely state.