FRACKING NEWS: December 16, 2010
1. Council and CUPE release CETA and water privatization report
2. ACTION ALERT: Tell the Alberta and Canadian Governments to ensure Treaty rights are protected by ensuring Indigenous Baseline Water Flow needs are upheld within an Athabasca River water policy!
3. Sierra Club Canada Response to Royal Society of Canada Report
4. Our Water is not for Sale
5. Environment Canada not doing enough to monitor the nation’s waterways
6. WATCH: ENCANA - A ('kiddie-friendly') Look Underground
7. LETTER: SHIELDS: Finally--Canada Bringing-Up The Rear!!
8. The promise and perils of being an energy superpower
9. WikiLeaks Reveals State Department Discord Over U.S. Support for Canadian Tar Sands Oil Program
10. TransCanada checking Keystone 'anomalies'
11. Mackenzie may be approved but will it be too late?
12. Council of Canadians Update: Dec. 13, 14, & 15, 2010
====================
1. Council and CUPE release CETA and water privatization report
http://www.canadians.org/campaignblog/?p=5761#more-5761
December 16, 2010
The Council of Canadians and the Canadian Union of Public Employees released a new report today on the Canada-European Union Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) and water privatization today.
Our media release states, "Canada’s already challenged public water systems are under threat from a broad free trade agreement being negotiated by Canada and the European Union (EU). A new report released today, Public Water for Sale: How Canada will privatize our public water systems, warns that public water in Canada will be lost unless the provinces and territories take immediate steps to remove water from the scope of the proposed Canada-EU Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA)."
"The report from the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) and the Council of Canadians exposes how CETA would open up public municipal water systems across Canada to privatization. At the request of Europe’s large private for-profit water corporations, provincial and territorial governments are considering including drinking water and wastewater services in their services commitments under CETA. They have been asked by the Harper government to make the final decision before a sixth round of CETA talks in Brussels this January."
"EU negotiators are also asking that Canada’s municipalities and their water utilities be included in a chapter on public procurement. If this happens, it would be the first time Canada has allowed our drinking water to be fully covered under a trade treaty. The goal is clearly to encourage the privatization of Canada’s public municipal water systems. ...CUPE and the Council of Canadians are calling on the provinces and territories to assert their jurisdiction and protect water from the Harper government’s reckless disregard for Canada’s public water. The report notes the CETA agreement would compound existing pressure in Canadian municipalities and First Nations reserves to privatize water systems due to a lack of proper public funding and federal programs designed to encourage privatization."
The 30-page report can be read at:
http://canadians.org/trade/documents/CE ... t-1210.pdf.
==================
2. ACTION ALERT: Tell the Alberta and Canadian Governments to ensure Treaty rights are protected by ensuring Indigenous Baseline Water Flow needs are upheld within an Athabasca River water policy!
Sign the petition!
http://www.gopetition.com/petition/41360.html
A long overdue report released on December 9th titled 'As Long as the Rivers Flow: Athabasca River Knowledge, Use and Change' outlines how Treaty rights for the Indigenous people of the Athabasca Chipewyan and Mikisew Cree Nations have been undermined by increasingly low water quality and quantity within the Athabasca river. It points out concerns with the impacts of climate change and industrial development along the river, and makes specific requests with regards to water use and future tar sands development.
The report requests that water management plans for the river must assess the impacts on Treaty Rights and incorporate any rights- based recommendations including an Aboriginal Baseline Flow (ABF) and Aboriginal Extreme Flow (AXF) to guide management of oil sands-related water withdrawals from the Athabasca River. The report identified an initial ABF of approximately 1600 cubic meters of water (m3/s) and an AXF of 400 m3/s, subject to further monitoring and refinement.
At the moment the suggested in-stream extreme water flows for the Athabasca river is only 87m3/s - an amount more than 4 times lower than required by Indigenous people in the region.
The Athabasca river has seen decreasing water quantity and quality over the past 30+ years. The river is directly impacted by a massive hydro project, pulp and paper mills and the largest industrial project on the planet - the Tar Sands.
Low river flows not only inhibit the ability of people to travel on the rivers, but also contribute to a lower quality of water as concentration of pollutants increase, directly impacting the drinking water needed for plants, animals and people living in the region. Water allocations for the tar sands mining and insitu operations account from 76% of the water extracted from the Athabasca River each year. Plans for expansion will see the demand for water increase by more than 50%. Together, the planned and existing tar sands projects are expected to withdraw 529 million cubic metres of water from the Athabasca annually, more water than is used each year by the City of Toronto, which has a population greater than 2,500,000.
The time is now for action to ensure Treaty Rights are protected and that a high level of water is ensured for the health of the Athabasca river and ecosystems!
At present in the Athabasca River there are no protections or prioritization of water rights for the ecosystem, Treaty Rights or local community needs before that of the burgeoning industrial interests in the area. Any development of a water management framework provides an opportunity to ensure protections and prioritizations of water rights are made. In a region with increasing water scarcity and the largest industrial project on the planet, we can afford nothing less!
Demand action from your Canadian politicians! Call Minister Rob Renner, Premier Stelmach and Prime Minister Harper and let them know that Indigenous Rights must be upheld and protected within their water management framework for the Athabasca River!
For your convenience....
Premier Ed Stelmach: is (780) 427-2251 or
fortsaskatchewan.vegreville@assembly.ab.ca
Minister of the Environment Rob Renner: (780) 427-2391 or medicine.hat@assembly.ab.ca
Prime Minister Stephen Harper: 613-992-4211 or
Harper.S@parl.gc.ca
Find your MLA here:
http://streetkey.elections.ab.ca/
Find your MP here:
http://www2.parl.gc.ca/parlinfo/compila ... ofcommons/
memberbypostalcode.aspx?menu=hoc
--
Sincerely,
Sheila Muxlow
Director
Sierra Club Prairie | Des Prairies du Sierra Club
2nd Floor | 2e étage, 10008 82nd Avenue Edmonton, Alberta T6E 1Z3
Office Phone | Téléphone au Bureau: +1-780-439-1160
Office Fax | Fax au Bureau : +1-780-485-9640
Sierra Club Canada is a member-based organization that empowers people to protect, restore and enjoy a healthy and safe planet. Join us today! www.prairie.sierraclub.ca
==================
3. Sierra Club Canada Response to Royal Society of Canada Report
http://www.aenweb.ca/media/
sierra-club-canada-response-royal-society-canada-report
Sierra Club Prairie 15 Dec 2010
Edmonton - The Royal Society of Canada report on the tar sands validates the concerns of Sierra Club Canada in calling for improved environmental assessment, enforcement of regulations, studies of impacts on ground and surface water and monitoring of health impacts.
"Repeated throughout the report is a call for more study of the impacts and greater access to information," said John Bennett.
"The report noted the Alberta's requirements for environmental assessment are less stringent than what World Bank requires for projects in developing countries. It also states that the capacity of the Alberta and federal governments to properly monitor and regulate the tar sands are inadequate."
"It's something we have been saying all along," states Sheila Muxlow, Director with the Prairie Chapter. "Sierra Club Canada, in its testimony at tar sands environmental hearings, has consistently argued for a cumulative assessment of the overall environmental, health and socioeconomic impacts. The Royal Society of Canada report agrees."
"No new scientific research was undertaken by the Royal Society of Canada in preparing this report. It depended on inadequate and often industry provided data."
"There is an obvious gap in the amount of independent studies and Indigenous traditional knowledge available for review regarding the impacts from these operations." comments Dustin Johnson, Energy campaigner. "This report helps to justify why we need to see a moratorium on new tar sands projects until more holistic information can be gathered and assessed." - 30 -
Dustin Johnson, Energy Campaigner, Sierra Club Prairie 587-588-5890
Sheila Muxlow, Director, Sierra Club Prairie 780-660-0312
John Bennett, Executive Director, Sierra Club Canada 613-291-6888
Source: Sierra Club Prairie
===================
4. Our Water is not for Sale
Dear Members and Supporters of the Our Water is Not For Sale Campaign,
We are sending a message to you regarding a recent news article (below) from Australia that highlights the dangers of following in Australia's footsteps by implementing a water market system. Please continue to help support our campaign by signing the open letter to Environment Minister Rob Renner and staying informed.
The Our Water is Not For Sale Steering Committee is currently working on plans to build our advocacy campaign. So look forward to more information and excitment in the New Year!
Our Water Is Not for Sale is calling on Minister Renner to develop a water allocation system that prioritizes ecosystem health and basic human needs rather than basing access to water on the ability to pay, to explore a full range of policy options before considering changes to the Water Act, and to conduct broad and meaningful public consultations before new legislation is introduced. More information is available at
www.ourwaterisnotforsale.com
- - - - -
Price tag for water buybacks rises by $5bhttp://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-national/
price-tag-for-water-buybacks-rises-by-5b-20101213-18v3q.html
====================
5. Environment Canada not doing enough to monitor the nation’s waterways
WATERKEEPER.ca Weekly: December 13, 2010
www.waterkeeper.ca
The Commissioner of the Environment and Sustainable Development released his annual report on December 7, and the information is pretty grim for Canadian waterways.
Tuesday December 14, 2010: The Program on Water Issues at the Munk School of Global Affairs (University of Toronto) and the Canadian Environmental Grantmakers’ Network host a special presentation by Commissioner of the Environment Scott Vaughan, followed by a panel discussion with leading Canadian Water Specialists. Panel includes our own Mark Mattson.
Webcast starts at 12:30 pm EDT. Click here to watch the presentation.
Lake Ontario Waterkeeper looked at the sections on freshwater monitoring and oil spills. We are disheartened by his findings. You can read the entire report online. You can also watch the Commissioner and a panel of experts (including Waterkeeper Mark Mattson) discuss the report via live webcast at 12:30 pm EST.
Here’s are the five most disconcerting things we read:
Environment Canada “is not monitoring water quality on most federal lands, and it does not know what monitoring—if any—is being done by other federal departments. It also does not validate the data collected through the water quality monitoring program. As a result, Environment Canada cannot assure users that its water quality data is fit for use.”
In 2001, Environment Canada identified a number of inadequately monitored substances that posed threats to human and aquatic ecosystem health. These substances include toxins produced by algae, pollutants from activities such as oil sands mining, and endocrine-disruptors. In the decade since Environment Canada identified the inadequacies were identified “these threats to water quality were not prioritized, and no action plans were developed to address them.”
Environment Canada selectively tracks and reports variances from established water quality thresholds in some bodies of water. It “has not established a common set of core water quality variables related to the protection of aquatic life, as recommended by the CCME and does not systematically monitor variances from thresholds across Canada.” That means that the Department does not know how often water quality thresholds are exceeded across Canada.
From 2004-2009, Environment Canada did not submit annual reports to Parliament, failing to meet its reporting obligations under the Canada Water Act.
Canada’s Coast Guard is doing a poor job monitoring spills. The Commissioner found that the Coast Guard does not have a reliable system to track spills, so “it cannot accurately determine the number of spills that occur each year, their size and their environmental impacts.”
Why does this matter?
The Commissioner makes the point that Canada is home to roughly seven percent of all the renewable freshwater in the world. Many Canadians regard this freshwater as our country’s most important natural resource. Our ocean regions cover some 7.1-million square kilometres, about 78 percent of the size of our landmass. The Coast Guard received reports of more than 4,000 spills during the audit period. Combined, our fresh and saltwater resources are crucial to the economic, social, environmental, and cultural future.
Here’s the best thing we read:
In nearly every instance, the Commissioner pointed out a flaw with Environment Canada’s program and the Department agreed. It pledged to address the problem, increasing accountability and environmental protection for the future.
More information:
Mark Mattson’s remarks to the Canadian Environmental Grantmakers’ Network (coming soon)
Commissioner of the Environment and Sustainable Development’s 2010 Fall Report
LOW’s daily Twitter updates on this theme
====================
6. WATCH: ENCANA - A ('kiddie-friendly') Look Underground
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X9qr1DiYTPo
=========================
7. LETTER: SHIELDS: Finally--Canada Bringing-Up The Rear!!
From: lagran
To: Layton, Jack - M.P. ; iggy
Cc: Rae.B@parl.gc.ca ; Minister, EMPR EMPR:EX ; goodale ; flaherty ; bill boyd ; jmorales@neb-one.gc.ca ; acameron@neb-one.gc.ca ; Alberta Activism
Sent: Monday, December 13, 2010 8:56 AM
Subject: Finally--Canada Bringing-Up The Rear!!
This is something that has been left almost too long to be worthwhile from a Canadian point of view. United States who pulled a fast one on Canada with the "Free Trade Agreement", have beat down the price of North American natural gas until another source for that product is a must. Even before the large shale gas discoveries in United States the future of natural gas was evident with U.S. entities having ever enlarging natural gas storage abilities. Section 600 of the "Free Trade Agreement" demanded Canada continue deliveries into this low priced market, and governments allowing industry continually more of the public share of the product allowed the practice to continue.
Tory governments who want to erase the 49th parallel, have never differentiated between Canadian and foreign energy industry members, when doling out public funds. The Proposed Mackenzie pipeline owners that had "Pipeline-Prentice" acting as their government mule, is a good example!! The owning CARTEL of Exxon-Mobil, Royal Dutch Shell, and Conoco Phillips used the licensing process to try to pry Canadian public funds to deliver Arctic natural gas, drilled with Canadian public funds, to the American market!! Yes really!! While United States have started LNG shipments to Europe, the CARTEL had convinced Prentice that Canadian public funds should help ship more product through the low-priced NAFTA market.
One lesson from all this should be a federal rule stating those applying for any federal energy license must display their abilities and desire to fund a project, along with any application!! This would bring a stop to sighting government bureaucracy as a reason for massive hold-ups. Although the Mackenzie pipeline is dead and cold, Canada has spent a fortune on the foreign CARTEL's application, and the charade continues, to this very day! Put a stop to this foolishness, and get more than a single customer for Canada's largest single exported product!! How long will we put up with Harper and company?
Stewart Shields
Lacombe, AB
= = = = = = = = = =
Apache applies to export super-cooled natural gas
http://www.calgaryherald.com/
Apache+applies+export+super+cooled+natural/3959514/story.html#ixzz17ouqJTKb
Licence would be a first for Canada
By Dina O'Meara, Calgary Herald December 10, 2010
CALGARY - Apache Corporation has applied to become Canada's first exporter of liquefied natural gas, setting in regulatory motion a new outlet for an over-stocked, under-priced resource.
The largest independent oil and gas producer in the United States filed for a 20-year licence to export super-cooled gas from a proposed terminal in Bish Cove, British Columbia, according to subsidiary Apache Canada Friday.
"The exportation of LNG is an important step forward for the Canadian natural gas industry and offers substantial benefits to the province of British Columbia in particular," said Janine McArdle, president of operator and Apache subsidiary KM LNG. "The applied-for authorization will demonstrate Canadian LNG is a secure and reliable source of supply that can compete for market share in the Asia Pacific region."
The $3.5-billion US Kitimat facility, jointly owned by Apache Corp. at 51 per cent and EOG Resources Canada, at 49 per cent, will have an initial capacity of five million tons per annum of the condensed resource. Increased demand could see expansion to 10 mmtpa, Apache said.
The terminal would open a door to new markets for western Canadian natural gas production being displaced by a glut of shale gas production from the United States.
Natural gas futures have fallen about 35 per cent in 2010, dropping sharply from a high of $6 US the first week of January to a low of $3.29 US in October.
Spot prices at Canadian benchmark hub AECO have averaged $3.79 this year.
While the joint venture faces competition from Russian, Middle Eastern and Australian LNG sources, the B.C. project has little competition in North America.
MORE:
http://www.calgaryherald.com/
Apache+applies+export+super+cooled+natural/3959514/story.html#ixzz17ouqJTKb
====================
8. The promise and perils of being an energy superpower
http://www.cbc.ca/canada/story/2010/12/ ... ewman.html
Last Updated: Friday, December 10, 2010 | 5:54 PM ET
By Don Newman, special to CBC News
In New York recently, addressing some American investors, Finance Minister Jim Flaherty repeated the government's now well-known phrase that "Canada is an emerging energy superpower."
Superpower. It has a nice ring, doesn't it?
Until now, the most Canadians had ever hoped for was to be a "middle power" during the standoff between those real superpowers, the United States and the Soviet Union.
True, we might consider ourselves a "hockey superpower" when it came to dealing with those same Soviets. But as the popularity of our game has spread and the quality of international play has improved so markedly, it is getting harder for any country now to claim to be a superpower on the ice.
After all, about 40 per cent of the players in the NHL come from countries other than our own and a disproportionate number of the game's stars are not Canadians.
So, to be an energy superpower has a nice nationalistic ring about it, even if at the moment we are just emerging.
What's more, all of us can bask in the glow, even if the closest we get to the energy industry is filling up our cars, adjusting the thermostat or flicking on the light switch.
Because being a superpower means you are the boss, you can make your influence felt, you can dictate the terms.
MORE:
http://www.cbc.ca/canada/story/2010/12/
10/f-vp-newman.html
=================
9. WikiLeaks Reveals State Department Discord Over U.S. Support for Canadian Tar Sands Oil Program
http://www.foe.org/
wikileaks-reveals-state-department-discord-over-us-support-canadian-tar-sands-oil-program
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE December 7, 2010 10:32 AM
CONTACT: Friends of The Earth
Kelly Trout, 202-222-0722, ktrout@foe.org
Alex Moore, 202-222-0733, amoore@foe.org
Leaked cable warns of tar sands oil's 'higher environmental footprint' as agency considers pipeline that would double U.S. dependence on it
WASHINGTON - December 7 - A diplomatic cable released by WikiLeaks has revealed that a U.S. diplomat warned the Obama administration about significant environmental impacts stemming from Canada's controversial tar sands oil production program.
The language in the cable contradicts recent statements by U.S. State Department officials, including Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, that underplay the environmental impacts of tar sands oil while defending a proposed pipeline that would bring the extremely polluting oil from Canada to the U.S.
In the January 2009 cable, which was prepared for President Obama and Secretary Clinton in advance of the president's first trip to Canada, the diplomat states that Canada has "keen sensitivity over the higher environmental footprint of oil from western Canada's oil sands." The diplomat goes on to warn the president that among Canadian officials there is "concern about the implications for Canada of your energetic calls to develop renewable energies and reduce our reliance on imported oil."
This candid admission of the impacts of tar sands oil production, which results in three times more global warming pollution than production of conventional oil, differs markedly from the description of tar sands oil given by the State Department in public documents.
In its draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) prepared to analyze the Keystone XL pipeline project, which would pump tar sands oil from Canada through six U.S. states to refineries in Texas, the State Department claims that tar sands oil is "similar" to other oils and that the impact of increasing reliance on tar sands oil "would be minor." Despite the fact that her agency is still completing its final EIS, Secretary Clinton has stated that she is "inclined" to approve the pipeline.
"It's hard to understand why State Department officials in Washington, D.C. would deny a problem acknowledged by the expert on the ground," said Alex Moore, dirty fuels campaigner at Friends of the Earth. "Tar sands oil production takes an unacceptable toll on the environment and public health and should not be supported by the U.S. government."
Marcie Keever, legal director at Friends of the Earth, added, "It appears as though the State Department sought to deceive the American public about the environmental impacts of tar sands oil in conducting its draft Environmental Impact Statement on the Keystone XL pipeline. The department is required by law to fully evaluate potential environmental impacts, including the extreme levels of pollution produced by tar sands oil."
"Failure to fully assess the environmental impacts of this tar sands oil pipeline would violate the National Environmental Policy Act and leave the agency vulnerable to litigation," concluded Keever.
If approved by the Obama administration, the Keystone XL pipeline would pump 900,000 barrels of tar sands oil into the U.S. daily, doubling our country's consumption of tar sands oil and leading to additional global warming emissions equal to adding more than 6 million new cars to U.S. roads.
The leaked cable warning of tar sands oil’s impact is available at:
http://wikileaks.ch/cable/2009/01/09OTTAWA64.html
The State Department’s draft Environmental Impact Statement for the Keystone XL tar sands oil pipeline is available at:
http://keystonepipeline-xl.state.gov
More information about the Keystone XL pipeline is available at:
http://www.foe.org/keystone-xl-pipeline
###
Friends of the Earth is the U.S. voice of the world's largest grassroots environmental network, with member groups in 77 countries. Since 1969, Friends of the Earth has fought to create a more healthy, just world.
==================
10. TransCanada checking Keystone 'anomalies'
http://journalstar.com/news/local/
article_fd3f0428-612d-5eb4-8123-8e39ef999b10.html
By ART HOVEY / Lincoln Journal Star JournalStar.com |
Posted: Thursday, December 9, 2010 6:00 pm |
Related Stories (All Links on website)
Related: Nebraska legislators get earful on Keystone XL
Related: Report raises Keystone response concerns
Related Links
Related: Report raises Keystone response concerns
TransCanada officials are testing the Keystone petroleum pipeline that began carrying oil through eastern Nebraska earlier this year to make sure the expansion that regularly occurs when pipelines are pressurized is within federal safety limits.
The tests are part of industrywide action in response to new safety guidelines issued last year by the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration.
The guidelines, in turn, came about because of worries about possible use of substandard steel in pipes owned by other companies in other states and about other companies' pipes exceeding expansion standards in other states.
TransCanada spokesman Jeff Rauh said the company's experts are looking at what he called anomalies that have turned up in testing so far in Nebraska and at other Keystone checkpoints.
Rauh said TransCanada had dug down to the pipe at three places in Nebraska to do a visual inspection and is considering 11 other sites for further evaluation.
The Keystone tests are follow-ups on a procedure in which an electronic device was run through the line to measure the inside diameter and also on hydrostatic testing that was done before petroleum was put into the 30-inch pipe.
MORE:
http://journalstar.com/news/local/
article_fd3f0428-612d-5eb4-8123-8e39ef999b10.html
=====================
11. Mackenzie may be approved but will it be too late?
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/globe-investor/
mackenzie-may-be-approved-but-will-it-be-too-late/article1839780/
NATHAN VANDERKLIPPE
CALGARY— From Thursday's Globe and Mail
Published Wednesday, Dec. 15, 2010 7:12PM EST
Last updated Thursday, Dec. 16, 2010 8:44AM EST
In the spring of 2006, Shawn Denstedt, a Calgary lawyer, got a new desk and placed on it two stacks of paper. They contained the prewritten final arguments for Royal Dutch Shell PLC and ConocoPhillips urging regulators to approve the Mackenzie Valley natural gas pipeline.
The National Energy Board today will finally decide whether the $16.2-billion project should be approved. If it is built, the Mackenzie line will be the single largest private investment in Canadian history, and the long-awaited decision caps an arduous process that has spanned years of deliberation over its merits.
More related to this story
Doubts cast on feasibility of West Coast pipelines
Mackenzie pipeline delayed again
Noise limit may kill Mackenzie: Imperial
MORE:
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/globe-investor/
mackenzie-may-be-approved-but-will-it-be-too-late/article1839780/
========================
12. Council of Canadians Update: Dec. 13, 14, & 15, 2010
Council of Canadians Update: December 13, 2010
NEWS: Canada-EU CETA likely to include Chapter 11 provision
http://www.canadians.org/campaignblog/?p=5734
The Canadian Press reports that, “A controversial NAFTA provision that allows corporations to seek compensation from governments is likely to be included in any eventual free-trade deal with Europe, say sources close to the negotiations.”
VIDEO: Anderson says ‘No Tanks’ to oil tankers in West Coast waters
http://www.canadians.org/campaignblog/?p=5732
The Globe and Mail has reported that, “Baywatch star Pamela Anderson got famous guarding people from the seas, now she’s aiming to guard the seas from people.
NEWS: Security perimeter a potential time bomb for Harper
http://www.canadians.org/campaignblog/?p=5729
Postmedia News reports that, “Prime Minister Stephen Harper will endure a couple of more days in the House of Commons before it wraps up its fall session this week. …(But) there are some political time bombs ticking away that could easily blow his government off course early next year.”
NEWS: Bolivia to take Cancun agreement to International Court of Justice
http://www.canadians.org/campaignblog/?p=5726
Deutsche Presse-Agentur reports that, “Bolivia threatened Sunday to take court action to block the compromise (climate) deal reached in Mexico… ‘We will file a complaint with the International Court of Justice in The Hague against the text approved in Cancun,’ Boliva’s UN Ambassador Pablo Solon told the government daily El Cambio.”
UPDATE: La lucha segue
http://www.canadians.org/campaignblog/?p=5724
The struggle continues. As I arrive in Ottawa late this evening after fifteen days in Mexico, my thoughts turn to what we as a movement need to do to better address the challenge of the climate change crisis.
NEWS: Vancouver-Burnaby chapter sand-bag protesthttp://www.canadians.org/campaignblog/?p=5720
The Vancouver Sun reports this evening that: Dozens of protesters on Saturday dumped 200 bags of sand collected from the South Fraser Perimetre Road project at the front doors of the World Trade Center, where Premier Gordon Campbell was believed to be holed up inside.
NEWS: UN conference approves climate deal over Bolivia protest
http://www.canadians.org/campaignblog/?p=5715
4:30 am local time - At this hour, the Associated Press is reporting that, “A UN conference has approved one of two key climate agreements, overriding objections from Bolivia.”
UPDATE: News photographer detained by UN Security
http://www.canadians.org/campaignblog/?p=5741
As the Cancun climate conference appears about to conclude in failure, a man holding a protest sign near the building where the negotiations are taking place was detained and thrown into a bus by uniformed United Nations Security officers here.
NEWS: Council faces pundit backlash on security perimeter criticisms
http://www.canadians.org/campaignblog/?p=5738
This morning the Globe and Mail reported that, “The Harper government is bracing for a (public) backlash over a border security agreement it is negotiating with the United States, anticipating it will spark worries about eroding sovereignty and privacy rights, a document obtained by The Globe and Mail shows. …The (government’s) communication strategy…anticipates criticism from civil rights groups and others such as Council of Canadians chairwoman Maude Barlow.”
= = = = = =
Council of Canadians Update – December 14, 2010
ACTION ALERT:
House of Commons to debate CETA Tuesday – Will your MP be there?
http://www.canadians.org/action/2010/CETA-Dec10.html
NEWS: Photographer Jorge Silva beaten by UN security in Cancun
http://www.canadians.org/campaignblog/?p=5746
CBS reports that, “United Nations security personnel clashed with protesters and journalists at the climate talks venue in Cancun (last Friday). They then evicted the protesters and detained a photographer, confiscating his camera.”
VIEW: Canadians have a right to be nervous about security perimeter, says Calgary Herald
http://www.canadians.org/campaignblog/?p=5744
The Calgary Herald editorial board writes that, “The prospect of Canada ceding sovereignty to the U.S. in a secretly negotiated border security arrangement has understandably raised the hackles of the Opposition and the Council of Canadians.”
Australia’s Productivity Committee questions investment protections in trade agreements
http://www.canadians.org/tradeblog/?p=1236
The Australian government’s Productivity Committee has just released a report on the impact of bilateral trade and investment agreements on the country’s economic performance. The Commission sought public input, drew on national and international evidence, and took into consideration “the changed international trade, economic and strategic environment.”
= = = = = =
Council of Canadians Update: December 15, 2010
VOTE: Globe and Mail poll on security perimeter
http://www.canadians.org/campaignblog/?p=5753
A Globe and Mail on-line poll is asking, “Should Canada and the U.S. collaborate more deeply on surveillance and data-sharing in the name of a so-called North American perimeter?”
UPDATE: Barlow to join food fight with Kingston hospital tonight
http://www.canadians.org/campaignblog/?p=5751
Council of Canadians chairperson Maude Barlow will be speaking in Kingston this evening in opposition to a decision made by the Kingston General Hospital to have the food for its patients trucked in from Toronto, rather than supplied and cooked locally.
NEWS: Canada, EU agree to continue CETA talks
http://www.canadians.org/campaignblog/?p=5749
Bloomberg reports that, “Canada and the European Union have agreed to continue negotiations on a free trade agreement, the top trade officials from the two regions said today.”
FRACKING NEWS
45 posts
• Page 2 of 3 • 1, 2, 3
FRACKING NEWS: December 16, 2010
by Oscar » Thu Dec 16, 2010 11:42 am
- Oscar
- Site Admin
- Posts: 9851
- Joined: Wed May 03, 2006 3:23 pm
FRACKING NEWS: December 19, 2010
by Oscar » Sun Dec 19, 2010 6:19 pm
FRACKING NEWS: December 19, 2010
1. Hazards of Hydraulic Fracturing: Important USA & Canadian documents
2. Two lawsuits contend groundwater in Barnett Shale contaminated by drilling
3. Fact Sheet: WORC Hydraulic Fracturing
4. Hydraulic Fracturing 101
5. What You Can't See Can Kill You
6. Activists’ air tests uncover compounds
7. Nikiforuk Pores Over Royal Society's Oil Sands Study
8. Ottawa kept in dark on abnormal fish found in oil-sands rivers
9. LETTER: SHIELDS: Canadian Sovereignty Should Demand No Less!!
10. Canada-EU trade talks put Canada’s water up for sale, says new report
11. Maude Barlow addresses Assembly of First Nations meeting
12. Council of Canadians Update: December 16, 2010
13. Beware the Psychopath, My Son
14. WATCH: WikiRebels - The Documentary (57.25 min.)
==================
1. Hazards of Hydraulic Fracturing: Important USA & Canadian documents:
http://albertasurfacerights.com/articles/?id=573
==================
2. Two lawsuits contend groundwater in Barnett Shale contaminated by drilling
http://www.star-telegram.com/2010/12/15/2707805/
two-lawsuits-contend-groundwater.html
Posted Wednesday, Dec. 15, 2010
By Jack Z. Smith jzsmith@star-telegram.com
Two federal lawsuits filed Wednesday contend that Barnett Shale natural gas drilling and hydraulic fracturing contaminated property owners' private water wells, leaving them without water fit for drinking or other uses.
Well-known Dallas attorney Windle Turley, who filed the lawsuits, issued a statement saying, "The full scope of groundwater contamination in the Barnett Shale will not be known for some time; however it appears to be extensive.
"We believe that hundreds and more likely thousands of property owners have already had the water beneath their surface essentially ruined as a result of nearby drilling and fracking [hydraulic fracturing] in the Barnett Shale," he said. "This is why these damage lawsuits are being filed."
The lawsuits come on the heels of a claim by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency that Fort Worth-based Range Resources, a large natural gas and oil producer, is responsible for methane contamination in two private residential water wells in Parker County. Methane is the primary component of natural gas.
Range has denied the allegations.
The Texas Railroad Commission, which regulates the oil and gas industry, has set a Jan. 10 hearing on the issue.
Turley's lawsuit on behalf of property owner Grace Mitchell against Chesapeake Energy and Encana Oil & Gas contends that she can no longer use water from her well "for consumption, bathing or washing clothes" because of its odor and testing results that showed it was contaminated with chemicals. Mitchell claims drilling and fracking of gas wells contaminated the groundwater that supplies her water well.
MORE:
http://www.star-telegram.com/2010/12/15/2707805/
two-lawsuits-contend-groundwater.html
=================
3. Fact Sheet: WORC Hydraulic Fracturing
http://www.worc.org/userfiles/file/Hyrd ... uiring.pdf
======================
4. Hydraulic Fracturing 101
http://www.earthworksaction.org/FracingDetails.cfm
Fracking chemicals
Potential for groundwater contamination
Fracking chemical disposal
Hydraulic fracturing best practices
Tips for landowners
Often an oil- or gas-bearing formation may contain large quantities of oil or gas, but have a poor flow rate due to low permeability, or from damage or clogging of the formation during drilling.[1] This is particularly true for tight sands, oil shales and coalbed methane. Hydraulic fracturing (also known as fracking, which rhymes with cracking) is a technique used to create fractures that extend from the well bore into rock or coal formations. These fractures allow the oil or gas to travel more easily from the rock pores, where the oil or gas is trapped, to the production well. [2] Typically, in order to create fractures a mixture of water, proppants (sand or ceramic beads) and chemicals is pumped into the rock or coal formation.
MORE:
http://www.earthworksaction.org/FracingDetails.cfm
================
5. What You Can't See Can Kill You
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2006/12/21/eveningnews/
main2290712.shtml
Some Medical Groups Say Microscopic Soot Can Lead To Fatal Diseases
By Melissa McNamara SHIPPINGPORT, Pa., Dec. 21, 2006
- - - - -
EXCERPT: "The basic work is done" in pollution research, Dr. Pope said, noting that the degree of pollution mortality has startled even him. While smoking still contributes to more health effects than pollution, research is unequivocal in showing that air pollution causes and accelerates cardiopulmonary disease, lung cancer and all-cause mortality. "We know that with near certainty," he said. "But one thing that surprised us over the last 10 to 15 years of doing this research is how large air pollution's effects are relative to cigarette smoking." - - - - - -
CBS) One day last July, a power plant smokestack rained black soot on the farms and homes of Shippingport, Pa., CBS News correspondent Wyatt Andrews reports.
The power company, First Energy, said it was a maintenance accident — and, according to local residents, warned them not to eat anything dusted by the soot.
The accident, which had the power company power-washing a town, was an unusually severe and visible example of what Americans breathe — in much smaller amounts — every day. And not just from power plants: Trucks, cars and even fires produce microscopic soot particles and chemicals that can damage your lungs.
"Particle pollution, soot, kills people," says Janice Nolan with the American Lung Association
The American Lung Association is one of many leading medical groups demanding that the Bush administration adopt stricter controls on microscopic soot. These groups cite overwhelming evidence linking microscopic particles to fatal diseases.
Tens of thousands of people die "every year, from soot-based heart attacks, cancer, strokes," Nolan says.
Despite that evidence, when the Environmental Protection Agency had the chance to set a tough new annual emissions standard for soot this year, the agency declined. The EPA also declined a request by CBS News to explain that decision on camera, but in a written statement said, "EPA's air-quality standards are the most health-protective in U.S. history…."
MORE:
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2006/12/21/eveningnews/
main2290712.shtml
=================
6. Activists’ air tests uncover compounds
http://www.durangoherald.com/article/20101107/NEWS01/
711079925/-1/s
They say regulators’ methods inadequate
By Dale Rodebaugh Herald Staff Writer
Screening done by nonscientists at the end of September revealed elevated levels of cancer-causing volatile organic compounds near natural-gas operations in Cow Canyon near Bondad and at two locations near Bloomfield, N.M.
Josh Joswick, energy issues organizer with San Juan Citizens Alliance, demonstrates how air samples are taken in a low-tech manner Friday through the Bucket Brigade program sponsored by Global Community Monitor. A handheld vacuum pump sucks air into a plastic bladder that fits inside the bucket, then the air sample is tested for organic volatile compounds.
Air samples were taken by the San Juan Citizens Alliance with the participation of community members organized through the Bucket Brigade program of Global Community Monitor.
“Talk about low-tech,” Josh Joswick, energy issues organizer at the San Juan Citizens Alliance, said Friday. “It doesn’t break the bank, either.”
A test for volatile organic compounds costs $400.
Air samples are gathered in a clear-plastic 5-gallon bucket and sent to Columbia Analytical Services in Simi Valley, Calif. The sampling method and analysis are approved by the Environmental Protection Agency.
“This is the first time that people are finding out for themselves what they have been smelling and breathing for years,” Denny Larson, executive director of Global Community Monitor, said by telephone. “Test results differ from place to place, and sometimes certain VOCs aren’t found.”
But the results aren’t as significant as the fact that people are taking charge of the process, Larson said.
“In the absence of government agencies doing what they’re supposed to do, we’re finding significant results at times,” he said.
MORE:
http://www.durangoherald.com/article/20101107/NEWS01/
711079925/-1/s
================
7. Nikiforuk Pores Over Royal Society's Oil Sands Study
http://thetyee.ca/Opinion/2010/12/16/RoyalSocietyStudy/
What the scientists got right, and missed, in their high-profile, largely damning report.
By Andrew Nikiforuk, Today, TheTyee.ca
Every now and then a group of respected scientists put on their nerdy rubber boots and then bravely wade into a swamp of scientific literature.
The goal, of course, is to shed some proverbial light on a highly contentious or viscous matter.
Seven members of the Royal Society did just that on the oil sands and their published efforts yesterday offered some important illumination as well as more murk.
But overall the expert panel solidly confirmed a damning long-term trend: government is generally doing a poor job monitoring the world's largest energy project, let alone keeping pace with development.
Bill Donahue, an independent Edmonton-based expert on water policy and science, clearly summed up the essence of the report: "It is a scathing indictment of the failure of Alberta to regulate." Period.
As discreet communicators, the scientists found, for example, that environmental assessment process had "serious deficiencies in relation to international best practice."
Moreover the capacity of Alberta regulators to protect the public interest with skilled scientific analysis remained a real "concern" while the federal government (and you guessed it) maintained "a very low profile" on oil sands development.
(Just last week the Commissioner of the Environment and Sustainable Development disclosed how low that profile has sunk: Ottawa has but one long-term monitoring station on the Athabasca River downstream of the oil sands, and as of June 2010 it wasn't oil sands pollutants.)
As a consequence of such unseemly profiles, the expert panel squarely painted Ottawa as a salamander in the sand at a time when the country needs a wise owl overseeing things.
Land o' natural pollutants
Moreover the scientists weren't impressed with the shenanigans of petro politicians in Alberta where all pollution tends to be natural because all bitumen must be ethical.
Outrageous comments about dead ducks, for instance, "[raise] serious questions about the motivation of the cabinet ministers involved toward environmental responsibility."
The report also found it odd that two key regulators, Alberta Environment and Sustainable Development, no longer participate in public hearings on oil sands. In other words decisions are being made "without the benefit of the public input from Alberta's primary environmental regulators."
The expert panel, too, strongly echoed a growing and vocal chorus on the inadequate state of water monitoring on the Athabasca River. Valid concerns about the industry-funded Regional Aquatic Monitoring Program, say the report, "must be addressed." (Numerous reports, including a 2004 federal study, have squarely questioned the integrity of RAMP.)
Contrary to industry and government claims of no worries, the scientists found "considerable uncertainty" about water quality and recommended prompt action to deal "with the wide range of monitoring challenges that RAMP faces for identifying any impacts of oil sands development." The Department of Fisheries and Oceans has found nothing but uncertainties too.
MORE:
http://thetyee.ca/Opinion/2010/12/16/RoyalSocietyStudy/
===================
8. Ottawa kept in dark on abnormal fish found in oil-sands rivers
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/
ottawa-kept-in-dark-on-abnormal-fish-found-in-oil-sands-rivers/article1841714/
JOSH WINGROVE EDMONTON— From Friday's Globe and Mail
Published Friday, Dec. 17, 2010 3:00AM EST Last updated Friday, Dec. 17, 2010 9:38PM EST
Hundreds of deformed fish found in rivers running through the Alberta oil sands have been collected and documented by an industry-led monitoring body, The Globe and Mail has learned, but the findings were not shared with the public or key decision makers in government.
That body, the Regional Aquatics Monitoring Program (RAMP), has been criticized in scientific quarters as secretive and is under the scrutiny of three reviews. Former environment minister Jim Prentice ordered one of those reviews after being shown photos this fall of a few malformed fish, and it was delivered Thursday to Environment Canada.
More related to this story (Links are on website)
Oil-sands report criticizes all stakeholders
Oil sands emissions polluting waterways, study finds
Elevated levels of toxins found in Athabasca River
It is not known whether the fish deformities are a natural occurrence or a result of toxic pollution, and the absence of full information is hindering a debate that too often sinks into partisan rhetoric. Although Environment Minister John Baird has not responded to questions about the review, it may provide fresh impetus for Ottawa to wade into how Alberta safeguards its waterways.
MORE:
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/
ottawa-kept-in-dark-on-abnormal-fish-found-in-oil-sands-rivers/article1841714/
================
9. LETTER: SHIELDS: Canadian Sovereignty Should Demand No Less!!
From: lagran
To: Prime Minister/Premier ministre ; Layton, Jack - M.P. ; iggy
Cc: premier@gov.nl.ca ; Minister, EMPR EMPR:EX ; goodale ; flaherty ; bill boyd ; Alberta Activism ; jmorales@neb-one.gc.ca ; acameron@neb-one.gc.ca
Sent: Sunday, December 19, 2010 12:14 PM
Subject: Canadian Sovereignty Should Demand No Less!!
Canada should not sell it's share off Hibernia until the all federal funds used to build Hibernia and PiP grants used to discover frontier oil and gas wells have been repaid in full. How interesting it will be to watch closely how the Federal government deal with Canadians wanting to build an energy product on the Lower Churchill, and the foreign CARTEL wanting to develop a Arctic natural gas pipeline!! Let’s remember the natural gas to be shipped by the Mackenzie pipeline was drilled with federal funding!! I have yet to hear a federal cabinet minister lobbying for public funds for Muskrat River, in the same manner Pipeline Prentice was for the Mackenzie pipeline!
The CARTEL of Exxon Mobil, Royal Dutch Shell, and Conoco Phillips who want control of our Arctic, through control of the Arctic's resource transportation system, are trying to leave the ball in the federal governments park, by insisting financial arrangement for the pipeline are yet undefined. Can we please define it for them Mr. Prime Minister?? If there becomes an obvious need for a pipeline over the use of an Arctic port for LNG shipments, Canadians should build a "Common-Carrier" type of pipeline to ensure ALL Arctic exploration groups have equal excess to transportation rights for their investments in Arctic exploration. Canadian sovereignty should demand NO LESS!! I want not our Canadian sovereignty strained through an American filter!!
Stewart Shields
Lacombe, Alberta
= = = = = = =
N.L.'s offer too low for Hibernia stake: Flaherty
http://www.cbc.ca/money/story/2010/12/17/
nl-hibernia-sale-flaherty-dunderdale.html
Last Updated: Friday, December 17, 2010 | 3:01 PM ET CBC News
Federal Finance Minister Jim Flaherty is suggesting Newfoundland and Labrador has lowballed its offer for Ottawa's equity stake in the Hibernia offshore oil development.
Flaherty was in St. John's Friday for pre-budget consultations and met with Premier Kathy Dunderdale.
Dunderdale said she's still waiting for an official response to the province's offer.
The federal government has an 8.5 per cent stake in the Hibernia development that it acquired in the early 1990s after Gulf Canada pulled out of the project.
Before he left office, former premier Danny Williams said the province submitted an offer in September to buy it.
Flaherty says the province needs to raise the offer.
"One of the requirements is that the price be right, quite frankly, and reflect market value," he said. "And we have not arrived at that place in our discussions with the government of Newfoundland and Labrador. Several things have to be in place, including the appropriate price, given the market."
Williams has described the offer as "substantial and fair," but did not reveal the amount.
At the time the federal government bought its stake, the $6 billion project 300 kilometres east of St. John's was at risk of being scuttled.
Officials now say the stake is profitable and has earned more than $1 billion for the federal government.
MORE:
http://www.cbc.ca/money/story/2010/12/17/
nl-hibernia-sale-flaherty-dunderdale.html
====================
10. Canada-EU trade talks put Canada’s water up for sale, says new report
http://www.canadians.org/media/trade/20 ... ec-10.html
RELEASE For Immediate Release December 16, 2010
Ottawa, ON -- Canada’s already challenged public water systems are under threat from a broad free trade agreement being negotiated by Canada and the European Union (EU). A new report released today, Public Water for Sale: How Canada will privatize our public water systems, warns that public water in Canada will be lost unless the provinces and territories take immediate steps to remove water from the scope of the proposed Canada-EU Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA).
The report from the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) and the Council of Canadians exposes how CETA would open up public municipal water systems across Canada to privatization. At the request of Europe’s large private for-profit water corporations, provincial and territorial governments are considering including drinking water and wastewater services in their services commitments under CETA. They have been asked by the Harper government to make the final decision before a sixth round of CETA talks in Brussels this January.
“CETA is a water privatization deal,” says Maude Barlow, national chairperson of the Council of Canadians. “Our public water is being negotiated away behind closed doors. We need to act now or we will wake up one morning and our public water systems will be gone.”
CUPE and the Council of Canadians are calling on the provinces and territories to assert their jurisdiction and protect water from the Harper government’s reckless disregard for Canada’s public water. The report notes the CETA agreement would compound existing pressure in Canadian municipalities and First Nations reserves to privatize water systems due to a lack of proper public funding and federal programs designed to encourage privatization.
“Canadians hold a great deal of trust in publicly owned, operated and delivered water and sanitation systems,” says CUPE National President Paul Moist. “Water and other essential services – such as health care, public transit, postal services and energy – are vital to our communities. This deal will allow the world’s largest multinational corporations to profit from Canada’s water.” Moist is also calling on CUPE’s municipal locals to take action against this deal which is being negotiated without full public debate.
EU negotiators are also asking that Canada’s municipalities and their water utilities be included in a chapter on public procurement. If this happens, it would be the first time Canada has allowed our drinking water to be fully covered under a trade treaty. The goal is clearly to encourage the privatization of Canada’s public municipal water systems.
“Canada’s drinking and sewage systems are important community assets. Public drinking water and sanitation services are a human right and the lifeblood of well-functioning communities,” says Barlow. -30-
The report is available at
www.canadians.org and
www.cupe.ca
For more information:
Greg Taylor, CUPE National Media Relations – (613) 237-1590 ext. 393
Matthew Ramsden, Communications Officer (Campaigns) – (613) 698-5113 (cell)
MORE CETA INFO:
http://www.canadians.org/index.html
= = = = = =
P.E.I. needs to protect its public water: report
http://www.cbc.ca/canada/prince-edward- ... 010/12/18/
pei-needs-to-protect-its-public-water-report-584.html
Last Updated: Saturday, December 18, 2010 | 3:33 PM AT
CBC News
- - - -
(CETA) Report - Public Water for Sale:
http://canadians.org/trade/documents/CE ... t-1210.pdf.
- - - - -
The Council of Canadians is calling on the P.E.I. government to take a stand to protect the Island's public water and sanitation services.
The council said municipal water systems are being discussed as part of a free trade agreement being negotiated by Canada and the European Union in Brussels in January.
Europe’s large private water companies have requested that the provinces and territories consider including drinking water and wastewater services in their Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) commitments.
The report said the effect would be the encouragement of more private sector involvement in a number of public service sectors, including water.
The council believes that could have a negative impact on public water systems and water management.
The report explained the benefits of public ownership and management of water systems and the importance of financing municipal water system upgrades.
"It's clear that if public water and sanitation facilities are included in the free trade agreement with Europe, that Charlottetown's water system, which needs to be improved … is going to cost millions," said Leo Broderick, vice-chair of the Council of Canadians. "The Harper government is looking to have more privatization in these public services, so we're calling on the premier to stand up for public water on Prince Edward Island
MORE:
http://www.cbc.ca/canada/prince-edward- ... 010/12/18/
pei-needs-to-protect-its-public-water-report-584.html
=================
11. Maude Barlow addresses Assembly of First Nations meeting
http://www.canadians.org/campaignblog/?p=5757
Wednesday, December 15th, 2010
The Toronto Star and Postmedia News are reporting this evening on an Assembly of First Nations Special Chiefs Assembly that took place in Gatineau, Quebec today. Council of Canadians chairperson Maude Barlow addressed the meeting of nearly 1,000 First Nation chiefs and councillors. Auditor General Sheila Fraser, and four Liberal MPs, including Bob Rae and Carolyn Bennett, were also in attendance.
Barlow spoke about water as a human right and how the Harper government has opposed this right at the United Nations, including abstaining at the historic vote at the General Assembly this past July. She also highlighted that Evo Morales, the president of Bolivia, who we have worked with on the right to water and sanitation, climate justice, and the rights of Mother of Earth, is a great Indigenous leader who needs their solidarity.
The Toronto Star reports that, “Ottawa springs into action when there’s a crisis anywhere else in the world but ignores thousands living in remote First Nations communities that lack even running water, native leaders say. ‘Clean running water in every home is basically what we need,’ Manitoba’s Grand Chief David Harper said Wednesday. About 1,000 homes in the First Nations of Northern Manitoba ‘have no running water and many with no plumbing of any kind.’ …He urged the federal and Manitoba governments to work together to begin the $60 million job of retrofitting homes with running water and sewage hookups over the next two years. …Chief Garrison Settee of the Cross Lake First Nations in Manitoba said clean running water is a basic human right.”
Postmedia News adds that, “A group of First Nations chiefs from Manitoba wants the federal government to agree to provide clean running water for all reserves in that province within two years — a commitment the opposition (specifically Bob Rae) says is ‘eminently doable.’ … (Chief David) Harper said a $60-million commitment would ensure that homes for 65,000 people are retroactively fitted with sewer systems, running water and bathrooms. Chief Michael Yellowback, who travelled from Manto Sipi Cree Nation, a 700-person reserve about 600 kilometres northeast of Winnipeg, proposed the two-year ultimatum. ….’How many more people in northern Manitoba First Nations must get sick with the flu or other disease just because they can’t wash their hands?’”
MORE:
http://www.canadians.org/campaignblog/?p=5757
===============
12. Council of Canadians Update: December 16, 2010
MEDIA RELEASE:
Canada-EU trade talks put Canada’s water up for sale, says new report
http://www.canadians.org/media/trade/20 ... ec-10.html
ACTION ALERT: Don't let CETA privatize our waterhttp://www.canadians.org/action/2010/CETA-water-Dec16.html
REPORT: Council and CUPE release CETA and water privatization report
http://www.canadians.org/campaignblog/?p=5761
The Council of Canadians and the Canadian Union of Public Employees released a new report today on the Canada-European Union Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) and water privatization.
NEWS: Barlow calls for KGH decision to be reversedhttp://www.canadians.org/campaignblog/?p=5755
The Kingston Whig-Standard reports this morning that, “About 100 people turned out at City Hall last night to hear (Kingston General Hospital) union representatives and guest speakers, including Council of Canadians chairwoman Maude Barlow, pledge to unravel the 10-year contract.
UPDATE: Maude Barlow addresses Assembly of First Nations meeting
http://www.canadians.org/campaignblog/?p=5757
The Toronto Star and Postmedia News are reporting this evening on an Assembly of First Nations Special Chiefs Assembly that took place in Gatineau, Quebec today.
NEWS: Maude Barlow in La Jornadahttp://www.canadians.org/campaignblog/?p=5772
When Council of Canadians chairperson Maude Barlow was in Mexico recently for the COP 16 climate conference, she was interviewed by La Jornada. La Jornada is one of Mexico City’s leading newspapers. It has approximately 287,000 readers in Mexico City and their website has approximately 180,000 daily page views.
====================
13. Beware the Psychopath, My Son
http://dissidentvoice.org/2008/05/bewar ... th-my-son/
by Clinton Callahan / May 12th, 2008
The following is largely extracted from two articles:
Twilight of the Psychopaths, by Dr. Kevin Barrett and The Trick of the Psychopath’s Trade by Silvia Cattori. Both articles are recommended. Both articles reference the book Political Ponerology: A science on the nature of evil adjusted for political purposes, by Andrzej Lobaczewski. Cattori’s article is longer and includes an interview with the book’s editors, Laura Knight-Jadczyk and Henry See.
I make the effort to share this information because it gives me, at last, a plausible answer to a long-unanswered question: Why, no matter how much intelligent goodwill exists in the world, is there so much war, suffering and injustice? It doesn’t seem to matter what creative plan, ideology, religion, or philosophy great minds come up with, nothing seems to improve our lot. Since the dawn of civilization, this pattern repeats itself over and over again.
The answer is that civilization, as we know it, is largely the creation of psychopaths. All civilizations, our own included, have been built on slavery and mass murder. Psychopaths have played a disproportionate role in the development of civilization, because they are hard-wired to lie, kill, cheat, steal, torture, manipulate, and generally inflict great suffering on other humans without feeling any remorse, in order to establish their own sense of security through domination. The inventor of civilization — the first tribal chieftain who successfully brainwashed an army of controlled mass murderers — was almost certainly a genetic psychopath. Since that momentous discovery, psychopaths have enjoyed a significant advantage over non-psychopaths in the struggle for power in civilizational hierarchies — especially military hierarchies.
MORE:
http://dissidentvoice.org/2008/05/bewar ... th-my-son/
==================
14. WATCH: WikiRebels - The Documentary (57.25 min.)
http://www.uruknet.de/?s1=1&p=72810&s2=13
December 12, 2010 - In less than a year Wikileaks has grown from a rather obscure website to a global political player, shaping world history and events, by revealing secret documents about warcrimes, corporate corruption and shady political backdoor dealings. Over several months a crew from Swedish Television has been following the secretive media network and its work behind the scenes. The result is a one hour feature documentary that tells the story behind the story
1. Hazards of Hydraulic Fracturing: Important USA & Canadian documents
2. Two lawsuits contend groundwater in Barnett Shale contaminated by drilling
3. Fact Sheet: WORC Hydraulic Fracturing
4. Hydraulic Fracturing 101
5. What You Can't See Can Kill You
6. Activists’ air tests uncover compounds
7. Nikiforuk Pores Over Royal Society's Oil Sands Study
8. Ottawa kept in dark on abnormal fish found in oil-sands rivers
9. LETTER: SHIELDS: Canadian Sovereignty Should Demand No Less!!
10. Canada-EU trade talks put Canada’s water up for sale, says new report
11. Maude Barlow addresses Assembly of First Nations meeting
12. Council of Canadians Update: December 16, 2010
13. Beware the Psychopath, My Son
14. WATCH: WikiRebels - The Documentary (57.25 min.)
==================
1. Hazards of Hydraulic Fracturing: Important USA & Canadian documents:
http://albertasurfacerights.com/articles/?id=573
==================
2. Two lawsuits contend groundwater in Barnett Shale contaminated by drilling
http://www.star-telegram.com/2010/12/15/2707805/
two-lawsuits-contend-groundwater.html
Posted Wednesday, Dec. 15, 2010
By Jack Z. Smith jzsmith@star-telegram.com
Two federal lawsuits filed Wednesday contend that Barnett Shale natural gas drilling and hydraulic fracturing contaminated property owners' private water wells, leaving them without water fit for drinking or other uses.
Well-known Dallas attorney Windle Turley, who filed the lawsuits, issued a statement saying, "The full scope of groundwater contamination in the Barnett Shale will not be known for some time; however it appears to be extensive.
"We believe that hundreds and more likely thousands of property owners have already had the water beneath their surface essentially ruined as a result of nearby drilling and fracking [hydraulic fracturing] in the Barnett Shale," he said. "This is why these damage lawsuits are being filed."
The lawsuits come on the heels of a claim by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency that Fort Worth-based Range Resources, a large natural gas and oil producer, is responsible for methane contamination in two private residential water wells in Parker County. Methane is the primary component of natural gas.
Range has denied the allegations.
The Texas Railroad Commission, which regulates the oil and gas industry, has set a Jan. 10 hearing on the issue.
Turley's lawsuit on behalf of property owner Grace Mitchell against Chesapeake Energy and Encana Oil & Gas contends that she can no longer use water from her well "for consumption, bathing or washing clothes" because of its odor and testing results that showed it was contaminated with chemicals. Mitchell claims drilling and fracking of gas wells contaminated the groundwater that supplies her water well.
MORE:
http://www.star-telegram.com/2010/12/15/2707805/
two-lawsuits-contend-groundwater.html
=================
3. Fact Sheet: WORC Hydraulic Fracturing
http://www.worc.org/userfiles/file/Hyrd ... uiring.pdf
======================
4. Hydraulic Fracturing 101
http://www.earthworksaction.org/FracingDetails.cfm
Fracking chemicals
Potential for groundwater contamination
Fracking chemical disposal
Hydraulic fracturing best practices
Tips for landowners
Often an oil- or gas-bearing formation may contain large quantities of oil or gas, but have a poor flow rate due to low permeability, or from damage or clogging of the formation during drilling.[1] This is particularly true for tight sands, oil shales and coalbed methane. Hydraulic fracturing (also known as fracking, which rhymes with cracking) is a technique used to create fractures that extend from the well bore into rock or coal formations. These fractures allow the oil or gas to travel more easily from the rock pores, where the oil or gas is trapped, to the production well. [2] Typically, in order to create fractures a mixture of water, proppants (sand or ceramic beads) and chemicals is pumped into the rock or coal formation.
MORE:
http://www.earthworksaction.org/FracingDetails.cfm
================
5. What You Can't See Can Kill You
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2006/12/21/eveningnews/
main2290712.shtml
Some Medical Groups Say Microscopic Soot Can Lead To Fatal Diseases
By Melissa McNamara SHIPPINGPORT, Pa., Dec. 21, 2006
- - - - -
EXCERPT: "The basic work is done" in pollution research, Dr. Pope said, noting that the degree of pollution mortality has startled even him. While smoking still contributes to more health effects than pollution, research is unequivocal in showing that air pollution causes and accelerates cardiopulmonary disease, lung cancer and all-cause mortality. "We know that with near certainty," he said. "But one thing that surprised us over the last 10 to 15 years of doing this research is how large air pollution's effects are relative to cigarette smoking." - - - - - -
CBS) One day last July, a power plant smokestack rained black soot on the farms and homes of Shippingport, Pa., CBS News correspondent Wyatt Andrews reports.
The power company, First Energy, said it was a maintenance accident — and, according to local residents, warned them not to eat anything dusted by the soot.
The accident, which had the power company power-washing a town, was an unusually severe and visible example of what Americans breathe — in much smaller amounts — every day. And not just from power plants: Trucks, cars and even fires produce microscopic soot particles and chemicals that can damage your lungs.
"Particle pollution, soot, kills people," says Janice Nolan with the American Lung Association
The American Lung Association is one of many leading medical groups demanding that the Bush administration adopt stricter controls on microscopic soot. These groups cite overwhelming evidence linking microscopic particles to fatal diseases.
Tens of thousands of people die "every year, from soot-based heart attacks, cancer, strokes," Nolan says.
Despite that evidence, when the Environmental Protection Agency had the chance to set a tough new annual emissions standard for soot this year, the agency declined. The EPA also declined a request by CBS News to explain that decision on camera, but in a written statement said, "EPA's air-quality standards are the most health-protective in U.S. history…."
MORE:
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2006/12/21/eveningnews/
main2290712.shtml
=================
6. Activists’ air tests uncover compounds
http://www.durangoherald.com/article/20101107/NEWS01/
711079925/-1/s
They say regulators’ methods inadequate
By Dale Rodebaugh Herald Staff Writer
Screening done by nonscientists at the end of September revealed elevated levels of cancer-causing volatile organic compounds near natural-gas operations in Cow Canyon near Bondad and at two locations near Bloomfield, N.M.
Josh Joswick, energy issues organizer with San Juan Citizens Alliance, demonstrates how air samples are taken in a low-tech manner Friday through the Bucket Brigade program sponsored by Global Community Monitor. A handheld vacuum pump sucks air into a plastic bladder that fits inside the bucket, then the air sample is tested for organic volatile compounds.
Air samples were taken by the San Juan Citizens Alliance with the participation of community members organized through the Bucket Brigade program of Global Community Monitor.
“Talk about low-tech,” Josh Joswick, energy issues organizer at the San Juan Citizens Alliance, said Friday. “It doesn’t break the bank, either.”
A test for volatile organic compounds costs $400.
Air samples are gathered in a clear-plastic 5-gallon bucket and sent to Columbia Analytical Services in Simi Valley, Calif. The sampling method and analysis are approved by the Environmental Protection Agency.
“This is the first time that people are finding out for themselves what they have been smelling and breathing for years,” Denny Larson, executive director of Global Community Monitor, said by telephone. “Test results differ from place to place, and sometimes certain VOCs aren’t found.”
But the results aren’t as significant as the fact that people are taking charge of the process, Larson said.
“In the absence of government agencies doing what they’re supposed to do, we’re finding significant results at times,” he said.
MORE:
http://www.durangoherald.com/article/20101107/NEWS01/
711079925/-1/s
================
7. Nikiforuk Pores Over Royal Society's Oil Sands Study
http://thetyee.ca/Opinion/2010/12/16/RoyalSocietyStudy/
What the scientists got right, and missed, in their high-profile, largely damning report.
By Andrew Nikiforuk, Today, TheTyee.ca
Every now and then a group of respected scientists put on their nerdy rubber boots and then bravely wade into a swamp of scientific literature.
The goal, of course, is to shed some proverbial light on a highly contentious or viscous matter.
Seven members of the Royal Society did just that on the oil sands and their published efforts yesterday offered some important illumination as well as more murk.
But overall the expert panel solidly confirmed a damning long-term trend: government is generally doing a poor job monitoring the world's largest energy project, let alone keeping pace with development.
Bill Donahue, an independent Edmonton-based expert on water policy and science, clearly summed up the essence of the report: "It is a scathing indictment of the failure of Alberta to regulate." Period.
As discreet communicators, the scientists found, for example, that environmental assessment process had "serious deficiencies in relation to international best practice."
Moreover the capacity of Alberta regulators to protect the public interest with skilled scientific analysis remained a real "concern" while the federal government (and you guessed it) maintained "a very low profile" on oil sands development.
(Just last week the Commissioner of the Environment and Sustainable Development disclosed how low that profile has sunk: Ottawa has but one long-term monitoring station on the Athabasca River downstream of the oil sands, and as of June 2010 it wasn't oil sands pollutants.)
As a consequence of such unseemly profiles, the expert panel squarely painted Ottawa as a salamander in the sand at a time when the country needs a wise owl overseeing things.
Land o' natural pollutants
Moreover the scientists weren't impressed with the shenanigans of petro politicians in Alberta where all pollution tends to be natural because all bitumen must be ethical.
Outrageous comments about dead ducks, for instance, "[raise] serious questions about the motivation of the cabinet ministers involved toward environmental responsibility."
The report also found it odd that two key regulators, Alberta Environment and Sustainable Development, no longer participate in public hearings on oil sands. In other words decisions are being made "without the benefit of the public input from Alberta's primary environmental regulators."
The expert panel, too, strongly echoed a growing and vocal chorus on the inadequate state of water monitoring on the Athabasca River. Valid concerns about the industry-funded Regional Aquatic Monitoring Program, say the report, "must be addressed." (Numerous reports, including a 2004 federal study, have squarely questioned the integrity of RAMP.)
Contrary to industry and government claims of no worries, the scientists found "considerable uncertainty" about water quality and recommended prompt action to deal "with the wide range of monitoring challenges that RAMP faces for identifying any impacts of oil sands development." The Department of Fisheries and Oceans has found nothing but uncertainties too.
MORE:
http://thetyee.ca/Opinion/2010/12/16/RoyalSocietyStudy/
===================
8. Ottawa kept in dark on abnormal fish found in oil-sands rivers
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/
ottawa-kept-in-dark-on-abnormal-fish-found-in-oil-sands-rivers/article1841714/
JOSH WINGROVE EDMONTON— From Friday's Globe and Mail
Published Friday, Dec. 17, 2010 3:00AM EST Last updated Friday, Dec. 17, 2010 9:38PM EST
Hundreds of deformed fish found in rivers running through the Alberta oil sands have been collected and documented by an industry-led monitoring body, The Globe and Mail has learned, but the findings were not shared with the public or key decision makers in government.
That body, the Regional Aquatics Monitoring Program (RAMP), has been criticized in scientific quarters as secretive and is under the scrutiny of three reviews. Former environment minister Jim Prentice ordered one of those reviews after being shown photos this fall of a few malformed fish, and it was delivered Thursday to Environment Canada.
More related to this story (Links are on website)
Oil-sands report criticizes all stakeholders
Oil sands emissions polluting waterways, study finds
Elevated levels of toxins found in Athabasca River
It is not known whether the fish deformities are a natural occurrence or a result of toxic pollution, and the absence of full information is hindering a debate that too often sinks into partisan rhetoric. Although Environment Minister John Baird has not responded to questions about the review, it may provide fresh impetus for Ottawa to wade into how Alberta safeguards its waterways.
MORE:
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/
ottawa-kept-in-dark-on-abnormal-fish-found-in-oil-sands-rivers/article1841714/
================
9. LETTER: SHIELDS: Canadian Sovereignty Should Demand No Less!!
From: lagran
To: Prime Minister/Premier ministre ; Layton, Jack - M.P. ; iggy
Cc: premier@gov.nl.ca ; Minister, EMPR EMPR:EX ; goodale ; flaherty ; bill boyd ; Alberta Activism ; jmorales@neb-one.gc.ca ; acameron@neb-one.gc.ca
Sent: Sunday, December 19, 2010 12:14 PM
Subject: Canadian Sovereignty Should Demand No Less!!
Canada should not sell it's share off Hibernia until the all federal funds used to build Hibernia and PiP grants used to discover frontier oil and gas wells have been repaid in full. How interesting it will be to watch closely how the Federal government deal with Canadians wanting to build an energy product on the Lower Churchill, and the foreign CARTEL wanting to develop a Arctic natural gas pipeline!! Let’s remember the natural gas to be shipped by the Mackenzie pipeline was drilled with federal funding!! I have yet to hear a federal cabinet minister lobbying for public funds for Muskrat River, in the same manner Pipeline Prentice was for the Mackenzie pipeline!
The CARTEL of Exxon Mobil, Royal Dutch Shell, and Conoco Phillips who want control of our Arctic, through control of the Arctic's resource transportation system, are trying to leave the ball in the federal governments park, by insisting financial arrangement for the pipeline are yet undefined. Can we please define it for them Mr. Prime Minister?? If there becomes an obvious need for a pipeline over the use of an Arctic port for LNG shipments, Canadians should build a "Common-Carrier" type of pipeline to ensure ALL Arctic exploration groups have equal excess to transportation rights for their investments in Arctic exploration. Canadian sovereignty should demand NO LESS!! I want not our Canadian sovereignty strained through an American filter!!
Stewart Shields
Lacombe, Alberta
= = = = = = =
N.L.'s offer too low for Hibernia stake: Flaherty
http://www.cbc.ca/money/story/2010/12/17/
nl-hibernia-sale-flaherty-dunderdale.html
Last Updated: Friday, December 17, 2010 | 3:01 PM ET CBC News
Federal Finance Minister Jim Flaherty is suggesting Newfoundland and Labrador has lowballed its offer for Ottawa's equity stake in the Hibernia offshore oil development.
Flaherty was in St. John's Friday for pre-budget consultations and met with Premier Kathy Dunderdale.
Dunderdale said she's still waiting for an official response to the province's offer.
The federal government has an 8.5 per cent stake in the Hibernia development that it acquired in the early 1990s after Gulf Canada pulled out of the project.
Before he left office, former premier Danny Williams said the province submitted an offer in September to buy it.
Flaherty says the province needs to raise the offer.
"One of the requirements is that the price be right, quite frankly, and reflect market value," he said. "And we have not arrived at that place in our discussions with the government of Newfoundland and Labrador. Several things have to be in place, including the appropriate price, given the market."
Williams has described the offer as "substantial and fair," but did not reveal the amount.
At the time the federal government bought its stake, the $6 billion project 300 kilometres east of St. John's was at risk of being scuttled.
Officials now say the stake is profitable and has earned more than $1 billion for the federal government.
MORE:
http://www.cbc.ca/money/story/2010/12/17/
nl-hibernia-sale-flaherty-dunderdale.html
====================
10. Canada-EU trade talks put Canada’s water up for sale, says new report
http://www.canadians.org/media/trade/20 ... ec-10.html
RELEASE For Immediate Release December 16, 2010
Ottawa, ON -- Canada’s already challenged public water systems are under threat from a broad free trade agreement being negotiated by Canada and the European Union (EU). A new report released today, Public Water for Sale: How Canada will privatize our public water systems, warns that public water in Canada will be lost unless the provinces and territories take immediate steps to remove water from the scope of the proposed Canada-EU Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA).
The report from the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) and the Council of Canadians exposes how CETA would open up public municipal water systems across Canada to privatization. At the request of Europe’s large private for-profit water corporations, provincial and territorial governments are considering including drinking water and wastewater services in their services commitments under CETA. They have been asked by the Harper government to make the final decision before a sixth round of CETA talks in Brussels this January.
“CETA is a water privatization deal,” says Maude Barlow, national chairperson of the Council of Canadians. “Our public water is being negotiated away behind closed doors. We need to act now or we will wake up one morning and our public water systems will be gone.”
CUPE and the Council of Canadians are calling on the provinces and territories to assert their jurisdiction and protect water from the Harper government’s reckless disregard for Canada’s public water. The report notes the CETA agreement would compound existing pressure in Canadian municipalities and First Nations reserves to privatize water systems due to a lack of proper public funding and federal programs designed to encourage privatization.
“Canadians hold a great deal of trust in publicly owned, operated and delivered water and sanitation systems,” says CUPE National President Paul Moist. “Water and other essential services – such as health care, public transit, postal services and energy – are vital to our communities. This deal will allow the world’s largest multinational corporations to profit from Canada’s water.” Moist is also calling on CUPE’s municipal locals to take action against this deal which is being negotiated without full public debate.
EU negotiators are also asking that Canada’s municipalities and their water utilities be included in a chapter on public procurement. If this happens, it would be the first time Canada has allowed our drinking water to be fully covered under a trade treaty. The goal is clearly to encourage the privatization of Canada’s public municipal water systems.
“Canada’s drinking and sewage systems are important community assets. Public drinking water and sanitation services are a human right and the lifeblood of well-functioning communities,” says Barlow. -30-
The report is available at
www.canadians.org and
www.cupe.ca
For more information:
Greg Taylor, CUPE National Media Relations – (613) 237-1590 ext. 393
Matthew Ramsden, Communications Officer (Campaigns) – (613) 698-5113 (cell)
MORE CETA INFO:
http://www.canadians.org/index.html
= = = = = =
P.E.I. needs to protect its public water: report
http://www.cbc.ca/canada/prince-edward- ... 010/12/18/
pei-needs-to-protect-its-public-water-report-584.html
Last Updated: Saturday, December 18, 2010 | 3:33 PM AT
CBC News
- - - -
(CETA) Report - Public Water for Sale:
http://canadians.org/trade/documents/CE ... t-1210.pdf.
- - - - -
The Council of Canadians is calling on the P.E.I. government to take a stand to protect the Island's public water and sanitation services.
The council said municipal water systems are being discussed as part of a free trade agreement being negotiated by Canada and the European Union in Brussels in January.
Europe’s large private water companies have requested that the provinces and territories consider including drinking water and wastewater services in their Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) commitments.
The report said the effect would be the encouragement of more private sector involvement in a number of public service sectors, including water.
The council believes that could have a negative impact on public water systems and water management.
The report explained the benefits of public ownership and management of water systems and the importance of financing municipal water system upgrades.
"It's clear that if public water and sanitation facilities are included in the free trade agreement with Europe, that Charlottetown's water system, which needs to be improved … is going to cost millions," said Leo Broderick, vice-chair of the Council of Canadians. "The Harper government is looking to have more privatization in these public services, so we're calling on the premier to stand up for public water on Prince Edward Island
MORE:
http://www.cbc.ca/canada/prince-edward- ... 010/12/18/
pei-needs-to-protect-its-public-water-report-584.html
=================
11. Maude Barlow addresses Assembly of First Nations meeting
http://www.canadians.org/campaignblog/?p=5757
Wednesday, December 15th, 2010
The Toronto Star and Postmedia News are reporting this evening on an Assembly of First Nations Special Chiefs Assembly that took place in Gatineau, Quebec today. Council of Canadians chairperson Maude Barlow addressed the meeting of nearly 1,000 First Nation chiefs and councillors. Auditor General Sheila Fraser, and four Liberal MPs, including Bob Rae and Carolyn Bennett, were also in attendance.
Barlow spoke about water as a human right and how the Harper government has opposed this right at the United Nations, including abstaining at the historic vote at the General Assembly this past July. She also highlighted that Evo Morales, the president of Bolivia, who we have worked with on the right to water and sanitation, climate justice, and the rights of Mother of Earth, is a great Indigenous leader who needs their solidarity.
The Toronto Star reports that, “Ottawa springs into action when there’s a crisis anywhere else in the world but ignores thousands living in remote First Nations communities that lack even running water, native leaders say. ‘Clean running water in every home is basically what we need,’ Manitoba’s Grand Chief David Harper said Wednesday. About 1,000 homes in the First Nations of Northern Manitoba ‘have no running water and many with no plumbing of any kind.’ …He urged the federal and Manitoba governments to work together to begin the $60 million job of retrofitting homes with running water and sewage hookups over the next two years. …Chief Garrison Settee of the Cross Lake First Nations in Manitoba said clean running water is a basic human right.”
Postmedia News adds that, “A group of First Nations chiefs from Manitoba wants the federal government to agree to provide clean running water for all reserves in that province within two years — a commitment the opposition (specifically Bob Rae) says is ‘eminently doable.’ … (Chief David) Harper said a $60-million commitment would ensure that homes for 65,000 people are retroactively fitted with sewer systems, running water and bathrooms. Chief Michael Yellowback, who travelled from Manto Sipi Cree Nation, a 700-person reserve about 600 kilometres northeast of Winnipeg, proposed the two-year ultimatum. ….’How many more people in northern Manitoba First Nations must get sick with the flu or other disease just because they can’t wash their hands?’”
MORE:
http://www.canadians.org/campaignblog/?p=5757
===============
12. Council of Canadians Update: December 16, 2010
MEDIA RELEASE:
Canada-EU trade talks put Canada’s water up for sale, says new report
http://www.canadians.org/media/trade/20 ... ec-10.html
ACTION ALERT: Don't let CETA privatize our waterhttp://www.canadians.org/action/2010/CETA-water-Dec16.html
REPORT: Council and CUPE release CETA and water privatization report
http://www.canadians.org/campaignblog/?p=5761
The Council of Canadians and the Canadian Union of Public Employees released a new report today on the Canada-European Union Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) and water privatization.
NEWS: Barlow calls for KGH decision to be reversedhttp://www.canadians.org/campaignblog/?p=5755
The Kingston Whig-Standard reports this morning that, “About 100 people turned out at City Hall last night to hear (Kingston General Hospital) union representatives and guest speakers, including Council of Canadians chairwoman Maude Barlow, pledge to unravel the 10-year contract.
UPDATE: Maude Barlow addresses Assembly of First Nations meeting
http://www.canadians.org/campaignblog/?p=5757
The Toronto Star and Postmedia News are reporting this evening on an Assembly of First Nations Special Chiefs Assembly that took place in Gatineau, Quebec today.
NEWS: Maude Barlow in La Jornadahttp://www.canadians.org/campaignblog/?p=5772
When Council of Canadians chairperson Maude Barlow was in Mexico recently for the COP 16 climate conference, she was interviewed by La Jornada. La Jornada is one of Mexico City’s leading newspapers. It has approximately 287,000 readers in Mexico City and their website has approximately 180,000 daily page views.
====================
13. Beware the Psychopath, My Son
http://dissidentvoice.org/2008/05/bewar ... th-my-son/
by Clinton Callahan / May 12th, 2008
The following is largely extracted from two articles:
Twilight of the Psychopaths, by Dr. Kevin Barrett and The Trick of the Psychopath’s Trade by Silvia Cattori. Both articles are recommended. Both articles reference the book Political Ponerology: A science on the nature of evil adjusted for political purposes, by Andrzej Lobaczewski. Cattori’s article is longer and includes an interview with the book’s editors, Laura Knight-Jadczyk and Henry See.
I make the effort to share this information because it gives me, at last, a plausible answer to a long-unanswered question: Why, no matter how much intelligent goodwill exists in the world, is there so much war, suffering and injustice? It doesn’t seem to matter what creative plan, ideology, religion, or philosophy great minds come up with, nothing seems to improve our lot. Since the dawn of civilization, this pattern repeats itself over and over again.
The answer is that civilization, as we know it, is largely the creation of psychopaths. All civilizations, our own included, have been built on slavery and mass murder. Psychopaths have played a disproportionate role in the development of civilization, because they are hard-wired to lie, kill, cheat, steal, torture, manipulate, and generally inflict great suffering on other humans without feeling any remorse, in order to establish their own sense of security through domination. The inventor of civilization — the first tribal chieftain who successfully brainwashed an army of controlled mass murderers — was almost certainly a genetic psychopath. Since that momentous discovery, psychopaths have enjoyed a significant advantage over non-psychopaths in the struggle for power in civilizational hierarchies — especially military hierarchies.
MORE:
http://dissidentvoice.org/2008/05/bewar ... th-my-son/
==================
14. WATCH: WikiRebels - The Documentary (57.25 min.)
http://www.uruknet.de/?s1=1&p=72810&s2=13
December 12, 2010 - In less than a year Wikileaks has grown from a rather obscure website to a global political player, shaping world history and events, by revealing secret documents about warcrimes, corporate corruption and shady political backdoor dealings. Over several months a crew from Swedish Television has been following the secretive media network and its work behind the scenes. The result is a one hour feature documentary that tells the story behind the story
- Oscar
- Site Admin
- Posts: 9851
- Joined: Wed May 03, 2006 3:23 pm
FRACKING ENERGY NEWS: December 23, 2010
by Oscar » Thu Dec 23, 2010 5:43 pm
FRACKING ENERGY NEWS: December 23, 2010
1. POLL RESULTS: Is Alberta Gov’t doing enough to protect water in the tarsands area?
2. NIKIFORUK: Series of Reports Blacken Oil Sands Managers
3. Horizontal Wells All the Rage in 2010
4. Council wants provincial halt Kings County journal
5. Village residents battle sink holes, dry wells and shifting soil
6. EnCana pipeline called into question
7. Baseline Water Well Testing Completed for Mora County: Las Vegas Basin Property Owners
8. Fracking at Heart of Natural Gas Future Drillers say Drinking Water Safe
9. Will shale gas turn out to be an energy sink?
10. 15 Claims the Natural Gas Industry Wants You to Believe and Why They’re Wrong
11. Lehman Twp. eyes road wear near gas sites
12. Every Hydro Frac Uses As Much Water as 17,500 Households!
13. Gasland -- The Review (with MAPS)
14. UPDATE: Enbridge Northern Gateway Project Joint Review
15. Ex-environment minister had been poised to step in over oilsands: cable
16. Oilsands panel recommends critical fixes
17. Ottawa, Alberta blamed for lax oil-sands oversight
18. (AB) Bill threatens property rights
19. Giant oil pipeline in the works from Alberta to the Gulf / MAP
20. Thirsty Energy, Scarce Water: Interdependent Security Challenges
21. West Using Its Military Might To Control World Energy Resources: Pentagon's Global Mission To Secure Oil And Gas Supplies
22. Turkmen natural gas pipeline Tapi to cross Afghanistan
23. BEWARE THE TREEHUGGERS
24. LISTEN: PROJECT CENSORED - CBC Radio One - The Current
25. Council of Canadians Update: Dec. 21 & 22, 2010
26. Council of Canadians E-newsletter - December 21, 2010
=============
1. POLL RESULTS: Is Alberta Gov’t doing enough to protect water in the tarsands area?
http://www.cbc.ca/politics/insidepolitics/2010/12/
question-of-the-day-258.html
================
2. NIKIFORUK: Series of Reports Blacken Oil Sands Managers
http://thetyee.ca/Opinion/2010/12/22/BlackenedOilSands/
Oilsands Advisory Panel backs previous studies blasting reckless ways of world's largest energy project.
By Andrew Nikiforuk, Today, TheTyee.ca
NIKIFORUK SOUNDED ALARMS THAT REPORTS NOW VERIFY
When Andrew Nikiforuk signed on to be The Tyee's writer in residence, he had his work cut out for him, as he saw it. His own research for his award-winning book Tar Sands: Dirty Oil and the Future of a Continent had told him that the Alberta oil sands were being mined with dangerously inadequate regard for water quality and other toxic effects.
His first article as writer-in-residence for The Tyee, "What Those Who Killed the Tar Sands Report Don't Want You to Know" painstakingly resurrected the testimony and scientific findings pointing to an environmental disaster in the making that the Harper government tried to bury. That was published on July 15, 2010, and it was one of The Tyee's most read pieces of the year.
In the past two months, the spate of independent reports validating Nikiforuk's reporting for The Tyee are gratifying to see.
You can find all of Nikiforuk's pieces for The Tyee here. -- David Beers
"We do not err because truth is difficult to see. It is visible at a glance. We err because this is more comfortable." -- Alexander Solzhenitsyn
It's been a mirthless month of truth and consequences for the tar sands, the world's largest energy project, and its careless government servants.
Environment Canada's Oilsands Advisory Panel, the Royal Society of Canada and Ottawa's commissioner of the environment all took a hard look at the quality of water monitoring on the mighty Athabasca River and declared the obvious: that it was disorganized, incoherent, third rate, and lacked scientific leadership. In short, it was neither credible nor ethical.
These ugly truths, long evident to aboriginal elders and many scientists, have sent industry propagandists and government falsifiers back to their rooms for a long Christmas sulk. Yes, Virginia, there is a hell for liars.
Alberta's incompetent environment minister, Rob Renner, can no longer say all pollution on the Athabasca River is as natural as Santa Claus. And Premier Ed Stelmach, Canada's Daft Bitumen Monarch, can no longer carol about "environmental responsibility" or the sweetness of the air in Fort McMurray.
MORE:
http://thetyee.ca/Opinion/2010/12/22/BlackenedOilSands/
- - - - -
Related: (All Links are on Website)
What Those Who Killed the Tar Sands Report Don't Want You to Know
Why did a parliamentary committee suddenly destroy drafts of a final report on tar sands pollution? Here's what they knew.
Nikiforuk Pores Over Royal Society's Oil Sands Study
What the scientists got right, and missed, in their high-profile, largely damning report.
Alberta Hides Dirty Truth as US Demands Tar Sands Facts
Potential buyers of tar sands oil want to know its true carbon footprint, but industry won't come clean.
==============
3. Horizontal Wells All the Rage in 2010
http://www.albertasurfacerights.org/articles/?id=633
Daily Oil Bulletin: Dec 8, 2010
QUOTE: To the end of November, Alberta's Energy Resources Conservation Board has issued 10,046 licences, B.C. Oil and Gas Commission has assigned 808 licences, Saskatchewan has authorized 3,715 new wells and Manitoba has approved a record 585 licences.
In a year that can best be described as a recovery from near-disaster levels in 2009, one segment of Canada's drilling industry has seen a spectacular rise - horizontal drilling.
When the final numbers are in next month, 2010 will likely show about 2,700 more licenses were approved for new horizontal wells this year than in the previous record year of 2008. That should put the horizontal licence count around 6,700 for 2010 compared to the 2008 record of 4,019 permits.
Through the first 11 months of 2010, operators licensed 5,926 horizontal wells, including a monthly high of 761 in November, more than double last year's 11-month total of 2,848.
Of the total to the end of November this year, 4,484 of the horizontal wells were chasing oil or bitumen while 694 had natural gas listed as the target. This excludes British Columbia which does not release information on the target objective. B.C. licensed 573 new horizontal wells to the end of November compared to 2,950 in Alberta, 1,904 in Saskatchewan and 501 in Manitoba.
MORE:
http://www.albertasurfacerights.org/articles/?id=633
======================
4. Council wants provincial halt Kings County journal
http://telegraphjournal.canadaeast.com/ ... le/1356235
Published Friday December 17th, 2010
HAMPTON - Hampton town council is asking the province to hold a moratorium on hydraulic fracturing until the province has answered some of the public's concerns. Council passed a unanimous motion this week asking the Alward government to not allow any companies to conduct hydraulic fracturing in New Brunswick until it answers some of the concerns in a document by Ben Parfitt entitled, "Fracture Lines: Will
Canada's Water be Protected in the Rush to Develop Shale Gas?" "We really feel that there are too many questions that need to be answered," said Councillor Peter Behr, who sits on the town's environment committee. SWN Resources Canada is set to explore one million hectares across the centre of the province, including the Sussex area, looking for oil and natural gas. Its three-year exploration program will cost $49-million. Part of its program involves drilling a test well and using a controversial technique called hydraulic fracturing. It involves drilling a hole thousands of feet deep and setting off charges in a horizontal pipe that fractures the rock containing oil or natural gas. A mixture of sand, water and chemicals is then pumped into the fractures to force the hydrocarbon out. It's controversial because some believe it can contaminate well water. Behr said the town's environment committee is concerned because most of the town's residents depend on private wells.
==================
5. Village residents battle sink holes, dry wells and shifting soil
http://www.digitaljournal.com/article/301471
DEC 16, 2010 by Lynn Curwin
“The problems started with the potash mine but natural gas hasn't helped the situation,” said McCabe.
“PotashCorp drilled the natural gas wells in conjunction with Corridor Resources.” The gas was discovered when the company was looking for a place to pump the water that was flowing into the mine, and they now supply the mine with natural gas. Seismic testing coincided with the loss of water at several homes. A process used to stimulate gas wells, hydraulic fracturing (fracking), also took place in the area. McCabe said this process creates cracks in rock to let the gas out, but Concerned Citizens of Penobsquis has acquired information stating that the cap rock over the original potash mine workings was more brittle than expected and has cracked, allowing water to flow into the mine.
Full Article:
http://www.digitaljournal.com/article/301471
- - - - - -
Follow Natural Gas Concerns on Facebook: New Brunswickers Concerned about Shale Gas
http://www.facebook.com/?ref=home#!/pages/
New-Brunswickers-Concerned-about-Shale-Gas/113703165360501
===================
6. EnCana pipeline called into question
http://www.medicinehatnews.com/front-page-news/
encana-pipeline-called-into-question-12212010.html
Tuesday, 21 December 2010 02:00 Alex Mccuaig amccuaig@medicinehatnews.com
A retired wildlife official is questioning the regulatory legitimacy of a pipeline built in the Suffield National Wildlife Area by EnCana after prosecutors dropped charges against the company for a foray into the nature reserve.
"There was nothing filed for that particular piece of construction," said Garry Trottier, the Canadian Wildlife Services official who first came across the pipeline site located within CFB Suffield.
His 2005 investigation concluded there were a number of shortcomings about the pipeline, including lack of permits, planning or applications concerning its construction. "There was no permission asked... That's what I established before Environment Canada made the complaint."
MORE:
http://www.medicinehatnews.com/front-page-news/
encana-pipeline-called-into-question-12212010.html
====================
7. Baseline Water Well Testing Completed for Mora County: Las Vegas Basin Property Owners
http://drillingmoracounty.blogspot.com/2010/12/
baseline-water-well-testing-completed.html
PRESS RELEASE 12/21/2010
• Sampling collected on water wells at "ground zero" in Mora County across the Las Vegas Basin from Watrous, Buena Vista, La Cueva, Rainsville, Ojo Feliz, Ocate to Wagon Mound
• First county in the United States to put into place baseline water well testing on private land before natural gas drilling takes place
• Testing for markers found in hydraulic fracturing fluids
• Methane gas levels sampled
• Testing for radioactive contaminants and known diesel contamination such as have been found at natural gas sites after hydraulic fracturing and well drilling
• Baseline testing shows clean drinking water in Mora County Las Vegas Basin
DATELINE: MORA COUNTY
This past week Drilling Mora County completed a baseline water well sampling and testing protocol on a number of private and community drinking water wells that traverse the Las Vegas Basin area East to West and North to South on land that has either been leased for natural gas drilling or is near leased land.
Through a grant from the McCune Foundation, Drilling Mora County put into place this first-time protocol thanks to the help from many individuals and groups across the Southwest, Northeast and Canada, all of whom have been impacted by federal and state government fiscal hunger fed by an industry whose race to drill the last “great places” in the United States and Canada gains daily momentum.
The protocol follows strict guidelines for collecting and testing water samples that assures accurate results of the landowner’s water quality. The sampling and testing was for known hydraulic fracturing chemicals, including surfactants, methane gas, heavy metals and radioactive substances, to establish their presence or absence in each well. Tracers that are found in industry’s hydraulic fracturing fluids will be evidence of contamination, thanks to the in-depth work of Dr. Theo Colborn,
Endocrine Disruption Exchange. (http://www.endocrinedisruption.com/chem ... turing.php)
Certified water sampling professional Walter Drew of Indepth Water Testing, Santa Fe, and the New Mexico State certified drinking water lab, Hall Environmental Analytical Laboratory, Albuquerque, New Mexico, ran the procedures on the water wells, which ranged from 40-300 feet deep.
According to retired Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Environmental Engineer Weston Wilson, “Mora County will be the first county in the United States to put baseline water testing in place on private land prior to natural gas development in their county.” Wilson is known for his whistleblower status when he presented to Congress that the EPA 2004 Hydraulic Fracturing study was a cover-up for industry to continue “business as usual” in spite of the EPA’s report outlining the health impacts the toxic chemicals would have on the drinking water when pumped into the ground.
EPA Environmental Justice, Region 6 coordinator, Shirley Augurson, told Drilling Mora County they have no statutes that authorize them to help fund baseline water sampling for private wells in Mora County, even though the threat by industry to drill for natural gas is just a matter of time. Once the water is contaminated, then they could help-- “your request is not related to existing contamination, but rather to establishing baseline water quality conditions. This is a task Congress has not included in our mission,” said Ms. Augurson. That after-the-fact offer of “help” is not what Drilling Mora County had in mind.
The New Mexico Oil Conservation Division (OCD) sells drilling permits to oil and gas corporations in the state and charges severance taxes to these corporations yet has no authority over the chemicals the industry injects into the ground. A “don’t ask, don’t tell“ exchange between industry and the state government gives industry the entire playing field. Cuts at the state level over the past few years have reduced OCD by eleven positions and a mere 14 inspectors for over 80,000 wells. With no state or federal support for water testing and no stipulations over toxic chemicals injected into the earth, it is clear that there is no government protection for the citizens when it comes to protecting their water from industry's natural gas drilling—activities endorsed by state governments—encouraged and even supported despite voiced citizen concerns regarding health, safety and welfare.
Industry has a polished and successful edge on discounting citizen health and water contamination, and without baseline testing in place prior to the drilling, has the leverage to claim that contaminants present in the water wells are “naturally occurring,” thereby claiming it is not a result of their drilling practices. In the case of Mora County, however, industry will now have to account for full Quality Assurance and Sampling Analysis Reports, and laboratory testing data should they decide to drill in this County.
But according to incoming Mora County Commissioner John Olivas, “There will be no gas drilling in Mora County under my watch.” And incoming commissioner Paula Garcia certainly appears to be an equally strong advocate for protecting Mora County’s water and the health and safety of the citizens. Commissioner Laudente Quintana fought to protect the water in Wagon Mound, Mora County, when mayor, and his track record shows he is an “official of the people.”
The oil industry has kept mum about their hydraulic fracturing chemicals until recently when Halliburton was forced via a subpoena to expose the toxic ingredients. Still playing a “game,” industry continues to equate what they pump into the ground as no more toxic than ingredients in lipstick, cleaning products and hair shampoo. But for those who know that these consumer products are also unregulated by government, and harbor many health damaging chemicals, industry’s’ claims do not dispel the urgency to stop all hydraulic fracturing in order to keep intact the health of the people, animals and ecosystems.
Hydraulic fracturing chemicals used during natural gas development and highly toxic chemicals used during the initial drilling process have been implicated in water well contamination throughout the United States, and most recently by the EPA in Texas against Range Resources Corp, These fluids, according to industry, “[they] have never been documented by state regulators to contaminate groundwater,” although towns and citizens living near natural gas fields have had wells shut down and bottled water brought in by local authorities due to high levels of benzene and methane found in their water wells after hydraulic fracturing and well drilling began.
In Alberta, Canada, Encana has done baseline testing after drilling natural gas wells near homes, but refuses to release the data to concerned citizens who request it. Their refusal sends a suspicious note into the winds. Today in Mora County, baseline water well testing results provide citizens with critical personal water data. Given the slough of water well contamination across the country and Canada, this information could give industry some serious thought before risking contaminating provenly clean aquifers in Mora County.
mas vale prevenir que curar -------- is better to prevent than to cure
.
Kathleen Dudley
575 666 2529
Co-founder, Drilling Mora County
drillingmoracounty@gmail.com
www.drillingmoracounty.blogspot.com
==================
8. Fracking at Heart of Natural Gas Future Drillers say Drinking Water Safe
http://www.energybiz.com/article/10/12/
fracking-heart-natural-gas-future
Ken Silverstein | Dec 21, 2010
New York's governor has signed an executive order stopping the process by which natural gas developers drill for shale until the state completes a study. What then does that portend for "hydraulic fracturing" and the shale gas industry?
Fracking - as it is called - is now controversial because of its alleged effects on drinking water supplies. Industry says that the process is safe, although both national and state regulators want to take a closer look. While New York has taken the most pronounced step, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has also begun an intensive investigation into the matter.
"Thanks to the well-stimulation process, natural gas that would otherwise be too deep and too difficult to access suddenly isn't - which means more energy, more jobs, and more revenue for state and local governments," Kathryn Klaber, president and executive director of the Marcellus Shale Coalition.
"But we know the process has to remain safe to remain effective. And so that's why we continue to work with state regulators to ensure that our environment and groundwater are protected."
Natural gas explorers must pump water, sand and a concoction of chemicals deep underground to split the gas from the rocks where they are embedded. Critics maintain that in cases where those gas deposits are located near aquifers, it could taint drinking water supplies. They are therefore pushing for legislation to force industry to publicly reveal what chemicals are used in the fracking process.
EPA, by comparison, is asking for companies to voluntarily disclose this information.
MORE:
http://www.energybiz.com/article/10/12/
fracking-heart-natural-gas-future
==================
9. Will shale gas turn out to be an energy sink?
http://www.energybulletin.net/stories/2010-12-19/
will-shale-gas-turn-out-be-energy-sink
by Kurt Cobb
Published Dec 19 2010 by Resource Insights, Archived Dec 19 2010
If you externalize the costs of a business activity, it means other people pay the costs--environmental, social and otherwise--and you get the profits. It goes on all the time in extractive industries such as oil and natural gas and mining. And, it is also a natural strategy for manufacturers who dump their pollution into the air and the water. It's even practiced in finance where the executives of Wall Street banks have managed to collect the bonuses made off a phony boom in the last decade and saddle taxpayers with the losses of the inevitable bust caused by bad and often fraudulent loans, misleading derivative contracts, and leveraged speculation in stocks and commodities.
If the loopholes are there, you can be assured that people in business will take advantages of them.
That's exactly what is happening in the business of shale gas drilling. Drillers are exempt from federal clean air and water regulations under a bill shepherded through Congress in 2005 by none other former Halliburton CEO Dick Cheney in his capacity as the then vice president of the United States.
(Halliburton is one of the world's largest providers of drilling fluids for shale gas drilling and other oil and gas drilling operations.) That means the drillers can externalize the environmental costs of these hazardous fluids and other materials needed to fracture the shale and thereby free the natural gas. They can foist those costs on nearby residents in the form of ruined water supplies, toxic air pollution, poisoned land, and health problems for humans and animals.
The environmental and health horrors associated with shale gas drilling are now in the news on a daily basis. But I have begun to think about the issue in another way. All of these externalized costs have an energy cost. And, the toxic fracturing fluid--millions of gallons of which are pumped into each and every shale gas well--will stretch out the time frame during which such costs are borne. No one knows what will happen to the half of that fluid which never returns to the surface during operations. There is concern that it could migrate to drinking water aquifers and destroy the drinking water not just for the few who happen to live near a drilling site, but for people living in huge swaths of the United States by polluting water sources for large cities such as New York.
Now, of course, that water could be cleaned up if it becomes toxic. Already shale gas drillers are having to provide filtering systems for people whose well water has become contaminated. In some cases, even this isn't enough, and water must now be trucked in to families whose water is no longer fit to drink even with filtering.
MORE:
http://www.energybulletin.net/stories/2010-12-19/
will-shale-gas-turn-out-be-energy-sink
===================
10. 15 Claims the Natural Gas Industry Wants You to Believe and Why They’re Wrong
http://www.alternet.org/story/149211/
By Maura Stephens, AlterNet Posted on December 15, 2010,
The gall of gas megacorporations is surpassed only by the preposterousness of their claims. They spend millions each year trying to convince the public and our lawmakers of the benefits of "natural" gas (NG), but a quick look at their propaganda reveals some deep flaws.
Take this commercial by the Houston-headquartered multi-billion-dollar Spectra Energy as an example. In just a two-and-a-half minute attempt to woo people to NG, they actually make 15 claims that don't hold water. In a world facing global climate woes, exploding population, dependence on foreign energy and inflation -- what should we do? Turn to NG, according to Spectra. But here's where their reasoning is just plain wrong.
1. Industry claim: "Natural gas is clean."
TRUTH: Here the industry is carefully trying to pull the wool over our eyes. You can't just talk about burning gas versus oil once it's in the furnace in your house; you have to look at the entire lifecycle of gas. The lifecycle cost of NG in terms of carbon dioxide and methane emission during its exploration, extraction, processing, and transportation to point of use, is no better than that of oil or coal and may even be higher than that of coal, the dirtiest fossil fuel.
MORE:
http://www.alternet.org/story/149211/
=====================
11. Lehman Twp. eyes road wear near gas sites
http://www.timesleader.com/news/
Lehman_Twp__eyes_road_wear_near_gas_sites_12-20-2010.html
Board chairman says damage will be assessed and Encana will reimburse municipality.
By CAMILLE FIOTI Times Leader Correspondent
What’s next
The supervisors will hold a reorganization meeting Jan. 3 at 7 p.m. at the township building. This will be the only meeting in January.
LEHMAN TWP. -- Questions arose at Monday’s Board of Supervisors meeting regarding the wear and tear of the township roads caused by Encana Gas & Oil’s huge rigs now that the company has ceased operations at two Marcellus Shale gas drill sites in the region.
Board Chairman Dave Sutton told the residents the township engineer will tour the roads with Encana’s engineers to assess damage.
“They are reimbursing the township for repairs,” said Sutton. Patching will be done first, he said, followed by permanent repairs performed by the company’s contractor.
MORE:
http://www.timesleader.com/news/
Lehman_Twp__eyes_road_wear_near_gas_sites_12-20-2010.html
===================
12. Every Hydro Frac Uses As Much Water as 17,500 Households!
http://wilderness.org/content/
hbo-gasland-has-it-right-take-caution-jumping-fracking-wagon
HBO’s Gasland has it right: Take caution before jumping on the ‘fracking’ wagon
By Halae Fuller on August 16, 2010 - 6:27pm
“Whoa, that’s not supposed to happen.”
Thus spoke Josh Fox, master of the understatement, after he witnessed a man, whose house neighbors a natural gas well, light his kitchen tap water on fire. And by “fire” I don’t mean a delicate tongue of flame like on a candlestick: it’s an honest-to-goodness fireball that comes blazing out of that tap. And it happens not once but multiple times in different homes across the country in Fox’s recently released documentary on hydraulic fracturing called Gasland.
Hydraulic fracturing, commonly known as “fracking” (any other Battlestar Galactica fans sharing a smile?), is a technique used by drilling companies to extract natural gas. A mixture of chemicals and water is blasted into horizontally-drilled wells, creating a multitude of fractures in the shale from which natural gas can then flow to wells on the surface. Basically, it’s a man-made earthquake thousands of feet underground. The process has been lauded by industry proponents as “the answer” to America’s future energy needs, by unlocking a vast store of “clean” natural gas previously thought to be undevelopable. Sounds pretty innocent, right?
Wrong. It takes one to seven million gallons of water to frack each well once, and each well can be fracked up to eighteen times during its lifetime. Assuming that the average American family of four uses 400 gallons of water per day, that means that each frack job can use as much water as 17,500 families do each day. And that’s not the end of it: all that water is laced with a solution drawn from a menu of 596 chemicals, many of which (such as diesel fuel, formaldehyde, glycol ethers, hydrochloric acid, and sodium hydroxide) are known to be harmful to humans. Thirty to seventy percent of the fracking solution remains underground, where it can contaminate aquifers, including aquifers used for drinking water.
MORE:
http://wilderness.org/content/
hbo-gasland-has-it-right-take-caution-jumping-fracking-wagon
Related Content (Links are on website)
Fracking: An unregulated danger to our nation's drinking water
Is fracking safe? Flaming drinking water ought to give a clue
=================
13. Gasland -- The Review (with MAPS)
http://www.hcn.org/hcn/blogs/range/gasland-the-review
David Zetland | Dec 09, 2010 12:00 AM
Editor's note: David Zetland, a Western water economist, offers an insider's perspective into waterpolitics and economics. We will be cross-posting occasional posts and content from his blog, Aguanomics, here on the Range.
JD insisted that I watch this documentary about hydraulic fracturing for natural gas in the US.
(Aquadoc's detailed summary of the film and review is here; also see wikipedia.)
In the film, Josh Fox travels in areas that have "experienced" fracking for years, collecting stories and data about damage to the environment and people's health that result from fracking in shale formations. (The most appalling scenes in the movie are where industry representatives try to deny that they have anything to do with polluted surface and ground water, using the old "those claims are over-stated" and "we have no evidence" excuses to cover up their activities.)
Shale gas plays map from Department of Energy.
Here are a few of my thoughts:
• Dick Cheney's secret energy taskforce was directly responsible for the legislation that exempted fracking from regulation under the clean water act. (Iraq appears to have been a hope for the energy folks, but that invasion was more about neoconservative's pipedreams of democracy, I think.)
• Some environmental regulators (from PA and NY, e.g.) appear to think that their job is to protect the energy industry, not the environment.*
MORE:
http://www.hcn.org/hcn/blogs/range/gasland-the-review
Originally posted at Aguanomics. Essays in the Range blog are not written by High Country News. The authors are solely responsible for the content.
Fracking threathens wild and wonderfulhttp://www.wvobserver.com/2010/12/
fracking-threathens-wild-and-wonderful/
Gold under the hills
http://www.wvobserver.com/2010/12/gold-under-the-hills/
===================
14. UPDATE: Enbridge Northern Gateway Project Joint Review
http://gatewaypanel.review-examen.gc.ca ... m-eng.html
Thursday, December 23, 2010 10:51 AM
Update
The Panel continues to review the extensive comments received and heard during the Panel sessions. The Panel will release its response and provide further direction early in 2011. The Panel appreciates the participation of all persons who commented. The information and views provided have been very helpful to the Panel.
Enbridge Northern Gateway Project Joint Review Panel
Email | Courriel gateway.review@ceaa-acee.gc.ca
Telephone 613-957-0700 / 1-866-582-1884
- - - - - -
The Project
The Enbridge Northern Gateway Project involves the construction of two pipelines and the construction and operation of the Kitimat Marine Terminal. The two pipelines are each approximately 1,170 kilometres in length, from Bruderheim, Alberta to Kitimat, British Columbia. One 914 mm (36 inch) outside diameter line would carry on average 525,000 barrels per day of petroleum products west to Kitimat. The other line, a 508 mm (20 inch) outside diameter pipeline, would carry on average 193,000 barrels of condensate per day east to Bruderheim. Condensate is used to thin petroleum products for pipeline transport.
The Kitimat Marine Terminal would have two ship berths and storage for three condensate tanks and 11 petroleum tanks. It would also include a radar monitoring station and first response capabilities.
For additional information on the Enbridge Northern Gateway Project, please visit the website of the applicant at
www.northerngateway.ca.
=====================
15. Ex-environment minister had been poised to step in over oilsands: cable
http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/canada/breakingnews/
ex-environment-minister-had-been-poised-to-step-in-over-oilsands-cable-112346339.html
By: The Canadian Press Posted: 22/12/2010 5:56 PM
OTTAWA - A leaked U.S. government document says Canada's former environment minister was frustrated with his own government's response to international criticism over the oilsands.
And Jim Prentice was getting ready to step in to do something about it.
The diplomatic note, obtained by WikiLeaks and published by the Norwegian newspaper Aftenposten, was an accounting of a 2009 lunch that Prentice had with the U.S. ambassador to Canada.
- - - -SNIP - - -
But the cable also said Prentice confessed he was taken aback by the negative coverage Canada was receiving over the oil sands.
His concerns had been sparked by a trip to Norway where a public debate was going on over whether that country should invest in "dirty oil."
"Calling himself 'conservationist-minded,' Prentice said he would step in and regulate the sands if Canada's image in the world gets further tarnished by negative coverage," read the cable.
It said that Prentice realized that Canada's historically green reputation was at stake but "he felt that Government of Canada's reaction to the dirty oil label was 'too slow' and failed to grasp the magnitude of the situation."
If industry didn't take voluntary measures and if the provincial government didn't set more stringent regulations, "he would step in and press for federal environmental legislation," the cable said.
Prentice never took that step before he resigned as environment minister last month.
But he did convene an advisory panel to examine the state of environmental monitoring and research in the region.
MORE:
http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/canada/breakingnews/
ex-environment-minister-had-been-poised-to-step-in-over-oilsands-cable-112346339.html
===================
16. Oilsands panel recommends critical fixes
http://www.cbc.ca/health/story/2010/12/21/
oilsands-pollution-report.html?ref=rss
Last Updated: Tuesday, December 21, 2010 | 6:35 PM ET CBC News
VIDEO: Oilsands news conference.
A high-level scientific panel has sharply criticized the water quality monitoring system in Alberta's oilsands, going so far as to say “there is no system.”
The Oilsands Advisory Panel, appointed by former federal environment minister Jim Prentice, made its findings public in Ottawa on Tuesday in a joint news conference with current Environment Minister John Baird, who promised to act on the panel’s recommendations.
The panel’s chair, Elizabeth Dowdeswell, was critical of a piecemeal approach to water quality monitoring, saying the system is fragmented with no links between data on water quality — including ground water — and air quality.
She also said there is no reliable longitudinal data that would give a solid understanding of the environmental impact of the oilsands.
“There is no holistic and comprehensive system. There is no system,” said Dowdeswell, president of the Council of Canadian Academies and former executive director of the United Nations Environment Program.
“The panel was unanimous: Do we have a world class monitoring system in place? In short, no. However, we could have,” she said.
MORE:
http://www.cbc.ca/health/story/2010/12/21/
oilsands-pollution-report.html?ref=rss
================
17. Ottawa, Alberta blamed for lax oil-sands oversight
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/
ottawa-alberta-blamed-for-lax-oil-sandsoversight/article1845680/
SHAWN McCARTHY — Global energy reporter
Ottawa— Globe and Mail Update Published Tuesday, Dec. 21, 2010 10:09AM EST Last updated Tuesday, Dec. 21, 2010 10:54AM EST
Federal and provincial governments have contributed to public distrust of the oil sands by failing to properly monitor the environmental impacts, a high-level panel says.
In a report released Tuesday, a high-level oil-sands advisory review panel said the two governments need to rebuild regulatory oversight of the massive energy projects.
More related to this story (All Links are on website above)
• Visions of emissions trading fading in puff of smoke
• Suncor, Total team up on oil sands
• Ottawa kept in dark on abnormal fish found in oil-sands rivers
WATCH: Total's oil patch investment
Download this media file PDF Document
Environmental and health impacts of Canada's oil sands industry
Executive Summary of report by the Royal Society of Canada Download this file (.pdf)
MORE:
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/
ottawa-alberta-blamed-for-lax-oil-sandsoversight/article1845680/
==================
18. (AB) Bill threatens property rights
http://www.albertalocalnews.com/reddeer ... e/letters/
Bill_threatens_property_rights_111379139.html
Published: December 06, 2010 7:07 AM
The Alberta government’s Bill 24 is before the legislature. The purpose of this bill is to allow carbon dioxide sequestration and enhance oil and gas recovery.
The part that most commentators of this bill are missing is that with one shot, the Alberta government has taken away the property rights of landowners, with zero compensation. The bill states that the pore space required to sequester this C02 now belongs to the province and the landowner has no claim to his own property. This is, defacto, expropriation without compensation.
This is one more step in the government assault on Albertans’ property rights and is a continuation of a long list of legislation and regulatory changes that are moving Alberta landowners into a situation where property rights are becoming meaningless.
Bills 19, 46, 36, 50 and now 24 have all eroded and confiscated rights landowners had before, and in many cases those rights were fought for and attained over generations of struggle. We find it reprehensible that this government would continue to attack the landowners of this province so they can pander to big oil.
Doug Malsbury
Secretary Alberta Surface Rights Group
Penhold
=================
19. Giant oil pipeline in the works from Alberta to the Gulf / MAP
http://money.cnn.com/2010/12/23/news/economy/
oil_sands_pipeline/index.htm
By Steve Hargreaves, senior writer December 23, 2010: 10:31 AM ET
NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) -- In the coming weeks, the Obama administration will decide if it wants to significantly increase the amount of oil the country imports from Canada's controversial Alberta oil sands.
The State Department is set to issue what could be a final ruling to allow a massive new pipeline expansion from central Alberta to the Gulf of Mexico. A decision is expected early in the new year.
Known as Keystone, the project is an expansion of an existing pipeline that now terminates in Oklahoma. Stretching over 1,600 miles -- four times the length of the Trans-Alaska system -- the new pipeline would be one of the biggest in the country.
Canada's oil sands have drawn numerous critics who say the way the oil is extracted harms the environment.
MORE:
http://money.cnn.com/2010/12/23/news/economy/
oil_sands_pipeline/index.htm
=================
20. Thirsty Energy, Scarce Water: Interdependent Security Challenges
http://www.ensec.org/
index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=274:thirsty-energy-scarcewater-interdependent-security-challenges&catid=112:energysecuritycontent&Itemid=367
Tuesday, 14 December 2010 00:00 Steven Solomon
"Wars of the 21st century will be fought over water, " Former UN Secretary General Boutros Boutros Ghali
“America’s national energy security strategy to reduce reliance on foreign fossil fuels depends upon building out unconventional and renewable domestic alternatives that are presently several orders of magnitude more water intensive than the conventional sources they are supplanting” Steven Solomon, author of WATER: The Epic Struggle for Wealth, Power and Civilization
From the invention of the waterwheel 2,000 years ago, to the modern, coal-burning steam engine that powered the 18th century Industrial Revolution, and the giant, multipurpose hydropower-irrigation flood control dams pioneered at Hoover that helped transform 20th century global civilization, water and energy have been coupled in a matrimony of ever-deepening interdependence. Today their marriage interweaves so inextricably through the spinal nexus of 21st century infrastructures that achieving energy security depends critically upon freshwater sufficiency—and water security turns upon ample, and increasing amounts, of affordable energy.
MORE:
http://www.ensec.org/
index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=274:thirsty-energy-scarcewater-interdependent-security-challenges&catid=112:energysecuritycontent&Itemid=367
================
21. West Using Its Military Might To Control World Energy Resources: Pentagon's Global Mission To Secure Oil And Gas Supplies
http://rickrozoff.wordpress.com/2009/09/22/
west-using-its-military-might-to-control-world-energy-resources/
Rick Rozoff September 22, 2009
The Stockholm International Peace Research Institute's 2009 Year Book documented that international military expenditures for 2008 reached $1.464 trillion. The denomination in dollars is germane as the United States accounted for 41.5 percent of the world total.
Earlier this month the Congressional Research Service in the U.S. reported that American weapons sales abroad reached $37.8 billion, or 68.4 percent of all global arms transactions. The next largest weapons supplier was Italy at $3.7 billion, less than one-tenth the U.S. amount. Russia was third at $3.5 billion. The Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, however, asserted that Germany had superseded Britain and France and become the world's third largest weapons exporter.
Western nations in general and the U.S. overwhelmingly among them dominate the global arms market.
21st century weaponry is daily more technologically advanced, more linked with computer networks and satellite communications, and progressively approaching a blurring of conventional and strategic, terrestrial and space-based capabilities.
And in the U.S. and allied nations the notion of so-called preemptive warfare has advanced precariously to include cyber and satellite attacks that can cripple a targeted nation's communications, control and air defense centers, thus rendering it both helpless and toothless: Not able to fend off attacks and unable to retaliate against or even forestall them with a secure deterrent force.
MORE:
http://rickrozoff.wordpress.com/2009/09/22/
west-using-its-military-might-to-control-world-energy-resources/
===================
22. Turkmen natural gas pipeline Tapi to cross Afghanistan
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-south-asia-11977744
11 December 2010 Last updated at 18:10 ET
A deal has been struck on building a 1,700km (1,050m) pipeline to carry
Turkmen natural gas across Afghanistan to Pakistan and India.
The Tapi project aims to feed energy-deprived South Asian markets and transit fees may benefit Afghanistan.
But details about security and funding were not addressed in the framework agreement reached by the four states.
The pipeline will have to cross Taliban-controlled regions and Pakistan's troubled border region.
Turkmenistan has previously costed the project at $3.3bn (£2.1bn, 2.5bn euros) although other estimates are as high as $10bn.
Tapi, a project which dates back to the mid-1990s, is backed by the Asian
Development Bank (ADB).
The US has also encouraged the project as an alternative to a proposed Iranian pipeline to India and Pakistan.
The framework intergovernmental agreement was signed in the Turkmen capital Ashgabat by three presidents - Hamid Karzai of Afghanistan, Kurbanguly Berdymukhamedov of Turkmenistan and Asif Ali Zardari of Pakistan - and India's energy minister, Murli Deora.
"This will not be an easy project to complete - it is mandatory that we guarantee the security of the pipeline and the quality of construction work," ADP chief Haruhiko Kuroda told reporters in Ashgabat.row'
BBC © MMX
==================
23. BEWARE THE TREEHUGGERS
http://motherjones.com/blue-marble/2010 ... reehuggers
By Kate Sheppard Fri Dec. 17, 2010 7:30 AM PST
Just in time for the holidays, a coalition of Christian conservative groups has issued an "explosive new 12-part DVD series" detailing the dangers of environmentalism. "Resisting the Green Dragon" explains how caring about future of the natural world is really an attempt to "push evangelicals to embrace anti-Christian environmental views."
There's a 12-minute preview here (password is "RESIST"), but Right Wing Watch helpfully made a condensed version for those who only want the greatest hits.
Here's their clip:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=to1naH2A7GU
And from the Christian groups' press release:
"One of the greatest threats to society and the church today is the multifaceted environmentalist movement," says Cornwall Alliance founder and national spokesman Dr. E. Calvin Beisner. "There isn't an aspect of life that it doesn't seek to force into its own mold."…
"Today's environmentalism isn't a neutral set of ideas that can be tacked onto the Christian faith without theological compromise," Beisner said. "Instead, it promotes its own worldview and its own doctrines of God, creation, humanity, sin, and salvation.
And those doctrines aren't Biblical."
Of course, if the environmental movement was actually as strong as the Christian right seems to think it is, we would have quite different politics on this issue.
A great response to this:
Climate change denial from the Book of Hesitations
http://switchboard.nrdc.org/blogs/aalexander/
climate_change_denial_from_the.html
Sharon Wilson Blog
http://txsharon.blogspot.com/
In North Texas on top of the Barnett Shale
Posted: December 21 Updated: Today at 12:30
====================
24. LISTEN: PROJECT CENSORED - CBC Radio One - The Current
http://www.cbc.ca/thecurrent/
Wednesday December 22, 2010
Project Censored
We continue our look at the year's most under-reported stories with Peter Phillips. He is the co-author of this year's Project Censored report and we talk to him to find out where he thinks the media has dropped the ball.
==================
25. Council of Canadians Update: Dec. 21 & 22, 2010
Council of Canadians Update: December 21, 2010
VIEW: ‘Why Bolivia stood alone in opposing the Cancún climate agreement’, by Pablo Solon
http://www.canadians.org/campaignblog/?p=5806
Pablo Solon, the ambassador of the Plurinational State of Bolivia to the United Nations, writes in The Guardian UK today that...
NEWS: United Nations adopts Tajik water resolutionhttp://www.canadians.org/campaignblog/?p=5802
Turkey’s English daily newspaper Hurriyet reports that, “A resolution sponsored by Tajikistan focusing on sustainable development and protecting the world’s fresh water resources has been adopted by the United Nations.
- - - - -
Council of Canadians Update: December 22, 2010:
VIEWS: Walkom vs. Alden on border securityhttp://www.canadians.org/campaignblog/?p=5818
Edward Alden, a senior fellow at the Washington, DC-based Council on Foreign Relations, recently wrote that, “While the (perimeter security) initiative as outlined makes tremendous sense on both sides of the border, it will face significant opposition in Canada from those who fear that national sovereignty will be sacrificed on the altar of continental security, and in the United States from those who favor unilateral approaches to securing the borders. Supporters of intelligence risk management on both sides of the border will have to work hard to spell out the benefits from such an agreement and to overcome the inevitable opposition.”
AUDIO: Stuart Trew talks CETA on RCIhttp://www.canadians.org/campaignblog/?p=5814
Yesterday, Council of Canadians trade campaigner Stuart Trew was interviewed on Radio Canada International about the Canada-European Union Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement.
To listen to that interview, please go to
http://www.rcinet.ca/english/column/the ... p-stories/
16-24_2010-12-21-canada-talks-free-trade-with-europe/.
NEWS: CNSC decision on Great Lakes still pendinghttp://www.canadians.org/campaignblog/?p=5812
On November 22 the National Post reported that, “The Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission has a month…to make a decision” about the controversial plan by Bruce Power to transport sixteen radioactive steam generators across the Great Lakes to Sweden. According to that report that would make the decision day today.
NEWS: Mulroney, five former ambassadors say security perimeter good for Canada
http://www.canadians.org/campaignblog/?p=5809
The push appears to be on for the security perimeter.
Cancun in review
http://www.canadians.org/energyblog/?p=403
Just a quick note, before I head home for tea, cookies, some good books and rest for the holidays, to recap recent climate justice campaign highlights.
The WTO emerges from its coma: Let’s put trade on trial in 2011http://www.canadians.org/tradeblog/?p=1240
With a lacklustre (to say the least) climate agreement in hand, and a perception that the worst of the economic crisis is behind them, world powers have turned their attention to the WTO.
=====================
26. Council of Canadians E-newsletter - December 21, 2010
http://www.canadians.org/publications/subscribe/enews/
2010/December-21.html
Canada’s public water systems could be up for sale under CETA
The Council of Canadians and The Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) released a report last week raising serious concerns about the threat a trade deal with the European Union poses to Canada’s public water systems.
Public Water For Sale: How Canada will privatize our public water systems is a report to municipal, provincial and territorial governments regarding the Canada European Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA). It warns that public water in Canada will be lost unless the provinces and territories take immediate steps to remove water from the scope of negotiations.
CETA would open up public municipal water systems across Canada to privatization. Europe is home to private water giants such as Veolia Environment and Suez. At the request of these private, for-profit water corporations, Canada’s provincial and territorial governments are considering including drinking water and wastewater services in their services commitments under CETA. Once systems are privatized, public control and accountability would be lost.
“CETA is a water privatization deal,” says Maude Barlow, National Chairperson of the Council of Canadians. “Our public water is being negotiated away behind closed doors. We need to act now or we will wake up one morning and our public water systems will be gone.”
Here’s more about what’s new at the Council of Canadians: (Links are on website)
Harper government quietly negotiating new border security deal
Canada needs to do more to secure climate justice: Council denounces last minute deal in Cancun climate talks
Help save Canada’s lakes
Maude Barlow speaks at Assembly of First Nations gathering
Council of Canadians offices closed for the holidays
Still looking for that perfect holiday gift?
Join the Council of Canadians
1. POLL RESULTS: Is Alberta Gov’t doing enough to protect water in the tarsands area?
2. NIKIFORUK: Series of Reports Blacken Oil Sands Managers
3. Horizontal Wells All the Rage in 2010
4. Council wants provincial halt Kings County journal
5. Village residents battle sink holes, dry wells and shifting soil
6. EnCana pipeline called into question
7. Baseline Water Well Testing Completed for Mora County: Las Vegas Basin Property Owners
8. Fracking at Heart of Natural Gas Future Drillers say Drinking Water Safe
9. Will shale gas turn out to be an energy sink?
10. 15 Claims the Natural Gas Industry Wants You to Believe and Why They’re Wrong
11. Lehman Twp. eyes road wear near gas sites
12. Every Hydro Frac Uses As Much Water as 17,500 Households!
13. Gasland -- The Review (with MAPS)
14. UPDATE: Enbridge Northern Gateway Project Joint Review
15. Ex-environment minister had been poised to step in over oilsands: cable
16. Oilsands panel recommends critical fixes
17. Ottawa, Alberta blamed for lax oil-sands oversight
18. (AB) Bill threatens property rights
19. Giant oil pipeline in the works from Alberta to the Gulf / MAP
20. Thirsty Energy, Scarce Water: Interdependent Security Challenges
21. West Using Its Military Might To Control World Energy Resources: Pentagon's Global Mission To Secure Oil And Gas Supplies
22. Turkmen natural gas pipeline Tapi to cross Afghanistan
23. BEWARE THE TREEHUGGERS
24. LISTEN: PROJECT CENSORED - CBC Radio One - The Current
25. Council of Canadians Update: Dec. 21 & 22, 2010
26. Council of Canadians E-newsletter - December 21, 2010
=============
1. POLL RESULTS: Is Alberta Gov’t doing enough to protect water in the tarsands area?
http://www.cbc.ca/politics/insidepolitics/2010/12/
question-of-the-day-258.html
================
2. NIKIFORUK: Series of Reports Blacken Oil Sands Managers
http://thetyee.ca/Opinion/2010/12/22/BlackenedOilSands/
Oilsands Advisory Panel backs previous studies blasting reckless ways of world's largest energy project.
By Andrew Nikiforuk, Today, TheTyee.ca
NIKIFORUK SOUNDED ALARMS THAT REPORTS NOW VERIFY
When Andrew Nikiforuk signed on to be The Tyee's writer in residence, he had his work cut out for him, as he saw it. His own research for his award-winning book Tar Sands: Dirty Oil and the Future of a Continent had told him that the Alberta oil sands were being mined with dangerously inadequate regard for water quality and other toxic effects.
His first article as writer-in-residence for The Tyee, "What Those Who Killed the Tar Sands Report Don't Want You to Know" painstakingly resurrected the testimony and scientific findings pointing to an environmental disaster in the making that the Harper government tried to bury. That was published on July 15, 2010, and it was one of The Tyee's most read pieces of the year.
In the past two months, the spate of independent reports validating Nikiforuk's reporting for The Tyee are gratifying to see.
You can find all of Nikiforuk's pieces for The Tyee here. -- David Beers
"We do not err because truth is difficult to see. It is visible at a glance. We err because this is more comfortable." -- Alexander Solzhenitsyn
It's been a mirthless month of truth and consequences for the tar sands, the world's largest energy project, and its careless government servants.
Environment Canada's Oilsands Advisory Panel, the Royal Society of Canada and Ottawa's commissioner of the environment all took a hard look at the quality of water monitoring on the mighty Athabasca River and declared the obvious: that it was disorganized, incoherent, third rate, and lacked scientific leadership. In short, it was neither credible nor ethical.
These ugly truths, long evident to aboriginal elders and many scientists, have sent industry propagandists and government falsifiers back to their rooms for a long Christmas sulk. Yes, Virginia, there is a hell for liars.
Alberta's incompetent environment minister, Rob Renner, can no longer say all pollution on the Athabasca River is as natural as Santa Claus. And Premier Ed Stelmach, Canada's Daft Bitumen Monarch, can no longer carol about "environmental responsibility" or the sweetness of the air in Fort McMurray.
MORE:
http://thetyee.ca/Opinion/2010/12/22/BlackenedOilSands/
- - - - -
Related: (All Links are on Website)
What Those Who Killed the Tar Sands Report Don't Want You to Know
Why did a parliamentary committee suddenly destroy drafts of a final report on tar sands pollution? Here's what they knew.
Nikiforuk Pores Over Royal Society's Oil Sands Study
What the scientists got right, and missed, in their high-profile, largely damning report.
Alberta Hides Dirty Truth as US Demands Tar Sands Facts
Potential buyers of tar sands oil want to know its true carbon footprint, but industry won't come clean.
==============
3. Horizontal Wells All the Rage in 2010
http://www.albertasurfacerights.org/articles/?id=633
Daily Oil Bulletin: Dec 8, 2010
QUOTE: To the end of November, Alberta's Energy Resources Conservation Board has issued 10,046 licences, B.C. Oil and Gas Commission has assigned 808 licences, Saskatchewan has authorized 3,715 new wells and Manitoba has approved a record 585 licences.
In a year that can best be described as a recovery from near-disaster levels in 2009, one segment of Canada's drilling industry has seen a spectacular rise - horizontal drilling.
When the final numbers are in next month, 2010 will likely show about 2,700 more licenses were approved for new horizontal wells this year than in the previous record year of 2008. That should put the horizontal licence count around 6,700 for 2010 compared to the 2008 record of 4,019 permits.
Through the first 11 months of 2010, operators licensed 5,926 horizontal wells, including a monthly high of 761 in November, more than double last year's 11-month total of 2,848.
Of the total to the end of November this year, 4,484 of the horizontal wells were chasing oil or bitumen while 694 had natural gas listed as the target. This excludes British Columbia which does not release information on the target objective. B.C. licensed 573 new horizontal wells to the end of November compared to 2,950 in Alberta, 1,904 in Saskatchewan and 501 in Manitoba.
MORE:
http://www.albertasurfacerights.org/articles/?id=633
======================
4. Council wants provincial halt Kings County journal
http://telegraphjournal.canadaeast.com/ ... le/1356235
Published Friday December 17th, 2010
HAMPTON - Hampton town council is asking the province to hold a moratorium on hydraulic fracturing until the province has answered some of the public's concerns. Council passed a unanimous motion this week asking the Alward government to not allow any companies to conduct hydraulic fracturing in New Brunswick until it answers some of the concerns in a document by Ben Parfitt entitled, "Fracture Lines: Will
Canada's Water be Protected in the Rush to Develop Shale Gas?" "We really feel that there are too many questions that need to be answered," said Councillor Peter Behr, who sits on the town's environment committee. SWN Resources Canada is set to explore one million hectares across the centre of the province, including the Sussex area, looking for oil and natural gas. Its three-year exploration program will cost $49-million. Part of its program involves drilling a test well and using a controversial technique called hydraulic fracturing. It involves drilling a hole thousands of feet deep and setting off charges in a horizontal pipe that fractures the rock containing oil or natural gas. A mixture of sand, water and chemicals is then pumped into the fractures to force the hydrocarbon out. It's controversial because some believe it can contaminate well water. Behr said the town's environment committee is concerned because most of the town's residents depend on private wells.
==================
5. Village residents battle sink holes, dry wells and shifting soil
http://www.digitaljournal.com/article/301471
DEC 16, 2010 by Lynn Curwin
“The problems started with the potash mine but natural gas hasn't helped the situation,” said McCabe.
“PotashCorp drilled the natural gas wells in conjunction with Corridor Resources.” The gas was discovered when the company was looking for a place to pump the water that was flowing into the mine, and they now supply the mine with natural gas. Seismic testing coincided with the loss of water at several homes. A process used to stimulate gas wells, hydraulic fracturing (fracking), also took place in the area. McCabe said this process creates cracks in rock to let the gas out, but Concerned Citizens of Penobsquis has acquired information stating that the cap rock over the original potash mine workings was more brittle than expected and has cracked, allowing water to flow into the mine.
Full Article:
http://www.digitaljournal.com/article/301471
- - - - - -
Follow Natural Gas Concerns on Facebook: New Brunswickers Concerned about Shale Gas
http://www.facebook.com/?ref=home#!/pages/
New-Brunswickers-Concerned-about-Shale-Gas/113703165360501
===================
6. EnCana pipeline called into question
http://www.medicinehatnews.com/front-page-news/
encana-pipeline-called-into-question-12212010.html
Tuesday, 21 December 2010 02:00 Alex Mccuaig amccuaig@medicinehatnews.com
A retired wildlife official is questioning the regulatory legitimacy of a pipeline built in the Suffield National Wildlife Area by EnCana after prosecutors dropped charges against the company for a foray into the nature reserve.
"There was nothing filed for that particular piece of construction," said Garry Trottier, the Canadian Wildlife Services official who first came across the pipeline site located within CFB Suffield.
His 2005 investigation concluded there were a number of shortcomings about the pipeline, including lack of permits, planning or applications concerning its construction. "There was no permission asked... That's what I established before Environment Canada made the complaint."
MORE:
http://www.medicinehatnews.com/front-page-news/
encana-pipeline-called-into-question-12212010.html
====================
7. Baseline Water Well Testing Completed for Mora County: Las Vegas Basin Property Owners
http://drillingmoracounty.blogspot.com/2010/12/
baseline-water-well-testing-completed.html
PRESS RELEASE 12/21/2010
• Sampling collected on water wells at "ground zero" in Mora County across the Las Vegas Basin from Watrous, Buena Vista, La Cueva, Rainsville, Ojo Feliz, Ocate to Wagon Mound
• First county in the United States to put into place baseline water well testing on private land before natural gas drilling takes place
• Testing for markers found in hydraulic fracturing fluids
• Methane gas levels sampled
• Testing for radioactive contaminants and known diesel contamination such as have been found at natural gas sites after hydraulic fracturing and well drilling
• Baseline testing shows clean drinking water in Mora County Las Vegas Basin
DATELINE: MORA COUNTY
This past week Drilling Mora County completed a baseline water well sampling and testing protocol on a number of private and community drinking water wells that traverse the Las Vegas Basin area East to West and North to South on land that has either been leased for natural gas drilling or is near leased land.
Through a grant from the McCune Foundation, Drilling Mora County put into place this first-time protocol thanks to the help from many individuals and groups across the Southwest, Northeast and Canada, all of whom have been impacted by federal and state government fiscal hunger fed by an industry whose race to drill the last “great places” in the United States and Canada gains daily momentum.
The protocol follows strict guidelines for collecting and testing water samples that assures accurate results of the landowner’s water quality. The sampling and testing was for known hydraulic fracturing chemicals, including surfactants, methane gas, heavy metals and radioactive substances, to establish their presence or absence in each well. Tracers that are found in industry’s hydraulic fracturing fluids will be evidence of contamination, thanks to the in-depth work of Dr. Theo Colborn,
Endocrine Disruption Exchange. (http://www.endocrinedisruption.com/chem ... turing.php)
Certified water sampling professional Walter Drew of Indepth Water Testing, Santa Fe, and the New Mexico State certified drinking water lab, Hall Environmental Analytical Laboratory, Albuquerque, New Mexico, ran the procedures on the water wells, which ranged from 40-300 feet deep.
According to retired Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Environmental Engineer Weston Wilson, “Mora County will be the first county in the United States to put baseline water testing in place on private land prior to natural gas development in their county.” Wilson is known for his whistleblower status when he presented to Congress that the EPA 2004 Hydraulic Fracturing study was a cover-up for industry to continue “business as usual” in spite of the EPA’s report outlining the health impacts the toxic chemicals would have on the drinking water when pumped into the ground.
EPA Environmental Justice, Region 6 coordinator, Shirley Augurson, told Drilling Mora County they have no statutes that authorize them to help fund baseline water sampling for private wells in Mora County, even though the threat by industry to drill for natural gas is just a matter of time. Once the water is contaminated, then they could help-- “your request is not related to existing contamination, but rather to establishing baseline water quality conditions. This is a task Congress has not included in our mission,” said Ms. Augurson. That after-the-fact offer of “help” is not what Drilling Mora County had in mind.
The New Mexico Oil Conservation Division (OCD) sells drilling permits to oil and gas corporations in the state and charges severance taxes to these corporations yet has no authority over the chemicals the industry injects into the ground. A “don’t ask, don’t tell“ exchange between industry and the state government gives industry the entire playing field. Cuts at the state level over the past few years have reduced OCD by eleven positions and a mere 14 inspectors for over 80,000 wells. With no state or federal support for water testing and no stipulations over toxic chemicals injected into the earth, it is clear that there is no government protection for the citizens when it comes to protecting their water from industry's natural gas drilling—activities endorsed by state governments—encouraged and even supported despite voiced citizen concerns regarding health, safety and welfare.
Industry has a polished and successful edge on discounting citizen health and water contamination, and without baseline testing in place prior to the drilling, has the leverage to claim that contaminants present in the water wells are “naturally occurring,” thereby claiming it is not a result of their drilling practices. In the case of Mora County, however, industry will now have to account for full Quality Assurance and Sampling Analysis Reports, and laboratory testing data should they decide to drill in this County.
But according to incoming Mora County Commissioner John Olivas, “There will be no gas drilling in Mora County under my watch.” And incoming commissioner Paula Garcia certainly appears to be an equally strong advocate for protecting Mora County’s water and the health and safety of the citizens. Commissioner Laudente Quintana fought to protect the water in Wagon Mound, Mora County, when mayor, and his track record shows he is an “official of the people.”
The oil industry has kept mum about their hydraulic fracturing chemicals until recently when Halliburton was forced via a subpoena to expose the toxic ingredients. Still playing a “game,” industry continues to equate what they pump into the ground as no more toxic than ingredients in lipstick, cleaning products and hair shampoo. But for those who know that these consumer products are also unregulated by government, and harbor many health damaging chemicals, industry’s’ claims do not dispel the urgency to stop all hydraulic fracturing in order to keep intact the health of the people, animals and ecosystems.
Hydraulic fracturing chemicals used during natural gas development and highly toxic chemicals used during the initial drilling process have been implicated in water well contamination throughout the United States, and most recently by the EPA in Texas against Range Resources Corp, These fluids, according to industry, “[they] have never been documented by state regulators to contaminate groundwater,” although towns and citizens living near natural gas fields have had wells shut down and bottled water brought in by local authorities due to high levels of benzene and methane found in their water wells after hydraulic fracturing and well drilling began.
In Alberta, Canada, Encana has done baseline testing after drilling natural gas wells near homes, but refuses to release the data to concerned citizens who request it. Their refusal sends a suspicious note into the winds. Today in Mora County, baseline water well testing results provide citizens with critical personal water data. Given the slough of water well contamination across the country and Canada, this information could give industry some serious thought before risking contaminating provenly clean aquifers in Mora County.
mas vale prevenir que curar -------- is better to prevent than to cure
.
Kathleen Dudley
575 666 2529
Co-founder, Drilling Mora County
drillingmoracounty@gmail.com
www.drillingmoracounty.blogspot.com
==================
8. Fracking at Heart of Natural Gas Future Drillers say Drinking Water Safe
http://www.energybiz.com/article/10/12/
fracking-heart-natural-gas-future
Ken Silverstein | Dec 21, 2010
New York's governor has signed an executive order stopping the process by which natural gas developers drill for shale until the state completes a study. What then does that portend for "hydraulic fracturing" and the shale gas industry?
Fracking - as it is called - is now controversial because of its alleged effects on drinking water supplies. Industry says that the process is safe, although both national and state regulators want to take a closer look. While New York has taken the most pronounced step, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has also begun an intensive investigation into the matter.
"Thanks to the well-stimulation process, natural gas that would otherwise be too deep and too difficult to access suddenly isn't - which means more energy, more jobs, and more revenue for state and local governments," Kathryn Klaber, president and executive director of the Marcellus Shale Coalition.
"But we know the process has to remain safe to remain effective. And so that's why we continue to work with state regulators to ensure that our environment and groundwater are protected."
Natural gas explorers must pump water, sand and a concoction of chemicals deep underground to split the gas from the rocks where they are embedded. Critics maintain that in cases where those gas deposits are located near aquifers, it could taint drinking water supplies. They are therefore pushing for legislation to force industry to publicly reveal what chemicals are used in the fracking process.
EPA, by comparison, is asking for companies to voluntarily disclose this information.
MORE:
http://www.energybiz.com/article/10/12/
fracking-heart-natural-gas-future
==================
9. Will shale gas turn out to be an energy sink?
http://www.energybulletin.net/stories/2010-12-19/
will-shale-gas-turn-out-be-energy-sink
by Kurt Cobb
Published Dec 19 2010 by Resource Insights, Archived Dec 19 2010
If you externalize the costs of a business activity, it means other people pay the costs--environmental, social and otherwise--and you get the profits. It goes on all the time in extractive industries such as oil and natural gas and mining. And, it is also a natural strategy for manufacturers who dump their pollution into the air and the water. It's even practiced in finance where the executives of Wall Street banks have managed to collect the bonuses made off a phony boom in the last decade and saddle taxpayers with the losses of the inevitable bust caused by bad and often fraudulent loans, misleading derivative contracts, and leveraged speculation in stocks and commodities.
If the loopholes are there, you can be assured that people in business will take advantages of them.
That's exactly what is happening in the business of shale gas drilling. Drillers are exempt from federal clean air and water regulations under a bill shepherded through Congress in 2005 by none other former Halliburton CEO Dick Cheney in his capacity as the then vice president of the United States.
(Halliburton is one of the world's largest providers of drilling fluids for shale gas drilling and other oil and gas drilling operations.) That means the drillers can externalize the environmental costs of these hazardous fluids and other materials needed to fracture the shale and thereby free the natural gas. They can foist those costs on nearby residents in the form of ruined water supplies, toxic air pollution, poisoned land, and health problems for humans and animals.
The environmental and health horrors associated with shale gas drilling are now in the news on a daily basis. But I have begun to think about the issue in another way. All of these externalized costs have an energy cost. And, the toxic fracturing fluid--millions of gallons of which are pumped into each and every shale gas well--will stretch out the time frame during which such costs are borne. No one knows what will happen to the half of that fluid which never returns to the surface during operations. There is concern that it could migrate to drinking water aquifers and destroy the drinking water not just for the few who happen to live near a drilling site, but for people living in huge swaths of the United States by polluting water sources for large cities such as New York.
Now, of course, that water could be cleaned up if it becomes toxic. Already shale gas drillers are having to provide filtering systems for people whose well water has become contaminated. In some cases, even this isn't enough, and water must now be trucked in to families whose water is no longer fit to drink even with filtering.
MORE:
http://www.energybulletin.net/stories/2010-12-19/
will-shale-gas-turn-out-be-energy-sink
===================
10. 15 Claims the Natural Gas Industry Wants You to Believe and Why They’re Wrong
http://www.alternet.org/story/149211/
By Maura Stephens, AlterNet Posted on December 15, 2010,
The gall of gas megacorporations is surpassed only by the preposterousness of their claims. They spend millions each year trying to convince the public and our lawmakers of the benefits of "natural" gas (NG), but a quick look at their propaganda reveals some deep flaws.
Take this commercial by the Houston-headquartered multi-billion-dollar Spectra Energy as an example. In just a two-and-a-half minute attempt to woo people to NG, they actually make 15 claims that don't hold water. In a world facing global climate woes, exploding population, dependence on foreign energy and inflation -- what should we do? Turn to NG, according to Spectra. But here's where their reasoning is just plain wrong.
1. Industry claim: "Natural gas is clean."
TRUTH: Here the industry is carefully trying to pull the wool over our eyes. You can't just talk about burning gas versus oil once it's in the furnace in your house; you have to look at the entire lifecycle of gas. The lifecycle cost of NG in terms of carbon dioxide and methane emission during its exploration, extraction, processing, and transportation to point of use, is no better than that of oil or coal and may even be higher than that of coal, the dirtiest fossil fuel.
MORE:
http://www.alternet.org/story/149211/
=====================
11. Lehman Twp. eyes road wear near gas sites
http://www.timesleader.com/news/
Lehman_Twp__eyes_road_wear_near_gas_sites_12-20-2010.html
Board chairman says damage will be assessed and Encana will reimburse municipality.
By CAMILLE FIOTI Times Leader Correspondent
What’s next
The supervisors will hold a reorganization meeting Jan. 3 at 7 p.m. at the township building. This will be the only meeting in January.
LEHMAN TWP. -- Questions arose at Monday’s Board of Supervisors meeting regarding the wear and tear of the township roads caused by Encana Gas & Oil’s huge rigs now that the company has ceased operations at two Marcellus Shale gas drill sites in the region.
Board Chairman Dave Sutton told the residents the township engineer will tour the roads with Encana’s engineers to assess damage.
“They are reimbursing the township for repairs,” said Sutton. Patching will be done first, he said, followed by permanent repairs performed by the company’s contractor.
MORE:
http://www.timesleader.com/news/
Lehman_Twp__eyes_road_wear_near_gas_sites_12-20-2010.html
===================
12. Every Hydro Frac Uses As Much Water as 17,500 Households!
http://wilderness.org/content/
hbo-gasland-has-it-right-take-caution-jumping-fracking-wagon
HBO’s Gasland has it right: Take caution before jumping on the ‘fracking’ wagon
By Halae Fuller on August 16, 2010 - 6:27pm
“Whoa, that’s not supposed to happen.”
Thus spoke Josh Fox, master of the understatement, after he witnessed a man, whose house neighbors a natural gas well, light his kitchen tap water on fire. And by “fire” I don’t mean a delicate tongue of flame like on a candlestick: it’s an honest-to-goodness fireball that comes blazing out of that tap. And it happens not once but multiple times in different homes across the country in Fox’s recently released documentary on hydraulic fracturing called Gasland.
Hydraulic fracturing, commonly known as “fracking” (any other Battlestar Galactica fans sharing a smile?), is a technique used by drilling companies to extract natural gas. A mixture of chemicals and water is blasted into horizontally-drilled wells, creating a multitude of fractures in the shale from which natural gas can then flow to wells on the surface. Basically, it’s a man-made earthquake thousands of feet underground. The process has been lauded by industry proponents as “the answer” to America’s future energy needs, by unlocking a vast store of “clean” natural gas previously thought to be undevelopable. Sounds pretty innocent, right?
Wrong. It takes one to seven million gallons of water to frack each well once, and each well can be fracked up to eighteen times during its lifetime. Assuming that the average American family of four uses 400 gallons of water per day, that means that each frack job can use as much water as 17,500 families do each day. And that’s not the end of it: all that water is laced with a solution drawn from a menu of 596 chemicals, many of which (such as diesel fuel, formaldehyde, glycol ethers, hydrochloric acid, and sodium hydroxide) are known to be harmful to humans. Thirty to seventy percent of the fracking solution remains underground, where it can contaminate aquifers, including aquifers used for drinking water.
MORE:
http://wilderness.org/content/
hbo-gasland-has-it-right-take-caution-jumping-fracking-wagon
Related Content (Links are on website)
Fracking: An unregulated danger to our nation's drinking water
Is fracking safe? Flaming drinking water ought to give a clue
=================
13. Gasland -- The Review (with MAPS)
http://www.hcn.org/hcn/blogs/range/gasland-the-review
David Zetland | Dec 09, 2010 12:00 AM
Editor's note: David Zetland, a Western water economist, offers an insider's perspective into waterpolitics and economics. We will be cross-posting occasional posts and content from his blog, Aguanomics, here on the Range.
JD insisted that I watch this documentary about hydraulic fracturing for natural gas in the US.
(Aquadoc's detailed summary of the film and review is here; also see wikipedia.)
In the film, Josh Fox travels in areas that have "experienced" fracking for years, collecting stories and data about damage to the environment and people's health that result from fracking in shale formations. (The most appalling scenes in the movie are where industry representatives try to deny that they have anything to do with polluted surface and ground water, using the old "those claims are over-stated" and "we have no evidence" excuses to cover up their activities.)
Shale gas plays map from Department of Energy.
Here are a few of my thoughts:
• Dick Cheney's secret energy taskforce was directly responsible for the legislation that exempted fracking from regulation under the clean water act. (Iraq appears to have been a hope for the energy folks, but that invasion was more about neoconservative's pipedreams of democracy, I think.)
• Some environmental regulators (from PA and NY, e.g.) appear to think that their job is to protect the energy industry, not the environment.*
MORE:
http://www.hcn.org/hcn/blogs/range/gasland-the-review
Originally posted at Aguanomics. Essays in the Range blog are not written by High Country News. The authors are solely responsible for the content.
Fracking threathens wild and wonderfulhttp://www.wvobserver.com/2010/12/
fracking-threathens-wild-and-wonderful/
Gold under the hills
http://www.wvobserver.com/2010/12/gold-under-the-hills/
===================
14. UPDATE: Enbridge Northern Gateway Project Joint Review
http://gatewaypanel.review-examen.gc.ca ... m-eng.html
Thursday, December 23, 2010 10:51 AM
Update
The Panel continues to review the extensive comments received and heard during the Panel sessions. The Panel will release its response and provide further direction early in 2011. The Panel appreciates the participation of all persons who commented. The information and views provided have been very helpful to the Panel.
Enbridge Northern Gateway Project Joint Review Panel
Email | Courriel gateway.review@ceaa-acee.gc.ca
Telephone 613-957-0700 / 1-866-582-1884
- - - - - -
The Project
The Enbridge Northern Gateway Project involves the construction of two pipelines and the construction and operation of the Kitimat Marine Terminal. The two pipelines are each approximately 1,170 kilometres in length, from Bruderheim, Alberta to Kitimat, British Columbia. One 914 mm (36 inch) outside diameter line would carry on average 525,000 barrels per day of petroleum products west to Kitimat. The other line, a 508 mm (20 inch) outside diameter pipeline, would carry on average 193,000 barrels of condensate per day east to Bruderheim. Condensate is used to thin petroleum products for pipeline transport.
The Kitimat Marine Terminal would have two ship berths and storage for three condensate tanks and 11 petroleum tanks. It would also include a radar monitoring station and first response capabilities.
For additional information on the Enbridge Northern Gateway Project, please visit the website of the applicant at
www.northerngateway.ca.
=====================
15. Ex-environment minister had been poised to step in over oilsands: cable
http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/canada/breakingnews/
ex-environment-minister-had-been-poised-to-step-in-over-oilsands-cable-112346339.html
By: The Canadian Press Posted: 22/12/2010 5:56 PM
OTTAWA - A leaked U.S. government document says Canada's former environment minister was frustrated with his own government's response to international criticism over the oilsands.
And Jim Prentice was getting ready to step in to do something about it.
The diplomatic note, obtained by WikiLeaks and published by the Norwegian newspaper Aftenposten, was an accounting of a 2009 lunch that Prentice had with the U.S. ambassador to Canada.
- - - -SNIP - - -
But the cable also said Prentice confessed he was taken aback by the negative coverage Canada was receiving over the oil sands.
His concerns had been sparked by a trip to Norway where a public debate was going on over whether that country should invest in "dirty oil."
"Calling himself 'conservationist-minded,' Prentice said he would step in and regulate the sands if Canada's image in the world gets further tarnished by negative coverage," read the cable.
It said that Prentice realized that Canada's historically green reputation was at stake but "he felt that Government of Canada's reaction to the dirty oil label was 'too slow' and failed to grasp the magnitude of the situation."
If industry didn't take voluntary measures and if the provincial government didn't set more stringent regulations, "he would step in and press for federal environmental legislation," the cable said.
Prentice never took that step before he resigned as environment minister last month.
But he did convene an advisory panel to examine the state of environmental monitoring and research in the region.
MORE:
http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/canada/breakingnews/
ex-environment-minister-had-been-poised-to-step-in-over-oilsands-cable-112346339.html
===================
16. Oilsands panel recommends critical fixes
http://www.cbc.ca/health/story/2010/12/21/
oilsands-pollution-report.html?ref=rss
Last Updated: Tuesday, December 21, 2010 | 6:35 PM ET CBC News
VIDEO: Oilsands news conference.
A high-level scientific panel has sharply criticized the water quality monitoring system in Alberta's oilsands, going so far as to say “there is no system.”
The Oilsands Advisory Panel, appointed by former federal environment minister Jim Prentice, made its findings public in Ottawa on Tuesday in a joint news conference with current Environment Minister John Baird, who promised to act on the panel’s recommendations.
The panel’s chair, Elizabeth Dowdeswell, was critical of a piecemeal approach to water quality monitoring, saying the system is fragmented with no links between data on water quality — including ground water — and air quality.
She also said there is no reliable longitudinal data that would give a solid understanding of the environmental impact of the oilsands.
“There is no holistic and comprehensive system. There is no system,” said Dowdeswell, president of the Council of Canadian Academies and former executive director of the United Nations Environment Program.
“The panel was unanimous: Do we have a world class monitoring system in place? In short, no. However, we could have,” she said.
MORE:
http://www.cbc.ca/health/story/2010/12/21/
oilsands-pollution-report.html?ref=rss
================
17. Ottawa, Alberta blamed for lax oil-sands oversight
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/
ottawa-alberta-blamed-for-lax-oil-sandsoversight/article1845680/
SHAWN McCARTHY — Global energy reporter
Ottawa— Globe and Mail Update Published Tuesday, Dec. 21, 2010 10:09AM EST Last updated Tuesday, Dec. 21, 2010 10:54AM EST
Federal and provincial governments have contributed to public distrust of the oil sands by failing to properly monitor the environmental impacts, a high-level panel says.
In a report released Tuesday, a high-level oil-sands advisory review panel said the two governments need to rebuild regulatory oversight of the massive energy projects.
More related to this story (All Links are on website above)
• Visions of emissions trading fading in puff of smoke
• Suncor, Total team up on oil sands
• Ottawa kept in dark on abnormal fish found in oil-sands rivers
WATCH: Total's oil patch investment
Download this media file PDF Document
Environmental and health impacts of Canada's oil sands industry
Executive Summary of report by the Royal Society of Canada Download this file (.pdf)
MORE:
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/
ottawa-alberta-blamed-for-lax-oil-sandsoversight/article1845680/
==================
18. (AB) Bill threatens property rights
http://www.albertalocalnews.com/reddeer ... e/letters/
Bill_threatens_property_rights_111379139.html
Published: December 06, 2010 7:07 AM
The Alberta government’s Bill 24 is before the legislature. The purpose of this bill is to allow carbon dioxide sequestration and enhance oil and gas recovery.
The part that most commentators of this bill are missing is that with one shot, the Alberta government has taken away the property rights of landowners, with zero compensation. The bill states that the pore space required to sequester this C02 now belongs to the province and the landowner has no claim to his own property. This is, defacto, expropriation without compensation.
This is one more step in the government assault on Albertans’ property rights and is a continuation of a long list of legislation and regulatory changes that are moving Alberta landowners into a situation where property rights are becoming meaningless.
Bills 19, 46, 36, 50 and now 24 have all eroded and confiscated rights landowners had before, and in many cases those rights were fought for and attained over generations of struggle. We find it reprehensible that this government would continue to attack the landowners of this province so they can pander to big oil.
Doug Malsbury
Secretary Alberta Surface Rights Group
Penhold
=================
19. Giant oil pipeline in the works from Alberta to the Gulf / MAP
http://money.cnn.com/2010/12/23/news/economy/
oil_sands_pipeline/index.htm
By Steve Hargreaves, senior writer December 23, 2010: 10:31 AM ET
NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) -- In the coming weeks, the Obama administration will decide if it wants to significantly increase the amount of oil the country imports from Canada's controversial Alberta oil sands.
The State Department is set to issue what could be a final ruling to allow a massive new pipeline expansion from central Alberta to the Gulf of Mexico. A decision is expected early in the new year.
Known as Keystone, the project is an expansion of an existing pipeline that now terminates in Oklahoma. Stretching over 1,600 miles -- four times the length of the Trans-Alaska system -- the new pipeline would be one of the biggest in the country.
Canada's oil sands have drawn numerous critics who say the way the oil is extracted harms the environment.
MORE:
http://money.cnn.com/2010/12/23/news/economy/
oil_sands_pipeline/index.htm
=================
20. Thirsty Energy, Scarce Water: Interdependent Security Challenges
http://www.ensec.org/
index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=274:thirsty-energy-scarcewater-interdependent-security-challenges&catid=112:energysecuritycontent&Itemid=367
Tuesday, 14 December 2010 00:00 Steven Solomon
"Wars of the 21st century will be fought over water, " Former UN Secretary General Boutros Boutros Ghali
“America’s national energy security strategy to reduce reliance on foreign fossil fuels depends upon building out unconventional and renewable domestic alternatives that are presently several orders of magnitude more water intensive than the conventional sources they are supplanting” Steven Solomon, author of WATER: The Epic Struggle for Wealth, Power and Civilization
From the invention of the waterwheel 2,000 years ago, to the modern, coal-burning steam engine that powered the 18th century Industrial Revolution, and the giant, multipurpose hydropower-irrigation flood control dams pioneered at Hoover that helped transform 20th century global civilization, water and energy have been coupled in a matrimony of ever-deepening interdependence. Today their marriage interweaves so inextricably through the spinal nexus of 21st century infrastructures that achieving energy security depends critically upon freshwater sufficiency—and water security turns upon ample, and increasing amounts, of affordable energy.
MORE:
http://www.ensec.org/
index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=274:thirsty-energy-scarcewater-interdependent-security-challenges&catid=112:energysecuritycontent&Itemid=367
================
21. West Using Its Military Might To Control World Energy Resources: Pentagon's Global Mission To Secure Oil And Gas Supplies
http://rickrozoff.wordpress.com/2009/09/22/
west-using-its-military-might-to-control-world-energy-resources/
Rick Rozoff September 22, 2009
The Stockholm International Peace Research Institute's 2009 Year Book documented that international military expenditures for 2008 reached $1.464 trillion. The denomination in dollars is germane as the United States accounted for 41.5 percent of the world total.
Earlier this month the Congressional Research Service in the U.S. reported that American weapons sales abroad reached $37.8 billion, or 68.4 percent of all global arms transactions. The next largest weapons supplier was Italy at $3.7 billion, less than one-tenth the U.S. amount. Russia was third at $3.5 billion. The Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, however, asserted that Germany had superseded Britain and France and become the world's third largest weapons exporter.
Western nations in general and the U.S. overwhelmingly among them dominate the global arms market.
21st century weaponry is daily more technologically advanced, more linked with computer networks and satellite communications, and progressively approaching a blurring of conventional and strategic, terrestrial and space-based capabilities.
And in the U.S. and allied nations the notion of so-called preemptive warfare has advanced precariously to include cyber and satellite attacks that can cripple a targeted nation's communications, control and air defense centers, thus rendering it both helpless and toothless: Not able to fend off attacks and unable to retaliate against or even forestall them with a secure deterrent force.
MORE:
http://rickrozoff.wordpress.com/2009/09/22/
west-using-its-military-might-to-control-world-energy-resources/
===================
22. Turkmen natural gas pipeline Tapi to cross Afghanistan
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-south-asia-11977744
11 December 2010 Last updated at 18:10 ET
A deal has been struck on building a 1,700km (1,050m) pipeline to carry
Turkmen natural gas across Afghanistan to Pakistan and India.
The Tapi project aims to feed energy-deprived South Asian markets and transit fees may benefit Afghanistan.
But details about security and funding were not addressed in the framework agreement reached by the four states.
The pipeline will have to cross Taliban-controlled regions and Pakistan's troubled border region.
Turkmenistan has previously costed the project at $3.3bn (£2.1bn, 2.5bn euros) although other estimates are as high as $10bn.
Tapi, a project which dates back to the mid-1990s, is backed by the Asian
Development Bank (ADB).
The US has also encouraged the project as an alternative to a proposed Iranian pipeline to India and Pakistan.
The framework intergovernmental agreement was signed in the Turkmen capital Ashgabat by three presidents - Hamid Karzai of Afghanistan, Kurbanguly Berdymukhamedov of Turkmenistan and Asif Ali Zardari of Pakistan - and India's energy minister, Murli Deora.
"This will not be an easy project to complete - it is mandatory that we guarantee the security of the pipeline and the quality of construction work," ADP chief Haruhiko Kuroda told reporters in Ashgabat.row'
BBC © MMX
==================
23. BEWARE THE TREEHUGGERS
http://motherjones.com/blue-marble/2010 ... reehuggers
By Kate Sheppard Fri Dec. 17, 2010 7:30 AM PST
Just in time for the holidays, a coalition of Christian conservative groups has issued an "explosive new 12-part DVD series" detailing the dangers of environmentalism. "Resisting the Green Dragon" explains how caring about future of the natural world is really an attempt to "push evangelicals to embrace anti-Christian environmental views."
There's a 12-minute preview here (password is "RESIST"), but Right Wing Watch helpfully made a condensed version for those who only want the greatest hits.
Here's their clip:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=to1naH2A7GU
And from the Christian groups' press release:
"One of the greatest threats to society and the church today is the multifaceted environmentalist movement," says Cornwall Alliance founder and national spokesman Dr. E. Calvin Beisner. "There isn't an aspect of life that it doesn't seek to force into its own mold."…
"Today's environmentalism isn't a neutral set of ideas that can be tacked onto the Christian faith without theological compromise," Beisner said. "Instead, it promotes its own worldview and its own doctrines of God, creation, humanity, sin, and salvation.
And those doctrines aren't Biblical."
Of course, if the environmental movement was actually as strong as the Christian right seems to think it is, we would have quite different politics on this issue.
A great response to this:
Climate change denial from the Book of Hesitations
http://switchboard.nrdc.org/blogs/aalexander/
climate_change_denial_from_the.html
Sharon Wilson Blog
http://txsharon.blogspot.com/
In North Texas on top of the Barnett Shale
Posted: December 21 Updated: Today at 12:30
====================
24. LISTEN: PROJECT CENSORED - CBC Radio One - The Current
http://www.cbc.ca/thecurrent/
Wednesday December 22, 2010
Project Censored
We continue our look at the year's most under-reported stories with Peter Phillips. He is the co-author of this year's Project Censored report and we talk to him to find out where he thinks the media has dropped the ball.
==================
25. Council of Canadians Update: Dec. 21 & 22, 2010
Council of Canadians Update: December 21, 2010
VIEW: ‘Why Bolivia stood alone in opposing the Cancún climate agreement’, by Pablo Solon
http://www.canadians.org/campaignblog/?p=5806
Pablo Solon, the ambassador of the Plurinational State of Bolivia to the United Nations, writes in The Guardian UK today that...
NEWS: United Nations adopts Tajik water resolutionhttp://www.canadians.org/campaignblog/?p=5802
Turkey’s English daily newspaper Hurriyet reports that, “A resolution sponsored by Tajikistan focusing on sustainable development and protecting the world’s fresh water resources has been adopted by the United Nations.
- - - - -
Council of Canadians Update: December 22, 2010:
VIEWS: Walkom vs. Alden on border securityhttp://www.canadians.org/campaignblog/?p=5818
Edward Alden, a senior fellow at the Washington, DC-based Council on Foreign Relations, recently wrote that, “While the (perimeter security) initiative as outlined makes tremendous sense on both sides of the border, it will face significant opposition in Canada from those who fear that national sovereignty will be sacrificed on the altar of continental security, and in the United States from those who favor unilateral approaches to securing the borders. Supporters of intelligence risk management on both sides of the border will have to work hard to spell out the benefits from such an agreement and to overcome the inevitable opposition.”
AUDIO: Stuart Trew talks CETA on RCIhttp://www.canadians.org/campaignblog/?p=5814
Yesterday, Council of Canadians trade campaigner Stuart Trew was interviewed on Radio Canada International about the Canada-European Union Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement.
To listen to that interview, please go to
http://www.rcinet.ca/english/column/the ... p-stories/
16-24_2010-12-21-canada-talks-free-trade-with-europe/.
NEWS: CNSC decision on Great Lakes still pendinghttp://www.canadians.org/campaignblog/?p=5812
On November 22 the National Post reported that, “The Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission has a month…to make a decision” about the controversial plan by Bruce Power to transport sixteen radioactive steam generators across the Great Lakes to Sweden. According to that report that would make the decision day today.
NEWS: Mulroney, five former ambassadors say security perimeter good for Canada
http://www.canadians.org/campaignblog/?p=5809
The push appears to be on for the security perimeter.
Cancun in review
http://www.canadians.org/energyblog/?p=403
Just a quick note, before I head home for tea, cookies, some good books and rest for the holidays, to recap recent climate justice campaign highlights.
The WTO emerges from its coma: Let’s put trade on trial in 2011http://www.canadians.org/tradeblog/?p=1240
With a lacklustre (to say the least) climate agreement in hand, and a perception that the worst of the economic crisis is behind them, world powers have turned their attention to the WTO.
=====================
26. Council of Canadians E-newsletter - December 21, 2010
http://www.canadians.org/publications/subscribe/enews/
2010/December-21.html
Canada’s public water systems could be up for sale under CETA
The Council of Canadians and The Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) released a report last week raising serious concerns about the threat a trade deal with the European Union poses to Canada’s public water systems.
Public Water For Sale: How Canada will privatize our public water systems is a report to municipal, provincial and territorial governments regarding the Canada European Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA). It warns that public water in Canada will be lost unless the provinces and territories take immediate steps to remove water from the scope of negotiations.
CETA would open up public municipal water systems across Canada to privatization. Europe is home to private water giants such as Veolia Environment and Suez. At the request of these private, for-profit water corporations, Canada’s provincial and territorial governments are considering including drinking water and wastewater services in their services commitments under CETA. Once systems are privatized, public control and accountability would be lost.
“CETA is a water privatization deal,” says Maude Barlow, National Chairperson of the Council of Canadians. “Our public water is being negotiated away behind closed doors. We need to act now or we will wake up one morning and our public water systems will be gone.”
Here’s more about what’s new at the Council of Canadians: (Links are on website)
Harper government quietly negotiating new border security deal
Canada needs to do more to secure climate justice: Council denounces last minute deal in Cancun climate talks
Help save Canada’s lakes
Maude Barlow speaks at Assembly of First Nations gathering
Council of Canadians offices closed for the holidays
Still looking for that perfect holiday gift?
Join the Council of Canadians
- Oscar
- Site Admin
- Posts: 9851
- Joined: Wed May 03, 2006 3:23 pm
FRACKING ENERGY NEWS: December 29, 2010
by Oscar » Wed Dec 29, 2010 5:33 pm
FRACKING ENERGY NEWS: December 29, 2010
1. EVENT: Alternative Energy Forum and Fair – Moose Jaw – Feb. 4 & 5, 2011
2. FRACKING & CHROMIUM 6
3. WATCH: "Town of Allopath" - Medical Model - Symptoms vs Cause (6 min.)
4. The Scientific Guide to Global Warming Skepticism
5. Resolve to be a commoner in 2011!
6. LETTER: SHIELDS: Let's Ask For What We Really Need!!
7. Oil Sands to Boom: Internal Federal Report
8. LETTER: SHIELDS: CAPP---Riding Herd On Provincial Politicians
9. The Oil Slick BP Tried To Hide Has Been Discovered, In Thick Layers On the Sea Floor Over An Area of Several Thousand Square Miles
10. The Imminent Crash Of The Oil Supply: What Is Going To Happen And How It Came To Pass That We Weren't Forewarned
11. Bolivia Versus the World: Exposé | The 2º Death Dance – The 1º Cover-up
12. Idea #8: A Train for Canada's Birthday
13. Warren Buffett's MidAmerican Orders 258 Wind Turbines for Iowa Wind Farm
14. What birds bring
15. How Children Suffer From Climate Change
16. From Snowstorms to Heat Waves, How Global Warming Causes Extreme Weather and Climate Instability
17. 2010: A Precedent-Setting Year In the Fight Against Coal
18. New House Science Committee Chair Ralph Hall Threatens to Subpoena Climate Scientists
===================
1. EVENT: Alternative Energy Forum and Fair – Moose Jaw – Feb. 4 & 5, 2011
http://www.moosejaw.ca/services/events/index.shtml#10
Location: SIAST Palliser Campus
Admission Fees: $5/$10/$15
Age Groups Involved: All
Organization Hosting Event: City of Moose Jaw & Palliser Campus
Telephone Number: (306) 690-9591
Email: janrad@sasktel.net
Other Information:
2011 Alternative Energy Forum & Consumer/Developer/Producer Fair
Presented by the City of Moose Jaw's Green Plan & SIAST Palliser Campus
February 4 & 5, 2011 SIAST Palliser Campus Moose Jaw
Thinking of using solar, wind or geothermal in your home or community?
Interested in Made in Saskatchewan alternative energy related products, services and design?
Looking to learn more about generating, using and selling alternative energy power?
Looking for ideas on how to shrink your ecological footprint?
Greening your daycare, school, college, university, common areas, public buildings or campuses?
The Forum will feature workshop presentations that focus on the conference theme of practical applications for the transition to alternative energy resources.
Tours: Focus on local green energy features including the new Field House, Arena, and Curling Rink (60 mins); and wind, solar and geo-thermal projects with residential, commercial and institutional buildings (100 mins). An actual residential energy audit and solution demonstration (100 mins) will also be offered.
The Fair will feature the latest developments in alternative energy technology and will offer an opportunity for participants to meet with energy technology developers and promoters.
=================
2. FRACKING & CHROMIUM 6
EPA Sort of Takes Action on Carcinogen in Drinking Water
http://www.alternet.org/newsandviews/article/413314/
epa_sort_of_takes_action_on_carcinogen_in_drinking_water/
By Tara Lohan | Sourced from AlterNet Posted at December 27, 2010, 12:42 pm
Good news (sort of) -- responding to a report released last week by the Environmental Working Group, the EPA has just announced that they are urging water utilities to begin testing drinking water for the hexavalent chromium (otherwise known as chromium 6 or that carcinogen made famous by Julia Roberts "Erin Brockovich").
EWG reported that there was chrom 6 in the drinking water of at least 31 U.S. cities and 25 of those showed what is believed to be dangerously high levels. The metal is naturally occurring and also comes from industries like steel manufacturing, leather tanning, welding, dyes, and it was used as in industrial cooling equipment because of its anti-corrosive properties. It's long known to be carcinogenic when inhaled and research also reveals that when ingested it can be dangerous as well.
While it's welcome news that the EPA is finally getting a bit more serious about chrom 6, they still aren't going far enough. The Washington Post reports:
The EPA said Wednesday that it is issuing guidance to the utilities explaining how to test for the chemical but is not requiring tests at this time. The agency said it will also give technical help to the 31 cities identified in the survey - including Washington and Bethesda - so they can set up a monitoring and sampling procedure for hexavalent chromium...
Currently our drinking water is tested for total chromium, which includes chrom 6 and chrom 3. Chromium 3 is actually good for us, but chrom 6 is definitely not. Testing just for chrom 6 however, is "technically challenging." "Many laboratories that handle standard tests for water companies are not equipped to perform the more sophisticated tests," reports the Washington Post. Cleaning up chrom 6 in drinking water is not going to be easy nor cheap and there is already huge resistance from companies who've been dishing this stuff into our water supply for decades.
MORE:
http://www.alternet.org/newsandviews/article/413314/
epa_sort_of_takes_action_on_carcinogen_in_drinking_water/
= = = = =
Ugly Reality of Fracking
http://www.discoverestevan.com/
index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=6594&Itemid=194
Written by Administrator Thursday, 22 April 2010
EXCERPT:
Chromium-6 In The Water
Being an activist on behalf of her community is not the only connection Ernst has with Brockovich. Through expensive Freedom of Information requests, Ernst obtained post-fracking water well monitoring data that showed the Alberta Environment people had found hexavalent chromium in Rosebud’s well water. “The government hasn’t told this to people” in the hamlet, says Ernst.
Hexavalent chromium, otherwise known as chromium-6, is the extremely toxic substance Brockovich found in the drinking water in Hinkley, California, which led to a major class action lawsuit against Pacific Gas & Electric, which finally paid the plaintiffs more than $200 million (€146M) in 2006.
Ernst, who knows the industry well, says chromium-6 “is used in fracking and drilling.” In an odd coincidence, Erin Brockovich herself is currently involved in investigating a mile-long plume of chromium-6 contamination of drinking water – apparently caused by fracking and drilling – in Midland, Texas. In July 2009, Brockovich investigators told the press they have evidence that hydraulic fracturing specialist Schlumberger is to blame. In the continuing case, Brockovich is representing 40 householders whose water has been contaminated.
MORE:
http://www.discoverestevan.com/
index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=6594&Itemid=194
====================
3. WATCH: "Town of Allopath" - Medical Model - Symptoms vs Cause (6 min.)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t29aFSACbnA
====================
4. The Scientific Guide to Global Warming Skepticism
http://www.skepticalscience.com/
The-Scientific-Guide-to-Global-Warming-Skepticism.html
December 8, 2010
Scientific skepticism is healthy. In fact, science by its very nature is skeptical. Genuine skepticism means considering the full body of evidence before coming to a conclusion. However, when you take a close look at arguments expressing climate ‘skepticism’, what you often observe is cherry picking of pieces of evidence while rejecting any data that don’t fit the desired picture. This isn’t skepticism. It is ignoring facts and the science.
The Scientific Guide to Global Warming Skepticism looks at both the evidence that human activity is causing global warming and the ways that climate ‘skeptic’ arguments can mislead by presenting only small pieces of the puzzle rather than the full picture.
Download Guide:
http://www.skepticalscience.com/docs/Gu ... ticism.pdf
=================
5. Resolve to be a commoner in 2011!
http://www.onthecommons.org/
December 28, 2010
To our fellow commoners:
A new movement is emerging. Across the U.S. and around the world, people are rediscovering the commons today. Spurred by On the Commons and other forces, they are seeing, naming and claiming what belongs to all of us.
At On the Commons, we are involved in a remarkable variety of efforts to reconstitute community, relocalize food, preserve water as a commons, move towards cooperative economics and better harmonize our lives with the health of our planet. As a commons movement strategy center, we connect organizations, community leaders and individuals with new ideas, practical solutions and one another to create significant change.
MORE:
http://www.onthecommons.org/
=================
6. LETTER: SHIELDS: Let's Ask For What We Really Need!!
From: lagran
To: Prime Minister/Premier ministre ; Layton, Jack - M.P. ; iggy ; Info
Cc: premier@gov.nl.ca ; Minister, EMPR EMPR:EX ; mccallum ; goodale ; flaherty ; bill boyd ; Alberta Activism ; jmorales@neb-one.gc.ca ; acameron@neb-one.gc.ca
Sent: Thursday, December 23, 2010 12:44 PM
Subject: Lets Ask For What We Really Need!!
I love Wikileaks.
In a closed society where politicians very seldom speak their minds to those that elected them---Wikileaks is a must. As an Albertan I am asking our federal government for far more than the environmental protection they seem to believe Canadians need. Indeed I'm asking for a independent federal body to offer folks from the western Provinces protection from our provincial governments, who have become dominated by the giant, rich, energy industry. The attention Danny Williams received on retirement has given even federal politicians more timber than they knew they had before this event!!
Most Albertans will agree that we have become ruled by the desires of the energy industry and their advocate CAPP, but most Albertans have been born with a industry candy in their mouth, and taught to be "Low-Brow" with respect to democracy. As a Petro-Political-State, industry has allowed Alberta enough resource dollars to barely maintain the cost of infrastructure resource development is directly responsible for. Western Canada without a Premier like Danny Williams needs a federal study to compare returns to the public from energy resources deemed owned by the public!!
By allowing the energy industry to set rules for all development and exports, the federal government is guilty of neglect to their Canadian public. The example of Alberta's 2 past and the present Premier stating their opposition to raw bitumen exports only to have the federal government's NEB license the Keystone for that very practice, leaves most Albertan's and western Canadians with little hope for federal assistance under the Harper Reform/Conservative government. However, I have no intention of suffering in silence!!
Stewart Shields
Lacombe,Alta.
= = = = = =
Prentice was ready to curb oilsands: WikiLeaks
http://www.cbc.ca/canada/story/2010/12/22/
prentice-oil-sands-wikileaks.html
Last Updated: Wednesday, December 22, 2010 | 9:08 PM ET CBC News
Former environment minister Jim Prentice told U.S. Ambassador David Jacobson that he was prepared to step in and impose tougher regulations on the oilsands if the industry damaged Canada's green reputation, according to a cable released by WikiLeaks.
"[Prentice] noted that if industry did not take voluntary measures and if the provincial government did not set more stringent regulations, he would step in and press federal environmental legislation," according to the cable, apparently written by Jacobson.
According to the cable, which recounts a meeting between Jacobson and Prentice on Nov. 5, 2009, Prentice expressed his concerns about the media focus on the oilsands and the possible impact on Canada's green standing on the world stage.
Prentice said that during a trip to Norway, he was shocked at the public's sentiment toward the oilsands and the debate about whether or not to invest in "dirty oil," the cable says.
- - - - SNIP - - -
"At the end of the day, Prentice wants Canada to be billed as the most environmentally conscious energy superpower," according to the cable.
Last month, Prentice resigned from politics to join the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce.
================
7. Oil Sands to Boom: Internal Federal Report
http://thetyee.ca/News/2010/12/27/OilSandsBoom/
?utm_source=daily&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=271210
Expect a rise in greenhouse-gas emitting heavy crude oil production in North America, says federal government report.
By Stanley Tromp, December 27, 2010 TheTyee.ca
Prepare for a Canadian and U.S. shift toward heavier forms of crude oil as global production of lighter crude oil sources decline, says a federal government report. As well, "Generally, heavier forms of crude oil, such as that contained in the oil sands, require more energy and resources to produce and refine, compared to lighter crude oil, resulting in higher air pollutant and GHG [greenhouse gas] emissions."
Those were amongst the conclusions of "A discussion paper on the Oil Sands: Challenges and Opportunities" by economist Kevin Birn and policy advisor Paul Khanna. Both work for the federal department of natural resources, but state they were only expressing their own views. The 25-page internal report of July 2010 (which provides a good introduction to the subject for the general reader) was obtained via the Access to Information Act.
Related Document
A discussion paper on the Oil Sands: Challenges and Opportunities:
http://thetyee.ca/News/2010/12/26/Birn% ... eport2.pdf
MORE:
http://thetyee.ca/News/2010/12/27/OilSandsBoom/
?utm_source=daily&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=271210
===================
8. LETTER: SHIELDS: CAPP---Riding Herd On Provincial Politicians
From: lagran
To: Minister, EMPR EMPR:EX; bill boyd; energy.minister@gov.ab.ca
Cc: Rae.B@parl.gc.ca; Prime Minister/Premier ministre; Layton, Jack - M.P.; iggy; goodale; flaherty
Sent: Wednesday, December 29, 2010 3:11 PM
Subject: CAPP---Riding Herd On Provincial Politicians
This story from the Edmonton Journal should really hit home. Again I urge the Western Energy Ministers to look seriously at the reported profits of the energy industry plying their trade in Western Canada. Rationalize why public dollars are turned over to this industry in giant amounts, and why royalties are lower than the infrastructure costs because of industry development? Albertans are no better off by having a oil and gas industry if the public are only allowed enough to get by on while the remainder is turned over to the foreign-owned energy industry!! Let’s stop this insanity, where would the industry leave to go?? CAPP has been able to bridle and ride our provincial leaders long enough, let’s call their bluff!!
Stewart Shields
Lacombe, Alberta
= = = = = =
Why subsidize low-price production?
http://www.edmontonjournal.com/news/sub ... roduction/
4035626/story.html
Edmonton Journal December 29, 2010
'Tis the season of giving -- an appropriate time to examine the significant gift Albertans gave to the oil industry again this year. Chalk up another $1.4 billion in royalty-reduction programs and drilling incentives.
Over the past three years, Albertans coughed up more than $3.3 billion in incentives to the oilpatch -- and the final tallies aren't even in yet. And that's not even the best part. This year the Alberta government announced that programs that accounted for half of last year's $1.5 billion in relinquished royalties are no longer temporary oilpatch-stimulation programs.
They are now permanent.
A recent study by the Winnipeg-based International Institute for Sustainable Development points out that Alberta is not alone in giving subsidies to the oil-industry giants, In 2006, for example, they racked up more than $17 billion in revenues in 2006. The federal government ($1.38 billion) and the provinces of Saskatchewan ($327 million) and Newfoundland ($83 million) joined Alberta ($1.05 billion) in kicking in $2.84 billion in subsidies to the oilpatch that year.
The institute argues that sparking the oilpatch with taxpayers' money doesn't really pay off for the taxpayers, workers or the environment. It claims the subsidies will boost the economies by only 0.16 per cent over the next decade while increasing greenhouse-gas emissions in the process.
The Alberta government says it had to do it to prevent the oil and gas companies from packing their bags and heading elsewhere. "They can run all these goofy numbers that they want," said Energy Minister Ron Liepert when confronted with the Institute's findings last month. "You have to find the right balance because it is a capital-intensive market and if you don't have the right balance, the capital is going to go elsewhere." Liepert also took offence to the depiction of the royalty-relief programs as "subsidies."
But even roughnecks can do the math. They know that natural gas will be worth much more to Albertans if it is pumped out of the ground when it is double the current price with no subsidy program than if it is pumped out of the ground now in a market flooded with shale gas. If the governments let the market work, like Conservatives governments are always saying we should do, that oil and gas will be pumped from the ground when the market makes it worthwhile for companies to do it and we'll all make more money.
Governments are essentially paying subsidies for something that would be done anyway for free. We're not saying there is no benefit. But the benefit is limited to keeping some drilling rigs and their suppliers working when economic conditions might otherwise have shut them down. What the subsidies are really doing is propping up a portion of the community now at the expense of all of us and our children and grandchildren.
Ask any economist about the benefits versus the cost. University of Alberta energy economist Andre Plourde, who sat on the blue-ribbon Royalty Review panel that stated in no uncertain terms that Albertans are not getting their fair share of the resource, says this social welfare to the energy giants is "really a bad thing."
MORE:
http://www.edmontonjournal.com/news/sub ... roduction/
4035626/story.html
====================
9. The Oil Slick BP Tried To Hide Has Been Discovered, In Thick Layers On the Sea Floor Over An Area of Several Thousand Square Miles
www.globalresearch.ca/index.php?context=va&aid=22487
By Washington's Blog Global Research, December 22, 2010
Washington's Blog
http://www.washingtonsblog.com/2010/12/
oil-bp-tried-to-hide-has-been.html
BP and the government famously declared that most of the oil had disappeared.
But as I've noted, as much as 98% of the oil is still in the ocean.
I have repeatedly pointed out that BP and the government applied massive amounts of dispersant to the Gulf Oil Spill in an effort to sink and hide the oil. Many others said the same thing.
BP and the government denied this, of course.
But the oil is not remaining hidden.
Indeed, as the Wall Street Journal noted on December 9th:
A university scientist and the federal government say they have found persuasive evidence that oil from the massive Gulf of Mexico spill is settling on the ocean floor.
The new findings, from scientists at the University of South Florida and from a broad government effort, mark the latest indication that environmental damage from the blowout of a BP PLC well could be significant where it's hardest to find: deep under the Gulf's surface.
***
Scientists who have been on research cruises in the Gulf in recent days report finding layers of residue up to several centimeters thick from what they suspect is BP oil.
The material appears in spots across several thousand square miles of seafloor, they said. In many of those spots, they said, worms and other marine life that crawl along the sediment appear dead, though many organisms that can swim appear healthy.
***
Tests now have started to link some oil in the sediment to the BP well could add to the amount of money BP ends up paying to compensate for the spill's damage.
***
The test results also raise questions about the possible downsides of the government's use of chemical dispersants to fight the spill.
***
Under federal direction, about 1.8 million gallons of dispersants were sprayed on the spilled oil in an effort to break it up into tiny droplets that natural ocean microbes could eat up. At the time, officials said the dispersants shouldn't cause oil from the spill to sink to the seafloor. However, more recently, a federal report said dispersants may have helped some spilled oil sink to the sediment.
MORE:
www.globalresearch.ca/index.php?context=va&aid=22487
=====================
10. The Imminent Crash Of The Oil Supply: What Is Going To Happen And How It Came To Pass That We Weren't Forewarned
http://inteldaily.com/2010/04/oil-crash/
April 23, 2010
Look at this graph and be afraid. It does not come from Earth First. It does not come from the Sierra Club. It was not drawn by Socialists or Nazis or Osama Bin Laden or anyone from Goldman-Sachs. If you are a Republican Tea-Partier, rest assured it does not come from a progressive Democrat. And vice versa. It was drawn by the United States Department of Energy, and the United States military's Joint Forces Command concurs with the overall picture.
What does it imply? The supply of the world's most essential energy source is going off a cliff. Not in the distant future, but in a year and a half.
Production of all liquid fuels, including oil, will drop within 20 years to half what it is today. And the difference needs to be made up with "unidentified projects," which one of the world's leading petroleum geologists says is just a "euphemism for rank shortage," and the world's foremost oil industry banker says is "faith based."
http://www.eia.doe.gov/conference/2009/ ... eetnam.pdf
This graph was prepared for a DOE meeting on May 9, 2009. Take a good look at what it says, assuming it to be correct:
MORE: http://inteldaily.com/2010/04/oil-crash/
======================
11. Bolivia Versus the World: Exposé | The 2º Death Dance – The 1º Cover-up - Part two of an investigative report.
http://bit.ly/gZ0prF
(Part 1: http://bit.ly/fqm0BI) By Cory Morningstar
"Political language is designed to make lies sound truthful and murder respectable ..." – George Orwell
11 December 2010. United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Conference of the Parties (COP) 16 in Cancún, Mexico.
Bolivia repeatedly opposes attempts to pass the text. Bolivia's UN Ambassador, Pablo Solon, objects on the grounds that the draft proposals are far too lax to stop global warming. Solon stands his ground until conference chair Patricia Espinosa bangs the gavel at 3:31 a.m. saying: "The objections and complaints will be noted duly."
A key clause of United Nations rules is that all agreements must be reached in harmony. However, Espinosa seems to have a very broad interpretation of this rule. Harmony, Espinosa stated, does not necessarily mean unanimity. Despite the lack of unanimity, Espinosa approves the text, which includes a deadly 2-degree limit for global warming. The negotiators and heads of state cheer like ravenous hyenas, drowning out Bolivia with rapturous applause. Bolivia stood alone, strenuously opposing the pyrrhic victory.
The overruling of Bolivia's position demonstrates the clear disdain and callous disregard for vulnerable countries who refuse to be coerced – reflected clearly by the jettisoned UN principle of consensus. This clear abuse of the framework agreement on climate protection would never have been attempted or tolerated if the state in opposition had been a rich, powerful state such as the United States or the European Union (EU). (One may recall COP13 in Bali - American resistance stood in the way of an agreement. Papua New Guinea had to suggest that they "lead or get out of the way" before the US would join the consensus.) Bolivia, the world leader in the battle on climate change, has vowed to file a complaint with the International Court of Justice against the text approved in Cancún.
MORE:
http://bit.ly/gZ0prF
=================
12. Idea #8: A Train for Canada's Birthday
http://thetyee.ca/Opinion/2010/12/29/HighSpeedTrain/
?utm_source=daily&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=291210
A really fast one. Oh, and leaders with vision. Not managers with a mean streak.
By Geoff D'Auria Wednesday, December 29, 2010
==================
13. Warren Buffett's MidAmerican Orders 258 Wind Turbines for Iowa Wind Farm
http://www.alternet.org/newsandviews/article/415305/
warren_buffett27s_midamerican_orders_258_wind_turbines_for_iowa_wind_farm/
By Michael Graham Richard | Treehugger
Posted on Tuesday, December 28, 2010 @ 04:39 PM
MidAmerican, a holding company that is 80% owned by Warren Buffett's holding company Berkshire Hathaway, will expand its wind power capacity in Iowa by almost 600 megawatts (!). This isn't quite a direct endorsement of wind power by the greatest investor of all time (at least, not in the same way that buying a 10% stake in BYD was an endorsement of advanced batteries and electric cars) because it probably wasn't his decision, but in any case it's still pretty good news for wind power in the USA. ….
===================
14. What birds bring
http://www.straightgoods.ca/2010/
ViewArticle.cfm?Ref=1042&Cookies=yes
Ancient native story, modern bird socializing, both promote empathy.
Dateline: Tuesday, December 14, 2010
My people say the birds are child spirits, and that the song of them is the innocent, exuberant joy of children. We recognize it even though sometimes we've forget how to sing ourselves. It's the role of birds to reconnect us to the song within each of us. In this splash of late winter sunshine they're gleeful. Standing in the chill air, watching them, is a foray out of the world, beyond its time, its rush, its burdens. Even the dog is drawn to their energy and sits at my knee and watches. It reminds me of a story I heard when I was a young man. I'd always taken birds for granted, seldom giving them any attention, never paused to watch them or see that they might have something to teach me. At a traditional winter gathering when I was twenty-five, I heard a story that changed things for me.
MORE:
http://www.straightgoods.ca/2010/
ViewArticle.cfm?Ref=1042&Cookies=yes
=================
15. How Children Suffer From Climate Change
http://motherjones.com/blue-marble/2010/12/
children-hit-hard-climate-change
On International Human Rights Day, consider the health impact of changing global weather.
By Jen Phillips | Fri Dec. 10, 2010 3:00 AM PST
As MoJo's Kate Sheppard discusses here [1], a new report [2] by international humanitarian organization DARA [3] finds that climate change could kill up to 5 million people in the next 10 years—and most of them are children under the age of 5 [4] in South Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa. This predicted increase in mortality isn't due to Hollywood-style tsunamis or apocalyptic winters. Instead, the killers are much more ordinary: malaria, diarrhea, and malnutrition.
Of course, one way to help the planet—and the families most impacted by the planet's health—is to bear fewer kids in the first place. As Julia Whitty wrote in "The Last Taboo [5]," overpopulation is a huge climate change driver that's rarely discussed—until this week. During the UN-sponsored climate talks in Cancun, Mexico, media mogul Ted Turner suggested [6] such radical ideas as one-child policies and monetary rewards for not reproducing. Turner was quickly shut down by former Irish president Mary Robinson, who said [7], "If we do it the wrong way, we can divide the world...A lot of people in the climate world could communicate this very badly."
MORE:
http://motherjones.com/blue-marble/2010/12/
children-hit-hard-climate-change
=====================
16. From Snowstorms to Heat Waves, How Global Warming Causes Extreme Weather and Climate Instability
http://www.democracynow.org/2010/12/28/
from_snowstorms_to_heat_waves_how
Democracy Now! Daily News Digest
December 28, 2010
The East Coast is struggling to recover from the massive blizzard that slammed into hundreds cities and towns from the Carolinas to Maine. While TV networks closely follow extreme weather events around the world, they rarely make the connection between extreme weather and global warming. We speak with Dr. Paul Epstein of Harvard University’s Center for Health and the Global Environment…….
=================
17. 2010: A Precedent-Setting Year In the Fight Against Coal
http://www.alternet.org/story/149339/
2010%3A_a_precedent-setting_year_in_the_fight_against_coal_
AlterNet / By Joshua Frank December 28, 2010
Who said environmentalism is dead? When it comes to coal, the movement is alive and well.
It was another tough year for the coal industry. In the last 25 months not one coal-fired power plant broke ground for construction in the United States. In 2010 alone a total of 38 proposed plants were erased from the drawing board, the most ever recorded in a single year. Utilities also announced 12,000 MW in coal plant retirements -- or enough power to bring electricity to a whopping 12 million American households. And even Massey Energy's infamous henchman Don Blankenship is set to retire, effective next month.
Indeed coal executives got what they deserved in their stockings this holiday season -- big lumps of black coal. "I predict historians will point at 2010 as the year that coal's influence peaked and began declining," says Bruce Nilles, deputy conservation director of the Sierra Club, whose organization released a year-end report on coal in the U.S.
MORE:
http://www.alternet.org/story/149339/
2010%3A_a_precedent-setting_year_in_the_fight_against_coal_
==================
18. New House Science Committee Chair Ralph Hall Threatens to Subpoena Climate Scientists
http://www.alternet.org/story/149341/
new_house_science_committee_chair_ralph_hall_threatens_to_subpoena_climate_scientists
Climate Progress / By Joseph Romm December 28, 2010 |
Rep. Ralph Hall (R-TX), an "unconditional champion of fossil fuels," kicks off the witch hunt.
As we saw that thing bubbling out, blossoming out – all that energy, every minute of every hour of every day of every week – that was tremendous to me. That we could deliver that kind of energy out there – even on an explosion.
That’s Ralph Hall (R-TX), the incoming chair of the House Science and Technology Committee on the BP oil disaster. Imagine how bowled over Hall will be if he ever figures out that his anti-science pro-pollution denialist policies are poised to deliver a ruined climate to future generations.
Brad Johnson has more: Rep. Ralph Hall (R-TX) plans to pursue an aggressive pro-oil agenda as the incoming chair of the House Science and Technology Committee. In an interview with the Dallas Morning News this month, the “unconditional champion of fossil fuels” described his zeal for the “holy grail” of the oil industry — the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge — discussed issuing subpoenas to interrogate climate scientists, and explained why the BP disaster “didn’t dampen his enthusiasm for offshore drilling.”
MORE:
http://www.alternet.org/story/149341/
new_house_science_committee_chair_ralph_hall_threatens_to_subpoena_climate_scientists
1. EVENT: Alternative Energy Forum and Fair – Moose Jaw – Feb. 4 & 5, 2011
2. FRACKING & CHROMIUM 6
3. WATCH: "Town of Allopath" - Medical Model - Symptoms vs Cause (6 min.)
4. The Scientific Guide to Global Warming Skepticism
5. Resolve to be a commoner in 2011!
6. LETTER: SHIELDS: Let's Ask For What We Really Need!!
7. Oil Sands to Boom: Internal Federal Report
8. LETTER: SHIELDS: CAPP---Riding Herd On Provincial Politicians
9. The Oil Slick BP Tried To Hide Has Been Discovered, In Thick Layers On the Sea Floor Over An Area of Several Thousand Square Miles
10. The Imminent Crash Of The Oil Supply: What Is Going To Happen And How It Came To Pass That We Weren't Forewarned
11. Bolivia Versus the World: Exposé | The 2º Death Dance – The 1º Cover-up
12. Idea #8: A Train for Canada's Birthday
13. Warren Buffett's MidAmerican Orders 258 Wind Turbines for Iowa Wind Farm
14. What birds bring
15. How Children Suffer From Climate Change
16. From Snowstorms to Heat Waves, How Global Warming Causes Extreme Weather and Climate Instability
17. 2010: A Precedent-Setting Year In the Fight Against Coal
18. New House Science Committee Chair Ralph Hall Threatens to Subpoena Climate Scientists
===================
1. EVENT: Alternative Energy Forum and Fair – Moose Jaw – Feb. 4 & 5, 2011
http://www.moosejaw.ca/services/events/index.shtml#10
Location: SIAST Palliser Campus
Admission Fees: $5/$10/$15
Age Groups Involved: All
Organization Hosting Event: City of Moose Jaw & Palliser Campus
Telephone Number: (306) 690-9591
Email: janrad@sasktel.net
Other Information:
2011 Alternative Energy Forum & Consumer/Developer/Producer Fair
Presented by the City of Moose Jaw's Green Plan & SIAST Palliser Campus
February 4 & 5, 2011 SIAST Palliser Campus Moose Jaw
Thinking of using solar, wind or geothermal in your home or community?
Interested in Made in Saskatchewan alternative energy related products, services and design?
Looking to learn more about generating, using and selling alternative energy power?
Looking for ideas on how to shrink your ecological footprint?
Greening your daycare, school, college, university, common areas, public buildings or campuses?
The Forum will feature workshop presentations that focus on the conference theme of practical applications for the transition to alternative energy resources.
Tours: Focus on local green energy features including the new Field House, Arena, and Curling Rink (60 mins); and wind, solar and geo-thermal projects with residential, commercial and institutional buildings (100 mins). An actual residential energy audit and solution demonstration (100 mins) will also be offered.
The Fair will feature the latest developments in alternative energy technology and will offer an opportunity for participants to meet with energy technology developers and promoters.
=================
2. FRACKING & CHROMIUM 6
EPA Sort of Takes Action on Carcinogen in Drinking Water
http://www.alternet.org/newsandviews/article/413314/
epa_sort_of_takes_action_on_carcinogen_in_drinking_water/
By Tara Lohan | Sourced from AlterNet Posted at December 27, 2010, 12:42 pm
Good news (sort of) -- responding to a report released last week by the Environmental Working Group, the EPA has just announced that they are urging water utilities to begin testing drinking water for the hexavalent chromium (otherwise known as chromium 6 or that carcinogen made famous by Julia Roberts "Erin Brockovich").
EWG reported that there was chrom 6 in the drinking water of at least 31 U.S. cities and 25 of those showed what is believed to be dangerously high levels. The metal is naturally occurring and also comes from industries like steel manufacturing, leather tanning, welding, dyes, and it was used as in industrial cooling equipment because of its anti-corrosive properties. It's long known to be carcinogenic when inhaled and research also reveals that when ingested it can be dangerous as well.
While it's welcome news that the EPA is finally getting a bit more serious about chrom 6, they still aren't going far enough. The Washington Post reports:
The EPA said Wednesday that it is issuing guidance to the utilities explaining how to test for the chemical but is not requiring tests at this time. The agency said it will also give technical help to the 31 cities identified in the survey - including Washington and Bethesda - so they can set up a monitoring and sampling procedure for hexavalent chromium...
Currently our drinking water is tested for total chromium, which includes chrom 6 and chrom 3. Chromium 3 is actually good for us, but chrom 6 is definitely not. Testing just for chrom 6 however, is "technically challenging." "Many laboratories that handle standard tests for water companies are not equipped to perform the more sophisticated tests," reports the Washington Post. Cleaning up chrom 6 in drinking water is not going to be easy nor cheap and there is already huge resistance from companies who've been dishing this stuff into our water supply for decades.
MORE:
http://www.alternet.org/newsandviews/article/413314/
epa_sort_of_takes_action_on_carcinogen_in_drinking_water/
= = = = =
Ugly Reality of Fracking
http://www.discoverestevan.com/
index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=6594&Itemid=194
Written by Administrator Thursday, 22 April 2010
EXCERPT:
Chromium-6 In The Water
Being an activist on behalf of her community is not the only connection Ernst has with Brockovich. Through expensive Freedom of Information requests, Ernst obtained post-fracking water well monitoring data that showed the Alberta Environment people had found hexavalent chromium in Rosebud’s well water. “The government hasn’t told this to people” in the hamlet, says Ernst.
Hexavalent chromium, otherwise known as chromium-6, is the extremely toxic substance Brockovich found in the drinking water in Hinkley, California, which led to a major class action lawsuit against Pacific Gas & Electric, which finally paid the plaintiffs more than $200 million (€146M) in 2006.
Ernst, who knows the industry well, says chromium-6 “is used in fracking and drilling.” In an odd coincidence, Erin Brockovich herself is currently involved in investigating a mile-long plume of chromium-6 contamination of drinking water – apparently caused by fracking and drilling – in Midland, Texas. In July 2009, Brockovich investigators told the press they have evidence that hydraulic fracturing specialist Schlumberger is to blame. In the continuing case, Brockovich is representing 40 householders whose water has been contaminated.
MORE:
http://www.discoverestevan.com/
index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=6594&Itemid=194
====================
3. WATCH: "Town of Allopath" - Medical Model - Symptoms vs Cause (6 min.)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t29aFSACbnA
====================
4. The Scientific Guide to Global Warming Skepticism
http://www.skepticalscience.com/
The-Scientific-Guide-to-Global-Warming-Skepticism.html
December 8, 2010
Scientific skepticism is healthy. In fact, science by its very nature is skeptical. Genuine skepticism means considering the full body of evidence before coming to a conclusion. However, when you take a close look at arguments expressing climate ‘skepticism’, what you often observe is cherry picking of pieces of evidence while rejecting any data that don’t fit the desired picture. This isn’t skepticism. It is ignoring facts and the science.
The Scientific Guide to Global Warming Skepticism looks at both the evidence that human activity is causing global warming and the ways that climate ‘skeptic’ arguments can mislead by presenting only small pieces of the puzzle rather than the full picture.
Download Guide:
http://www.skepticalscience.com/docs/Gu ... ticism.pdf
=================
5. Resolve to be a commoner in 2011!
http://www.onthecommons.org/
December 28, 2010
To our fellow commoners:
A new movement is emerging. Across the U.S. and around the world, people are rediscovering the commons today. Spurred by On the Commons and other forces, they are seeing, naming and claiming what belongs to all of us.
At On the Commons, we are involved in a remarkable variety of efforts to reconstitute community, relocalize food, preserve water as a commons, move towards cooperative economics and better harmonize our lives with the health of our planet. As a commons movement strategy center, we connect organizations, community leaders and individuals with new ideas, practical solutions and one another to create significant change.
MORE:
http://www.onthecommons.org/
=================
6. LETTER: SHIELDS: Let's Ask For What We Really Need!!
From: lagran
To: Prime Minister/Premier ministre ; Layton, Jack - M.P. ; iggy ; Info
Cc: premier@gov.nl.ca ; Minister, EMPR EMPR:EX ; mccallum ; goodale ; flaherty ; bill boyd ; Alberta Activism ; jmorales@neb-one.gc.ca ; acameron@neb-one.gc.ca
Sent: Thursday, December 23, 2010 12:44 PM
Subject: Lets Ask For What We Really Need!!
I love Wikileaks.
In a closed society where politicians very seldom speak their minds to those that elected them---Wikileaks is a must. As an Albertan I am asking our federal government for far more than the environmental protection they seem to believe Canadians need. Indeed I'm asking for a independent federal body to offer folks from the western Provinces protection from our provincial governments, who have become dominated by the giant, rich, energy industry. The attention Danny Williams received on retirement has given even federal politicians more timber than they knew they had before this event!!
Most Albertans will agree that we have become ruled by the desires of the energy industry and their advocate CAPP, but most Albertans have been born with a industry candy in their mouth, and taught to be "Low-Brow" with respect to democracy. As a Petro-Political-State, industry has allowed Alberta enough resource dollars to barely maintain the cost of infrastructure resource development is directly responsible for. Western Canada without a Premier like Danny Williams needs a federal study to compare returns to the public from energy resources deemed owned by the public!!
By allowing the energy industry to set rules for all development and exports, the federal government is guilty of neglect to their Canadian public. The example of Alberta's 2 past and the present Premier stating their opposition to raw bitumen exports only to have the federal government's NEB license the Keystone for that very practice, leaves most Albertan's and western Canadians with little hope for federal assistance under the Harper Reform/Conservative government. However, I have no intention of suffering in silence!!
Stewart Shields
Lacombe,Alta.
= = = = = =
Prentice was ready to curb oilsands: WikiLeaks
http://www.cbc.ca/canada/story/2010/12/22/
prentice-oil-sands-wikileaks.html
Last Updated: Wednesday, December 22, 2010 | 9:08 PM ET CBC News
Former environment minister Jim Prentice told U.S. Ambassador David Jacobson that he was prepared to step in and impose tougher regulations on the oilsands if the industry damaged Canada's green reputation, according to a cable released by WikiLeaks.
"[Prentice] noted that if industry did not take voluntary measures and if the provincial government did not set more stringent regulations, he would step in and press federal environmental legislation," according to the cable, apparently written by Jacobson.
According to the cable, which recounts a meeting between Jacobson and Prentice on Nov. 5, 2009, Prentice expressed his concerns about the media focus on the oilsands and the possible impact on Canada's green standing on the world stage.
Prentice said that during a trip to Norway, he was shocked at the public's sentiment toward the oilsands and the debate about whether or not to invest in "dirty oil," the cable says.
- - - - SNIP - - -
"At the end of the day, Prentice wants Canada to be billed as the most environmentally conscious energy superpower," according to the cable.
Last month, Prentice resigned from politics to join the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce.
================
7. Oil Sands to Boom: Internal Federal Report
http://thetyee.ca/News/2010/12/27/OilSandsBoom/
?utm_source=daily&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=271210
Expect a rise in greenhouse-gas emitting heavy crude oil production in North America, says federal government report.
By Stanley Tromp, December 27, 2010 TheTyee.ca
Prepare for a Canadian and U.S. shift toward heavier forms of crude oil as global production of lighter crude oil sources decline, says a federal government report. As well, "Generally, heavier forms of crude oil, such as that contained in the oil sands, require more energy and resources to produce and refine, compared to lighter crude oil, resulting in higher air pollutant and GHG [greenhouse gas] emissions."
Those were amongst the conclusions of "A discussion paper on the Oil Sands: Challenges and Opportunities" by economist Kevin Birn and policy advisor Paul Khanna. Both work for the federal department of natural resources, but state they were only expressing their own views. The 25-page internal report of July 2010 (which provides a good introduction to the subject for the general reader) was obtained via the Access to Information Act.
Related Document
A discussion paper on the Oil Sands: Challenges and Opportunities:
http://thetyee.ca/News/2010/12/26/Birn% ... eport2.pdf
MORE:
http://thetyee.ca/News/2010/12/27/OilSandsBoom/
?utm_source=daily&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=271210
===================
8. LETTER: SHIELDS: CAPP---Riding Herd On Provincial Politicians
From: lagran
To: Minister, EMPR EMPR:EX; bill boyd; energy.minister@gov.ab.ca
Cc: Rae.B@parl.gc.ca; Prime Minister/Premier ministre; Layton, Jack - M.P.; iggy; goodale; flaherty
Sent: Wednesday, December 29, 2010 3:11 PM
Subject: CAPP---Riding Herd On Provincial Politicians
This story from the Edmonton Journal should really hit home. Again I urge the Western Energy Ministers to look seriously at the reported profits of the energy industry plying their trade in Western Canada. Rationalize why public dollars are turned over to this industry in giant amounts, and why royalties are lower than the infrastructure costs because of industry development? Albertans are no better off by having a oil and gas industry if the public are only allowed enough to get by on while the remainder is turned over to the foreign-owned energy industry!! Let’s stop this insanity, where would the industry leave to go?? CAPP has been able to bridle and ride our provincial leaders long enough, let’s call their bluff!!
Stewart Shields
Lacombe, Alberta
= = = = = =
Why subsidize low-price production?
http://www.edmontonjournal.com/news/sub ... roduction/
4035626/story.html
Edmonton Journal December 29, 2010
'Tis the season of giving -- an appropriate time to examine the significant gift Albertans gave to the oil industry again this year. Chalk up another $1.4 billion in royalty-reduction programs and drilling incentives.
Over the past three years, Albertans coughed up more than $3.3 billion in incentives to the oilpatch -- and the final tallies aren't even in yet. And that's not even the best part. This year the Alberta government announced that programs that accounted for half of last year's $1.5 billion in relinquished royalties are no longer temporary oilpatch-stimulation programs.
They are now permanent.
A recent study by the Winnipeg-based International Institute for Sustainable Development points out that Alberta is not alone in giving subsidies to the oil-industry giants, In 2006, for example, they racked up more than $17 billion in revenues in 2006. The federal government ($1.38 billion) and the provinces of Saskatchewan ($327 million) and Newfoundland ($83 million) joined Alberta ($1.05 billion) in kicking in $2.84 billion in subsidies to the oilpatch that year.
The institute argues that sparking the oilpatch with taxpayers' money doesn't really pay off for the taxpayers, workers or the environment. It claims the subsidies will boost the economies by only 0.16 per cent over the next decade while increasing greenhouse-gas emissions in the process.
The Alberta government says it had to do it to prevent the oil and gas companies from packing their bags and heading elsewhere. "They can run all these goofy numbers that they want," said Energy Minister Ron Liepert when confronted with the Institute's findings last month. "You have to find the right balance because it is a capital-intensive market and if you don't have the right balance, the capital is going to go elsewhere." Liepert also took offence to the depiction of the royalty-relief programs as "subsidies."
But even roughnecks can do the math. They know that natural gas will be worth much more to Albertans if it is pumped out of the ground when it is double the current price with no subsidy program than if it is pumped out of the ground now in a market flooded with shale gas. If the governments let the market work, like Conservatives governments are always saying we should do, that oil and gas will be pumped from the ground when the market makes it worthwhile for companies to do it and we'll all make more money.
Governments are essentially paying subsidies for something that would be done anyway for free. We're not saying there is no benefit. But the benefit is limited to keeping some drilling rigs and their suppliers working when economic conditions might otherwise have shut them down. What the subsidies are really doing is propping up a portion of the community now at the expense of all of us and our children and grandchildren.
Ask any economist about the benefits versus the cost. University of Alberta energy economist Andre Plourde, who sat on the blue-ribbon Royalty Review panel that stated in no uncertain terms that Albertans are not getting their fair share of the resource, says this social welfare to the energy giants is "really a bad thing."
MORE:
http://www.edmontonjournal.com/news/sub ... roduction/
4035626/story.html
====================
9. The Oil Slick BP Tried To Hide Has Been Discovered, In Thick Layers On the Sea Floor Over An Area of Several Thousand Square Miles
www.globalresearch.ca/index.php?context=va&aid=22487
By Washington's Blog Global Research, December 22, 2010
Washington's Blog
http://www.washingtonsblog.com/2010/12/
oil-bp-tried-to-hide-has-been.html
BP and the government famously declared that most of the oil had disappeared.
But as I've noted, as much as 98% of the oil is still in the ocean.
I have repeatedly pointed out that BP and the government applied massive amounts of dispersant to the Gulf Oil Spill in an effort to sink and hide the oil. Many others said the same thing.
BP and the government denied this, of course.
But the oil is not remaining hidden.
Indeed, as the Wall Street Journal noted on December 9th:
A university scientist and the federal government say they have found persuasive evidence that oil from the massive Gulf of Mexico spill is settling on the ocean floor.
The new findings, from scientists at the University of South Florida and from a broad government effort, mark the latest indication that environmental damage from the blowout of a BP PLC well could be significant where it's hardest to find: deep under the Gulf's surface.
***
Scientists who have been on research cruises in the Gulf in recent days report finding layers of residue up to several centimeters thick from what they suspect is BP oil.
The material appears in spots across several thousand square miles of seafloor, they said. In many of those spots, they said, worms and other marine life that crawl along the sediment appear dead, though many organisms that can swim appear healthy.
***
Tests now have started to link some oil in the sediment to the BP well could add to the amount of money BP ends up paying to compensate for the spill's damage.
***
The test results also raise questions about the possible downsides of the government's use of chemical dispersants to fight the spill.
***
Under federal direction, about 1.8 million gallons of dispersants were sprayed on the spilled oil in an effort to break it up into tiny droplets that natural ocean microbes could eat up. At the time, officials said the dispersants shouldn't cause oil from the spill to sink to the seafloor. However, more recently, a federal report said dispersants may have helped some spilled oil sink to the sediment.
MORE:
www.globalresearch.ca/index.php?context=va&aid=22487
=====================
10. The Imminent Crash Of The Oil Supply: What Is Going To Happen And How It Came To Pass That We Weren't Forewarned
http://inteldaily.com/2010/04/oil-crash/
April 23, 2010
Look at this graph and be afraid. It does not come from Earth First. It does not come from the Sierra Club. It was not drawn by Socialists or Nazis or Osama Bin Laden or anyone from Goldman-Sachs. If you are a Republican Tea-Partier, rest assured it does not come from a progressive Democrat. And vice versa. It was drawn by the United States Department of Energy, and the United States military's Joint Forces Command concurs with the overall picture.
What does it imply? The supply of the world's most essential energy source is going off a cliff. Not in the distant future, but in a year and a half.
Production of all liquid fuels, including oil, will drop within 20 years to half what it is today. And the difference needs to be made up with "unidentified projects," which one of the world's leading petroleum geologists says is just a "euphemism for rank shortage," and the world's foremost oil industry banker says is "faith based."
http://www.eia.doe.gov/conference/2009/ ... eetnam.pdf
This graph was prepared for a DOE meeting on May 9, 2009. Take a good look at what it says, assuming it to be correct:
MORE: http://inteldaily.com/2010/04/oil-crash/
======================
11. Bolivia Versus the World: Exposé | The 2º Death Dance – The 1º Cover-up - Part two of an investigative report.
http://bit.ly/gZ0prF
(Part 1: http://bit.ly/fqm0BI) By Cory Morningstar
"Political language is designed to make lies sound truthful and murder respectable ..." – George Orwell
11 December 2010. United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Conference of the Parties (COP) 16 in Cancún, Mexico.
Bolivia repeatedly opposes attempts to pass the text. Bolivia's UN Ambassador, Pablo Solon, objects on the grounds that the draft proposals are far too lax to stop global warming. Solon stands his ground until conference chair Patricia Espinosa bangs the gavel at 3:31 a.m. saying: "The objections and complaints will be noted duly."
A key clause of United Nations rules is that all agreements must be reached in harmony. However, Espinosa seems to have a very broad interpretation of this rule. Harmony, Espinosa stated, does not necessarily mean unanimity. Despite the lack of unanimity, Espinosa approves the text, which includes a deadly 2-degree limit for global warming. The negotiators and heads of state cheer like ravenous hyenas, drowning out Bolivia with rapturous applause. Bolivia stood alone, strenuously opposing the pyrrhic victory.
The overruling of Bolivia's position demonstrates the clear disdain and callous disregard for vulnerable countries who refuse to be coerced – reflected clearly by the jettisoned UN principle of consensus. This clear abuse of the framework agreement on climate protection would never have been attempted or tolerated if the state in opposition had been a rich, powerful state such as the United States or the European Union (EU). (One may recall COP13 in Bali - American resistance stood in the way of an agreement. Papua New Guinea had to suggest that they "lead or get out of the way" before the US would join the consensus.) Bolivia, the world leader in the battle on climate change, has vowed to file a complaint with the International Court of Justice against the text approved in Cancún.
MORE:
http://bit.ly/gZ0prF
=================
12. Idea #8: A Train for Canada's Birthday
http://thetyee.ca/Opinion/2010/12/29/HighSpeedTrain/
?utm_source=daily&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=291210
A really fast one. Oh, and leaders with vision. Not managers with a mean streak.
By Geoff D'Auria Wednesday, December 29, 2010
==================
13. Warren Buffett's MidAmerican Orders 258 Wind Turbines for Iowa Wind Farm
http://www.alternet.org/newsandviews/article/415305/
warren_buffett27s_midamerican_orders_258_wind_turbines_for_iowa_wind_farm/
By Michael Graham Richard | Treehugger
Posted on Tuesday, December 28, 2010 @ 04:39 PM
MidAmerican, a holding company that is 80% owned by Warren Buffett's holding company Berkshire Hathaway, will expand its wind power capacity in Iowa by almost 600 megawatts (!). This isn't quite a direct endorsement of wind power by the greatest investor of all time (at least, not in the same way that buying a 10% stake in BYD was an endorsement of advanced batteries and electric cars) because it probably wasn't his decision, but in any case it's still pretty good news for wind power in the USA. ….
===================
14. What birds bring
http://www.straightgoods.ca/2010/
ViewArticle.cfm?Ref=1042&Cookies=yes
Ancient native story, modern bird socializing, both promote empathy.
Dateline: Tuesday, December 14, 2010
My people say the birds are child spirits, and that the song of them is the innocent, exuberant joy of children. We recognize it even though sometimes we've forget how to sing ourselves. It's the role of birds to reconnect us to the song within each of us. In this splash of late winter sunshine they're gleeful. Standing in the chill air, watching them, is a foray out of the world, beyond its time, its rush, its burdens. Even the dog is drawn to their energy and sits at my knee and watches. It reminds me of a story I heard when I was a young man. I'd always taken birds for granted, seldom giving them any attention, never paused to watch them or see that they might have something to teach me. At a traditional winter gathering when I was twenty-five, I heard a story that changed things for me.
MORE:
http://www.straightgoods.ca/2010/
ViewArticle.cfm?Ref=1042&Cookies=yes
=================
15. How Children Suffer From Climate Change
http://motherjones.com/blue-marble/2010/12/
children-hit-hard-climate-change
On International Human Rights Day, consider the health impact of changing global weather.
By Jen Phillips | Fri Dec. 10, 2010 3:00 AM PST
As MoJo's Kate Sheppard discusses here [1], a new report [2] by international humanitarian organization DARA [3] finds that climate change could kill up to 5 million people in the next 10 years—and most of them are children under the age of 5 [4] in South Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa. This predicted increase in mortality isn't due to Hollywood-style tsunamis or apocalyptic winters. Instead, the killers are much more ordinary: malaria, diarrhea, and malnutrition.
Of course, one way to help the planet—and the families most impacted by the planet's health—is to bear fewer kids in the first place. As Julia Whitty wrote in "The Last Taboo [5]," overpopulation is a huge climate change driver that's rarely discussed—until this week. During the UN-sponsored climate talks in Cancun, Mexico, media mogul Ted Turner suggested [6] such radical ideas as one-child policies and monetary rewards for not reproducing. Turner was quickly shut down by former Irish president Mary Robinson, who said [7], "If we do it the wrong way, we can divide the world...A lot of people in the climate world could communicate this very badly."
MORE:
http://motherjones.com/blue-marble/2010/12/
children-hit-hard-climate-change
=====================
16. From Snowstorms to Heat Waves, How Global Warming Causes Extreme Weather and Climate Instability
http://www.democracynow.org/2010/12/28/
from_snowstorms_to_heat_waves_how
Democracy Now! Daily News Digest
December 28, 2010
The East Coast is struggling to recover from the massive blizzard that slammed into hundreds cities and towns from the Carolinas to Maine. While TV networks closely follow extreme weather events around the world, they rarely make the connection between extreme weather and global warming. We speak with Dr. Paul Epstein of Harvard University’s Center for Health and the Global Environment…….
=================
17. 2010: A Precedent-Setting Year In the Fight Against Coal
http://www.alternet.org/story/149339/
2010%3A_a_precedent-setting_year_in_the_fight_against_coal_
AlterNet / By Joshua Frank December 28, 2010
Who said environmentalism is dead? When it comes to coal, the movement is alive and well.
It was another tough year for the coal industry. In the last 25 months not one coal-fired power plant broke ground for construction in the United States. In 2010 alone a total of 38 proposed plants were erased from the drawing board, the most ever recorded in a single year. Utilities also announced 12,000 MW in coal plant retirements -- or enough power to bring electricity to a whopping 12 million American households. And even Massey Energy's infamous henchman Don Blankenship is set to retire, effective next month.
Indeed coal executives got what they deserved in their stockings this holiday season -- big lumps of black coal. "I predict historians will point at 2010 as the year that coal's influence peaked and began declining," says Bruce Nilles, deputy conservation director of the Sierra Club, whose organization released a year-end report on coal in the U.S.
MORE:
http://www.alternet.org/story/149339/
2010%3A_a_precedent-setting_year_in_the_fight_against_coal_
==================
18. New House Science Committee Chair Ralph Hall Threatens to Subpoena Climate Scientists
http://www.alternet.org/story/149341/
new_house_science_committee_chair_ralph_hall_threatens_to_subpoena_climate_scientists
Climate Progress / By Joseph Romm December 28, 2010 |
Rep. Ralph Hall (R-TX), an "unconditional champion of fossil fuels," kicks off the witch hunt.
As we saw that thing bubbling out, blossoming out – all that energy, every minute of every hour of every day of every week – that was tremendous to me. That we could deliver that kind of energy out there – even on an explosion.
That’s Ralph Hall (R-TX), the incoming chair of the House Science and Technology Committee on the BP oil disaster. Imagine how bowled over Hall will be if he ever figures out that his anti-science pro-pollution denialist policies are poised to deliver a ruined climate to future generations.
Brad Johnson has more: Rep. Ralph Hall (R-TX) plans to pursue an aggressive pro-oil agenda as the incoming chair of the House Science and Technology Committee. In an interview with the Dallas Morning News this month, the “unconditional champion of fossil fuels” described his zeal for the “holy grail” of the oil industry — the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge — discussed issuing subpoenas to interrogate climate scientists, and explained why the BP disaster “didn’t dampen his enthusiasm for offshore drilling.”
MORE:
http://www.alternet.org/story/149341/
new_house_science_committee_chair_ralph_hall_threatens_to_subpoena_climate_scientists
- Oscar
- Site Admin
- Posts: 9851
- Joined: Wed May 03, 2006 3:23 pm
FRACKING ENERGY NEWS: January 1, 2011
by Oscar » Sat Jan 01, 2011 12:36 pm
FRACKING ENERGY NEWS: January 1, 2011
Happy New Year
1. Celebrating 2011 - The International Year of Forests – Feb. 11 & 12, 2011
2. Idea #9: Nanocellulose, the Next Big Wood Product
3. Drill, Baby, Drill! Why Canada Needs its Offshore Oil (Calgary) - Feb. 3, 2011
4. Canadian pipeline project sparks anger in the U.S.
5. Iraq: Oil daily production exceeds 2.6M barrels
6. Ex-Shell president sees $5 gas in 2012
7. LETTER: SHIELDS: Prentice Knew When To Leave!
8. Parshall, N.D. subject of new Discovery Channel series
9. WATCH: "Deepwater Horizon’s Final Hours:" The Explosion that Killed 11 Workers and Led to the Worst Oil Spill in U.S. History
10. The Gulf of Mexico is Dying - A Special Report on the BP Gulf Oil Spill
11. WATCH: Car Runs On Air
12. Council of Canadians Campaign plans for 2011
13. 2011: A Special Message to our Readers: Best Wishes for a Peaceful New Year
=================
1. Celebrating 2011 - The International Year of Forests – Feb. 11 & 12, 2011
http://www.npss.sk.ca/?s=5.events,71
Annual General Meeting, Workshop and International Forest Film Festival, Saskatoon, SK
Friday, February 11th & Saturday, February 12th 2011
TCU Place
35 - 22nd St. E. Saskatoon, SK
NPSS registration info - (306) 668-3940
TCU Place venue info - (306) 975-7777
Please note: due to allergies of staff and attendees, this is a fragrance-free event.
Join the Native Plant Society of Saskatchewan in celebrating its 16th year by attending our annual general meeting and workshop! The event is open to everyone and gives people a chance to learn about native plants and habitats, meet like-minded people and have some fun! This year we are celebrating 2011 as the International Year of Forests by focusing on the northern half of our province, an often-overlooked but vitally important area both for our environmental, economic and social well-being. This is the best value for money anywhere and is an event not to be missed!
Due to the popularity of our workshop last year, this year we will be holding another workshop in conjunction with our annual general meeting. Chet Neufeld will discuss options for creating habitat for wildlife in urban and rural yards. As an added bonus, this year the workshop is included in the registration fees.
New for this year - the International Forest Film Festival!
We will be screening the winners from the United Nations International Forest Film Festival. We are the only venue in Saskatchewan for this prestigious event.
The film festival screening is free for anyone to attend, but you must register so that we can plan accordingly.
Downloads:
2011 AGM Agenda
2011 AGM Registration Form
New! - Pay online through our store at:
http://www.npss.sk.ca/?s=8
(click on "events")
Annual General Meeting and Workshop
NPSS member - $45
Non-member - $55
All students - $35
International Forest Film Festival - Free
For more information, please contact
Chet Neufeld, B.Sc., A.Ag., Executive Director
Native Plant Society of Saskatchewan
P.O. Box 21099, Saskatoon, SK S7H 5N9
tel.(306)668-3940
E-mail info@npss.sk.ca
==================
2. Idea #9: Nanocellulose, the Next Big Wood Product
http://thetyee.ca/News/2010/12/30/Nanocellulose/
?utm_source=daily&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=301210
Will invisible fibers help rescue BC's disappearing mill towns?
By Monte Paulsen, Today, TheTyee.ca
What's black and white and bleeding red ink all over? Newspapers, of course, which are shriveling both in size and number. There's even a blog called Newspaper Death Watch.
Tumbling on newsprint's heels is Canada's pulp and paper industry, which produces the lion's share of North American newsprint and magazine paper. The fall of this once-mighty industry is easy to observe in British Columbia, where pulp mills have laid off workers and refused to pay their taxes among desperate efforts to survive.
The trees keep growing, however. And towns from Nova Scotia to Vancouver Island are home to woodworkers willing to harvest them, and millworkers trained to convert them into high-quality pulp. All of which leaves a multi-billion dollar question hanging over the great north woods: Is there some other use for Canada's most abundant and renewable resource?
Part of the answer may lie in a fibrous goo called nanocellulose.
MORE:
http://thetyee.ca/News/2010/12/30/Nanocellulose/
?utm_source=daily&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=301210
===================
3. Drill, Baby, Drill! Why Canada Needs its Offshore Oil (Calgary) - Feb. 3, 2011
http://www.fcpp.org/event.php/293
LUNCH ON THE FRONTIER: FCPP - Frontier Centre for Public Policy
Offshore oil and gas development is a vital and large component of Canadian prosperity. Canadian offshore oil can securely supply the growing North American market without sending petrodollars to hostile overseas actors.
Off shore exploitation can be carried safely. New and safer technologies with reduced environmental footprint are constantly being developed to ensure deep-water and Arctic production in the coming decades. “Alternative” energy sources are desirable, but their economic introduction on a grand scale is many decades away.
A particular travesty is the continuing moratorium on oil exploration offshore British Columbia. The prospective area in the temperate climate of southwestern Queen Charlotte Basin lies in shallow, ice-free waters. The moratorium blocks productive investment, denies government revenues from royalties and taxes, and forces thousands of western Canadians into continued unemployment.
>Many self-styled “environmentalists” tend to be urban folks without a slightest idea of anything natural. For all these reasons, a blanket pseudo-green and anti-capitalist opposition to offshore oil development is utterly immoral.
Event Details:
Date: February 3, 2011
Place: Peter Bawden Room (Rm 404), Calgary, Chamber of Commerce, 100 - 6 Ave SW, Calgary
Time: 12 noon
Cost: $65 per plate
Additional Notes: Registration must be received on or before Jan. 31st to hold seats. Substitutions are allowed. Sorry, no refunds.
Please RSVP to: Online, E-mail: registrations@fcpp.org, Phone: 877-219-0033 ext. 1 or 204-977-5050 or Fax 204-957-1570
View as PDF
http://www.fcpp.org/files/1/
Henry%20Lyatsky%20-%20Feb%203%202011.pdf
Register Online
https://secure.fcpp.org/event293.php
GUEST SPEAKER: Henry Lyatsky is a Calgary-based geophysical and geological consultant who has worked across Canada and internationally in oil and mineral exploration.
=====================
4. Canadian pipeline project sparks anger in the U.S.
http://www.brandonsun.com/breaking-news/
canadian-pipeline-project-sparks-anger-in-the-us-112652004.html?viewAllComments=y
By: Sheldon Alberts Posted: 30/12/2010 1:00 AM
WASHINGTON -- David Daniel bought his dream plot of land six years ago -- an eight-hectare piece of east Texas paradise packed with hardwood trees and spring-fed creeks that burble year-round. It was Daniel's personal Walden Pond, a Thoreau-like retreat ideal for raising a young family.
Then the surveyors from the Canadian oil company showed up, trudging across his property unannounced and uninvited, marking the course for a 2,700-kilometre pipeline that would carry crude from Alberta's vast oilsands to refineries along the Gulf Coast of Texas.
"This place was exactly what we were looking for," Daniel says, "but now this pipeline will split my property in half. It's quite depressing."
By dint of a geographic fluke, the 43-year-old carpenter finds himself at the centre, quite literally, of a high-stakes battle between environmentalists, landowners, the oil industry, members of Congress and the State Department over TransCanada's proposed Keystone XL pipeline.
U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is expected to decide early in 2011 whether to grant TransCanada a presidential permit to build the $7-billion international pipeline, which promises to dramatically expand the Canadian oil industry's access to the U.S. market. Supporters of the project tout Keystone XL as vital to America's energy security -- by 2013, it could transport up to 900,000 barrels per day -- and say it will boost a struggling U.S. economy by putting thousands of people to work, particularly in the hard-hit construction sector.
But Clinton will make her decision against a backdrop of intense and increasingly well-organized opposition -- not only from prominent environmental groups such as the Sierra Club and the National Wildlife Federation, but from residents along the proposed pipeline route.
In east Texas and Nebraska, some landowners accuse TransCanada of bullying them into granting right-of-way access to their land.
MORE:
http://www.brandonsun.com/breaking-news/
canadian-pipeline-project-sparks-anger-in-the-us-112652004.html?viewAllComments=y
=================
5. Iraq: Oil daily production exceeds 2.6M barrels
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/
ALeqM5idaLlTuDsX3vEHaNI_3RffLbdC9w?docId=8bd3bf1415b44d26b84b14c7f663890a
27 Dec 2010
Iraq's oil minister says the country's daily crude production has exceeded 2.6 million barrels a day. Abdul-Karim Elaibi says the oil production will reach its planned higher targets "sooner than expected." Iraq has awarded 15 oil and gas contracts since 2008 and plans to reach daily production capacity of 12 million barrels from the current 2.6 million… (…..)
=====================
6. Ex-Shell president sees $5 gas in 2012
http://money.cnn.com/2010/12/27/markets ... mmodities/
27 Dec 2010
The former president of Shell Oil, John Hofmeister, says Americans could be paying $5 for a gallon of gasoline by 2012. In an interview with Platt's Energy Week television, Hofmeister predicted gasoline prices will spike as the global demand for oil increases. "I'm predicting actually the worst outcome over the next two years which takes us to 2012 with higher gasoline prices," he said.
===============
7. LETTER: SHIELDS: Prentice Knew When To Leave!
From: lagran
To: David Swann ; brian mason ; calgary.currie@assembly.ab.ca
Cc: mccallum ; iggy ; goodale ; flaherty ; bill boyd ; Alberta Activism
Sent: Thursday, December 30, 2010 5:48 PM
Please review the contents of August 2010 ERCB monthly enforcement actions. One cannot review these enforcement actions month after month without questioning the type of penal system to bring compliance to industry rules. All this work to locate and address non-compliance issues, and not a penny cost to the offender. The ERCB funding by industry certainly is working great for industry! Cash fines as a means to compliance is the accepted standard world-wide, with amazingly good results, why must Alberta energy industry be different?
A cursory review of industry members paying extreamely heavy fines for cheating on State owned royalty payments, in United States, with no issues of a similar nature by the same companies in Canada leaves many to believe that measurement and fuctions with respect to royalties be removed from ERCB duties. The history of catching these offences, along with the ERCB's budget practises should indicate this as an unhealthy way to compliance. Not to mention the ERCB's history, with an admitted case of industry bias along with many other scandals!! Indeed a Edmonton based enitity to oversee measurement audits and keep ERCB finger prints off royalties seems in order. Exxon Mobil were ordered to pay 11.9 billion U.S. in damages to the State of Alabama over natural gas royalties in November 2003. In Canada our federal government is in negotiations with the same Exxon Mobil on construction costs for the Mackenzie Pipeline!! Here, we would have the same ownership in both the product shipped and the pipeline's ownership!! Wow, and Canadians to help provide the construction costs!! Prentice knew when to leave!!
Stewart Shields
Lacombe, AB
= = = = =
ST108: ERCB Monthly Enforcement Action Summary
http://www.ercb.ca/docs/products/STs/st ... 201008.pdf
This report summarizes high risk enforcement action 1, high risk enforcement action 2 (persistent noncompliance), high risk enforcement action 3 (failure to comply or demonstrated disregard), low risk enforcement action - global REFER and legislative/regulatory enforcement action noncompliance enforcement information, including company names..
Publication of the monthly summary will occur within 120 days of the enforcement actions. The summary will be posted to the ERCB Web site on the last Thursday of each month.
Available on Web - No charge
Current issue - August 2010
http://www.ercb.ca/docs/products/STs/st108/
st108_201008.pdf
================
8. Parshall, N.D. subject of new Discovery Channel series
http://www.grandforksherald.com/event/article/id/
188501/group/homepage/
By: Chuck Haga, Grand Forks Herald Published December 30 2010
With promos suggesting a modern-day “Deadwood” crossed with “Our Town” — or maybe “Fargo” spliced with “There Will Be Blood” — a cable TV channel is touting a reality TV series featuring the western North Dakota town of Parshall and its people.
The five-part series by Discovery Channel’s Planet Green focuses on the impact of rapid and large-scale oil development around Parshall.
The title of the series: Boomtown.
“The tiny town of Parshall, N.D., is isolated, windswept and frigid,” Discovery reports in a promotional piece on its website.
“The economy of this small community, like so many other similar towns across America, has been in steep decline for many years,” the promo states. “As manufacturing and farming jobs have moved overseas, town residents have sought greener pastures and a better life.
“But recently, something amazing happened: Below the wheat fields and the grocery store and the high school football field, surveyors discovered oil. …”
The Discovery Channel series opens at 9 p.m. CST on Jan. 29.
“Boomtown is an unconventional case study of how the domestic oil and gas industries are exploring every option here on U.S. soil — but at what cost?” the Discovery promo declares. “Many of Parshall’s residents and landowners are transformed from ordinary folks into millionaires. But not everyone gets rich quick, and not everyone thinks the new development will end well for the residents of the town.”
Boomtown is the first of two planned documentary-style series examining the social and environmental impact of oil development on small towns. The other project, reportedly backed by the History network and PBS, also would take place in western North Dakota, in and around the small Burke County town of Columbus, according to the entertainment news website C21media.
==================
9. WATCH: "Deepwater Horizon’s Final Hours:" The Explosion that Killed 11 Workers and Led to the Worst Oil Spill in U.S. History
http://www.democracynow.org/seo/2010/12/30/
deepwater_horizons_final_hours_the_explosion
Democracy Now! Daily News Digest
December 30, 2010
It has been eight months since the explosion aboard the Deepwater Horizon set off the worst offshore oil spill in U.S. history. A major investigation by the New York Times takes an in-depth look into how explosion occurred. We speak with Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist David Barstow.
================
10. The Gulf of Mexico is Dying - A Special Report on the BP Gulf Oil Spill
www.globalresearch.ca/index.php?context=va&aid=22514
By Dr. Tom Termotto
Global Research, December 26, 2010
Concerned citizens of Florida - 2010-12-01
It is with deep regret that we publish this report. We do not take this responsibility lightly, as the consequences of the following observations are of such great import and have such far-reaching ramifications for the entire planet. Truly, the fate of the oceans of the world hangs in the balance, as does the future of humankind.
The Gulf of Mexico (GOM) does not exist in isolation and is, in fact, connected to the Seven Seas. Hence, we publish these findings in order that the world community will come together to further contemplate this dire and demanding predicament. We also do so with the hope that an appropriate global response will be formulated, and acted upon, for the sake of future generations. It is the most basic responsibility for every civilization to leave their world in a better condition than that which they inherited from their forbears.
After conducting the Gulf Oil Spill Remediation Conference for over seven months, we can now disseminate the following information with the authority and confidence of those who have thoroughly investigated a crime scene. There are many research articles, investigative reports and penetrating exposes archived at the following website. Particularly those posted from August through November provide a unique body of evidence, many with compelling photo-documentaries, which portray the true state of affairs at the Macondo Prospect in the GOM.
- - - - - -
PHOENIX RISING FROM THE GULF
http://phoenixrisingfromthegulf.wordpress.com/
- - - - -
MORE:
www.globalresearch.ca/index.php?context=va&aid=22514
=================
11. WATCH: Car Runs On Air
http://www.flixxy.com/zero-pollution-automobile.htm
This five-seater car runs on compressed air, has zero pollution, very low running costs and will cost about $15,000.
=====================
12. Council of Canadians Campaign plans for 2011
http://www.canadians.org/campaigns.html
From: Brent Patterson
Sent: Saturday, January 01, 2011 8:18 AM
Happy New Year and welcome to 2011!
This year the Council of Canadians will be launching three new campaigns.
This month we will be posting to hire a health care campaigner and re-dedicating ourselves to defending and expanding public health care in Canada.
We will also be seeking to declare the Great Lakes a commons, public trust and protected bio-region – and ensure that the plan to ship radioactive waste on the lakes is stopped. This work will include a new report and multi-city speaking tour by Council of Canadians chairperson Maude Barlow.
And we will be launching a national campaign calling for federal and provincial action to stop fracking, a dangerous shale gas extraction method that destroys water.
In addition to this work, we will be ramping up our campaign to defeat the Canada-European Union Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement. While the Harper government seeks to complete the deal by the end of 2011, we will deliver the message in Canada (with a speaking tour) and in Europe that CETA equals water privatization and unfettered tar sands expansion.
Protection of the Arctic will also be a key priority as we seek to stop oil offshore and gas drilling in the Arctic so that the North doesn’t see a repeat of the Gulf of Mexico disaster.
With the nickel processing plant and the destruction of Sandy Pond scheduled to begin in 2013, we will counter this by increasing our support for a legal challenge against the federal government on the Schedule 2 provision that allows this and by continuing other efforts to hold accountable one of the world’s biggest and most harmful mining companies, Vale.
At the United Nations we will build on the right to water and sanitation resolution by advocating for a universal declaration recognizing the rights of nature with the publication of a new book in the spring, as well as by working in solidarity with Indigenous communities to have the right to water recognized in Canada.
We will also be working hard over the coming year, given the outcomes of the Cancun climate conference, to ensure that a climate agreement reflecting the imperative of climate justice is reached at the next climate summit in South Africa.
And given the news of the last several weeks, the Council of Canadians will undoubtedly be tackling the Harper government's proposed security perimeter with the United States that threatens to undermine civil liberties in the name of trade promotion. It is anticipated that a declaration will be signed by Harper and US President Barack Obama in January and that a binational working group will present an operational plan based on that declaration in March or April.
As always, there will be so much more. We will continue to call on the Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan to divest from private water utilities in Chile (and send Ontario teachers there to see the problem first-hand), we will work with farmers, small municipalities and concerned citizens to stop water markets in Alberta, and we will be part of an international movement building to derail the plans of the big water transnational corporations at their World Water Forum in Marseilles in early-2012. And as speculation about a post-budget spring-time federal election begins, we expect that an election - and the challenging of deep spending cuts by the federal government - could be part of our work this year as well.
2011 promises to be an exciting year of fast-paced political campaigns, popular pressure, and wins.
In closing, as we say goodbye to 2010, this is a good opportunity to look back at our collective wins in 2010 – see:
http://www.canadians.org/join/wins.html
- and to remind ourselves of what we can accomplish together.
As Maude Barlow is fond to close with in her speeches, quoting Arundhati Roy, “Remember this: We be many and they be few. They need us more than we need them. Another world is not only possible, she is on her way. On a quiet day, I can hear her breathing.”
=================
13. 2011: A Special Message to our Readers: Best Wishes for a Peaceful New Year
http://www.globalresearch.ca/index.php? ... &aid=22572
By The Global Research Team Global Research, December 31, 2010
Dear Readers,
As 2010 draws to a close, we take a moment to reflect on the past year and contemplate what may be ahead in the months to come.
Undeniably, this has been a year of crisis, characterized by the plight of war, economic dislocation and environmental degradation.
In a very direct way, the global economic and social crisis affects the livelihood of millions of people, as our authors have indicated through their research and news coverage, and our readers have observed through their own experiences.
The global financial picture remains bleak for many who are struggling to support their families and worry about what the future holds. The current administration of the world's superpower has put forth copious promises for change, but as proof of change is not received, disillusionment is setting in.
War continues to be waged across the globe at unprecedented rates, amassing immeasurable monetary, psychological and human costs which affect all citizens of the world. In turn, a large share of the nations' resources (particularly in the United States) is channeled towards the production of advanced weapons systems to the detriment of education, health and housing.
Every day, Global Research brings you articles that report, break down and analyze the pressing issues of our times. And with negative headlines often outweighing the optimistic, this can be a discouraging process indeed. However, we believe in the power of information and analysis to bring about far-reaching change: the more people become aware of the subversive, insidious processes attempting to manipulate the many to benefit the few, the less they can turn a blind eye to the injustice that surrounds us.
Truth in media is a powerful instrument. As long as we all keep probing, asking questions, looking through the disinformation to find real understanding, then we are in a better position to resist the negative and regain our sense of optimism for a better world in which truth and accountability trump greed and corruption.
To that end, we thank all our readers for supporting us, whether you have read, blogged and forwarded our articles for years, or have just recently discovered us when the failures of mainstream media prompted you to seek a deeper understanding of the world around you. We welcome your participation and urge you to keep reading, as much and as often as time will allow.
As a resolution for 2011, we encourage all readers to arm themselves - not with weapons, but with information. Make research a priority and spread the word to others; ask questions and do not settle for unsatisfactory answers; find out what you can and make your decisions based on what's proven instead of what's convenient. And, when possible, support non-profit organizations like Global Research through donations and memberships so that we can all continue to fight together against the flood of disinformation that threatens from larger, well-funded media and organizations.
If we have one wish for this coming 2011, it would be for peace. Until then, we encourage your continued participation and support, and wish you and your loved ones all the best in the year ahead.
With kind regards from the staff, writers and countless volunteers of The Centre for Research on Globalization
Montreal, December 31, 2010
Subscribe to the Global Research e-newsletter
Donate to Global Research
Please support Global Research
Global Research relies on the financial support of its readers.
Your endorsement is greatly appreciated
Happy New Year
1. Celebrating 2011 - The International Year of Forests – Feb. 11 & 12, 2011
2. Idea #9: Nanocellulose, the Next Big Wood Product
3. Drill, Baby, Drill! Why Canada Needs its Offshore Oil (Calgary) - Feb. 3, 2011
4. Canadian pipeline project sparks anger in the U.S.
5. Iraq: Oil daily production exceeds 2.6M barrels
6. Ex-Shell president sees $5 gas in 2012
7. LETTER: SHIELDS: Prentice Knew When To Leave!
8. Parshall, N.D. subject of new Discovery Channel series
9. WATCH: "Deepwater Horizon’s Final Hours:" The Explosion that Killed 11 Workers and Led to the Worst Oil Spill in U.S. History
10. The Gulf of Mexico is Dying - A Special Report on the BP Gulf Oil Spill
11. WATCH: Car Runs On Air
12. Council of Canadians Campaign plans for 2011
13. 2011: A Special Message to our Readers: Best Wishes for a Peaceful New Year
=================
1. Celebrating 2011 - The International Year of Forests – Feb. 11 & 12, 2011
http://www.npss.sk.ca/?s=5.events,71
Annual General Meeting, Workshop and International Forest Film Festival, Saskatoon, SK
Friday, February 11th & Saturday, February 12th 2011
TCU Place
35 - 22nd St. E. Saskatoon, SK
NPSS registration info - (306) 668-3940
TCU Place venue info - (306) 975-7777
Please note: due to allergies of staff and attendees, this is a fragrance-free event.
Join the Native Plant Society of Saskatchewan in celebrating its 16th year by attending our annual general meeting and workshop! The event is open to everyone and gives people a chance to learn about native plants and habitats, meet like-minded people and have some fun! This year we are celebrating 2011 as the International Year of Forests by focusing on the northern half of our province, an often-overlooked but vitally important area both for our environmental, economic and social well-being. This is the best value for money anywhere and is an event not to be missed!
Due to the popularity of our workshop last year, this year we will be holding another workshop in conjunction with our annual general meeting. Chet Neufeld will discuss options for creating habitat for wildlife in urban and rural yards. As an added bonus, this year the workshop is included in the registration fees.
New for this year - the International Forest Film Festival!
We will be screening the winners from the United Nations International Forest Film Festival. We are the only venue in Saskatchewan for this prestigious event.
The film festival screening is free for anyone to attend, but you must register so that we can plan accordingly.
Downloads:
2011 AGM Agenda
2011 AGM Registration Form
New! - Pay online through our store at:
http://www.npss.sk.ca/?s=8
(click on "events")
Annual General Meeting and Workshop
NPSS member - $45
Non-member - $55
All students - $35
International Forest Film Festival - Free
For more information, please contact
Chet Neufeld, B.Sc., A.Ag., Executive Director
Native Plant Society of Saskatchewan
P.O. Box 21099, Saskatoon, SK S7H 5N9
tel.(306)668-3940
E-mail info@npss.sk.ca
==================
2. Idea #9: Nanocellulose, the Next Big Wood Product
http://thetyee.ca/News/2010/12/30/Nanocellulose/
?utm_source=daily&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=301210
Will invisible fibers help rescue BC's disappearing mill towns?
By Monte Paulsen, Today, TheTyee.ca
What's black and white and bleeding red ink all over? Newspapers, of course, which are shriveling both in size and number. There's even a blog called Newspaper Death Watch.
Tumbling on newsprint's heels is Canada's pulp and paper industry, which produces the lion's share of North American newsprint and magazine paper. The fall of this once-mighty industry is easy to observe in British Columbia, where pulp mills have laid off workers and refused to pay their taxes among desperate efforts to survive.
The trees keep growing, however. And towns from Nova Scotia to Vancouver Island are home to woodworkers willing to harvest them, and millworkers trained to convert them into high-quality pulp. All of which leaves a multi-billion dollar question hanging over the great north woods: Is there some other use for Canada's most abundant and renewable resource?
Part of the answer may lie in a fibrous goo called nanocellulose.
MORE:
http://thetyee.ca/News/2010/12/30/Nanocellulose/
?utm_source=daily&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=301210
===================
3. Drill, Baby, Drill! Why Canada Needs its Offshore Oil (Calgary) - Feb. 3, 2011
http://www.fcpp.org/event.php/293
LUNCH ON THE FRONTIER: FCPP - Frontier Centre for Public Policy
Offshore oil and gas development is a vital and large component of Canadian prosperity. Canadian offshore oil can securely supply the growing North American market without sending petrodollars to hostile overseas actors.
Off shore exploitation can be carried safely. New and safer technologies with reduced environmental footprint are constantly being developed to ensure deep-water and Arctic production in the coming decades. “Alternative” energy sources are desirable, but their economic introduction on a grand scale is many decades away.
A particular travesty is the continuing moratorium on oil exploration offshore British Columbia. The prospective area in the temperate climate of southwestern Queen Charlotte Basin lies in shallow, ice-free waters. The moratorium blocks productive investment, denies government revenues from royalties and taxes, and forces thousands of western Canadians into continued unemployment.
>Many self-styled “environmentalists” tend to be urban folks without a slightest idea of anything natural. For all these reasons, a blanket pseudo-green and anti-capitalist opposition to offshore oil development is utterly immoral.
Event Details:
Date: February 3, 2011
Place: Peter Bawden Room (Rm 404), Calgary, Chamber of Commerce, 100 - 6 Ave SW, Calgary
Time: 12 noon
Cost: $65 per plate
Additional Notes: Registration must be received on or before Jan. 31st to hold seats. Substitutions are allowed. Sorry, no refunds.
Please RSVP to: Online, E-mail: registrations@fcpp.org, Phone: 877-219-0033 ext. 1 or 204-977-5050 or Fax 204-957-1570
View as PDF
http://www.fcpp.org/files/1/
Henry%20Lyatsky%20-%20Feb%203%202011.pdf
Register Online
https://secure.fcpp.org/event293.php
GUEST SPEAKER: Henry Lyatsky is a Calgary-based geophysical and geological consultant who has worked across Canada and internationally in oil and mineral exploration.
=====================
4. Canadian pipeline project sparks anger in the U.S.
http://www.brandonsun.com/breaking-news/
canadian-pipeline-project-sparks-anger-in-the-us-112652004.html?viewAllComments=y
By: Sheldon Alberts Posted: 30/12/2010 1:00 AM
WASHINGTON -- David Daniel bought his dream plot of land six years ago -- an eight-hectare piece of east Texas paradise packed with hardwood trees and spring-fed creeks that burble year-round. It was Daniel's personal Walden Pond, a Thoreau-like retreat ideal for raising a young family.
Then the surveyors from the Canadian oil company showed up, trudging across his property unannounced and uninvited, marking the course for a 2,700-kilometre pipeline that would carry crude from Alberta's vast oilsands to refineries along the Gulf Coast of Texas.
"This place was exactly what we were looking for," Daniel says, "but now this pipeline will split my property in half. It's quite depressing."
By dint of a geographic fluke, the 43-year-old carpenter finds himself at the centre, quite literally, of a high-stakes battle between environmentalists, landowners, the oil industry, members of Congress and the State Department over TransCanada's proposed Keystone XL pipeline.
U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is expected to decide early in 2011 whether to grant TransCanada a presidential permit to build the $7-billion international pipeline, which promises to dramatically expand the Canadian oil industry's access to the U.S. market. Supporters of the project tout Keystone XL as vital to America's energy security -- by 2013, it could transport up to 900,000 barrels per day -- and say it will boost a struggling U.S. economy by putting thousands of people to work, particularly in the hard-hit construction sector.
But Clinton will make her decision against a backdrop of intense and increasingly well-organized opposition -- not only from prominent environmental groups such as the Sierra Club and the National Wildlife Federation, but from residents along the proposed pipeline route.
In east Texas and Nebraska, some landowners accuse TransCanada of bullying them into granting right-of-way access to their land.
MORE:
http://www.brandonsun.com/breaking-news/
canadian-pipeline-project-sparks-anger-in-the-us-112652004.html?viewAllComments=y
=================
5. Iraq: Oil daily production exceeds 2.6M barrels
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/
ALeqM5idaLlTuDsX3vEHaNI_3RffLbdC9w?docId=8bd3bf1415b44d26b84b14c7f663890a
27 Dec 2010
Iraq's oil minister says the country's daily crude production has exceeded 2.6 million barrels a day. Abdul-Karim Elaibi says the oil production will reach its planned higher targets "sooner than expected." Iraq has awarded 15 oil and gas contracts since 2008 and plans to reach daily production capacity of 12 million barrels from the current 2.6 million… (…..)
=====================
6. Ex-Shell president sees $5 gas in 2012
http://money.cnn.com/2010/12/27/markets ... mmodities/
27 Dec 2010
The former president of Shell Oil, John Hofmeister, says Americans could be paying $5 for a gallon of gasoline by 2012. In an interview with Platt's Energy Week television, Hofmeister predicted gasoline prices will spike as the global demand for oil increases. "I'm predicting actually the worst outcome over the next two years which takes us to 2012 with higher gasoline prices," he said.
===============
7. LETTER: SHIELDS: Prentice Knew When To Leave!
From: lagran
To: David Swann ; brian mason ; calgary.currie@assembly.ab.ca
Cc: mccallum ; iggy ; goodale ; flaherty ; bill boyd ; Alberta Activism
Sent: Thursday, December 30, 2010 5:48 PM
Please review the contents of August 2010 ERCB monthly enforcement actions. One cannot review these enforcement actions month after month without questioning the type of penal system to bring compliance to industry rules. All this work to locate and address non-compliance issues, and not a penny cost to the offender. The ERCB funding by industry certainly is working great for industry! Cash fines as a means to compliance is the accepted standard world-wide, with amazingly good results, why must Alberta energy industry be different?
A cursory review of industry members paying extreamely heavy fines for cheating on State owned royalty payments, in United States, with no issues of a similar nature by the same companies in Canada leaves many to believe that measurement and fuctions with respect to royalties be removed from ERCB duties. The history of catching these offences, along with the ERCB's budget practises should indicate this as an unhealthy way to compliance. Not to mention the ERCB's history, with an admitted case of industry bias along with many other scandals!! Indeed a Edmonton based enitity to oversee measurement audits and keep ERCB finger prints off royalties seems in order. Exxon Mobil were ordered to pay 11.9 billion U.S. in damages to the State of Alabama over natural gas royalties in November 2003. In Canada our federal government is in negotiations with the same Exxon Mobil on construction costs for the Mackenzie Pipeline!! Here, we would have the same ownership in both the product shipped and the pipeline's ownership!! Wow, and Canadians to help provide the construction costs!! Prentice knew when to leave!!
Stewart Shields
Lacombe, AB
= = = = =
ST108: ERCB Monthly Enforcement Action Summary
http://www.ercb.ca/docs/products/STs/st ... 201008.pdf
This report summarizes high risk enforcement action 1, high risk enforcement action 2 (persistent noncompliance), high risk enforcement action 3 (failure to comply or demonstrated disregard), low risk enforcement action - global REFER and legislative/regulatory enforcement action noncompliance enforcement information, including company names..
Publication of the monthly summary will occur within 120 days of the enforcement actions. The summary will be posted to the ERCB Web site on the last Thursday of each month.
Available on Web - No charge
Current issue - August 2010
http://www.ercb.ca/docs/products/STs/st108/
st108_201008.pdf
================
8. Parshall, N.D. subject of new Discovery Channel series
http://www.grandforksherald.com/event/article/id/
188501/group/homepage/
By: Chuck Haga, Grand Forks Herald Published December 30 2010
With promos suggesting a modern-day “Deadwood” crossed with “Our Town” — or maybe “Fargo” spliced with “There Will Be Blood” — a cable TV channel is touting a reality TV series featuring the western North Dakota town of Parshall and its people.
The five-part series by Discovery Channel’s Planet Green focuses on the impact of rapid and large-scale oil development around Parshall.
The title of the series: Boomtown.
“The tiny town of Parshall, N.D., is isolated, windswept and frigid,” Discovery reports in a promotional piece on its website.
“The economy of this small community, like so many other similar towns across America, has been in steep decline for many years,” the promo states. “As manufacturing and farming jobs have moved overseas, town residents have sought greener pastures and a better life.
“But recently, something amazing happened: Below the wheat fields and the grocery store and the high school football field, surveyors discovered oil. …”
The Discovery Channel series opens at 9 p.m. CST on Jan. 29.
“Boomtown is an unconventional case study of how the domestic oil and gas industries are exploring every option here on U.S. soil — but at what cost?” the Discovery promo declares. “Many of Parshall’s residents and landowners are transformed from ordinary folks into millionaires. But not everyone gets rich quick, and not everyone thinks the new development will end well for the residents of the town.”
Boomtown is the first of two planned documentary-style series examining the social and environmental impact of oil development on small towns. The other project, reportedly backed by the History network and PBS, also would take place in western North Dakota, in and around the small Burke County town of Columbus, according to the entertainment news website C21media.
==================
9. WATCH: "Deepwater Horizon’s Final Hours:" The Explosion that Killed 11 Workers and Led to the Worst Oil Spill in U.S. History
http://www.democracynow.org/seo/2010/12/30/
deepwater_horizons_final_hours_the_explosion
Democracy Now! Daily News Digest
December 30, 2010
It has been eight months since the explosion aboard the Deepwater Horizon set off the worst offshore oil spill in U.S. history. A major investigation by the New York Times takes an in-depth look into how explosion occurred. We speak with Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist David Barstow.
================
10. The Gulf of Mexico is Dying - A Special Report on the BP Gulf Oil Spill
www.globalresearch.ca/index.php?context=va&aid=22514
By Dr. Tom Termotto
Global Research, December 26, 2010
Concerned citizens of Florida - 2010-12-01
It is with deep regret that we publish this report. We do not take this responsibility lightly, as the consequences of the following observations are of such great import and have such far-reaching ramifications for the entire planet. Truly, the fate of the oceans of the world hangs in the balance, as does the future of humankind.
The Gulf of Mexico (GOM) does not exist in isolation and is, in fact, connected to the Seven Seas. Hence, we publish these findings in order that the world community will come together to further contemplate this dire and demanding predicament. We also do so with the hope that an appropriate global response will be formulated, and acted upon, for the sake of future generations. It is the most basic responsibility for every civilization to leave their world in a better condition than that which they inherited from their forbears.
After conducting the Gulf Oil Spill Remediation Conference for over seven months, we can now disseminate the following information with the authority and confidence of those who have thoroughly investigated a crime scene. There are many research articles, investigative reports and penetrating exposes archived at the following website. Particularly those posted from August through November provide a unique body of evidence, many with compelling photo-documentaries, which portray the true state of affairs at the Macondo Prospect in the GOM.
- - - - - -
PHOENIX RISING FROM THE GULF
http://phoenixrisingfromthegulf.wordpress.com/
- - - - -
MORE:
www.globalresearch.ca/index.php?context=va&aid=22514
=================
11. WATCH: Car Runs On Air
http://www.flixxy.com/zero-pollution-automobile.htm
This five-seater car runs on compressed air, has zero pollution, very low running costs and will cost about $15,000.
=====================
12. Council of Canadians Campaign plans for 2011
http://www.canadians.org/campaigns.html
From: Brent Patterson
Sent: Saturday, January 01, 2011 8:18 AM
Happy New Year and welcome to 2011!
This year the Council of Canadians will be launching three new campaigns.
This month we will be posting to hire a health care campaigner and re-dedicating ourselves to defending and expanding public health care in Canada.
We will also be seeking to declare the Great Lakes a commons, public trust and protected bio-region – and ensure that the plan to ship radioactive waste on the lakes is stopped. This work will include a new report and multi-city speaking tour by Council of Canadians chairperson Maude Barlow.
And we will be launching a national campaign calling for federal and provincial action to stop fracking, a dangerous shale gas extraction method that destroys water.
In addition to this work, we will be ramping up our campaign to defeat the Canada-European Union Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement. While the Harper government seeks to complete the deal by the end of 2011, we will deliver the message in Canada (with a speaking tour) and in Europe that CETA equals water privatization and unfettered tar sands expansion.
Protection of the Arctic will also be a key priority as we seek to stop oil offshore and gas drilling in the Arctic so that the North doesn’t see a repeat of the Gulf of Mexico disaster.
With the nickel processing plant and the destruction of Sandy Pond scheduled to begin in 2013, we will counter this by increasing our support for a legal challenge against the federal government on the Schedule 2 provision that allows this and by continuing other efforts to hold accountable one of the world’s biggest and most harmful mining companies, Vale.
At the United Nations we will build on the right to water and sanitation resolution by advocating for a universal declaration recognizing the rights of nature with the publication of a new book in the spring, as well as by working in solidarity with Indigenous communities to have the right to water recognized in Canada.
We will also be working hard over the coming year, given the outcomes of the Cancun climate conference, to ensure that a climate agreement reflecting the imperative of climate justice is reached at the next climate summit in South Africa.
And given the news of the last several weeks, the Council of Canadians will undoubtedly be tackling the Harper government's proposed security perimeter with the United States that threatens to undermine civil liberties in the name of trade promotion. It is anticipated that a declaration will be signed by Harper and US President Barack Obama in January and that a binational working group will present an operational plan based on that declaration in March or April.
As always, there will be so much more. We will continue to call on the Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan to divest from private water utilities in Chile (and send Ontario teachers there to see the problem first-hand), we will work with farmers, small municipalities and concerned citizens to stop water markets in Alberta, and we will be part of an international movement building to derail the plans of the big water transnational corporations at their World Water Forum in Marseilles in early-2012. And as speculation about a post-budget spring-time federal election begins, we expect that an election - and the challenging of deep spending cuts by the federal government - could be part of our work this year as well.
2011 promises to be an exciting year of fast-paced political campaigns, popular pressure, and wins.
In closing, as we say goodbye to 2010, this is a good opportunity to look back at our collective wins in 2010 – see:
http://www.canadians.org/join/wins.html
- and to remind ourselves of what we can accomplish together.
As Maude Barlow is fond to close with in her speeches, quoting Arundhati Roy, “Remember this: We be many and they be few. They need us more than we need them. Another world is not only possible, she is on her way. On a quiet day, I can hear her breathing.”
=================
13. 2011: A Special Message to our Readers: Best Wishes for a Peaceful New Year
http://www.globalresearch.ca/index.php? ... &aid=22572
By The Global Research Team Global Research, December 31, 2010
Dear Readers,
As 2010 draws to a close, we take a moment to reflect on the past year and contemplate what may be ahead in the months to come.
Undeniably, this has been a year of crisis, characterized by the plight of war, economic dislocation and environmental degradation.
In a very direct way, the global economic and social crisis affects the livelihood of millions of people, as our authors have indicated through their research and news coverage, and our readers have observed through their own experiences.
The global financial picture remains bleak for many who are struggling to support their families and worry about what the future holds. The current administration of the world's superpower has put forth copious promises for change, but as proof of change is not received, disillusionment is setting in.
War continues to be waged across the globe at unprecedented rates, amassing immeasurable monetary, psychological and human costs which affect all citizens of the world. In turn, a large share of the nations' resources (particularly in the United States) is channeled towards the production of advanced weapons systems to the detriment of education, health and housing.
Every day, Global Research brings you articles that report, break down and analyze the pressing issues of our times. And with negative headlines often outweighing the optimistic, this can be a discouraging process indeed. However, we believe in the power of information and analysis to bring about far-reaching change: the more people become aware of the subversive, insidious processes attempting to manipulate the many to benefit the few, the less they can turn a blind eye to the injustice that surrounds us.
Truth in media is a powerful instrument. As long as we all keep probing, asking questions, looking through the disinformation to find real understanding, then we are in a better position to resist the negative and regain our sense of optimism for a better world in which truth and accountability trump greed and corruption.
To that end, we thank all our readers for supporting us, whether you have read, blogged and forwarded our articles for years, or have just recently discovered us when the failures of mainstream media prompted you to seek a deeper understanding of the world around you. We welcome your participation and urge you to keep reading, as much and as often as time will allow.
As a resolution for 2011, we encourage all readers to arm themselves - not with weapons, but with information. Make research a priority and spread the word to others; ask questions and do not settle for unsatisfactory answers; find out what you can and make your decisions based on what's proven instead of what's convenient. And, when possible, support non-profit organizations like Global Research through donations and memberships so that we can all continue to fight together against the flood of disinformation that threatens from larger, well-funded media and organizations.
If we have one wish for this coming 2011, it would be for peace. Until then, we encourage your continued participation and support, and wish you and your loved ones all the best in the year ahead.
With kind regards from the staff, writers and countless volunteers of The Centre for Research on Globalization
Montreal, December 31, 2010
Subscribe to the Global Research e-newsletter
Donate to Global Research
Please support Global Research
Global Research relies on the financial support of its readers.
Your endorsement is greatly appreciated
- Oscar
- Site Admin
- Posts: 9851
- Joined: Wed May 03, 2006 3:23 pm
FRACKING/ENERGY NEWS - January 7, 2011
by Oscar » Fri Jan 07, 2011 10:44 am
FRACKING/ENERGY NEWS - January 7, 2011
"Z Rizdvom Khrystovym !" - "Merry Christmas" – (Ukrainian)
1. Tell Your Story at Living the Drill.
2. (2007) NEW REGULATIONS FOR OIL SANDS AND OIL SHALE RESOURCES
3. Alberta fosters new gas wells (May 27, 2010)
4. Technical Protocol Plan for the Reduction of Methane Emissions from Oil and Gas Facilities – Blue Source Canada, Calgary – September 2009
5. EPA confirms high Natural Gas leakage rates
6. FRACKING – Quebec (. . . . leaks included!)
7. Sinking feelings - Gas fracking may already be lowering water tables in South Texas
8. Poll finds only minority support for oilsands in Saskatchewan
9. Oilsands workers flee as fireball engulfed upgrader
10. Kent as Environment Minister!
11. Harper’s Pipeline Nightmare
12. SHIELDS: 2010 Alberta Activism Review
13. Council of Canadians Update: January 5 & 6, 2011
14. LETTER: SHIELDS: Pro-Canadian
15. Thousands Mourn the Loss of Judy Bonds, Leader in the Fight Against Mountaintop Removal Mining
16. Why Washington Hates Hugo Chavez
=====================
1. Tell Your Story at Living the Drill.
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Living-the-Drill/
144221602300131
This is a registry for anyone, anywhere in the world, whose water, air quality, land, business, health, or community has been adversely affected by gas drilling or pipelines. Tell your story here. The purpose of this community page is to document how drilling is impacting lives all over the country, and accumulate enough stories so that no one can continue to claim these are "rare" instances.
================
2. (2007) NEW REGULATIONS FOR OIL SANDS AND OIL SHALE RESOURCES
http://www.gov.sk.ca/
news?newsId=1f85d947-e09b-4ad6-b775-43a006ff2831
News Release - May 7, 2007
New regulations come into effect today that will encourage more exploration of Saskatchewan’s oil sands and oil shale resources.
The new regulations have been developed after consultation with the industry and other jurisdictions, and are an update of regulations approved over 40 years ago. Under The Petroleum and Natural Gas Amendment Regulations 2007 oil sands and oil shale mineral rights will be available under the competitive bid and work commitment bid processes, respectively. Crown oil sands, oil shale rights and work commitment bid processes will be available for purchasers in the August 2007 land sale. The first ever bid process for crown oil sands and shale rights will occur along with the August 2007 land sale.
“We are optimistic about the potential for an oil sands and oil shale industry in the province,” Industry and Resources Minister Eric Cline said. “The regulations approved by the government today are competitive with Alberta, but are tailor-made to fit a Saskatchewan model in terms of land dispositions and what we consider a careful yet moderate approach to development of this resource.”
Previously issued oil sands and oil shale dispositions will continue to be administered under amended provisions to The Oil Shale Regulations, 1964 that have also been updated to today’s technical and economic realities.
Oil sands were identified in the province in the 1970s in an area north of the Primrose Lake Air Weapons Range but there has been limited interest until the last few years. One company has been drilling in the area north of the Clearwater River, and has reported encouraging results from the exploration. Exploration for oil shales in the Hudson Bay area of the province was conducted 40 years ago, and the area has seen renewed exploration by industry to evaluate the extent of the resource. -30-
For more information, contact:
Bob Ellis, Industry and Resources, Regina
Phone: 306-787-1691
==================
3. Alberta fosters new gas wells (May 27, 2010)
http://www.cbc.ca/money/story/2010/05/27/
alberta-oil-gas-wells-royalty-rates-shale-coalbed.html
Last Updated: Thursday, May 27, 2010 | 7:52 PM ET The Canadian Press
The Alberta government has introduced a new program to encourage energy firms to drill technically challenging wells in the province.
Under the new rules, shale gas, coalbed methane and horizontal oil and gas wells will have an initial maximum five per cent royalty rate as of May 1, although that is to be reviewed in 2014.
"This initiative to unlock Alberta's unconventional resources offers the potential for decades of employment and community benefits," said Energy Minister Ron Liepert.
"The final adjustments to royalty formulas will help industry make important investment decisions for the fall and winter drilling season and maintain Alberta as a competitive jurisdiction for investment."
For shale and coalbed methane, the lower rate would last for the first 36 months of production, whereas horizontal gas wells would pay that rate for 18 months of production.
MORE:
http://www.cbc.ca/money/story/2010/05/27/
alberta-oil-gas-wells-royalty-rates-shale-coalbed.html
==================
4. Technical Protocol Plan for the Reduction of Methane Emissions from Oil and Gas Facilities – Blue Source Canada, Calgary – September 2009
http://carbonoffsetsolutions.climatecha ... com/files/
microsites/OffsetProtocols/ProtocolReviewProcess/5thCycleProtocolDevelopment/TPP%20Methane%20Emission%20Reduction.pdf
Canada's National GHG Inventory reports fugitive emissions accounted for about 66.8 Mt (or 8.8%) of Canada's total GHG emissions, with a 57% growth in emissions since 1990.
Between 1990 and 2006, fugitive emissions from oil and natural gas increased 62% to 66.2 Mt. Oil and gas production, processing, transmission, and distribution activities contributed to 99% of Canada's fugitive emissions.
=================
5. EPA confirms high Natural Gas leakage rates
http://www.theenergycollective.com/david-lewis/48209/
epa-confirms-high-natural-gas-leakage-rates
Posted December 7, 2010 by David Lewis
The latest EPA study confirms that its original "seminal" study of methane leaks from natural gas use, i.e. "Methane Emissions from the Natural Gas Industry (GRI/EPA 1996) was in error. The GRI/EPA 1996 study was the holy grail. The IPCC used GRI/EPA numbers when it assessed the climate impact of gas.
The old figures drastically underestimate the climate impact of the use of natural gas.
This confirms the work of Dr. Robert Howarth, the Cornell professor whose work I described in two recent posts
(first:
http://theenergycollective.com/david-lewis/47474/
natural-gas-green-perhaps-not
and later:
http://theenergycollective.com/david-lewis/47794/
gas-bridge-nowhere
in a most authoritative way.
The original GRI/EPA study was regarded as so good it served as "the basis for most CH4 [methane] estimates from natural gas systems". These include: the main EPA Inventory of US GHG Emissions and Sinks, the American Petroleum Institute (API) Compendium, the studies done by the Interstate Natural Gas Association of America, the protocols developed by the California Climate Action Registry, and "many of the emission factors included in the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Guidelines for National Greenhouse Gas Inventories."
The EPA page that refers to the study:
http://www.epa.gov/climatechange/emissi ... art/w.html
The study in question:
“Technical Support Document: Petroleum and Natural Gas Systems".
http://www.epa.gov/climatechange/emissions/downloads10/
Subpart-W_TSD.pdf
MORE:
http://www.theenergycollective.com/david-lewis/48209/
epa-confirms-high-natural-gas-leakage-rates
======================
6. FRACKING – Quebec (. . . leaks included!)
Natural gas leaks from wells no cause for concern: officials
http://www.montrealgazette.com/technology/
Natural+leaks+from+wells+cause+concern+officials/4065917/story.html
By Michelle Lalonde Gazette environment reporter, Montreal Gazette January 5, 2011
The fact that natural gas is leaking from 19 of 31 shale gas wells in the Lower St. Lawrence is no cause for concern, officials in Quebec’s Natural Resources department said Wednesday.
“It is not a worrisome situation, or anything out of the ordinary, but of course we are following it closely because we want to ensure that we waste as little as possible of this resource, which is a collective resource,” said Sébastien Desrochers, director of the oil and gas sector in the Ministry of Natural Resources.
The department revealed information about the well inspections in a written response to a question from the Bureau d’audiences publiques sur l’environnement. The public watchdog agency is examining environmental impacts of shale gas exploration and exploitation in the province and is to present a report to the Environment department by the end of February.
The document, dated Dec. 7 and posted on the BAPE website, showed that 31 shale gas wells have been inspected at least once by Natural Resource department inspectors and that at 19 of the sites, natural gas was detected at ground level.
The leaky wells are located in 13 different municipalities, all in the St. Lawrence Lowlands: Saint François du Lac, Bécancour, Saint Louis, Saint David, La Visitation de Yamaska, Saint Jean sur Richelieu, Champlain, Leclercville, Saint Édouard de Lotbinière, La Présentation, Fortierville, Saint Barnabé Sud, and St. Hyacinthe.
But Desrochers said it is normal for natural gas to escape when any kind of drilling is done in soil or rock where natural gas is present. He said all of the sites are isolated and far from residences, and that the “very small” amounts of gas that are leaking pose no danger to human health or the environment.
He added that none of the 31 sites inspected are currently operating, and that several have been permanently sealed because the companies decided conditions were not good enough for exploitation at these sites.
MORE:
http://www.montrealgazette.com/technology/
Natural+leaks+from+wells+cause+concern+officials/4065917/story.html
= = = = =
Leaks found in shale gas wells: Que. report
http://www.cbc.ca/technology/story/2011/01/05/
shale-quebec-bape.html#ixzz1AH3OFyXK
31 were inspected 'and more than half have problems,' says envrionmental expert
Last Updated: Wednesday, January 5, 2011 | 3:53 PM ET CBC News
Quebec's Ministry of Natural Resources has found leaks in more than half the shale gas wells it inspected, according to a report compiled for the province's environmental protection agency.
Of 31 wells inspected, 19 showed "natural gas emissions," according to the 35-page report dated Dec. 7. The report is available to the public in French on the website of BAPE, Quebec's environmental protection agency:
[http://www.bape.gouv.qc.ca/sections/mandats/Gaz_de_schiste/
documents/DQ28.1_entier.pdf ]
According to Article 60 of the Quebec Mining Act, "if a well is closed temporarily it must be left in a condition that will prevent a fluid or gas flow from the well."
The nature and the extent of the emissions are not clear and nobody at the ministry was available to comment.
"In the document ... they just write 'natural gas emission' ... well, we have to know exactly what kind of gas it is," said André Belisle, president of the Quebec Association Against Atmospheric Pollution.
He believes the emissions are probably methane, which Belisle said are much more harmful to the environment than carbon dioxide.
Belisle said the leaks are proof more scientific studies need to be done to assess the environmental impact of shale gas exploration in Quebec.
"It proves that we're totally right when we ask for a moratorium," said Belisle. "Things have been going too fast and all kinds of problems are occurring everywhere from all sides."
Belisle is demanding the government reveal more information about its test results.
"We have [issued] permits believing everything would go right ... we know now that it doesn't," said Belisle.
MORE:
http://www.cbc.ca/technology/story/2011/01/05/
shale-quebec-bape.html#ixzz1AH3OFyXK
= = = = = = =
Related
Que. shale gas hearings off to civilized start
http://www.cbc.ca/canada/montreal/story/2010/10/05/
bape-shale-gas-hearings-start.html
October 5, 2010
Quebec shale gas hearings open
http://www.cbc.ca/canada/montreal/story/2010/10/04/
bape-environmental-review-shale-gas-hearings-start.html
October 4, 2010
Tensions at Que. shale gas meeting escalate
http://www.cbc.ca/canada/montreal/story/2010/09/29/
shale-gas-meeting-protest-st-hyacinthe.html
September 29, 2010
Shale gas review process flawed: open letter
http://www.cbc.ca/canada/montreal/story/2010/09/29/
shale-gas-meeting-protest-st-hyacinthe.html
September 29, 2010
Shale gas companies meet strong opposition
http://www.cbc.ca/canada/montreal/story/2010/09/15/
industry-holds-shale-meeting.html
September 15, 2010
Shale gas moratorium urged in Quebec
http://www.cbc.ca/canada/montreal/story/2010/09/14/
shale-gas-exploration-in-quebec.html
September 14, 2010
Montreal World Energy Congress draws protests
http://www.cbc.ca/canada/montreal/story/2010/09/13/
montreal-world-energy-congress-protests.html
September 14, 2010
Natural gas risks worthwhile: Shell CEO
http://www.cbc.ca/canada/montreal/story/2010/09/13/
world-energy-congress.html
September 13, 2010
Shale gas drilling worries some Quebecers
http://www.cbc.ca/canada/montreal/story/2010/08/25/
quebec-shale-gas.html
August 25, 2010
Shale gas project gives pause to Quebec village
http://www.cbc.ca/canada/montreal/story/2010/06/02/
molopo-shale-gas-development.html
June 2, 2010
==================
7. Sinking feelings - Gas fracking may already be lowering water tables in South Texas
http://www.sacurrent.com/news/story.asp?id=71891
January 5, 2011
“They already know they’re gonna run this area out of water; there’s no ifs, ands, or buts about it,” said Braudaway, whose livelihood still depends on oilfield services.
KARNES COUNTY — Veteran oilman John Braudaway has been in the industry so long that he says he can estimate the amount of crude in a 400-barrel storage tank just by feeling slight temperature differences on the metal surface.
While that may sound like a Texas tall tale told by an affable septuagenarian who bears a slight resemblance to Tommy Lee Jones, one thing’s for sure: Braudaway has enough oilfield wisdom to know that the frenzy around the Eagle Ford Shale is different than any boom he’s seen since his early days working South Texas oil fields in the 1950s.
This time around, the wells are drilled horizontally, and then there’s the potential that hydraulic fracturing, or “fracking,” will have long-term effects on South Texas water tables in a region that has long struggled with drought. A typical fracked well in Karnes County uses 3 to 6 million gallons of water, which is pumped thousands of feet underground to release oil and gas from the shale formation.
Many in Karnes County welcome the boom, but the water issue keeps confronting the oil industry. “They already know they’re gonna run this area out of water; there’s no ifs, ands, or buts about it,” said Braudaway, whose livelihood still depends on oilfield services.
For some folks, the water future of South Texas boils down to simple math – when you suddenly pull millions of gallons from local aquifers without replenishing that supply, there’s going to be less for homes, farms, and ranches. “We know it’s happening because our water well has already dropped in just three months,” said Allan Hedtke, a Karnes City resident.
In spite of off-and-on drought conditions, Hedtke’s well held steady at 225 feet below ground for years before suddenly dropping to 300 feet last fall. Hedtke and neighbors with similar experiences feel strongly that the recent drilling and oil production activity nearby caused the change. “I can’t prove it’s them, but there’s no other explanation,” he said.
Soon after Eagle Ford drilling activity picked up last year, other South Texans complaining of low water wells prompted the Evergreen Underground Water Conservation District to launch a new monitoring program in four counties where some of the heaviest drilling and fracking takes place. “We really have no idea how much water they are pulling from our area, and it’s really frustrating,” said Larry Akers, assistant manager of the Evergreen district, the water planning agency for Atascosa, Frio, Karnes, and Wilson counties.
In three months, the well monitors have shown slight decreases of a foot or less, but nothing conclusive enough to determine whether oil and gas drilling is the cause. “I think it’s a lot of fear now, but that fear will become a real problem (for the water supply) in the next five years,” Akers said.
MORE:
http://www.sacurrent.com/news/story.asp?id=71891
= = = = = = =
Fracking's short, dirty story
http://www.sacurrent.com/news/story.asp?id=71892
By Greg Harman January 5, 2011Developed decades ago, hydraulic fracturing involves the process of breaking up heavy oil- and gas-bearing shale formations by pumping millions of gallons of chemically tainted water through vertical and lateral wells at intense pressure. Only in recent years has the practice become cost effective for industry, as advances in technology have been matched by rising energy prices. In South Texas, operators are increasingly honing in on the Eagle Ford shale formation, which stretches from several counties to the northeast of San Antonio all the way to Maverick County on the U.S.-Mexico border. Here is a short list of fracking-related troubles that have arisen across the country in recent years.
Colorado — A three-year study in Garfield County detailed the migration of methane from fracking operations through natural faults into potable water supplies, but state regulators also fingered faulty casing work by EnCana Oil and Gas for water well contamination, fining the company $370,000.
Pennsylvania — In a land of exploding water wells and quarantined cows, residents of Dimock, Pa., sued Houston-based Cabot Oil & Gas in 2009 after a range of chemicals linked to fracking contaminated water wells. Pennsylvania’s Department of Environmental Protection fined the company more than $240,000. However, the price tag associated with trucking in clean water to homeowners has been placed at more than $10 million.
MORE:
http://www.sacurrent.com/news/story.asp?id=71892
===============
8. Poll finds only minority support for oilsands in Saskatchewan
http://www.thestarphoenix.com/business/
Poll+finds+only+minority+support+oilsands+Saskatchewan/4056438/story.html#ixzz1A5SYQwxa
Opinions on environment differ based on race, education, location
By Jeanette Stewart, The StarPhoenix January 4, 2011
SASKATOON — Despite alarm bells raised recently over toxins spewed from Alberta's oilsands into Saskatchewan, results of a recent survey indicate one-quarter of the province's residents support oilsands development.
The results of a survey performed by Sigma Analytics for the Saskatoon StarPhoenix and the Regina Leader-Post show 24.9 per cent of respondents "strongly support" oilsands development in the province.
But those who caution against this type of development see a different picture in the survey numbers.
"If you didn't really know much about the issue, sure, why wouldn't you support it?" said Ann Coxworth, research adviser for the Saskatchewan Environmental Society (SES) and author of a report titled Carbon Copy: Preventing Oilsands Fever in Saskatchewan.
"I think the fact that 23 per cent of people are opposed or strongly opposed is a fairly high level of opposition," she added. "Over 50 per cent of the respondents have some reservations about it . . . which I think is significant."
According to its website, Oilsands Quest has extended oilsands land holdings in Saskatchewan close to existing exploration permits in Alberta.
Calls to its Alberta office were not returned.
MORE:
http://www.thestarphoenix.com/business/
Poll+finds+only+minority+support+oilsands+Saskatchewan/4056438/story.html#ixzz1A5SYQwxa
= = = = = = =
More Info on Oilsands Quest: (MAP)
http://forum.stopthehogs.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=449
=================
9. Oilsands workers flee as fireball engulfed upgrader
http://www.thestarphoenix.com/opinion/
Oilsands+workers+flee+fireball+engulfed+upgrader/4072624/story.html
BY RYAN CORMIER AND JANA G. PRUDEN, POSTMEDIA NEWS
JANUARY 6, 2011 9:15 PM
EDMONTON — In the moments after an explosion tore through a Canadian Natural Resources Ltd. oilsands upgrader Thursday, employees ran for safety and dodged flaming debris falling from the sky.
Around 3:30 p.m., the blast ignited in the primary upgrader area at the company’s Horizon site 70 kilometres north of Fort McMurray, Alta.
“The entire camp shook,” said one employee, who was in a nearby trailer. “We thought someone had driven a huge vehicle into the trailer. Then we looked outside, and all you could see was fire.
“Then everyone ran. Some people cut themselves out of tents to get out. There were big sheets of corrugated metal falling from the sky.”
Another worker estimated the initial flames shot 150 metres into the air. He left the site immediately, but says other workers were not told to evacuate until much later.
“If anyone is injured and they aren’t dead, I would be surprised,” he said. “It was so massive.”
The blast and blaze could have serious affects on the company’s production.
MORE:
http://www.thestarphoenix.com/opinion/
Oilsands+workers+flee+fireball+engulfed+upgrader/4072624/story.html
================
10. Kent as Environment Minister!
A changing climate – just not in cabinet
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/opinions/opinion/
a-changing-climate-just-not-in-cabinet/article1857951/
JEFFREY SIMPSON Globe and Mail January 5, 2011
The definition of utter loneliness in Stephen Harper’s cabinet is to be minister of the environment – as Peter Kent is about to discover.
Environment ministers have no natural allies in any cabinet. Finance and Treasury Board think the environment minister a big spender. Natural Resources defends the energy industry against it. Agriculture and Fisheries consider it works against the economic interest of their client groups. Industry thinks environment a job-killer. Foreign Affairs wonders if the Environment department really knows anything about the world.
To be without natural allies in a cabinet is one fate; to be the environment minister in a government that scarcely cares about the file is quite another. Worst of all, to be minister in a government whose principal environmental preoccupation is to do as little as possible on the most important international environmental file, climate change, and to protect the oil/tar sands at all costs gives new meaning to frustration.
With serious action ruled out in advance, the Harper government’s environment minister must be a smooth talker. He must be prepared to repeat things that are demonstrably false – as in Canada will reduce its greenhouse-gas emissions by 17 per cent by 2020 from 2005 levels – with a straight face while all those around you are cracking up in derision. When necessary, the minister must bluster.
Peter Kent, a former television presenter, should therefore fit the definition splendidly of what is required of a Harper government environment minister. Since all important decisions are taken by the Prime Minister anyway, it shouldn’t matter that Mr. Kent has no background in the file nor has ever shown any interest in the issues. He is there to rag the puck, so to speak.
MORE:
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/opinions/opinion/
a-changing-climate-just-not-in-cabinet/article1857951/
= = = = = = =
Peter Kent’s green agenda: Clean up oil sands’ dirty reputation
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/
peter-kents-green-agenda-clean-up-oil-sands-dirty-reputation/article1860820/
STEVEN CHASE OTTAWA— Globe and Mail Update
Published Thursday, Jan. 06, 2011 9:12PM EST
Last updated Thursday, Jan. 06, 2011 10:57PM EST
The oil sands have a new defender: freshly minted Environment Minister Peter Kent, who calls Canada’s tarry resource an “ethical” source of energy that should take priority in the U.S over foreign producers with poor democratic track records.
He balked at naming rival overseas suppliers that should take a back seat to Canadian oil-sands petroleum, saying he didn’t want to upset diplomatic relations.
More related to this story (Links are on web page above)
Ezra Levant and the image makeover of the oil sands
My question about ‘ethical’ oil
Production halted at Alberta oil sands mine after fire breaks out
Minister vows not to let emissions rules hamper oil-sands investment
Harper’s shuffle makes sense both inside and out
Is there enough oil to repay debt?
Oil sands firms look at outsourcing
U.S. to impose new emission rules on power plants, refineries
MORE:
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/
peter-kents-green-agenda-clean-up-oil-sands-dirty-reputation/article1860820/
= = = = = = =
Kent says tar sands produce ‘ethical oil’
http://www.canadians.org/campaignblog/?p=5867
Thursday, January 6th, 2011
The Calgary Herald reports today that, “Federal Environment Minister Peter Kent says the oilsands have been unfairly demonized, trumpeting the resource as ‘ethical oil’ and as an economic boon for the entire country. …He said labels such as ‘dirty oil’ and claims that bitumen extraction is the most destructive industrial activity on the planet are overblown. …’There has been a demonizing of a legitimate resource. It is ethical oil. It is regulated oil. And it’s secure oil in a world where many of the free world’s oil sources are somewhat less secure’, (Kent said). …(And) Kent…dismissed the notion that Canada lacks a climate-change plan. He noted Ottawa has implemented regulations focused on emissions from cars and plans to introduce draft regulations targeting heavy-duty vehicles later this year.”
Jeffrey Simpson writes in the Globe and Mail that, “To be minister (of environment) in a government whose principal environmental preoccupation is to do as little as possible on the most important international environmental file, climate change, and to protect the oil/tar sands at all costs gives new meaning to frustration. With serious action ruled out in advance, the Harper government’s environment minister must be a smooth talker. He must be prepared to repeat things that are demonstrably false – as in Canada will reduce its greenhouse-gas emissions by 17 per cent by 2020 from 2005 levels – with a straight face while all those around you are cracking up in derision. When necessary, the minister must bluster. Peter Kent, a former television presenter, should therefore fit the definition splendidly of what is required of a Harper government environment minister.”
The Calgary Herald article is at
http://www.edmontonjournal.com/business/
environment+minister+calls+oilsands+ethical+source/4068082/story.html
The Globe and Mail editorial is at
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/opinions/opinion/
a-changing-climate-just-not-in-cabinet/article1857951/.
= = = = = = = =
New environment minister will have his hands full
http://www.vancouversun.com/opinion/
Opinion+environment+minister+will+have+hands+full/4061028/story.html
Opinion: By Barbara Yaffe, Vancouver Sun January 5, 2011
Stephen Harper fine-tuned his cabinet team Tuesday with a minor shuffle that bolstered his Ontario contingent and catapulted former TV anchor Peter Kent into the politically tricky job of environment minister.
In a bid to prepare for a possible spring election, the prime minister promoted MPs with strong communications skills.
The elevation of Kent, former minister of state for foreign affairs, was unexpected. The MP for Thornhill on the outskirts of Toronto takes on a role that requires him to defend the Conservative government's woefully neglectful climate change record.
"Another puppet," huffed New Democratic Party deputy leader Thomas Mulcair.
Kent also will oversee a controversial application to build the Northern Gateway pipeline project from Fort McMurray, Alta., to Kitimat, a proposal that has West Coast aboriginal groups up in arms and inspired a movement to ban oil tankers off B.C.'s north coast.
The former Global TV broadcaster is the Harper government's fourth environment minister in five years, replacing John Baird who filled in after Jim Prentice left politics last November for a big Bay Street bank job.
MORE:
http://www.vancouversun.com/opinion/
Opinion+environment+minister+will+have+hands+full/4061028/story.html
=============
11. Harper’s Pipeline Nightmare
http://murraydobbin.ca/2011/01/03/harpe ... nightmare/
?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+MurrayDobbin+%28Murray+Dobbin%27s+Blog%29
by Murray Dobbin Posted: 03 Jan 2011 02:09 PM PST
What kind of year in politics is 2011 going to be? Very likely another year (or at least ten months) of gridlock at the federal level, with no sign of any so-called game changer on the horizon.
A spring election is looking less likely as the Conservatives try to make a deal with the NDP — swapping its support for the budget for increased support for seniors and hopefully a halt to scheduled corporate tax cuts. Harper seems resigned to remaining a minority government and doesn’t want an election. Canadians are no more willing to give him a majority today than they were last year or in the last election. As soon as a Harper majority appears possible, a whole whack of voters change their minds and the Conservatives go back to their maximum maintainable level of 36-38 per cent.
So if there is so little meaningful action on the parliamentary political front, we should look to extra-parliamentary politics for action. And here the movement seems to defy the polls. Because while environmental issues are still taking a back seat to economic ones, it is on the environmental front that stuff is actually happening. While the media seem to focus on the lack of action on climate change, other enviro issues are witnessing intense activity and campaigning by dozens of groups.
They have demonstrated that Stephen Harper, a man who doesn’t like to blink, can be defeated when opponents fight smart and are in for the long haul. The rejection of the B.C. Prosperity copper-gold mine proposal and the saving of Fish Lake was a good example. Approving the mine in the face of very effective publicity on the part of opponents proved just too much for even Stephen Harper to pull off. Defying many of the pundits’ predictions, the Conservatives backed off and actually listened to their own environmental review panel.
Coming down the pipe
While the fight isn’t over yet, Harper faces another major defeat and it will happen this year. He will confront another Fish Lake-like decision, except this time it is a much bigger issue: the so-called Northern Gateway project, Enbridge Corporation’s plan to construct a 1,200 kilometre pipeline (across 1,000 streams and rivers) that would carry unrefined bitumen from the tar sands to Kitimat on the West Coast. That would result in some 200 supertankers a year loading the stuff up and taking it to markets in the U.S. and Asia through the pristine and treacherous waters off the B.C. coast.
It’s a huge issue. Harper has invested a lot in supporting the project. But the opposition is formidable: an informal alliance of some half dozen environmental organizations, 61 First Nations, and many municipal governments that may well be unprecedented. Eighty per cent of British Columbians are opposed to allowing oil tankers in coastal waters. If Harper gives a green light to the project he will unleash an enormous backlash, and the movement which is now simply campaigning for a rejection of the project by a federal joint review panel will move into higher gear, including civil disobedience.
MORE:
http://murraydobbin.ca/2011/01/03/harpe ... nightmare/
?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+MurrayDobbin+%28Murray+Dobbin%27s+Blog%29
=================
12. SHIELDS: 2010 Alberta Activism Review
From: lagran
To: Prime Minister/Premier ministre ; Layton, Jack - M.P. ; iggy
Cc: Rae.B@parl.gc.ca ; premier@gov.nl.ca ; Minister, EMPR EMPR:EX ; goodale ; flaherty ; bill boyd ; Alberta Activism ; acameron@neb-one.gc.ca
Sent: Saturday, January 01, 2011 1:35 PM
Subject: 2010 Alberta Activism Review
Looking back at the year 2010, through the eyes of Alberta Activism, a few of our missions are closer to being accepted than at the close of 2009.
1) We are happy to see open recognition that Canada has cheated itself through signing the Mulroney Free-Trade Agreement into law. And in conjunction deregulating natural gas, our largest single exported product. Many now accept that markets other than NAFTA are desirable, and indeed necessary for Canada to maintain profitable trade and a degree of independence.----Alberta Activism's stance for many years!
2} Alberta Activism is also very proud of our efforts to differentiate anti-Semitic from anti-Zionist feeling when dealing with Israel's brutality in the Mid-East and refusal to obey numerous U.N. directives. We did indeed recognize the dangers in taking a public stance on this issue, due to the years of deference given Jewish organizations in North America. However, Harper, Ignatieff, and Rae's outlandish attacks on Libby Davies for what could be called an anti-Zionist remark, while Netanyahu was held safely on Canadian soil, and his troops captured, jailed and tortured Canadians on Israeli soil, needed to be addressed. The use of Nazi references was the last straw. Alberta Activism had noted Harper's actions when a Canadian soldier was killed by Israeli forces in Lebanon, while serving with United Nations. There was a decision at that time to allow our new Prime Minister another chance to show his CANADIAN side. We're still waiting!!
3) Disappointments of 2010 will dictate a continuation to fight our federal government on the export of raw bitumen. Canada has learnt nothing from the NEB approval to export raw natural gas via the Alliance pipeline approval. Upgraded bitumen would have prevented the "dirty-oil" wars that will continue and rightly so. Canada will need every available penny from bitumen production to eradicate the environmental footprint left by bitumen production. We are hopeful this bitumen export business will take less time to be recognized as harmful to Canada than the export of natural gas to a single customer. Again we offer the American trader the abilities to use large storage and "take-away" efforts to control the price of a Canadian product-----very much like natural gas!! The added pipeline space, importation of diluents and again pipeline to accommodate that action, along with Canadian job loss, royalties, taxes, and spin off industries, indicate the advantages upgrading at source provide! Not to mention the harm shipping a bitumen slurry thousands of miles brings to pipelines designed to handle natural gas and conventional oil.
4) The benefit our resources bring to the Canadian public will remain another major objective to bring to the public attention for Alberta Activism. We have expanded our concerns in this area to include all western provinces, since the western Premiers recognized they must unite to overcome the weakness of our federal government in energy, trade, and foreign affairs. Our hope Canada would ape practices held by Norway over those held by United States with respect to resource development, and social responsibility will be the ongoing guide going foreword. North American's have no idea how far behind Nordic countries we have fallen simply by following practices proven a disaster time after time. In hockey, Canada learnt to adapt to foreign systems that work very well; however we remain "Stone- Men" in politics and resource management!! We're Still waiting!!
Stewart Shields
Lacombe, Alberta
=================
13. Council of Canadians Update: January 5 & 6, 2011
Council of Canadians Update: January 6, 2011
ACTION ALERT:
Sign the CETA petition - Stop the Canada-EU trade negotiations
http://www.canadians.org/action/2011/CETA-petition.html
Will traffic flow trump water flow in Wakefield?
http://www.canadians.org/activistblog/?p=274
Stop me if you have heard this one before. After 26 years, a construction plan is finally about to be implemented which will threaten an exceptional source of spring water that has been used for generations. You could be forgiven for thinking that this sounds like the story of Site 41 (before the victory over that planned garbage dump) but this is happening in the small hamlet of Wakefield, Quebec just north of Ottawa on the edge of beautiful Gatineau Park.
NEWS: Kent says tar sands produce ‘ethical oil’
http://www.canadians.org/campaignblog/?p=5867
The Calgary Herald reports today that, “Federal Environment Minister Peter Kent says the oilsands have been unfairly demonized, trumpeting the resource as ‘ethical oil’ and as an economic boon for the entire country.”
VIEW: ‘What you don’t know about a deal you haven’t heard of’ by Maude Barlow
http://www.canadians.org/campaignblog/?p=5864
In coming days, Canadian and European officials will intensify negotiations on a new trade agreement most Canadians have never heard of. The Canada-European Union Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement is by far the largest free-trade deal this country has ever undertaken.
= = = = = = =
Council of Canadians Update: January 5, 2011
NEWS: Winnipeg-Veolia water utility contract in limbo
http://www.canadians.org/campaignblog/?p=5862
The Winnipeg Free Press reports that, “The future of Winnipeg’s new water and waste utility remains murkier than ever, though the city is still negotiating with environmental giant Veolia Canada about a waste water consulting contract.”
NEWS: Coalition calls for new assessment of Highway 5 extension
http://www.canadians.org/campaignblog/?p=5849
The Ottawa Citizen reports that, “A community coalition wants the Quebec government to order a new environmental assessment of the proposed extension of Highway 5 to Wakefield. The group, SOS Wakefield, has joined forces with the University of Ottawa-Ecojustice Environmental Law Clinic, the Council of Canadians and the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society in a bid to protect a local water source which they believe will be affected by the expansion of the highway. The group says they believe that the highway extension is based on an out-of-date assessment that dates back to 1986.”
NEWS: How will Harper respond to new US EPA emission regulations?
http://www.canadians.org/campaignblog/?p=5847
The Globe and Mail reports that, “The Obama administration has announced plans to impose new greenhouse-gas emission rules on power plants and refineries, a move that will increase pressure on the Harper government to introduce its own national emissions regulations in 2011.”
NEWS: Harper cabinet shuffle today at 2 pm ET
http://www.canadians.org/campaignblog/?p=5845
CBC reports that, “Prime Minister Stephen Harper will begin the new year with a minor shuffle of his cabinet. The shuffle will occur at 2 p.m. ET at Rideau Hall and will be small, involving six or fewer ministers.”
NEWS: Alberta would oppose EU ‘discrimination’ against tar sands
http://www.canadians.org/campaignblog/?p=5842
The Platts news service reports that, “Alberta will oppose any move by the European Union to ban imports of crude oil from the western Canadian province because of environmental concerns, a senior government official said Tuesday (December 28).”
NEWS: Interview with CETA negotiator Steve Verheul
http://www.canadians.org/campaignblog/?p=5840
CTV.ca recently interviewed Steve Verheul, Canada’s chief negotiator on the Canada-European Union Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement. Here’s an excerpt of that interview:
UPDATE: Campaign plans for 2011
http://www.canadians.org/campaignblog/?p=5851
Happy new year and welcome to 2011!
VIEW: ‘Security perimeter will bring more of the same’, says Yaffe
http://www.canadians.org/campaignblog/?p=5836
Vancouver Sun columnist Barbara Yaffe writes that, “News of a possible Canada-U.S. security perimeter will strike fear in some hearts.”
NEWS: Canadian cities grapple with water rate increases
http://www.canadians.org/campaignblog/?p=5834
At least two Canadian cities have been in the news recently because they are considering increases to water rates simply to maintain or build needed infrastructure.
NEWS: Town’s water license challenged in Alberta
http://www.canadians.org/campaignblog/?p=5832
The Rocky View Weekly reports today that, “Westridge Utilities Inc. filed an appeal with the Environmental Appeals Board (on) November 26 against Rocky View County’s water licence for (a new) treatment plant. …Alberta Environment granted the water licence, which authorized the County to divert up to 277,533 cubic metres of water annually from the Elbow River (on) October 29. The authorization allowed council’s approval of the $3.6- million treatment plant, which is being equally funded by the Province, the Federal Government and the County, to solve the decades-old water quality issue in Bragg Creek.”
NEWS: Harper confirms security perimeter talks underway
http://www.canadians.org/campaignblog/?p=5830
The National Post reports that, “Prime Minister Stephen Harper has confirmed Canada is holding ‘discussions’ with the United States on a (security perimeter) deal… However, he said no agreement has yet been reached and the talks are continuing.”
NEWS: Obstacles delay CETA offers by three-months
http://www.canadians.org/campaignblog/?p=5828
Postmedia News reports today on a “three-month delay in the presentation of formal offers by each side” in the Canada-European Union Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) talks. “Both sides had planned throughout 2009 to table formal offers on the most sensitive issues — including services, intellectual property, investment, culture and the opening of lucrative government procurement contracts to foreign bidders — prior to the sixth round of talks scheduled for mid-January. The exchange-of-offers process has been moved to round seven, to take place in Ottawa in April.”
NEWS: Canada to negotiate new ‘Buy American’ deal starting in February
http://www.canadians.org/campaignblog/?p=5824
Postmedia News reports that, “Canada will enter negotiations with the United States early next year in the hopes of reaching a broader, long-term agreement based on the Buy American compromise the two sides reached earlier this year, says Trade Minister Peter Van Loan.”
=================
14. LETTER: SHIELDS: Pro-Canadian
From: lagran
To: Prime Minister/Premier ministre ; iggy ; Layton, Jack - M.P.
Cc: mccallum ; goodale ; flaherty ; bill boyd ; acameron@neb-one.gc.ca
Sent: Monday, January 03, 2011 7:29 PM
Subject: Pro-Canadian
Although I am pro-Canadian, I do actually admire a country's leadership that fights for the best deal possible for its subjects. I have a basket full of politicians' quotes that indicate most of Canada's politicians were very aware of the more than favorable terms United States enjoyed with respect to Canadian natural gas. All political parties became too shy to stand and be counted on this issue even though they knew very well our natural gas was selling through NAFTA at much lower than world prices for the product.
The CAPP myth about the NEP was so well sold and our governments, both federal and provincial, so weak, they would allow both the continuation of the NEP myth and the unfair price for natural gas before taking a gutsy stand on gas prices through NAFTA!! We cannot blame United States for the more than stupid deal a rushed Simon Reismen presented Mulroney for approval with United States; any blame rests with the Tory government of the day. So it is with the softwood lumber agreement that Harper signed with the same United States. The Americans wanted the best deal possible for their subjects while the Harper Tories only wanted trade peace regardless of the cost to Canadians.
Free-trade left Canadian politicians with far fewer skills in international trade, with the present Harper Tories far below even the Canadian average. As a Pacific Rim country, Canada should be enjoying the same boom that Asia trade brought to Australia. Canada under Harper has made his government's total lack of international trade experience even more acute by allowing the export of raw bitumen product!! Stelmach, who won the Tory leadership in Alberta on the strength of his stand against bitumen exports, was a quiet little mouse when Harper's NEB licensed the Keystone to ship Alberta bitumen slurry to U.S. destinations.
Both Harper and Stelmach should go to the American clinic that operated on "Danny Williams'" heart, and request a similar treatment to afford them the courage to stand-up for those that voted them to power. Danny's retirement as Newfoundland's Premier should have been a lesson to many politicians seeking advancement. Here I will cite Brad Wall of Saskatchewan, whose government is turning oil production revenue over to industry to simply do horizontal drilling. Even though horizontal drilling is the sole method of success in the Bakken Zone of S.E. Saskatchewan. Brad could follow Danny's lead or continue to follow our poor wee mouse in Alberta that is directed by CAPP for the energy industry!
Stewart Shields
Lacombe, Alberta
= = = = = =
Canada-U.S. lumber spat looms
http://www.cbc.ca/money/story/2011/01/03/
money-lumber-dispute.html
Last Updated: Monday, January 3, 2011 | 7:29 AM ET
The Associated Press
Another trade dispute over lumber is building between Canada and the U.S.
The fight focuses on British Columbia and could see officials from Washington, D.C., and Ottawa face off at a London tribunal as early as this week.
U.S. industry leaders claim B.C. misclassifies timber as salvage material so that Canadian companies can flood the U.S. with subsidized lumber.
And that, they said, undercuts U.S. mills and jobs.
Politicians from the northwestern states want the U.S. government to fight what they consider illegal Canadian subsidies.
Canadian government and industry leaders deny the charges.
MORE:
http://www.cbc.ca/money/story/2011/01/03/
money-lumber-dispute.html
==================
15. Thousands Mourn the Loss of Judy Bonds, Leader in the Fight Against Mountaintop Removal Mining
http://www.alternet.org/newsandviews/article/422901/
thousands_mourn_the_loss_of_judy_bonds%2C_leader_in_the_fight_against_mountaintop_removal_mining/#paragraph3
By Jeff Biggers | AlterNet
QUOTE: “In a special Living on Earth radio interview with Jeff Young in 2003, Bonds recalled her grandson holding a handful of dead fish contaminated by coal waste. “And I looked around him and there were dead fish laying all over the stream. And that was a slap in the face.””
MORE:
http://www.alternet.org/newsandviews/article/422901/
thousands_mourn_the_loss_of_judy_bonds%2C_leader_in_the_fight_against_mountaintop_removal_mining/#paragraph3
=================
16. Why Washington Hates Hugo Chavez
www.globalresearch.ca/index.php?context=va&aid=22602
By Mike Whitney Global Research, January 2, 2011
In late November, Venezuela was hammered by torrential rains and flooding that left 35 people dead and roughly 130,000 homeless. If George Bush had been president, instead of Hugo Chavez, the displaced people would have been shunted off at gunpoint to makeshift prison camps--like the Superdome--as they were following Hurricane Katrina. But that's not the way Chavez works. The Venezuelan president quickly passed "enabling" laws which gave him special powers to provide emergency aid and housing to flood victims. Chavez then cleared out the presidential palace and turned it into living quarters for 60 people, which is the equivalent of turning the White House into a homeless shelter. The disaster victims are now being fed and taken care of by the state until they can get back on their feet and return to work.
The details of Chavez's efforts have been largely omitted in the US media where he is regularly demonized as a "leftist strongman" or a dictator. The media refuses to acknowledge that Chavez has narrowed the income gap, eliminated illiteracy, provided health care for all Venezuelans, reduced inequality, and raised living standards across he board. While Bush and Obama were expanding their foreign wars and pushing through tax cuts for the rich, Chavez was busy improving the lives of the poor and needy while fending off the latest wave of US aggression.
Washington despises Chavez because he is unwilling to hand over Venezuela's vast resources to corporate elites and bankers. That's why the Bush administration tried to depose Chavez in a failed coup attempt in 2002, and that's why the smooth-talking Obama continues to launch covert attacks on Chavez today. Washington wants regime change so it can install a puppet who will hand over Venezuela's reserves to big oil while making life hell for working people.
Recently released documents from Wikileaks show that the Obama administration has stepped up its meddling in Venezuela's internal affairs. Here's an excerpt from a recent post by attorney and author, Eva Golinger:
MORE:
www.globalresearch.ca/index.php?context=va&aid=22602
"Z Rizdvom Khrystovym !" - "Merry Christmas" – (Ukrainian)
1. Tell Your Story at Living the Drill.
2. (2007) NEW REGULATIONS FOR OIL SANDS AND OIL SHALE RESOURCES
3. Alberta fosters new gas wells (May 27, 2010)
4. Technical Protocol Plan for the Reduction of Methane Emissions from Oil and Gas Facilities – Blue Source Canada, Calgary – September 2009
5. EPA confirms high Natural Gas leakage rates
6. FRACKING – Quebec (. . . . leaks included!)
7. Sinking feelings - Gas fracking may already be lowering water tables in South Texas
8. Poll finds only minority support for oilsands in Saskatchewan
9. Oilsands workers flee as fireball engulfed upgrader
10. Kent as Environment Minister!
11. Harper’s Pipeline Nightmare
12. SHIELDS: 2010 Alberta Activism Review
13. Council of Canadians Update: January 5 & 6, 2011
14. LETTER: SHIELDS: Pro-Canadian
15. Thousands Mourn the Loss of Judy Bonds, Leader in the Fight Against Mountaintop Removal Mining
16. Why Washington Hates Hugo Chavez
=====================
1. Tell Your Story at Living the Drill.
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Living-the-Drill/
144221602300131
This is a registry for anyone, anywhere in the world, whose water, air quality, land, business, health, or community has been adversely affected by gas drilling or pipelines. Tell your story here. The purpose of this community page is to document how drilling is impacting lives all over the country, and accumulate enough stories so that no one can continue to claim these are "rare" instances.
================
2. (2007) NEW REGULATIONS FOR OIL SANDS AND OIL SHALE RESOURCES
http://www.gov.sk.ca/
news?newsId=1f85d947-e09b-4ad6-b775-43a006ff2831
News Release - May 7, 2007
New regulations come into effect today that will encourage more exploration of Saskatchewan’s oil sands and oil shale resources.
The new regulations have been developed after consultation with the industry and other jurisdictions, and are an update of regulations approved over 40 years ago. Under The Petroleum and Natural Gas Amendment Regulations 2007 oil sands and oil shale mineral rights will be available under the competitive bid and work commitment bid processes, respectively. Crown oil sands, oil shale rights and work commitment bid processes will be available for purchasers in the August 2007 land sale. The first ever bid process for crown oil sands and shale rights will occur along with the August 2007 land sale.
“We are optimistic about the potential for an oil sands and oil shale industry in the province,” Industry and Resources Minister Eric Cline said. “The regulations approved by the government today are competitive with Alberta, but are tailor-made to fit a Saskatchewan model in terms of land dispositions and what we consider a careful yet moderate approach to development of this resource.”
Previously issued oil sands and oil shale dispositions will continue to be administered under amended provisions to The Oil Shale Regulations, 1964 that have also been updated to today’s technical and economic realities.
Oil sands were identified in the province in the 1970s in an area north of the Primrose Lake Air Weapons Range but there has been limited interest until the last few years. One company has been drilling in the area north of the Clearwater River, and has reported encouraging results from the exploration. Exploration for oil shales in the Hudson Bay area of the province was conducted 40 years ago, and the area has seen renewed exploration by industry to evaluate the extent of the resource. -30-
For more information, contact:
Bob Ellis, Industry and Resources, Regina
Phone: 306-787-1691
==================
3. Alberta fosters new gas wells (May 27, 2010)
http://www.cbc.ca/money/story/2010/05/27/
alberta-oil-gas-wells-royalty-rates-shale-coalbed.html
Last Updated: Thursday, May 27, 2010 | 7:52 PM ET The Canadian Press
The Alberta government has introduced a new program to encourage energy firms to drill technically challenging wells in the province.
Under the new rules, shale gas, coalbed methane and horizontal oil and gas wells will have an initial maximum five per cent royalty rate as of May 1, although that is to be reviewed in 2014.
"This initiative to unlock Alberta's unconventional resources offers the potential for decades of employment and community benefits," said Energy Minister Ron Liepert.
"The final adjustments to royalty formulas will help industry make important investment decisions for the fall and winter drilling season and maintain Alberta as a competitive jurisdiction for investment."
For shale and coalbed methane, the lower rate would last for the first 36 months of production, whereas horizontal gas wells would pay that rate for 18 months of production.
MORE:
http://www.cbc.ca/money/story/2010/05/27/
alberta-oil-gas-wells-royalty-rates-shale-coalbed.html
==================
4. Technical Protocol Plan for the Reduction of Methane Emissions from Oil and Gas Facilities – Blue Source Canada, Calgary – September 2009
http://carbonoffsetsolutions.climatecha ... com/files/
microsites/OffsetProtocols/ProtocolReviewProcess/5thCycleProtocolDevelopment/TPP%20Methane%20Emission%20Reduction.pdf
Canada's National GHG Inventory reports fugitive emissions accounted for about 66.8 Mt (or 8.8%) of Canada's total GHG emissions, with a 57% growth in emissions since 1990.
Between 1990 and 2006, fugitive emissions from oil and natural gas increased 62% to 66.2 Mt. Oil and gas production, processing, transmission, and distribution activities contributed to 99% of Canada's fugitive emissions.
=================
5. EPA confirms high Natural Gas leakage rates
http://www.theenergycollective.com/david-lewis/48209/
epa-confirms-high-natural-gas-leakage-rates
Posted December 7, 2010 by David Lewis
The latest EPA study confirms that its original "seminal" study of methane leaks from natural gas use, i.e. "Methane Emissions from the Natural Gas Industry (GRI/EPA 1996) was in error. The GRI/EPA 1996 study was the holy grail. The IPCC used GRI/EPA numbers when it assessed the climate impact of gas.
The old figures drastically underestimate the climate impact of the use of natural gas.
This confirms the work of Dr. Robert Howarth, the Cornell professor whose work I described in two recent posts
(first:
http://theenergycollective.com/david-lewis/47474/
natural-gas-green-perhaps-not
and later:
http://theenergycollective.com/david-lewis/47794/
gas-bridge-nowhere
in a most authoritative way.
The original GRI/EPA study was regarded as so good it served as "the basis for most CH4 [methane] estimates from natural gas systems". These include: the main EPA Inventory of US GHG Emissions and Sinks, the American Petroleum Institute (API) Compendium, the studies done by the Interstate Natural Gas Association of America, the protocols developed by the California Climate Action Registry, and "many of the emission factors included in the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Guidelines for National Greenhouse Gas Inventories."
The EPA page that refers to the study:
http://www.epa.gov/climatechange/emissi ... art/w.html
The study in question:
“Technical Support Document: Petroleum and Natural Gas Systems".
http://www.epa.gov/climatechange/emissions/downloads10/
Subpart-W_TSD.pdf
MORE:
http://www.theenergycollective.com/david-lewis/48209/
epa-confirms-high-natural-gas-leakage-rates
======================
6. FRACKING – Quebec (. . . leaks included!)
Natural gas leaks from wells no cause for concern: officials
http://www.montrealgazette.com/technology/
Natural+leaks+from+wells+cause+concern+officials/4065917/story.html
By Michelle Lalonde Gazette environment reporter, Montreal Gazette January 5, 2011
The fact that natural gas is leaking from 19 of 31 shale gas wells in the Lower St. Lawrence is no cause for concern, officials in Quebec’s Natural Resources department said Wednesday.
“It is not a worrisome situation, or anything out of the ordinary, but of course we are following it closely because we want to ensure that we waste as little as possible of this resource, which is a collective resource,” said Sébastien Desrochers, director of the oil and gas sector in the Ministry of Natural Resources.
The department revealed information about the well inspections in a written response to a question from the Bureau d’audiences publiques sur l’environnement. The public watchdog agency is examining environmental impacts of shale gas exploration and exploitation in the province and is to present a report to the Environment department by the end of February.
The document, dated Dec. 7 and posted on the BAPE website, showed that 31 shale gas wells have been inspected at least once by Natural Resource department inspectors and that at 19 of the sites, natural gas was detected at ground level.
The leaky wells are located in 13 different municipalities, all in the St. Lawrence Lowlands: Saint François du Lac, Bécancour, Saint Louis, Saint David, La Visitation de Yamaska, Saint Jean sur Richelieu, Champlain, Leclercville, Saint Édouard de Lotbinière, La Présentation, Fortierville, Saint Barnabé Sud, and St. Hyacinthe.
But Desrochers said it is normal for natural gas to escape when any kind of drilling is done in soil or rock where natural gas is present. He said all of the sites are isolated and far from residences, and that the “very small” amounts of gas that are leaking pose no danger to human health or the environment.
He added that none of the 31 sites inspected are currently operating, and that several have been permanently sealed because the companies decided conditions were not good enough for exploitation at these sites.
MORE:
http://www.montrealgazette.com/technology/
Natural+leaks+from+wells+cause+concern+officials/4065917/story.html
= = = = =
Leaks found in shale gas wells: Que. report
http://www.cbc.ca/technology/story/2011/01/05/
shale-quebec-bape.html#ixzz1AH3OFyXK
31 were inspected 'and more than half have problems,' says envrionmental expert
Last Updated: Wednesday, January 5, 2011 | 3:53 PM ET CBC News
Quebec's Ministry of Natural Resources has found leaks in more than half the shale gas wells it inspected, according to a report compiled for the province's environmental protection agency.
Of 31 wells inspected, 19 showed "natural gas emissions," according to the 35-page report dated Dec. 7. The report is available to the public in French on the website of BAPE, Quebec's environmental protection agency:
[http://www.bape.gouv.qc.ca/sections/mandats/Gaz_de_schiste/
documents/DQ28.1_entier.pdf ]
According to Article 60 of the Quebec Mining Act, "if a well is closed temporarily it must be left in a condition that will prevent a fluid or gas flow from the well."
The nature and the extent of the emissions are not clear and nobody at the ministry was available to comment.
"In the document ... they just write 'natural gas emission' ... well, we have to know exactly what kind of gas it is," said André Belisle, president of the Quebec Association Against Atmospheric Pollution.
He believes the emissions are probably methane, which Belisle said are much more harmful to the environment than carbon dioxide.
Belisle said the leaks are proof more scientific studies need to be done to assess the environmental impact of shale gas exploration in Quebec.
"It proves that we're totally right when we ask for a moratorium," said Belisle. "Things have been going too fast and all kinds of problems are occurring everywhere from all sides."
Belisle is demanding the government reveal more information about its test results.
"We have [issued] permits believing everything would go right ... we know now that it doesn't," said Belisle.
MORE:
http://www.cbc.ca/technology/story/2011/01/05/
shale-quebec-bape.html#ixzz1AH3OFyXK
= = = = = = =
Related
Que. shale gas hearings off to civilized start
http://www.cbc.ca/canada/montreal/story/2010/10/05/
bape-shale-gas-hearings-start.html
October 5, 2010
Quebec shale gas hearings open
http://www.cbc.ca/canada/montreal/story/2010/10/04/
bape-environmental-review-shale-gas-hearings-start.html
October 4, 2010
Tensions at Que. shale gas meeting escalate
http://www.cbc.ca/canada/montreal/story/2010/09/29/
shale-gas-meeting-protest-st-hyacinthe.html
September 29, 2010
Shale gas review process flawed: open letter
http://www.cbc.ca/canada/montreal/story/2010/09/29/
shale-gas-meeting-protest-st-hyacinthe.html
September 29, 2010
Shale gas companies meet strong opposition
http://www.cbc.ca/canada/montreal/story/2010/09/15/
industry-holds-shale-meeting.html
September 15, 2010
Shale gas moratorium urged in Quebec
http://www.cbc.ca/canada/montreal/story/2010/09/14/
shale-gas-exploration-in-quebec.html
September 14, 2010
Montreal World Energy Congress draws protests
http://www.cbc.ca/canada/montreal/story/2010/09/13/
montreal-world-energy-congress-protests.html
September 14, 2010
Natural gas risks worthwhile: Shell CEO
http://www.cbc.ca/canada/montreal/story/2010/09/13/
world-energy-congress.html
September 13, 2010
Shale gas drilling worries some Quebecers
http://www.cbc.ca/canada/montreal/story/2010/08/25/
quebec-shale-gas.html
August 25, 2010
Shale gas project gives pause to Quebec village
http://www.cbc.ca/canada/montreal/story/2010/06/02/
molopo-shale-gas-development.html
June 2, 2010
==================
7. Sinking feelings - Gas fracking may already be lowering water tables in South Texas
http://www.sacurrent.com/news/story.asp?id=71891
January 5, 2011
“They already know they’re gonna run this area out of water; there’s no ifs, ands, or buts about it,” said Braudaway, whose livelihood still depends on oilfield services.
KARNES COUNTY — Veteran oilman John Braudaway has been in the industry so long that he says he can estimate the amount of crude in a 400-barrel storage tank just by feeling slight temperature differences on the metal surface.
While that may sound like a Texas tall tale told by an affable septuagenarian who bears a slight resemblance to Tommy Lee Jones, one thing’s for sure: Braudaway has enough oilfield wisdom to know that the frenzy around the Eagle Ford Shale is different than any boom he’s seen since his early days working South Texas oil fields in the 1950s.
This time around, the wells are drilled horizontally, and then there’s the potential that hydraulic fracturing, or “fracking,” will have long-term effects on South Texas water tables in a region that has long struggled with drought. A typical fracked well in Karnes County uses 3 to 6 million gallons of water, which is pumped thousands of feet underground to release oil and gas from the shale formation.
Many in Karnes County welcome the boom, but the water issue keeps confronting the oil industry. “They already know they’re gonna run this area out of water; there’s no ifs, ands, or buts about it,” said Braudaway, whose livelihood still depends on oilfield services.
For some folks, the water future of South Texas boils down to simple math – when you suddenly pull millions of gallons from local aquifers without replenishing that supply, there’s going to be less for homes, farms, and ranches. “We know it’s happening because our water well has already dropped in just three months,” said Allan Hedtke, a Karnes City resident.
In spite of off-and-on drought conditions, Hedtke’s well held steady at 225 feet below ground for years before suddenly dropping to 300 feet last fall. Hedtke and neighbors with similar experiences feel strongly that the recent drilling and oil production activity nearby caused the change. “I can’t prove it’s them, but there’s no other explanation,” he said.
Soon after Eagle Ford drilling activity picked up last year, other South Texans complaining of low water wells prompted the Evergreen Underground Water Conservation District to launch a new monitoring program in four counties where some of the heaviest drilling and fracking takes place. “We really have no idea how much water they are pulling from our area, and it’s really frustrating,” said Larry Akers, assistant manager of the Evergreen district, the water planning agency for Atascosa, Frio, Karnes, and Wilson counties.
In three months, the well monitors have shown slight decreases of a foot or less, but nothing conclusive enough to determine whether oil and gas drilling is the cause. “I think it’s a lot of fear now, but that fear will become a real problem (for the water supply) in the next five years,” Akers said.
MORE:
http://www.sacurrent.com/news/story.asp?id=71891
= = = = = = =
Fracking's short, dirty story
http://www.sacurrent.com/news/story.asp?id=71892
By Greg Harman January 5, 2011Developed decades ago, hydraulic fracturing involves the process of breaking up heavy oil- and gas-bearing shale formations by pumping millions of gallons of chemically tainted water through vertical and lateral wells at intense pressure. Only in recent years has the practice become cost effective for industry, as advances in technology have been matched by rising energy prices. In South Texas, operators are increasingly honing in on the Eagle Ford shale formation, which stretches from several counties to the northeast of San Antonio all the way to Maverick County on the U.S.-Mexico border. Here is a short list of fracking-related troubles that have arisen across the country in recent years.
Colorado — A three-year study in Garfield County detailed the migration of methane from fracking operations through natural faults into potable water supplies, but state regulators also fingered faulty casing work by EnCana Oil and Gas for water well contamination, fining the company $370,000.
Pennsylvania — In a land of exploding water wells and quarantined cows, residents of Dimock, Pa., sued Houston-based Cabot Oil & Gas in 2009 after a range of chemicals linked to fracking contaminated water wells. Pennsylvania’s Department of Environmental Protection fined the company more than $240,000. However, the price tag associated with trucking in clean water to homeowners has been placed at more than $10 million.
MORE:
http://www.sacurrent.com/news/story.asp?id=71892
===============
8. Poll finds only minority support for oilsands in Saskatchewan
http://www.thestarphoenix.com/business/
Poll+finds+only+minority+support+oilsands+Saskatchewan/4056438/story.html#ixzz1A5SYQwxa
Opinions on environment differ based on race, education, location
By Jeanette Stewart, The StarPhoenix January 4, 2011
SASKATOON — Despite alarm bells raised recently over toxins spewed from Alberta's oilsands into Saskatchewan, results of a recent survey indicate one-quarter of the province's residents support oilsands development.
The results of a survey performed by Sigma Analytics for the Saskatoon StarPhoenix and the Regina Leader-Post show 24.9 per cent of respondents "strongly support" oilsands development in the province.
But those who caution against this type of development see a different picture in the survey numbers.
"If you didn't really know much about the issue, sure, why wouldn't you support it?" said Ann Coxworth, research adviser for the Saskatchewan Environmental Society (SES) and author of a report titled Carbon Copy: Preventing Oilsands Fever in Saskatchewan.
"I think the fact that 23 per cent of people are opposed or strongly opposed is a fairly high level of opposition," she added. "Over 50 per cent of the respondents have some reservations about it . . . which I think is significant."
According to its website, Oilsands Quest has extended oilsands land holdings in Saskatchewan close to existing exploration permits in Alberta.
Calls to its Alberta office were not returned.
MORE:
http://www.thestarphoenix.com/business/
Poll+finds+only+minority+support+oilsands+Saskatchewan/4056438/story.html#ixzz1A5SYQwxa
= = = = = = =
More Info on Oilsands Quest: (MAP)
http://forum.stopthehogs.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=449
=================
9. Oilsands workers flee as fireball engulfed upgrader
http://www.thestarphoenix.com/opinion/
Oilsands+workers+flee+fireball+engulfed+upgrader/4072624/story.html
BY RYAN CORMIER AND JANA G. PRUDEN, POSTMEDIA NEWS
JANUARY 6, 2011 9:15 PM
EDMONTON — In the moments after an explosion tore through a Canadian Natural Resources Ltd. oilsands upgrader Thursday, employees ran for safety and dodged flaming debris falling from the sky.
Around 3:30 p.m., the blast ignited in the primary upgrader area at the company’s Horizon site 70 kilometres north of Fort McMurray, Alta.
“The entire camp shook,” said one employee, who was in a nearby trailer. “We thought someone had driven a huge vehicle into the trailer. Then we looked outside, and all you could see was fire.
“Then everyone ran. Some people cut themselves out of tents to get out. There were big sheets of corrugated metal falling from the sky.”
Another worker estimated the initial flames shot 150 metres into the air. He left the site immediately, but says other workers were not told to evacuate until much later.
“If anyone is injured and they aren’t dead, I would be surprised,” he said. “It was so massive.”
The blast and blaze could have serious affects on the company’s production.
MORE:
http://www.thestarphoenix.com/opinion/
Oilsands+workers+flee+fireball+engulfed+upgrader/4072624/story.html
================
10. Kent as Environment Minister!
A changing climate – just not in cabinet
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/opinions/opinion/
a-changing-climate-just-not-in-cabinet/article1857951/
JEFFREY SIMPSON Globe and Mail January 5, 2011
The definition of utter loneliness in Stephen Harper’s cabinet is to be minister of the environment – as Peter Kent is about to discover.
Environment ministers have no natural allies in any cabinet. Finance and Treasury Board think the environment minister a big spender. Natural Resources defends the energy industry against it. Agriculture and Fisheries consider it works against the economic interest of their client groups. Industry thinks environment a job-killer. Foreign Affairs wonders if the Environment department really knows anything about the world.
To be without natural allies in a cabinet is one fate; to be the environment minister in a government that scarcely cares about the file is quite another. Worst of all, to be minister in a government whose principal environmental preoccupation is to do as little as possible on the most important international environmental file, climate change, and to protect the oil/tar sands at all costs gives new meaning to frustration.
With serious action ruled out in advance, the Harper government’s environment minister must be a smooth talker. He must be prepared to repeat things that are demonstrably false – as in Canada will reduce its greenhouse-gas emissions by 17 per cent by 2020 from 2005 levels – with a straight face while all those around you are cracking up in derision. When necessary, the minister must bluster.
Peter Kent, a former television presenter, should therefore fit the definition splendidly of what is required of a Harper government environment minister. Since all important decisions are taken by the Prime Minister anyway, it shouldn’t matter that Mr. Kent has no background in the file nor has ever shown any interest in the issues. He is there to rag the puck, so to speak.
MORE:
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/opinions/opinion/
a-changing-climate-just-not-in-cabinet/article1857951/
= = = = = = =
Peter Kent’s green agenda: Clean up oil sands’ dirty reputation
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/
peter-kents-green-agenda-clean-up-oil-sands-dirty-reputation/article1860820/
STEVEN CHASE OTTAWA— Globe and Mail Update
Published Thursday, Jan. 06, 2011 9:12PM EST
Last updated Thursday, Jan. 06, 2011 10:57PM EST
The oil sands have a new defender: freshly minted Environment Minister Peter Kent, who calls Canada’s tarry resource an “ethical” source of energy that should take priority in the U.S over foreign producers with poor democratic track records.
He balked at naming rival overseas suppliers that should take a back seat to Canadian oil-sands petroleum, saying he didn’t want to upset diplomatic relations.
More related to this story (Links are on web page above)
Ezra Levant and the image makeover of the oil sands
My question about ‘ethical’ oil
Production halted at Alberta oil sands mine after fire breaks out
Minister vows not to let emissions rules hamper oil-sands investment
Harper’s shuffle makes sense both inside and out
Is there enough oil to repay debt?
Oil sands firms look at outsourcing
U.S. to impose new emission rules on power plants, refineries
MORE:
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/
peter-kents-green-agenda-clean-up-oil-sands-dirty-reputation/article1860820/
= = = = = = =
Kent says tar sands produce ‘ethical oil’
http://www.canadians.org/campaignblog/?p=5867
Thursday, January 6th, 2011
The Calgary Herald reports today that, “Federal Environment Minister Peter Kent says the oilsands have been unfairly demonized, trumpeting the resource as ‘ethical oil’ and as an economic boon for the entire country. …He said labels such as ‘dirty oil’ and claims that bitumen extraction is the most destructive industrial activity on the planet are overblown. …’There has been a demonizing of a legitimate resource. It is ethical oil. It is regulated oil. And it’s secure oil in a world where many of the free world’s oil sources are somewhat less secure’, (Kent said). …(And) Kent…dismissed the notion that Canada lacks a climate-change plan. He noted Ottawa has implemented regulations focused on emissions from cars and plans to introduce draft regulations targeting heavy-duty vehicles later this year.”
Jeffrey Simpson writes in the Globe and Mail that, “To be minister (of environment) in a government whose principal environmental preoccupation is to do as little as possible on the most important international environmental file, climate change, and to protect the oil/tar sands at all costs gives new meaning to frustration. With serious action ruled out in advance, the Harper government’s environment minister must be a smooth talker. He must be prepared to repeat things that are demonstrably false – as in Canada will reduce its greenhouse-gas emissions by 17 per cent by 2020 from 2005 levels – with a straight face while all those around you are cracking up in derision. When necessary, the minister must bluster. Peter Kent, a former television presenter, should therefore fit the definition splendidly of what is required of a Harper government environment minister.”
The Calgary Herald article is at
http://www.edmontonjournal.com/business/
environment+minister+calls+oilsands+ethical+source/4068082/story.html
The Globe and Mail editorial is at
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/opinions/opinion/
a-changing-climate-just-not-in-cabinet/article1857951/.
= = = = = = = =
New environment minister will have his hands full
http://www.vancouversun.com/opinion/
Opinion+environment+minister+will+have+hands+full/4061028/story.html
Opinion: By Barbara Yaffe, Vancouver Sun January 5, 2011
Stephen Harper fine-tuned his cabinet team Tuesday with a minor shuffle that bolstered his Ontario contingent and catapulted former TV anchor Peter Kent into the politically tricky job of environment minister.
In a bid to prepare for a possible spring election, the prime minister promoted MPs with strong communications skills.
The elevation of Kent, former minister of state for foreign affairs, was unexpected. The MP for Thornhill on the outskirts of Toronto takes on a role that requires him to defend the Conservative government's woefully neglectful climate change record.
"Another puppet," huffed New Democratic Party deputy leader Thomas Mulcair.
Kent also will oversee a controversial application to build the Northern Gateway pipeline project from Fort McMurray, Alta., to Kitimat, a proposal that has West Coast aboriginal groups up in arms and inspired a movement to ban oil tankers off B.C.'s north coast.
The former Global TV broadcaster is the Harper government's fourth environment minister in five years, replacing John Baird who filled in after Jim Prentice left politics last November for a big Bay Street bank job.
MORE:
http://www.vancouversun.com/opinion/
Opinion+environment+minister+will+have+hands+full/4061028/story.html
=============
11. Harper’s Pipeline Nightmare
http://murraydobbin.ca/2011/01/03/harpe ... nightmare/
?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+MurrayDobbin+%28Murray+Dobbin%27s+Blog%29
by Murray Dobbin Posted: 03 Jan 2011 02:09 PM PST
What kind of year in politics is 2011 going to be? Very likely another year (or at least ten months) of gridlock at the federal level, with no sign of any so-called game changer on the horizon.
A spring election is looking less likely as the Conservatives try to make a deal with the NDP — swapping its support for the budget for increased support for seniors and hopefully a halt to scheduled corporate tax cuts. Harper seems resigned to remaining a minority government and doesn’t want an election. Canadians are no more willing to give him a majority today than they were last year or in the last election. As soon as a Harper majority appears possible, a whole whack of voters change their minds and the Conservatives go back to their maximum maintainable level of 36-38 per cent.
So if there is so little meaningful action on the parliamentary political front, we should look to extra-parliamentary politics for action. And here the movement seems to defy the polls. Because while environmental issues are still taking a back seat to economic ones, it is on the environmental front that stuff is actually happening. While the media seem to focus on the lack of action on climate change, other enviro issues are witnessing intense activity and campaigning by dozens of groups.
They have demonstrated that Stephen Harper, a man who doesn’t like to blink, can be defeated when opponents fight smart and are in for the long haul. The rejection of the B.C. Prosperity copper-gold mine proposal and the saving of Fish Lake was a good example. Approving the mine in the face of very effective publicity on the part of opponents proved just too much for even Stephen Harper to pull off. Defying many of the pundits’ predictions, the Conservatives backed off and actually listened to their own environmental review panel.
Coming down the pipe
While the fight isn’t over yet, Harper faces another major defeat and it will happen this year. He will confront another Fish Lake-like decision, except this time it is a much bigger issue: the so-called Northern Gateway project, Enbridge Corporation’s plan to construct a 1,200 kilometre pipeline (across 1,000 streams and rivers) that would carry unrefined bitumen from the tar sands to Kitimat on the West Coast. That would result in some 200 supertankers a year loading the stuff up and taking it to markets in the U.S. and Asia through the pristine and treacherous waters off the B.C. coast.
It’s a huge issue. Harper has invested a lot in supporting the project. But the opposition is formidable: an informal alliance of some half dozen environmental organizations, 61 First Nations, and many municipal governments that may well be unprecedented. Eighty per cent of British Columbians are opposed to allowing oil tankers in coastal waters. If Harper gives a green light to the project he will unleash an enormous backlash, and the movement which is now simply campaigning for a rejection of the project by a federal joint review panel will move into higher gear, including civil disobedience.
MORE:
http://murraydobbin.ca/2011/01/03/harpe ... nightmare/
?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+MurrayDobbin+%28Murray+Dobbin%27s+Blog%29
=================
12. SHIELDS: 2010 Alberta Activism Review
From: lagran
To: Prime Minister/Premier ministre ; Layton, Jack - M.P. ; iggy
Cc: Rae.B@parl.gc.ca ; premier@gov.nl.ca ; Minister, EMPR EMPR:EX ; goodale ; flaherty ; bill boyd ; Alberta Activism ; acameron@neb-one.gc.ca
Sent: Saturday, January 01, 2011 1:35 PM
Subject: 2010 Alberta Activism Review
Looking back at the year 2010, through the eyes of Alberta Activism, a few of our missions are closer to being accepted than at the close of 2009.
1) We are happy to see open recognition that Canada has cheated itself through signing the Mulroney Free-Trade Agreement into law. And in conjunction deregulating natural gas, our largest single exported product. Many now accept that markets other than NAFTA are desirable, and indeed necessary for Canada to maintain profitable trade and a degree of independence.----Alberta Activism's stance for many years!
2} Alberta Activism is also very proud of our efforts to differentiate anti-Semitic from anti-Zionist feeling when dealing with Israel's brutality in the Mid-East and refusal to obey numerous U.N. directives. We did indeed recognize the dangers in taking a public stance on this issue, due to the years of deference given Jewish organizations in North America. However, Harper, Ignatieff, and Rae's outlandish attacks on Libby Davies for what could be called an anti-Zionist remark, while Netanyahu was held safely on Canadian soil, and his troops captured, jailed and tortured Canadians on Israeli soil, needed to be addressed. The use of Nazi references was the last straw. Alberta Activism had noted Harper's actions when a Canadian soldier was killed by Israeli forces in Lebanon, while serving with United Nations. There was a decision at that time to allow our new Prime Minister another chance to show his CANADIAN side. We're still waiting!!
3) Disappointments of 2010 will dictate a continuation to fight our federal government on the export of raw bitumen. Canada has learnt nothing from the NEB approval to export raw natural gas via the Alliance pipeline approval. Upgraded bitumen would have prevented the "dirty-oil" wars that will continue and rightly so. Canada will need every available penny from bitumen production to eradicate the environmental footprint left by bitumen production. We are hopeful this bitumen export business will take less time to be recognized as harmful to Canada than the export of natural gas to a single customer. Again we offer the American trader the abilities to use large storage and "take-away" efforts to control the price of a Canadian product-----very much like natural gas!! The added pipeline space, importation of diluents and again pipeline to accommodate that action, along with Canadian job loss, royalties, taxes, and spin off industries, indicate the advantages upgrading at source provide! Not to mention the harm shipping a bitumen slurry thousands of miles brings to pipelines designed to handle natural gas and conventional oil.
4) The benefit our resources bring to the Canadian public will remain another major objective to bring to the public attention for Alberta Activism. We have expanded our concerns in this area to include all western provinces, since the western Premiers recognized they must unite to overcome the weakness of our federal government in energy, trade, and foreign affairs. Our hope Canada would ape practices held by Norway over those held by United States with respect to resource development, and social responsibility will be the ongoing guide going foreword. North American's have no idea how far behind Nordic countries we have fallen simply by following practices proven a disaster time after time. In hockey, Canada learnt to adapt to foreign systems that work very well; however we remain "Stone- Men" in politics and resource management!! We're Still waiting!!
Stewart Shields
Lacombe, Alberta
=================
13. Council of Canadians Update: January 5 & 6, 2011
Council of Canadians Update: January 6, 2011
ACTION ALERT:
Sign the CETA petition - Stop the Canada-EU trade negotiations
http://www.canadians.org/action/2011/CETA-petition.html
Will traffic flow trump water flow in Wakefield?
http://www.canadians.org/activistblog/?p=274
Stop me if you have heard this one before. After 26 years, a construction plan is finally about to be implemented which will threaten an exceptional source of spring water that has been used for generations. You could be forgiven for thinking that this sounds like the story of Site 41 (before the victory over that planned garbage dump) but this is happening in the small hamlet of Wakefield, Quebec just north of Ottawa on the edge of beautiful Gatineau Park.
NEWS: Kent says tar sands produce ‘ethical oil’
http://www.canadians.org/campaignblog/?p=5867
The Calgary Herald reports today that, “Federal Environment Minister Peter Kent says the oilsands have been unfairly demonized, trumpeting the resource as ‘ethical oil’ and as an economic boon for the entire country.”
VIEW: ‘What you don’t know about a deal you haven’t heard of’ by Maude Barlow
http://www.canadians.org/campaignblog/?p=5864
In coming days, Canadian and European officials will intensify negotiations on a new trade agreement most Canadians have never heard of. The Canada-European Union Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement is by far the largest free-trade deal this country has ever undertaken.
= = = = = = =
Council of Canadians Update: January 5, 2011
NEWS: Winnipeg-Veolia water utility contract in limbo
http://www.canadians.org/campaignblog/?p=5862
The Winnipeg Free Press reports that, “The future of Winnipeg’s new water and waste utility remains murkier than ever, though the city is still negotiating with environmental giant Veolia Canada about a waste water consulting contract.”
NEWS: Coalition calls for new assessment of Highway 5 extension
http://www.canadians.org/campaignblog/?p=5849
The Ottawa Citizen reports that, “A community coalition wants the Quebec government to order a new environmental assessment of the proposed extension of Highway 5 to Wakefield. The group, SOS Wakefield, has joined forces with the University of Ottawa-Ecojustice Environmental Law Clinic, the Council of Canadians and the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society in a bid to protect a local water source which they believe will be affected by the expansion of the highway. The group says they believe that the highway extension is based on an out-of-date assessment that dates back to 1986.”
NEWS: How will Harper respond to new US EPA emission regulations?
http://www.canadians.org/campaignblog/?p=5847
The Globe and Mail reports that, “The Obama administration has announced plans to impose new greenhouse-gas emission rules on power plants and refineries, a move that will increase pressure on the Harper government to introduce its own national emissions regulations in 2011.”
NEWS: Harper cabinet shuffle today at 2 pm ET
http://www.canadians.org/campaignblog/?p=5845
CBC reports that, “Prime Minister Stephen Harper will begin the new year with a minor shuffle of his cabinet. The shuffle will occur at 2 p.m. ET at Rideau Hall and will be small, involving six or fewer ministers.”
NEWS: Alberta would oppose EU ‘discrimination’ against tar sands
http://www.canadians.org/campaignblog/?p=5842
The Platts news service reports that, “Alberta will oppose any move by the European Union to ban imports of crude oil from the western Canadian province because of environmental concerns, a senior government official said Tuesday (December 28).”
NEWS: Interview with CETA negotiator Steve Verheul
http://www.canadians.org/campaignblog/?p=5840
CTV.ca recently interviewed Steve Verheul, Canada’s chief negotiator on the Canada-European Union Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement. Here’s an excerpt of that interview:
UPDATE: Campaign plans for 2011
http://www.canadians.org/campaignblog/?p=5851
Happy new year and welcome to 2011!
VIEW: ‘Security perimeter will bring more of the same’, says Yaffe
http://www.canadians.org/campaignblog/?p=5836
Vancouver Sun columnist Barbara Yaffe writes that, “News of a possible Canada-U.S. security perimeter will strike fear in some hearts.”
NEWS: Canadian cities grapple with water rate increases
http://www.canadians.org/campaignblog/?p=5834
At least two Canadian cities have been in the news recently because they are considering increases to water rates simply to maintain or build needed infrastructure.
NEWS: Town’s water license challenged in Alberta
http://www.canadians.org/campaignblog/?p=5832
The Rocky View Weekly reports today that, “Westridge Utilities Inc. filed an appeal with the Environmental Appeals Board (on) November 26 against Rocky View County’s water licence for (a new) treatment plant. …Alberta Environment granted the water licence, which authorized the County to divert up to 277,533 cubic metres of water annually from the Elbow River (on) October 29. The authorization allowed council’s approval of the $3.6- million treatment plant, which is being equally funded by the Province, the Federal Government and the County, to solve the decades-old water quality issue in Bragg Creek.”
NEWS: Harper confirms security perimeter talks underway
http://www.canadians.org/campaignblog/?p=5830
The National Post reports that, “Prime Minister Stephen Harper has confirmed Canada is holding ‘discussions’ with the United States on a (security perimeter) deal… However, he said no agreement has yet been reached and the talks are continuing.”
NEWS: Obstacles delay CETA offers by three-months
http://www.canadians.org/campaignblog/?p=5828
Postmedia News reports today on a “three-month delay in the presentation of formal offers by each side” in the Canada-European Union Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) talks. “Both sides had planned throughout 2009 to table formal offers on the most sensitive issues — including services, intellectual property, investment, culture and the opening of lucrative government procurement contracts to foreign bidders — prior to the sixth round of talks scheduled for mid-January. The exchange-of-offers process has been moved to round seven, to take place in Ottawa in April.”
NEWS: Canada to negotiate new ‘Buy American’ deal starting in February
http://www.canadians.org/campaignblog/?p=5824
Postmedia News reports that, “Canada will enter negotiations with the United States early next year in the hopes of reaching a broader, long-term agreement based on the Buy American compromise the two sides reached earlier this year, says Trade Minister Peter Van Loan.”
=================
14. LETTER: SHIELDS: Pro-Canadian
From: lagran
To: Prime Minister/Premier ministre ; iggy ; Layton, Jack - M.P.
Cc: mccallum ; goodale ; flaherty ; bill boyd ; acameron@neb-one.gc.ca
Sent: Monday, January 03, 2011 7:29 PM
Subject: Pro-Canadian
Although I am pro-Canadian, I do actually admire a country's leadership that fights for the best deal possible for its subjects. I have a basket full of politicians' quotes that indicate most of Canada's politicians were very aware of the more than favorable terms United States enjoyed with respect to Canadian natural gas. All political parties became too shy to stand and be counted on this issue even though they knew very well our natural gas was selling through NAFTA at much lower than world prices for the product.
The CAPP myth about the NEP was so well sold and our governments, both federal and provincial, so weak, they would allow both the continuation of the NEP myth and the unfair price for natural gas before taking a gutsy stand on gas prices through NAFTA!! We cannot blame United States for the more than stupid deal a rushed Simon Reismen presented Mulroney for approval with United States; any blame rests with the Tory government of the day. So it is with the softwood lumber agreement that Harper signed with the same United States. The Americans wanted the best deal possible for their subjects while the Harper Tories only wanted trade peace regardless of the cost to Canadians.
Free-trade left Canadian politicians with far fewer skills in international trade, with the present Harper Tories far below even the Canadian average. As a Pacific Rim country, Canada should be enjoying the same boom that Asia trade brought to Australia. Canada under Harper has made his government's total lack of international trade experience even more acute by allowing the export of raw bitumen product!! Stelmach, who won the Tory leadership in Alberta on the strength of his stand against bitumen exports, was a quiet little mouse when Harper's NEB licensed the Keystone to ship Alberta bitumen slurry to U.S. destinations.
Both Harper and Stelmach should go to the American clinic that operated on "Danny Williams'" heart, and request a similar treatment to afford them the courage to stand-up for those that voted them to power. Danny's retirement as Newfoundland's Premier should have been a lesson to many politicians seeking advancement. Here I will cite Brad Wall of Saskatchewan, whose government is turning oil production revenue over to industry to simply do horizontal drilling. Even though horizontal drilling is the sole method of success in the Bakken Zone of S.E. Saskatchewan. Brad could follow Danny's lead or continue to follow our poor wee mouse in Alberta that is directed by CAPP for the energy industry!
Stewart Shields
Lacombe, Alberta
= = = = = =
Canada-U.S. lumber spat looms
http://www.cbc.ca/money/story/2011/01/03/
money-lumber-dispute.html
Last Updated: Monday, January 3, 2011 | 7:29 AM ET
The Associated Press
Another trade dispute over lumber is building between Canada and the U.S.
The fight focuses on British Columbia and could see officials from Washington, D.C., and Ottawa face off at a London tribunal as early as this week.
U.S. industry leaders claim B.C. misclassifies timber as salvage material so that Canadian companies can flood the U.S. with subsidized lumber.
And that, they said, undercuts U.S. mills and jobs.
Politicians from the northwestern states want the U.S. government to fight what they consider illegal Canadian subsidies.
Canadian government and industry leaders deny the charges.
MORE:
http://www.cbc.ca/money/story/2011/01/03/
money-lumber-dispute.html
==================
15. Thousands Mourn the Loss of Judy Bonds, Leader in the Fight Against Mountaintop Removal Mining
http://www.alternet.org/newsandviews/article/422901/
thousands_mourn_the_loss_of_judy_bonds%2C_leader_in_the_fight_against_mountaintop_removal_mining/#paragraph3
By Jeff Biggers | AlterNet
QUOTE: “In a special Living on Earth radio interview with Jeff Young in 2003, Bonds recalled her grandson holding a handful of dead fish contaminated by coal waste. “And I looked around him and there were dead fish laying all over the stream. And that was a slap in the face.””
MORE:
http://www.alternet.org/newsandviews/article/422901/
thousands_mourn_the_loss_of_judy_bonds%2C_leader_in_the_fight_against_mountaintop_removal_mining/#paragraph3
=================
16. Why Washington Hates Hugo Chavez
www.globalresearch.ca/index.php?context=va&aid=22602
By Mike Whitney Global Research, January 2, 2011
In late November, Venezuela was hammered by torrential rains and flooding that left 35 people dead and roughly 130,000 homeless. If George Bush had been president, instead of Hugo Chavez, the displaced people would have been shunted off at gunpoint to makeshift prison camps--like the Superdome--as they were following Hurricane Katrina. But that's not the way Chavez works. The Venezuelan president quickly passed "enabling" laws which gave him special powers to provide emergency aid and housing to flood victims. Chavez then cleared out the presidential palace and turned it into living quarters for 60 people, which is the equivalent of turning the White House into a homeless shelter. The disaster victims are now being fed and taken care of by the state until they can get back on their feet and return to work.
The details of Chavez's efforts have been largely omitted in the US media where he is regularly demonized as a "leftist strongman" or a dictator. The media refuses to acknowledge that Chavez has narrowed the income gap, eliminated illiteracy, provided health care for all Venezuelans, reduced inequality, and raised living standards across he board. While Bush and Obama were expanding their foreign wars and pushing through tax cuts for the rich, Chavez was busy improving the lives of the poor and needy while fending off the latest wave of US aggression.
Washington despises Chavez because he is unwilling to hand over Venezuela's vast resources to corporate elites and bankers. That's why the Bush administration tried to depose Chavez in a failed coup attempt in 2002, and that's why the smooth-talking Obama continues to launch covert attacks on Chavez today. Washington wants regime change so it can install a puppet who will hand over Venezuela's reserves to big oil while making life hell for working people.
Recently released documents from Wikileaks show that the Obama administration has stepped up its meddling in Venezuela's internal affairs. Here's an excerpt from a recent post by attorney and author, Eva Golinger:
MORE:
www.globalresearch.ca/index.php?context=va&aid=22602
- Oscar
- Site Admin
- Posts: 9851
- Joined: Wed May 03, 2006 3:23 pm
FRACKING/ENERGY NEWS: January 15, 2011
by Oscar » Sat Jan 15, 2011 6:17 pm
FRACKING/ENERGY NEWS: January 15, 2011
1. EVENT: Yves Engler: How Canada lost its bid for a UN Security Council Seat – Winnipeg – Jan. 23/11
2. ANNUAL MEETING: ALBERTA SURFACE RIGHTS FEDERATION
3. Sask. couple demands study be conducted to determine source of alleged CO2 leak
4. COMMENT (2007): ANGLIN: unDemocracy in action
5. Tories defend oilsands safety
6. Peter Kent's Oily New Portfolio
7. COMMENT: MORNINGSTAR: Will Kent now shut down the tarsands?
8. Stephen Harper calls oil sands 'ethical'
9. Harper’s embrace of ‘ethical’ oil sands ignites new arguments
10. U.S. to impose new emission rules on power plants, refineries
11. Peace Bond Proceedings Stayed Against Wiebo Ludwig And Two Others
12. Fracking the life out of Arkansas and beyond
13. New Nonprofit Offering Help With Tests That May Link Contaminated Water to Hydraulic Fracking
14. Silt Mesa family claims gas fumes forcing them out
15. Fire halts Alberta oil sands facility production
16. Nikiforuk Pores Over Royal Society's Oil Sands Study – Dec. 2010
17. Petroleum patent pending
18. Illnesses linked to BP oil disaster
19. Ecological Civilization
20. Bjork's karaoke marathon boosts anti-takeover petition count
21. BARSKY: Letter: CETA: 'What you don't know about a deal you haven't heard of'
==============
1. EVENT: Yves Engler: How Canada lost its bid for a UN Security Council Seat – Winnipeg – Jan. 23/11
Date: Sunday, January 23, 2011
Time: 1:30 p.m.
Where: Millennium Library, 251 Donald Street, Winnipeg (in the Carol Shields Room)
Admission: $5.00 donation requested
Sponsors: Peace Alliance Winnipeg and Project Peacemakers
Yves Engler is a Montréal activist and author. He has four published books: The Black Book of Canadian Foreign Policy (Shortlisted for the Mavis Gallant Prize for Non Fiction in the Quebec Writers’ Federation Literary Awards), Playing Left Wing: From Rink Rat to Student Radical, (with Anthony Fenton) Canada in Haiti: Waging War on The Poor Majority and, most recently, Canada and Israel: Building Apartheid.
See: Recent articles by Yves Engler in the Peace Alliance Winnipeg News
Please help promote this event.
Download and distribute this poster (8.5 X 11 inches) and/or this handbill (2 per page on 8.5 X 11 inches).
Alternatively, you could forward this email to your contacts.
==================
2. ANNUAL MEETING: ALBERTA SURFACE RIGHTS FEDERATION
Box 55, Round Hill, AB., T0B 3Z0, Ph/fax, 780-672-6021
www.albertasurfacerights.ca
ANNUAL MEETING NOTICE
Monday February 14th, 2011
Norsemen Inn, 6505-48 Ave., Camrose, AB., (West end).
All Acreage and Landowners and Interested Persons welcome
9:00 am – Registration (payment at door) - $25.00, includes Dinner and Coffee.
We would like to know how many would be attending for dinner, if possible.
(Please let Tony, Perry or Tom know if attending)
Please, do not let this stop you from attending at the last minute.
9:30 am – Opening of Meeting. Minutes, Treasurers Report, Appointment of Reviewer
10:00 am - Resolutions - Appointment of Resolutions, Chairperson and Committee.
10:30 am – Coffee.
10:45 am – Committee Reports – Dalton Trenholm; on “2010 Reclamation Criteria
for Wellsites and Associated Facilities” (on Cultivated, Forested, Grasslands and Peat Lands).
11:00 am – Rob Somerville, MBA, A.A.I.T. Speak on how he won his Court case; “Seismic Damaging his Water Well” ( The Judge clearly stated that the: Company was liable for the loss of water production in the well).
12:00 Dinner
1:15 pm – Acceptance of resolutions. ( that are prepared ).
1:30 pm - Guest Speaker: Dr. R.W. Coppock, DVM, PhD,
Diplomate, American Board of Veterinary Toxicology; Diplomate, American Board of Toxicology. Will speak on; Environment Safety and Livestock Production, “Walked Plowed Ground”
3:30 pm - Resolutions:
4:00 pm - New Business:
For more information call;
President, Tony Nichols – Phone 403-882-2343
Vice-President, Perry Nelson- Ph/Fax; 780-753-6860
eastviewf@xplornet.com
Executive Secretary, Tom Nahirniak- Ph/fax 780-672-6021
tnahir@telus.net
WANTED: For our Web Site and/or Display Board.
Photo’s of your wellsites or pipeline (WRECKS) including salt & oil spills.
= = = = = =
What is the Alberta Surface Rights Federation?
http://www.albertasurfacerights.ca/
The Alberta Surface Rights Federation came into being in April of 1981. It was formed through a series of meetings by representatives from several grass roots Surface Rights groups that had sprung up in local communities affected by oil and gas development through out Alberta. The fact that the Surface Rights Act was being reviewed also prompted the creation of the Federation. Gordon Moulton served as President from 1981 until 1997, and Tony Nichols has served since 1997.
Helmut Entrup, the first (and some would say the last) Farmers Advocate, devoted his time and energy to help this organization get started. He was not afraid to rattle the cages of Industry personnel in down town Calgary office towers, and often he did so, at considerable risk to his own career.
The Federation was successful in negotiating an annual compensation on pipelines with Nova Corporation and this became known as the Nova Formula. Unfortunately Landowner preoccupation with big upfront payments for pipelines has resulted in this precedent being sidelined for the last two decades.
In 1982 Alban Bugej began editing a newsletter of Federation news and did so until his passing in 1996.
Surface Rights issues are once again emerging as a dominant bone of contention in Rural Alberta, as we observe the massive transference of the wealth of Rural Alberta, being moved by government and Industry to Urban centers.
This Web site is an effort to reconnect rural Alberta and mount a defense against the takings and trespasses of Big Government and Big Oil, upon our shared cultural values and Property Rights, in Rural Alberta.
= = = = =
Alberta Surface Rights Federation – LOCAL GROUPS across Canada:
http://www.albertasurfacerights.ca/nav/members.html
================
3. Sask. couple demands study be conducted to determine source of alleged CO2 leak
http://www.leaderpost.com/health/
Sask+couple+demands+study+conducted+determine+source+alleged+leak/4093755/story.html
By BRUCE JOHNSTONE, Leader-Post January 11, 2011 6:06 PM
REGINA — A Weyburn-area couple claims contamination from the nearby carbon capture and storage (CCS) project operated by Cenovus Energy has driven them from their home.
At a news conference in Regina on Tuesday, Cameron and Jane Kerr demanded the provincial government and Cenovus conduct a one-year study to determine the source of the alleged C02 contamination — which they claim is hundreds of times above safe levels.
But the Calgary-based company (formerly known as EnCana) and the Energy and Resources ministry maintain the Kerrs' property has been studied numerous times, but the studies failed to show any connection with the world's largest geological CCS project.
The Kerrs, who purchased the property in 1975, claim they noticed changes to the surface and groundwater on their property in 2004, one year after CO2 was injected in the area.
They said they reported the incidents, including bubbling and foaming water and dead animal carcasses near some ponds on their property, to Energy and Resources.
Barry Robinson, a staff lawyer with Ecojustice, a non-profit environmental organization that represents the Kerrs, said the dead animals included a goat, a cat, a duck, and other birds.
"Quite rightly, the Kerrs were concerned about this,'' said Robinson, a Calgary-based lawyer with Ecojustice (formerly known as the Sierra Legal Defence Fund). "In the fall of 2005, the Kerrs moved off the property because they were concerned about potential health effects on themselves.''
MORE:
http://www.leaderpost.com/health/
Sask+couple+demands+study+conducted+determine+source+alleged+leak/4093755/story.html
=================
4. COMMENT (2007): ANGLIN: unDemocracy in action
DATE: 5 Jun 2007
From: Joe Anglin mailto:jvanglin@telus.net
On Monday June 4, 2007 a part-time kindergarten teacher in Rimbey AB, Ms. Smith (not her real name), was admonished by her principal (boss) because she had instructed her class and a second grade class to write Premier Ed Stelmach about their concerns on the topic of pollution.
Using Dr Seuss Ms. Smith instructed her class on the subjects of recycling and pollution. Eventually, the children engaged in a discussion of air pollution, in particular, air-pollution from the burning of fossil fuels such as coal.
The children in kindergarten drew pictures of what the world would look like with and without pollution and the children in the second grade wrote letters expressing their concerns. All the letters were sent to Premier Ed Stelmach.
Many of the children made the connection from pollution to the very contentious local political issue of a proposed 500KV transmission line west of Rimbey, which local farmers say promotes more coal fired generation. Ms. Smith, is also an opponent of more coal fired generation, also opposes the transmission line. However she is not directly affected or immediately impacted by the proposed line. In other words, other than a moral commitment to better our community there is no personal or political benefit for Ms. Smith in opposing more pollution.
On Monday morning the school principal called Ms Smith into his office to be admonished for politicizing the children. He told her he had gotten a call from the Superintendent, who had received a call from either the Minister of Education or Minister of Energy.
Ms. Smith is a single mother of two who works two to three jobs to make ends meet. Because her students touched upon a very sensitive subject, it appears our government wants to silence her by threatening her job and her ability to feed her children.
Rather than write the school children back to thank them for their letters of concern, the Stelmach government took a page from the Klein book of undemocracy and adopted the age old Alberta advantage of threats and intimidation to silence any hint of opposition.
Joe Anglin
= = = = = = =
Alberta government takes oilpatch education blitz to schools – Feb. 15, 2010
http://www.edmontonjournal.com/technology/
Alberta+government+takes+oilpatch+eduction+blitz+schools/2565360/story.html
By Jason Fekete, With Files From Canwest News Service February 15, 2010 8:42 AM
CALGARY - The Stelmach government plans on taking its energy and environment education blitz to the classroom to inform Alberta youths on the importance of the oilpatch and value of expensive carbon capture and storage technology.
The initiatives were identified in last week's provincial budget documents that also revealed a 12 per cent boost to Energy Department spending and a five per cent cut to Alberta Environment, sparking questions about the government's priorities.
While environmental groups worry the government could be imposing "propaganda" in the school system, the new energy minister says the province is simply trying to deliver accurate information to youths about Alberta's primary sector and the government's climate change efforts.
"We should always be looking for opportunities, and I would say especially young people," said Energy Minister Ron Liepert.
"They tend to be easily influenced, and from a social media standpoint, they're the most active and that's the easiest way to spread information, whether it is right or wrong. I feel it is an important step."
MORE:
http://www.edmontonjournal.com/technology/
Alberta+government+takes+oilpatch+eduction+blitz+schools/2565360/story.html
===============
5. Tories defend oilsands safety
http://www.calgaryherald.com/news/
Tories+defend+oilsands+safety/4079531/story.html
Government takes heat after five hurt in fire
BY RENATA D'ALIESIO AND RYAN CORMIER, CALGARY HERALD JANUARY 8, 2011 8:06
Alberta Employment Minister Thomas Lukaszuk insisted Friday working in the oilsands is safe, a day after five employees were injured in an upgrader explosion.
The province has issued a stop-work order for Canadian Natural Resources' upgrader plant at the Calgary-based firm's Horizon oilsands mine north of Fort McMurray.
Thursday's fire is raising questions about the energy giant's safety record.
According to Alberta Employment, Canadian Natural Resources faces multiple workplace safety charges in four separate incidents since 2006, two of which occurred at the Horizon site.
None of the charges has been proven in court. Four workers were killed in the incidents, including two temporary foreign labourers from China. Three other employees were seriously injured.
The Alberta Federation of Labour is urging the province to establish an expert panel to investigate the pace of oilsands expansion and whether workplace safety has been compromised.
"If we do not (investigate), more lives will be lost, more workers will be injured or maimed, and Alberta's reputation as a safe place to work and do business will continue to be tarnished," labour president Gil McGowan said.
However, the employment minister stressed the oilsands have a safe track record.
"One incident does not change the fact that this remains generally a safe industry to work in," Lukaszuk said, noting the sector's rate of lost-time injury claims is lower than the provincial average.
Shares of Canadian Natural Resources fell Friday -- closing 5.5 per cent lower at $40.60 -- amid news oil production at the Horizon operation has been suspended. It's unknown when it will resume.
MORE:
http://www.calgaryherald.com/news/
Tories+defend+oilsands+safety/4079531/story.html
================
6. Peter Kent's Oily New Portfolio
http://thetyee.ca/Opinion/2011/01/07/Ke ... Portfolio/
Canada's new environment minister could have acknowledged the facts. Instead, we get slippery spin.
By Andrew Nikiforuk, Yesterday, TheTyee.ca
Behind in his oil sands report reading.
Within hours of being sworn in as Canada's new environment minister, Peter Kent didn't talk about deformed fish, acid rain, disappearing woodland caribou, or large lakes of toxic mining waste.
Oddly enough, the former newscaster mostly avoided any mention of his ministerial mandate including water conservation or enhancing "the quality of the natural environment."
Instead, the Tory politician, sounding like a grossly overpaid oil patch lobbyist, declared bitumen, an extremely dirty hydrocarbon, a gift to morality and economy.
Performing like a late night infomercial host, Kent then pronounced the polluting mining enterprise three things it really is not: ethical, regulated and secure.
Just when the nation needs an informed advocate for freshwater, wildlife and renewable energy, the Harper government has given us another fossil salesman as glib as former BP's Tony Hayward.
MORE:
http://thetyee.ca/Opinion/2011/01/07/Ke ... Portfolio/
Tyee writer in residence Andrew Nikiforuk is an award winning investigative journalist and author of the national best seller: Tar Sands: Dirty Oil and the Future of a Continent.
==================
7. COMMENT: MORNINGSTAR: Will Kent now shut down the tarsands?
Interesting that Harper's appointee to the environment portfolio actually appeared concerned about global warming so many years ago.
See this CBC documentary: 2008
Part 1:
http://youtube.com/
watch?gl=CA&client=mv-google&hl=en&v=uFRY-uWQov0&fulldescription=1
Part 2:
http://youtube.com/
watch?gl=CA&client=mv-google&hl=en&rl=yes&v=E9j36D2kISY
Part 3:
http://youtube.com/
watch?gl=CA&client=mv-google&hl=en&rl=yes&v=pAp7UXNVZeM
==================
8. Stephen Harper calls oil sands 'ethical'
http://thetyee.ca/Blogs/TheHook/Federal ... 011/01/07/
oil-sands-ethical-Harper/
By Geoff Dembicki January 7, 2011 03:48 pm
Prime Minister Stephen Harper defended the Alberta oil sands Friday as an “ethical” source of energy that creates important job growth.
His remarks are essentially identical to those of new federal environment minister Peter Kent, who pledged Thursday not to subject the industry to greenhouse gas regulations for at least several years.
"I can only say that the government's position is clear," Harper reportedly said. “The oil sands represent a very important resource for this country.”
He added: “The reality is that Canada is a very ethical society and a very secure source of energy for the United States, compared to other sources.”
Within days of being named Canada’s new environment minister, Kent also called the oil sands “ethical” and vowed to fight against the label of “dirty oil.”
He told the Globe and Mail Thursday that the federal government plans to create emissions guidelines for the industry – just not anytime soon.
“Our focus for the next several years is going to continue to be on maintaining the economic recovery and we will do nothing in the short term which would unnecessarily compromise or threaten to compromise that recovery,” Kent said.
The term “Ethical Oil” made headlines this fall as conservative commentator Ezra Levant promoted his book of the same name. Levant, a former tobacco lobbyist, has been heralded within industry circles for his strong defence of the oil sands.
Producing and refining oil sands bitumen creates 82 percent more greenhouse gases than for conventional crude, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency estimates.
Click here to read a recent Tyee series about how Canada and major oil companies are attempting to overturn U.S. climate legislation that could potentially target the oil sands.
Geoff Dembicki reports for the Tyee.
= = = = = =
Minister vows not to let emissions rules hamper oil-sands investment
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/
minister-vows-not-to-let-emissions-rules-hamper-oilsands-investment/article1860494/
STEVEN CHASE OTTAWA— Globe and Mail Update
Last updated Thursday, Jan. 06, 2011 5:26PM EST
Citing the tentative economic recovery, new Environment Minister Peter Kent says the Harper government will not impose any greenhouse-gas reductions on the oil patch that discourage investment.
Canada, which has committed to roughly matching U.S. efforts on fighting climate change, is watching carefully as the Obama administration rolls out new emission rules for power plants and refineries.
Mr. Kent said Canada will draw up its own emission standards for petroleum refineries – including oil sands facilities – but added there’s no schedule yet.
“Our focus for the next several years is going to continue to be on maintaining the economic recovery and we will do nothing in the short term which would unnecessarily compromise or threaten to compromise that recovery,” Mr. Kent said in an interview.
“It is not our intention to discourage development of one of our great natural resources. We know it can be developed responsibly.”
The former journalist and broadcast anchor was promoted in cabinet this week to fill a vacancy left when Jim Prentice quit federal politics in late 2010.
The U.S. Environment Protection Agency said over the holidays it will propose emission performance standards for new and existing fossil-fuel facilities this year, despite opposition from Republicans and some Democrats in Congress.
The proposed regulations – to take effect at the end of 2012 – would be in addition to EPA rules that took effect on Sunday that require all new plants or major expansions to get permits for emitting carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases believed to cause climate change.
MORE:
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/
minister-vows-not-to-let-emissions-rules-hamper-oilsands-investment/article1860494/
=================
9. Harper’s embrace of ‘ethical’ oil sands ignites new arguments
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/
harpers-embrace-of-ethical-oil-sands-ignites-new-arguments/article1862499/?cmpid=rss1
STEVEN CHASE OTTAWA—Last updated Friday, Jan. 07, 2011 8:35PM EST
Stephen Harper is embracing the notion that Canada’s controversial oil sands are an “ethical” source of energy, strengthening his support of the maligned resource and kicking off a new chapter in the debate over what critics call “dirty oil.”
The Prime Minister told reporters Friday that his government wants to “explain to the world” that petroleum from Western Canada’s oil sands is superior in respects to crude from other countries.
“The oil sands are a very important resource for our country, it’s a source of economic growth and jobs across the country, not just in the West, but in Ontario and Quebec, too,” Mr. Harper said after an announcement in Welland, Ont.
“It’s critical to develop that resource in a way that’s responsible and environmental and the reality for the United States, which is the biggest consumer of our petroleum products, is that Canada is a very ethical society and a safe source for the United States in comparison to other sources of energy.”
The Prime Minister’s comments build on newly minted Environment Minister Peter Kent’s declaration this week that the oil sands are an “ethical” source of energy and one that should take priority in the U.S. over foreign producers with poor democratic track records or those that use petrodollars “to fund terrorism.”
“It’s a rhetorical device; it’s bait and switch,” said Ed Whittingham, executive director of the Pembina Institute. “It’s designed to make us forget about the negative environmental impacts we have in Canada because you are comparing to a completely lower standard in other countries.”
MORE:
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/
harpers-embrace-of-ethical-oil-sands-ignites-new-arguments/article1862499/?cmpid=rss1
- - - - - -
MORE RELATED TO THIS STORY (Links are on URL)
Peter Kent’s green agenda: Clean up oil sands’ dirty reputation
My question about ‘ethical’ oil
Ezra Levant and the image makeover of the oil sands
=================
10. U.S. to impose new emission rules on power plants, refineries
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/
us-to-impose-new-emission-rules-on-power-plantsrefineries/article1855631/
SHAWN McCARTHY — GLOBAL ENERGY REPORTER
OTTAWA— From Monday's Globe and Mail
Published Sunday, Jan. 02, 2011 6:53PM EST
Last updated Sunday, Jan. 02, 2011 7:54PM EST
The Obama administration has announced plans to impose new greenhouse-gas emission rules on power plants and refineries, a move that will increase pressure on the Harper government to introduce its own national emissions regulations in 2011.
The U.S. Environment Protection Agency said over the holidays that it will propose emission performance standards for new and existing fossil-fuel facilities this year, despite opposition from Republicans and some Democrats in Congress.
The proposed regulations – to take effect at the end of 2012 – would be in addition to EPA rules that came into effect on Sunday that require all new plants or major expansions to get permits for emitting carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases (GHGs).
That permitting requirement has been in the works for several months. Federal Environment Minister John Baird has said Ottawa will not adopt similar measures, but will broadly match the U.S. regulatory approach.
Despite the movement south of the border, the Harper government has given no indication how it intends to regulate Canadian industry, including oil companies who could face significant additional costs for the rapidly expanding oil-sands sector if Ottawa follows the U.S. lead.
“The EPA is now moving ahead even more aggressively to regulate industrial greenhouse-gas emissions,” said Matthew Bramley, an analyst with the Calgary-based environmental group, Pembina Institute.
“So it is really time for the government of Canada to demonstrate whether its stated policy of harmonizing with the U.S. was purely rhetorical in order to delay, or whether it was meant seriously.”
The opposition has sought to keep pressure on the Harper government, recently demanding that Ottawa act unilaterally rather than wait for the Americans. Opposition parties joined together in the Commons to pass climate legislation that was defeated in the Conservative-controlled Senate in November.
Liberal environment critic Gerard Kennedy said Prime Minister Stephen Harper appears to have no desire to adopt climate regulations, given that his government has not kept up with U.S. efforts despite the pledge to harmonize.
“They’ve been caught behind a carbon smokescreen,” Mr. Kennedy said in an interview Sunday.
“This is going to be an embarrassing time for them because this has been their main excuse for not using the regulatory power they had – and now the Americans are moving. I think we’re really back to a do-nothing kind of approach that has characterized this government.”
Mr. Kennedy said Mr. Harper may choose to “lie in the weeds” and wait to see whether Congressional opposition or industry lawsuits can derail the EPA’s plans.
MORE:
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/
us-to-impose-new-emission-rules-on-power-plantsrefineries/article1855631/
More related to this story (Links on website above)
· Assertive global role ‘good for Canada’, departing British ambassador says
· From digging in the oil patch to toiling in the vineyard
· Oil sands firms look at outsourcing
· Former environment minister threatened to impose new rules on oil sands
· Oilsands giant Suncor Energy fined for dumping pollution into Alberta river
· Alberta steps up oil-sands oversight
=================
11. Peace Bond Proceedings Stayed Against Wiebo Ludwig And Two Others
http://hqgrandeprairie.com/news/local/n ... /10/12/31/
Peace-Bond-Proceedings-Stayed-Against-Wiebo-Ludwig-And-Two-Others/
Next month's scheduled showdown in a Grande Prairie courtroom between Wiebo Ludwig and three energy companies is off the docket.
The RCMP delivered a stay of the application of the peace bond to Ludwig at his farm before Christmas.
Encana, Seaview Energy and Canadian Superior were seeking to keep Ludwig, his son Ben, and friend Richard Boonstra away from their installations.
The matter was slated to go to court in late January.
Ludwig's reportedly said the peace bond made unreasonable demands but he's disappointed he won't get his day in court.
==================
12. Fracking the life out of Arkansas and beyond - Oil and Gas Collection: Hydraulic Fracturing, Toxic Chemicals and the Surge of Earthquake Activity in Arkansas
http://globalresearch.ca/index.php?context=va&aid=22667
by Rady Ananda January 6, 2011
***All charts, maps & tables are on website above***)
The last four months of 2010, nearly 500 earthquakes rattled Guy, Arkansas. [1] The entire state experienced 38 quakes in 2009. [2] The spike in quake frequency precedes and coincides with the 100,000 dead fish on a 20-mile stretch of the Arkansas River that included Roseville Township on December 30. The next night, 5,000 red-winged blackbirds and starlings dropped dead out of the sky in Beebe. [3] Hydraulic fracturing is the most likely culprit for all three events, as it causes earthquakes with a resultant release of toxins into the environment. [4]
A close look at Arkansas’ history of earthquakes and drilling reveals a shocking surge in quake frequency following advanced drilling. The number of quakes in 2010 nearly equals all of Arkansas’ quakes for the entire 20th century. The oil and gas industry denies any correlation, but the advent of hydrofracking followed by earthquakes is a story repeated across the nation. It isn’t going to stop any time soon, either. Fracking has gone global.
Hydraulic fracturing (fracking) pumps water and chemicals into the ground at a pressurized rate exceeding what the bedrock can withstand, resulting in a microquake that produces rock fractures. Though initiated in 1947, technological advances now allow horizontal fracturing, vastly increasing oil and gas collection. [5] In 1996, shale-gas production in the U.S. accounted for 2 percent of all domestic natural gas production, reports Christopher Bateman in Vanity Fair. “Some industry analysts predict shale gas will represent a full half of total domestic gas production within 10 years.” [6] In 2000, U.S. gas reserve estimates stood at 177 trillion cubic feet, but ramped up to 245 tcf in 2008. These new technologies prompt experts to increase global gas reserve estimates ninefold. [7]
MORE:
http://globalresearch.ca/index.php?context=va&aid=22667
==================
13. New Nonprofit Offering Help With Tests That May Link Contaminated Water to Hydraulic Fracking
http://www.newwest.net/topic/article/
new_nonprofit_offering_help_with_tests_that_may_link_contaminated_water_to_/C618/L618/
Founders of ShaleTest.Org, personally affected by drilling near their homes, launch nationwide effort to defer costs of expensive water, soil and air tests.
By Shauna Stephenson, 1-05-11
A new nonprofit trying to raise awareness about water contamination and its connection to drilling is offering low-income families help with testing their water, soil and air quality .
ShaleTest.Org, based in Texas, recently launched its nationwide effort, emphasizing the importance of testing for the presence of chemicals before and after drilling, or hydraulic fracturing for underground oil and gas reserves, begins.
ShaleTest founders Tim Ruggierro, a property owner in Wise County, Texas, and Calvin Tillman, mayor of Dish, Texas, both have personal experience with development on or near their property. “To me, it’s just not that difficult to connect the dots as to where the problem is,” Ruggierro says. “It’s very convenient for the industry to go around saying there’s not one case of contamination due to hydraulic fracturing because there’s no testing.”
Tests are conducted by trained volunteers who take the sample and ship it off to one of several labs that have been vetted by the group. “The lab must be nationally certified,” Ruggierro says. “This means that the lab must (meet) the national testing lab criteria, so they have been certified, by the Feds as well as their respective state.”
Ruggierro says the group’s goal is not litigation. But if landowners decide that’s the route they want to take, he wants their tests to stand up in court.
“We are not opposed to drilling,” he says. “We are, obviously, opposed to being poisoned.”
Testing for air and water typically runs in the $700 to $900 range per test, although other contingencies such as labor, mileage and tech fees can be thrown in – costs ShaleTest hopes to help cover. Currently, the group is focusing on environmental monitoring, but they hope to be able to test livestock and people for chemicals in the future. Those tests can cost thousands of dollars and are typically not covered by insurance.
The testing will follow a set of guidelines set up by Wilma Subra, founder of the Subra Company, a chemistry lab and environmental consulting firm in New Iberia, La. Subra is also a member of the Earthworks board, a nonprofit working to protect communities and the environment from mineral development, and has spent more than 40 years studying chemicals used in oil and gas operations. She also received the MacArthur Fellowship Genius Award for helping citizens with environmental issues.
Most calls for assistance from ShaleTest have come from states such as West Virginia, New York, Pennsylvania and Arkansas, but Ruggierro says he is starting to get inquiries from people in western states impacted by energy development. Currently the group is funded by donations and has handled fewer than 10 cases, but interest is growing rapidly. Ruggerio currently divides his time between his full-time job and answering questions, both from landowners and the media. He’s shown reporters from “60 Minutes,” the New York Times, Al Jazeera English, the Wall Street Journal, Telemundo and two different German news agencies what energy development looks like in his backyard.
MORE:
http://www.newwest.net/topic/article/
new_nonprofit_offering_help_with_tests_that_may_link_contaminated_water_to_/C618/L618/
===================
14. Silt Mesa family claims gas fumes forcing them out
http://www.postindependent.com/article/20110104/
VALLEYNEWS/110109981/1083&ParentProfile=1074
Parents, children suffering from rashes, Nosebleeds
John Colson Post Independent staff
Glenwood Springs, Colorado Tuesday, January 4, 2011
SILT, Colorado — One of the most vocal critics of gas drilling activities in the Silt Mesa area has been told by a doctor that she and her family have to move for their health's sake.
Beth Strudley, her husband, Bill, and their two sons have been house shopping for weeks, after one of the sons reportedly began suffering from severe rashes, nose bleeds and blackouts.
But it was not until Dec. 28 that she got confirmation of her fears from a Grand Junction physician, Dr. Joseph Wezensky of Kokopelli Health & Wellness, said Beth Strudley.
“He said, ‘Get out of that house, now!'” Strudley reported.
“Our water's screwed, the air is screwed, we have to leave our house,” she said on Monday, during a break in the meeting of the Garfield County commissioners. “We have to get out of Silt Mesa.”
Strudley has been protesting plans by Antero Resources to drill for gas in the area north of Interstate 70 known as Silt Mesa and Peach Valley, which is where she and her family have lived for four years, maintaining that the gas drilling is compromising air and water quality in the area. Downplaying the concerns and fears expressed by Strudley and other residents of Garfield County in recent years, the industry has maintained that their activities are closely regulated by the state government and do not pose health hazards to nearby residents. The industry position is that there is no conclusive evidence of illness due to a person's proximity to gas wells that have been hydraulically fractured, or frac'ed, despite more than 60 years of the practice in various gas-rich parts of the United States.
MORE:
http://www.postindependent.com/article/20110104/
VALLEYNEWS/110109981/1083&ParentProfile=1074
===================
15. Fire halts Alberta oil sands facility production
http://www.petroleumworld.com/storyt11010702.htm
MONTREAL
Petroleumworld.com, Jan 07, 2011
Production was suspended Friday at a major mining operation in Alberta's vast oil sands as investigators probed what caused a fire to break out and injure four people at a facility.
"Oil production at the facility has been suspended and it is not yet known when production will resume," Canadian Natural Resources' Horizon Oil Sands facility said in a statement. "Canadian Natural's first priority is the well-being of our personnel and to safely control the situation."
The company said the fire broke out on Thursday in the facility's upgrader, a portion of the plant that converts bitumen into crude oil products. The upgrader is located about 50 kilometers (31 miles) north of Fort McMurray in northern Alberta.
Three people were sent to a hospital in Fort McMurray. One was being treated for second and third degree burns, another for first degree burns and a third person was getting medical treatment for a neck injury. The fourth person was treated on site, the company said.
MORE:
http://www.petroleumworld.com/storyt11010702.htm
==================
16. Nikiforuk Pores Over Royal Society's Oil Sands Study – Dec. 2010
http://thetyee.ca/Opinion/2010/12/16/RoyalSocietyStudy/
What the scientists got right, and missed, in their high-profile, largely damning report.
By Andrew Nikiforuk, 16 Dec 2010, TheTyee.ca
Every now and then a group of respected scientists put on their nerdy rubber boots and then bravely wade into a swamp of scientific literature.
The goal, of course, is to shed some proverbial light on a highly contentious or viscous matter.
Seven members of the Royal Society did just that on the oil sands and their published efforts yesterday offered some important illumination as well as more murk.
But overall the expert panel solidly confirmed a damning long-term trend: government is generally doing a poor job monitoring the world's largest energy project, let alone keeping pace with development.
Bill Donahue, an independent Edmonton-based expert on water policy and science, clearly summed up the essence of the report: "It is a scathing indictment of the failure of Alberta to regulate." Period.
As discreet communicators, the scientists found, for example, that environmental assessment process had "serious deficiencies in relation to international best practice."
Moreover the capacity of Alberta regulators to protect the public interest with skilled scientific analysis remained a real "concern" while the federal government (and you guessed it) maintained "a very low profile" on oil sands development.
(Just last week the Commissioner of the Environment and Sustainable Development disclosed how low that profile has sunk: Ottawa has but one long-term monitoring station on the Athabasca River downstream of the oil sands, and as of June 2010 it wasn’t even measuring oil sands pollutants.)
As a consequence of such unseemly profiles, the expert panel squarely painted Ottawa as a salamander in the sand at a time when the country needs a wise owl overseeing things.
MORE:
http://thetyee.ca/Opinion/2010/12/16/RoyalSocietyStudy/
- - - - - -
Environmental and health impacts of Canada's oil sands industry
Executive Summary of report by the Royal Society of Canada
http://beta.images.theglobeandmail.com/archive/01073/
Environmental_and__1073246a.pdf
=================
17. Petroleum patent pending
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/
industry-news/energy-and-resources/petroleum-patent-pending/article1862279/
NATHAN VANDERKLIPPE CALGARY— Globe and Mail Update
Last updated Friday, Jan. 07, 2011 6:24PM EST
Deep beneath the muskeg and forest of northern Alberta lies an untapped treasure. Call it the impossible oil sands, a vast pool of crude that lies beyond the reach of current technology.
Of the 1.7 trillion barrels of crude buried in the oil sands, the industry currently believes it can produce just 170 billion, or one out of 10 barrels.
Now, the battle to reach those impossible oil sands has opened a new front: the patent office.
As Canada’s oil and gas companies pour billions into ever more challenging oil and gas reserves, they find themselves in a growing technological arms race that has produced a surge in patent applications from an industry that has historically paid little attention to protection of intellectual property.
Oil sands companies have long been criticized for an overly cautious approach to innovation that has left them dependent on decades-old methods to extract crude. Some critics have also suggested that the sector has failed to grasp an opportunity to make Canada a world leader in the development of new energy technology.
But change is beginning to take root. The past decade has brought seismic changes in the business of energy. Instead of succeeding based on their ability to find hidden pools of oil and gas, much of the oil patch now lives and dies according to its skill in drawing out greater volumes of energy from massive pools of known reserves, like the oil sands, which don’t easily give up their riches.
The result: a substantial shift in the attitude of energy companies toward seeking patents for their discoveries. Rather than discard such measures as unnecessary or a waste of money, a broad cross-section of industry, from giants like Suncor Energy Inc. to small new junior companies, are working to shield their best research from competitors. The change has brought strong growth to legal firms that work in patents, produced a clash of titans –- Suncor is currently fighting a patent battle with Cenovus Energy Inc. – and created an expectation of new profits, as companies seek to develop new licensing revenue streams.
MORE:
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/
industry-news/energy-and-resources/petroleum-patent-pending/article1862279/
______
TOP 10 PATENT APPLICANTS IN CANADA
Only one of Canada’s top 10 corporate filers is an oil and gas company
1. Research In Motion 458
2. Procter & Gamble 389
3. General Electric 337
4. Qualcomm Inc. 289
5. BASF SE 224
6. Schlumberger Canada Ltd. 216
7. 3M Innovative Properties 196
8. Novartis AG 188
9. Boston Scientific Ltd. 184
10. F. Hoffman-LaRoche AG 176
Source: Canadian Intellectual Property Office
===================
18. Illnesses linked to BP oil disaster
http://english.aljazeera.net/indepth/features/2010/12/
20101230105158700342.html
Doctor attributes widespread sickness to toxic chemicals from the Gulf of Mexico catastrophe.
Dahr Jamail Last Modified: 05 Jan 2011 16:55 GMT
Despite BP having capped its well in the Gulf of Mexico in July, the health-related after-effects of the disaster subsist. Gulf Coast residents and BP cleanup workers have linked the source of certain illnesses to chemicals present in BP's oil and the toxic dispersants used to sink it - illnesses that appear to be both spreading and worsening.
Dr. Rodney Soto, a medical doctor in Santa Rosa Beach, Florida, has been testing and treating patients with high levels of oil-related chemicals in their blood stream. These are commonly referred to as Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC's). Anthropogenic VOC's from BP's oil disaster are toxic and have negative chronic health effects.
Dr. Soto is finding disconcertingly consistent and high levels of toxic chemicals in every one of the patients he is testing.
"I'm regularly finding between five and seven VOCs in my patients," Dr. Soto told Al Jazeera. "These patients include people not directly involved in the oil clean-up, as
well as residents that do not live right on the coast. These are clearly related to the oil disaster."
MORE:
http://english.aljazeera.net/indepth/features/2010/12/
20101230105158700342.html
==================
19. Ecological Civilization
http://www.globalresearch.ca/index.php? ... &aid=22701
by Prof. Fred Magdoff January 9, 2011
Given the overwhelming harm being done to the world's environment and to its people, it is essential today to consider how we might organize a truly ecological civilization-one that exists in harmony with natural systems-instead of trying to overwhelm and dominate nature. This is not just an ethical issue; it is essential for our survival as a species and the survival of many other species that we reverse the degradation of the earth's life support systems that once provided dependable climate, clean air, clean water (fresh and ocean), bountiful oceans, and healthy and productive soils.
There are numerous ways to approach and think about the enormous harm that has been done to the environment. I will discuss the following: (1) the critical characteristics that underlie strong ecosystems; (2) why societies are not adequately implementing ecological approaches; and (3) how we might use characteristics of strong natural ecosystems as a framework to consider a future ecological civilization.
MORE:
http://www.globalresearch.ca/index.php? ... &aid=22701
================
20. Bjork's karaoke marathon boosts anti-takeover petition count
http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/
ALeqM5hRT2i2KJIcTXesa7iVV2Mk4FCobw?docId=CNG.8ce3a15f9d99ca997a190449c8ee77b2.331
(AFP) – January 10, 2011
REYKJAVIK — A karaoke marathon held last week by Icelandic singer Bjork helped double the signature count on a petition she hopes will lead to a referendum on foreign ownership of Icelandic natural resources, organisers said Monday.
The Icelandic megastar held a karaoke marathon for nine hours a day Thursday, Friday and Saturday last week along with different Icelandic personalities such as the captain of the country's handball team and comic-turned-Reykjavik-mayor Jon Gnarr.
The aim was to bring more people to sign a petition calling for a referendum on the foreign ownership of natural resources in order to block the sale of Iceland's HS Orka energy group to a Canadian firm.
At the launch of the marathon on Thursday, Bjork's petition had 21,000 signatures and as of 5:30 pm (GMT) Monday, 46,863 people had signed it.
- - - -SNIP -- - - - -
Campaigners were aiming for at least 35,000 signatures because Prime Minister Johanna Sigurdardottir had said in a 2009 op-ed on democratic reform that a petition signed about 35,000 people should be enough to warrant a referendum on any given topic.
Bjork has since July spearheaded a campaign to prevent the takeover of HS Orka by Canada's Magma Energy.
The Canadian company said in May it planned to raise from 43 percent to 98.5 percent its stake in HS Orka -- which produces nine percent of Iceland's electricity -- in what would be the largest foreign investment in Iceland since the country's economy all but collapsed at the end of 2008.
The transaction had received regulatory approval in Iceland but a committee appointed by the government to examine the deal has not yet presented its findings.
"The fight to keep it in the hands of the Icelandic people is not over," Bjork said of HS Orka at the launch the event Thursday.
= = = = = = =
Bjork vows to karaoke until Canada surrenders
http://www.thestar.com/news/world/article/
917725--bjork-vows-to-karaoke-until-canada-surrenders
January 06, 2011
Icelandic singer Bjork is forcing a Canadian energy company with a business presence in her country to “hear the music” of Icelanders opposed to foreign ownership of their country’s resources.
The eclectic musician launched a three-day karaoke marathon on Thursday in the capital of Reykjavík as part of her campaign “to win back the country’s natural resources.”
Vancouver-based Magma Energy Corp. boosted its interest in Iceland’s HS Orka power plant operations to 84.2 per cent last August and to 98.5 per cent the following month.
The acquisition is not sitting well with Bjork and others who want Iceland’s natural resources to be publicly owned and governed.
Bjork is trying to get 15 per cent of the population — about 35,000 people — to sign a petition that would force the government to consider revoking the takeover.
More than 20,000 people have signed so far, and the singer says she is hopeful that the remaining signatures will be gathered during the karaoke marathon.
MORE:
http://www.thestar.com/news/world/article/
917725--bjork-vows-to-karaoke-until-canada-surrenders
===================
21. BARSKY: Letter: CETA: 'What you don't know about a deal you haven't heard of'
From: "Rick Barsky" <barsky@sasktel.net>
Sent: Saturday, January 08, 2011 11:15 AM
Subject: CETA: 'What you don't know about a deal you haven't heard of'
Below is what I have sent to my MP, Kelly Block.
Happy New Year Kelly,
I appreciate the periodic updates on what you and the Conservative Party have been up to.
At times I like to reciprocate and let you know, as my representative in the House of Commons, how I feel about some of the issues of the day.
In that regard, for your attention, I have attached a petition to which I would like to add my name.
It is in regards to the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) talks that will happen in Brussels, Belgium from January 17 - 21, 2011.
In my mind, it is of much more importance, and deserving of much more transparency and discussion than, for instance, the so-called "i-pod tax" which is an obvious political smoke screen designed and perpetuated by parties of all political stripes in order to further political agendas designed to get or keep power by pandering to base and simplistic issues in the minds and pocketbooks of ordinary citizens.
This particular petition brings to mind a similar instance from 1997 when the Multinational Agreement on Investment (MAI) was being negotiated behind closed doors. Ordinary Canadians and indeed many MP's were totally unaware of the dire consequences of this action.
In order to bring transparency, common sense, and directed opposition to an under-handed, capitalistic, corporate, and undemocratic cash grab, the Canadian Action Party was formed to help bring this issue home to Canadian citizens. I was proud to have run as a candidate for that party, with Paul Hellyer as leader, in the 1997 federal general election. Consequently, as you know, common sense prevailed, and the MAI was seen by "ordinary" citizens around the world for what it really was: an unmitigated assault on basic concerns such as environmental, social justice, health, education, and economic standards; all in the name of corporate profit (read: greed). And many governments around the world were complicit in this subversion, including that of Canada at the time.
Let's not let history repeat itself.
I implore you, as my representative, to do all that you can to bring this matter out from behind closed doors.
I implore you, as a fellow citizen of Canada, to stand up for what is in the best interests of people, not corporations.
The ecological well-being of the planet is already threatened on many fronts.
Let us not allow this agreement to proceed.
We must all see it as the threat to our well-being that it truly is.
Thank you.
Rick Barsky
Citizen, Saskatoon-Rosetown-Biggar at Pike Lake, Saskatchewan
1. EVENT: Yves Engler: How Canada lost its bid for a UN Security Council Seat – Winnipeg – Jan. 23/11
2. ANNUAL MEETING: ALBERTA SURFACE RIGHTS FEDERATION
3. Sask. couple demands study be conducted to determine source of alleged CO2 leak
4. COMMENT (2007): ANGLIN: unDemocracy in action
5. Tories defend oilsands safety
6. Peter Kent's Oily New Portfolio
7. COMMENT: MORNINGSTAR: Will Kent now shut down the tarsands?
8. Stephen Harper calls oil sands 'ethical'
9. Harper’s embrace of ‘ethical’ oil sands ignites new arguments
10. U.S. to impose new emission rules on power plants, refineries
11. Peace Bond Proceedings Stayed Against Wiebo Ludwig And Two Others
12. Fracking the life out of Arkansas and beyond
13. New Nonprofit Offering Help With Tests That May Link Contaminated Water to Hydraulic Fracking
14. Silt Mesa family claims gas fumes forcing them out
15. Fire halts Alberta oil sands facility production
16. Nikiforuk Pores Over Royal Society's Oil Sands Study – Dec. 2010
17. Petroleum patent pending
18. Illnesses linked to BP oil disaster
19. Ecological Civilization
20. Bjork's karaoke marathon boosts anti-takeover petition count
21. BARSKY: Letter: CETA: 'What you don't know about a deal you haven't heard of'
==============
1. EVENT: Yves Engler: How Canada lost its bid for a UN Security Council Seat – Winnipeg – Jan. 23/11
Date: Sunday, January 23, 2011
Time: 1:30 p.m.
Where: Millennium Library, 251 Donald Street, Winnipeg (in the Carol Shields Room)
Admission: $5.00 donation requested
Sponsors: Peace Alliance Winnipeg and Project Peacemakers
Yves Engler is a Montréal activist and author. He has four published books: The Black Book of Canadian Foreign Policy (Shortlisted for the Mavis Gallant Prize for Non Fiction in the Quebec Writers’ Federation Literary Awards), Playing Left Wing: From Rink Rat to Student Radical, (with Anthony Fenton) Canada in Haiti: Waging War on The Poor Majority and, most recently, Canada and Israel: Building Apartheid.
See: Recent articles by Yves Engler in the Peace Alliance Winnipeg News
Please help promote this event.
Download and distribute this poster (8.5 X 11 inches) and/or this handbill (2 per page on 8.5 X 11 inches).
Alternatively, you could forward this email to your contacts.
==================
2. ANNUAL MEETING: ALBERTA SURFACE RIGHTS FEDERATION
Box 55, Round Hill, AB., T0B 3Z0, Ph/fax, 780-672-6021
www.albertasurfacerights.ca
ANNUAL MEETING NOTICE
Monday February 14th, 2011
Norsemen Inn, 6505-48 Ave., Camrose, AB., (West end).
All Acreage and Landowners and Interested Persons welcome
9:00 am – Registration (payment at door) - $25.00, includes Dinner and Coffee.
We would like to know how many would be attending for dinner, if possible.
(Please let Tony, Perry or Tom know if attending)
Please, do not let this stop you from attending at the last minute.
9:30 am – Opening of Meeting. Minutes, Treasurers Report, Appointment of Reviewer
10:00 am - Resolutions - Appointment of Resolutions, Chairperson and Committee.
10:30 am – Coffee.
10:45 am – Committee Reports – Dalton Trenholm; on “2010 Reclamation Criteria
for Wellsites and Associated Facilities” (on Cultivated, Forested, Grasslands and Peat Lands).
11:00 am – Rob Somerville, MBA, A.A.I.T. Speak on how he won his Court case; “Seismic Damaging his Water Well” ( The Judge clearly stated that the: Company was liable for the loss of water production in the well).
12:00 Dinner
1:15 pm – Acceptance of resolutions. ( that are prepared ).
1:30 pm - Guest Speaker: Dr. R.W. Coppock, DVM, PhD,
Diplomate, American Board of Veterinary Toxicology; Diplomate, American Board of Toxicology. Will speak on; Environment Safety and Livestock Production, “Walked Plowed Ground”
3:30 pm - Resolutions:
4:00 pm - New Business:
For more information call;
President, Tony Nichols – Phone 403-882-2343
Vice-President, Perry Nelson- Ph/Fax; 780-753-6860
eastviewf@xplornet.com
Executive Secretary, Tom Nahirniak- Ph/fax 780-672-6021
tnahir@telus.net
WANTED: For our Web Site and/or Display Board.
Photo’s of your wellsites or pipeline (WRECKS) including salt & oil spills.
= = = = = =
What is the Alberta Surface Rights Federation?
http://www.albertasurfacerights.ca/
The Alberta Surface Rights Federation came into being in April of 1981. It was formed through a series of meetings by representatives from several grass roots Surface Rights groups that had sprung up in local communities affected by oil and gas development through out Alberta. The fact that the Surface Rights Act was being reviewed also prompted the creation of the Federation. Gordon Moulton served as President from 1981 until 1997, and Tony Nichols has served since 1997.
Helmut Entrup, the first (and some would say the last) Farmers Advocate, devoted his time and energy to help this organization get started. He was not afraid to rattle the cages of Industry personnel in down town Calgary office towers, and often he did so, at considerable risk to his own career.
The Federation was successful in negotiating an annual compensation on pipelines with Nova Corporation and this became known as the Nova Formula. Unfortunately Landowner preoccupation with big upfront payments for pipelines has resulted in this precedent being sidelined for the last two decades.
In 1982 Alban Bugej began editing a newsletter of Federation news and did so until his passing in 1996.
Surface Rights issues are once again emerging as a dominant bone of contention in Rural Alberta, as we observe the massive transference of the wealth of Rural Alberta, being moved by government and Industry to Urban centers.
This Web site is an effort to reconnect rural Alberta and mount a defense against the takings and trespasses of Big Government and Big Oil, upon our shared cultural values and Property Rights, in Rural Alberta.
= = = = =
Alberta Surface Rights Federation – LOCAL GROUPS across Canada:
http://www.albertasurfacerights.ca/nav/members.html
================
3. Sask. couple demands study be conducted to determine source of alleged CO2 leak
http://www.leaderpost.com/health/
Sask+couple+demands+study+conducted+determine+source+alleged+leak/4093755/story.html
By BRUCE JOHNSTONE, Leader-Post January 11, 2011 6:06 PM
REGINA — A Weyburn-area couple claims contamination from the nearby carbon capture and storage (CCS) project operated by Cenovus Energy has driven them from their home.
At a news conference in Regina on Tuesday, Cameron and Jane Kerr demanded the provincial government and Cenovus conduct a one-year study to determine the source of the alleged C02 contamination — which they claim is hundreds of times above safe levels.
But the Calgary-based company (formerly known as EnCana) and the Energy and Resources ministry maintain the Kerrs' property has been studied numerous times, but the studies failed to show any connection with the world's largest geological CCS project.
The Kerrs, who purchased the property in 1975, claim they noticed changes to the surface and groundwater on their property in 2004, one year after CO2 was injected in the area.
They said they reported the incidents, including bubbling and foaming water and dead animal carcasses near some ponds on their property, to Energy and Resources.
Barry Robinson, a staff lawyer with Ecojustice, a non-profit environmental organization that represents the Kerrs, said the dead animals included a goat, a cat, a duck, and other birds.
"Quite rightly, the Kerrs were concerned about this,'' said Robinson, a Calgary-based lawyer with Ecojustice (formerly known as the Sierra Legal Defence Fund). "In the fall of 2005, the Kerrs moved off the property because they were concerned about potential health effects on themselves.''
MORE:
http://www.leaderpost.com/health/
Sask+couple+demands+study+conducted+determine+source+alleged+leak/4093755/story.html
=================
4. COMMENT (2007): ANGLIN: unDemocracy in action
DATE: 5 Jun 2007
From: Joe Anglin mailto:jvanglin@telus.net
On Monday June 4, 2007 a part-time kindergarten teacher in Rimbey AB, Ms. Smith (not her real name), was admonished by her principal (boss) because she had instructed her class and a second grade class to write Premier Ed Stelmach about their concerns on the topic of pollution.
Using Dr Seuss Ms. Smith instructed her class on the subjects of recycling and pollution. Eventually, the children engaged in a discussion of air pollution, in particular, air-pollution from the burning of fossil fuels such as coal.
The children in kindergarten drew pictures of what the world would look like with and without pollution and the children in the second grade wrote letters expressing their concerns. All the letters were sent to Premier Ed Stelmach.
Many of the children made the connection from pollution to the very contentious local political issue of a proposed 500KV transmission line west of Rimbey, which local farmers say promotes more coal fired generation. Ms. Smith, is also an opponent of more coal fired generation, also opposes the transmission line. However she is not directly affected or immediately impacted by the proposed line. In other words, other than a moral commitment to better our community there is no personal or political benefit for Ms. Smith in opposing more pollution.
On Monday morning the school principal called Ms Smith into his office to be admonished for politicizing the children. He told her he had gotten a call from the Superintendent, who had received a call from either the Minister of Education or Minister of Energy.
Ms. Smith is a single mother of two who works two to three jobs to make ends meet. Because her students touched upon a very sensitive subject, it appears our government wants to silence her by threatening her job and her ability to feed her children.
Rather than write the school children back to thank them for their letters of concern, the Stelmach government took a page from the Klein book of undemocracy and adopted the age old Alberta advantage of threats and intimidation to silence any hint of opposition.
Joe Anglin
= = = = = = =
Alberta government takes oilpatch education blitz to schools – Feb. 15, 2010
http://www.edmontonjournal.com/technology/
Alberta+government+takes+oilpatch+eduction+blitz+schools/2565360/story.html
By Jason Fekete, With Files From Canwest News Service February 15, 2010 8:42 AM
CALGARY - The Stelmach government plans on taking its energy and environment education blitz to the classroom to inform Alberta youths on the importance of the oilpatch and value of expensive carbon capture and storage technology.
The initiatives were identified in last week's provincial budget documents that also revealed a 12 per cent boost to Energy Department spending and a five per cent cut to Alberta Environment, sparking questions about the government's priorities.
While environmental groups worry the government could be imposing "propaganda" in the school system, the new energy minister says the province is simply trying to deliver accurate information to youths about Alberta's primary sector and the government's climate change efforts.
"We should always be looking for opportunities, and I would say especially young people," said Energy Minister Ron Liepert.
"They tend to be easily influenced, and from a social media standpoint, they're the most active and that's the easiest way to spread information, whether it is right or wrong. I feel it is an important step."
MORE:
http://www.edmontonjournal.com/technology/
Alberta+government+takes+oilpatch+eduction+blitz+schools/2565360/story.html
===============
5. Tories defend oilsands safety
http://www.calgaryherald.com/news/
Tories+defend+oilsands+safety/4079531/story.html
Government takes heat after five hurt in fire
BY RENATA D'ALIESIO AND RYAN CORMIER, CALGARY HERALD JANUARY 8, 2011 8:06
Alberta Employment Minister Thomas Lukaszuk insisted Friday working in the oilsands is safe, a day after five employees were injured in an upgrader explosion.
The province has issued a stop-work order for Canadian Natural Resources' upgrader plant at the Calgary-based firm's Horizon oilsands mine north of Fort McMurray.
Thursday's fire is raising questions about the energy giant's safety record.
According to Alberta Employment, Canadian Natural Resources faces multiple workplace safety charges in four separate incidents since 2006, two of which occurred at the Horizon site.
None of the charges has been proven in court. Four workers were killed in the incidents, including two temporary foreign labourers from China. Three other employees were seriously injured.
The Alberta Federation of Labour is urging the province to establish an expert panel to investigate the pace of oilsands expansion and whether workplace safety has been compromised.
"If we do not (investigate), more lives will be lost, more workers will be injured or maimed, and Alberta's reputation as a safe place to work and do business will continue to be tarnished," labour president Gil McGowan said.
However, the employment minister stressed the oilsands have a safe track record.
"One incident does not change the fact that this remains generally a safe industry to work in," Lukaszuk said, noting the sector's rate of lost-time injury claims is lower than the provincial average.
Shares of Canadian Natural Resources fell Friday -- closing 5.5 per cent lower at $40.60 -- amid news oil production at the Horizon operation has been suspended. It's unknown when it will resume.
MORE:
http://www.calgaryherald.com/news/
Tories+defend+oilsands+safety/4079531/story.html
================
6. Peter Kent's Oily New Portfolio
http://thetyee.ca/Opinion/2011/01/07/Ke ... Portfolio/
Canada's new environment minister could have acknowledged the facts. Instead, we get slippery spin.
By Andrew Nikiforuk, Yesterday, TheTyee.ca
Behind in his oil sands report reading.
Within hours of being sworn in as Canada's new environment minister, Peter Kent didn't talk about deformed fish, acid rain, disappearing woodland caribou, or large lakes of toxic mining waste.
Oddly enough, the former newscaster mostly avoided any mention of his ministerial mandate including water conservation or enhancing "the quality of the natural environment."
Instead, the Tory politician, sounding like a grossly overpaid oil patch lobbyist, declared bitumen, an extremely dirty hydrocarbon, a gift to morality and economy.
Performing like a late night infomercial host, Kent then pronounced the polluting mining enterprise three things it really is not: ethical, regulated and secure.
Just when the nation needs an informed advocate for freshwater, wildlife and renewable energy, the Harper government has given us another fossil salesman as glib as former BP's Tony Hayward.
MORE:
http://thetyee.ca/Opinion/2011/01/07/Ke ... Portfolio/
Tyee writer in residence Andrew Nikiforuk is an award winning investigative journalist and author of the national best seller: Tar Sands: Dirty Oil and the Future of a Continent.
==================
7. COMMENT: MORNINGSTAR: Will Kent now shut down the tarsands?
Interesting that Harper's appointee to the environment portfolio actually appeared concerned about global warming so many years ago.
See this CBC documentary: 2008
Part 1:
http://youtube.com/
watch?gl=CA&client=mv-google&hl=en&v=uFRY-uWQov0&fulldescription=1
Part 2:
http://youtube.com/
watch?gl=CA&client=mv-google&hl=en&rl=yes&v=E9j36D2kISY
Part 3:
http://youtube.com/
watch?gl=CA&client=mv-google&hl=en&rl=yes&v=pAp7UXNVZeM
==================
8. Stephen Harper calls oil sands 'ethical'
http://thetyee.ca/Blogs/TheHook/Federal ... 011/01/07/
oil-sands-ethical-Harper/
By Geoff Dembicki January 7, 2011 03:48 pm
Prime Minister Stephen Harper defended the Alberta oil sands Friday as an “ethical” source of energy that creates important job growth.
His remarks are essentially identical to those of new federal environment minister Peter Kent, who pledged Thursday not to subject the industry to greenhouse gas regulations for at least several years.
"I can only say that the government's position is clear," Harper reportedly said. “The oil sands represent a very important resource for this country.”
He added: “The reality is that Canada is a very ethical society and a very secure source of energy for the United States, compared to other sources.”
Within days of being named Canada’s new environment minister, Kent also called the oil sands “ethical” and vowed to fight against the label of “dirty oil.”
He told the Globe and Mail Thursday that the federal government plans to create emissions guidelines for the industry – just not anytime soon.
“Our focus for the next several years is going to continue to be on maintaining the economic recovery and we will do nothing in the short term which would unnecessarily compromise or threaten to compromise that recovery,” Kent said.
The term “Ethical Oil” made headlines this fall as conservative commentator Ezra Levant promoted his book of the same name. Levant, a former tobacco lobbyist, has been heralded within industry circles for his strong defence of the oil sands.
Producing and refining oil sands bitumen creates 82 percent more greenhouse gases than for conventional crude, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency estimates.
Click here to read a recent Tyee series about how Canada and major oil companies are attempting to overturn U.S. climate legislation that could potentially target the oil sands.
Geoff Dembicki reports for the Tyee.
= = = = = =
Minister vows not to let emissions rules hamper oil-sands investment
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/
minister-vows-not-to-let-emissions-rules-hamper-oilsands-investment/article1860494/
STEVEN CHASE OTTAWA— Globe and Mail Update
Last updated Thursday, Jan. 06, 2011 5:26PM EST
Citing the tentative economic recovery, new Environment Minister Peter Kent says the Harper government will not impose any greenhouse-gas reductions on the oil patch that discourage investment.
Canada, which has committed to roughly matching U.S. efforts on fighting climate change, is watching carefully as the Obama administration rolls out new emission rules for power plants and refineries.
Mr. Kent said Canada will draw up its own emission standards for petroleum refineries – including oil sands facilities – but added there’s no schedule yet.
“Our focus for the next several years is going to continue to be on maintaining the economic recovery and we will do nothing in the short term which would unnecessarily compromise or threaten to compromise that recovery,” Mr. Kent said in an interview.
“It is not our intention to discourage development of one of our great natural resources. We know it can be developed responsibly.”
The former journalist and broadcast anchor was promoted in cabinet this week to fill a vacancy left when Jim Prentice quit federal politics in late 2010.
The U.S. Environment Protection Agency said over the holidays it will propose emission performance standards for new and existing fossil-fuel facilities this year, despite opposition from Republicans and some Democrats in Congress.
The proposed regulations – to take effect at the end of 2012 – would be in addition to EPA rules that took effect on Sunday that require all new plants or major expansions to get permits for emitting carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases believed to cause climate change.
MORE:
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/
minister-vows-not-to-let-emissions-rules-hamper-oilsands-investment/article1860494/
=================
9. Harper’s embrace of ‘ethical’ oil sands ignites new arguments
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/
harpers-embrace-of-ethical-oil-sands-ignites-new-arguments/article1862499/?cmpid=rss1
STEVEN CHASE OTTAWA—Last updated Friday, Jan. 07, 2011 8:35PM EST
Stephen Harper is embracing the notion that Canada’s controversial oil sands are an “ethical” source of energy, strengthening his support of the maligned resource and kicking off a new chapter in the debate over what critics call “dirty oil.”
The Prime Minister told reporters Friday that his government wants to “explain to the world” that petroleum from Western Canada’s oil sands is superior in respects to crude from other countries.
“The oil sands are a very important resource for our country, it’s a source of economic growth and jobs across the country, not just in the West, but in Ontario and Quebec, too,” Mr. Harper said after an announcement in Welland, Ont.
“It’s critical to develop that resource in a way that’s responsible and environmental and the reality for the United States, which is the biggest consumer of our petroleum products, is that Canada is a very ethical society and a safe source for the United States in comparison to other sources of energy.”
The Prime Minister’s comments build on newly minted Environment Minister Peter Kent’s declaration this week that the oil sands are an “ethical” source of energy and one that should take priority in the U.S. over foreign producers with poor democratic track records or those that use petrodollars “to fund terrorism.”
“It’s a rhetorical device; it’s bait and switch,” said Ed Whittingham, executive director of the Pembina Institute. “It’s designed to make us forget about the negative environmental impacts we have in Canada because you are comparing to a completely lower standard in other countries.”
MORE:
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/
harpers-embrace-of-ethical-oil-sands-ignites-new-arguments/article1862499/?cmpid=rss1
- - - - - -
MORE RELATED TO THIS STORY (Links are on URL)
Peter Kent’s green agenda: Clean up oil sands’ dirty reputation
My question about ‘ethical’ oil
Ezra Levant and the image makeover of the oil sands
=================
10. U.S. to impose new emission rules on power plants, refineries
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/
us-to-impose-new-emission-rules-on-power-plantsrefineries/article1855631/
SHAWN McCARTHY — GLOBAL ENERGY REPORTER
OTTAWA— From Monday's Globe and Mail
Published Sunday, Jan. 02, 2011 6:53PM EST
Last updated Sunday, Jan. 02, 2011 7:54PM EST
The Obama administration has announced plans to impose new greenhouse-gas emission rules on power plants and refineries, a move that will increase pressure on the Harper government to introduce its own national emissions regulations in 2011.
The U.S. Environment Protection Agency said over the holidays that it will propose emission performance standards for new and existing fossil-fuel facilities this year, despite opposition from Republicans and some Democrats in Congress.
The proposed regulations – to take effect at the end of 2012 – would be in addition to EPA rules that came into effect on Sunday that require all new plants or major expansions to get permits for emitting carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases (GHGs).
That permitting requirement has been in the works for several months. Federal Environment Minister John Baird has said Ottawa will not adopt similar measures, but will broadly match the U.S. regulatory approach.
Despite the movement south of the border, the Harper government has given no indication how it intends to regulate Canadian industry, including oil companies who could face significant additional costs for the rapidly expanding oil-sands sector if Ottawa follows the U.S. lead.
“The EPA is now moving ahead even more aggressively to regulate industrial greenhouse-gas emissions,” said Matthew Bramley, an analyst with the Calgary-based environmental group, Pembina Institute.
“So it is really time for the government of Canada to demonstrate whether its stated policy of harmonizing with the U.S. was purely rhetorical in order to delay, or whether it was meant seriously.”
The opposition has sought to keep pressure on the Harper government, recently demanding that Ottawa act unilaterally rather than wait for the Americans. Opposition parties joined together in the Commons to pass climate legislation that was defeated in the Conservative-controlled Senate in November.
Liberal environment critic Gerard Kennedy said Prime Minister Stephen Harper appears to have no desire to adopt climate regulations, given that his government has not kept up with U.S. efforts despite the pledge to harmonize.
“They’ve been caught behind a carbon smokescreen,” Mr. Kennedy said in an interview Sunday.
“This is going to be an embarrassing time for them because this has been their main excuse for not using the regulatory power they had – and now the Americans are moving. I think we’re really back to a do-nothing kind of approach that has characterized this government.”
Mr. Kennedy said Mr. Harper may choose to “lie in the weeds” and wait to see whether Congressional opposition or industry lawsuits can derail the EPA’s plans.
MORE:
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/
us-to-impose-new-emission-rules-on-power-plantsrefineries/article1855631/
More related to this story (Links on website above)
· Assertive global role ‘good for Canada’, departing British ambassador says
· From digging in the oil patch to toiling in the vineyard
· Oil sands firms look at outsourcing
· Former environment minister threatened to impose new rules on oil sands
· Oilsands giant Suncor Energy fined for dumping pollution into Alberta river
· Alberta steps up oil-sands oversight
=================
11. Peace Bond Proceedings Stayed Against Wiebo Ludwig And Two Others
http://hqgrandeprairie.com/news/local/n ... /10/12/31/
Peace-Bond-Proceedings-Stayed-Against-Wiebo-Ludwig-And-Two-Others/
Next month's scheduled showdown in a Grande Prairie courtroom between Wiebo Ludwig and three energy companies is off the docket.
The RCMP delivered a stay of the application of the peace bond to Ludwig at his farm before Christmas.
Encana, Seaview Energy and Canadian Superior were seeking to keep Ludwig, his son Ben, and friend Richard Boonstra away from their installations.
The matter was slated to go to court in late January.
Ludwig's reportedly said the peace bond made unreasonable demands but he's disappointed he won't get his day in court.
==================
12. Fracking the life out of Arkansas and beyond - Oil and Gas Collection: Hydraulic Fracturing, Toxic Chemicals and the Surge of Earthquake Activity in Arkansas
http://globalresearch.ca/index.php?context=va&aid=22667
by Rady Ananda January 6, 2011
***All charts, maps & tables are on website above***)
The last four months of 2010, nearly 500 earthquakes rattled Guy, Arkansas. [1] The entire state experienced 38 quakes in 2009. [2] The spike in quake frequency precedes and coincides with the 100,000 dead fish on a 20-mile stretch of the Arkansas River that included Roseville Township on December 30. The next night, 5,000 red-winged blackbirds and starlings dropped dead out of the sky in Beebe. [3] Hydraulic fracturing is the most likely culprit for all three events, as it causes earthquakes with a resultant release of toxins into the environment. [4]
A close look at Arkansas’ history of earthquakes and drilling reveals a shocking surge in quake frequency following advanced drilling. The number of quakes in 2010 nearly equals all of Arkansas’ quakes for the entire 20th century. The oil and gas industry denies any correlation, but the advent of hydrofracking followed by earthquakes is a story repeated across the nation. It isn’t going to stop any time soon, either. Fracking has gone global.
Hydraulic fracturing (fracking) pumps water and chemicals into the ground at a pressurized rate exceeding what the bedrock can withstand, resulting in a microquake that produces rock fractures. Though initiated in 1947, technological advances now allow horizontal fracturing, vastly increasing oil and gas collection. [5] In 1996, shale-gas production in the U.S. accounted for 2 percent of all domestic natural gas production, reports Christopher Bateman in Vanity Fair. “Some industry analysts predict shale gas will represent a full half of total domestic gas production within 10 years.” [6] In 2000, U.S. gas reserve estimates stood at 177 trillion cubic feet, but ramped up to 245 tcf in 2008. These new technologies prompt experts to increase global gas reserve estimates ninefold. [7]
MORE:
http://globalresearch.ca/index.php?context=va&aid=22667
==================
13. New Nonprofit Offering Help With Tests That May Link Contaminated Water to Hydraulic Fracking
http://www.newwest.net/topic/article/
new_nonprofit_offering_help_with_tests_that_may_link_contaminated_water_to_/C618/L618/
Founders of ShaleTest.Org, personally affected by drilling near their homes, launch nationwide effort to defer costs of expensive water, soil and air tests.
By Shauna Stephenson, 1-05-11
A new nonprofit trying to raise awareness about water contamination and its connection to drilling is offering low-income families help with testing their water, soil and air quality .
ShaleTest.Org, based in Texas, recently launched its nationwide effort, emphasizing the importance of testing for the presence of chemicals before and after drilling, or hydraulic fracturing for underground oil and gas reserves, begins.
ShaleTest founders Tim Ruggierro, a property owner in Wise County, Texas, and Calvin Tillman, mayor of Dish, Texas, both have personal experience with development on or near their property. “To me, it’s just not that difficult to connect the dots as to where the problem is,” Ruggierro says. “It’s very convenient for the industry to go around saying there’s not one case of contamination due to hydraulic fracturing because there’s no testing.”
Tests are conducted by trained volunteers who take the sample and ship it off to one of several labs that have been vetted by the group. “The lab must be nationally certified,” Ruggierro says. “This means that the lab must (meet) the national testing lab criteria, so they have been certified, by the Feds as well as their respective state.”
Ruggierro says the group’s goal is not litigation. But if landowners decide that’s the route they want to take, he wants their tests to stand up in court.
“We are not opposed to drilling,” he says. “We are, obviously, opposed to being poisoned.”
Testing for air and water typically runs in the $700 to $900 range per test, although other contingencies such as labor, mileage and tech fees can be thrown in – costs ShaleTest hopes to help cover. Currently, the group is focusing on environmental monitoring, but they hope to be able to test livestock and people for chemicals in the future. Those tests can cost thousands of dollars and are typically not covered by insurance.
The testing will follow a set of guidelines set up by Wilma Subra, founder of the Subra Company, a chemistry lab and environmental consulting firm in New Iberia, La. Subra is also a member of the Earthworks board, a nonprofit working to protect communities and the environment from mineral development, and has spent more than 40 years studying chemicals used in oil and gas operations. She also received the MacArthur Fellowship Genius Award for helping citizens with environmental issues.
Most calls for assistance from ShaleTest have come from states such as West Virginia, New York, Pennsylvania and Arkansas, but Ruggierro says he is starting to get inquiries from people in western states impacted by energy development. Currently the group is funded by donations and has handled fewer than 10 cases, but interest is growing rapidly. Ruggerio currently divides his time between his full-time job and answering questions, both from landowners and the media. He’s shown reporters from “60 Minutes,” the New York Times, Al Jazeera English, the Wall Street Journal, Telemundo and two different German news agencies what energy development looks like in his backyard.
MORE:
http://www.newwest.net/topic/article/
new_nonprofit_offering_help_with_tests_that_may_link_contaminated_water_to_/C618/L618/
===================
14. Silt Mesa family claims gas fumes forcing them out
http://www.postindependent.com/article/20110104/
VALLEYNEWS/110109981/1083&ParentProfile=1074
Parents, children suffering from rashes, Nosebleeds
John Colson Post Independent staff
Glenwood Springs, Colorado Tuesday, January 4, 2011
SILT, Colorado — One of the most vocal critics of gas drilling activities in the Silt Mesa area has been told by a doctor that she and her family have to move for their health's sake.
Beth Strudley, her husband, Bill, and their two sons have been house shopping for weeks, after one of the sons reportedly began suffering from severe rashes, nose bleeds and blackouts.
But it was not until Dec. 28 that she got confirmation of her fears from a Grand Junction physician, Dr. Joseph Wezensky of Kokopelli Health & Wellness, said Beth Strudley.
“He said, ‘Get out of that house, now!'” Strudley reported.
“Our water's screwed, the air is screwed, we have to leave our house,” she said on Monday, during a break in the meeting of the Garfield County commissioners. “We have to get out of Silt Mesa.”
Strudley has been protesting plans by Antero Resources to drill for gas in the area north of Interstate 70 known as Silt Mesa and Peach Valley, which is where she and her family have lived for four years, maintaining that the gas drilling is compromising air and water quality in the area. Downplaying the concerns and fears expressed by Strudley and other residents of Garfield County in recent years, the industry has maintained that their activities are closely regulated by the state government and do not pose health hazards to nearby residents. The industry position is that there is no conclusive evidence of illness due to a person's proximity to gas wells that have been hydraulically fractured, or frac'ed, despite more than 60 years of the practice in various gas-rich parts of the United States.
MORE:
http://www.postindependent.com/article/20110104/
VALLEYNEWS/110109981/1083&ParentProfile=1074
===================
15. Fire halts Alberta oil sands facility production
http://www.petroleumworld.com/storyt11010702.htm
MONTREAL
Petroleumworld.com, Jan 07, 2011
Production was suspended Friday at a major mining operation in Alberta's vast oil sands as investigators probed what caused a fire to break out and injure four people at a facility.
"Oil production at the facility has been suspended and it is not yet known when production will resume," Canadian Natural Resources' Horizon Oil Sands facility said in a statement. "Canadian Natural's first priority is the well-being of our personnel and to safely control the situation."
The company said the fire broke out on Thursday in the facility's upgrader, a portion of the plant that converts bitumen into crude oil products. The upgrader is located about 50 kilometers (31 miles) north of Fort McMurray in northern Alberta.
Three people were sent to a hospital in Fort McMurray. One was being treated for second and third degree burns, another for first degree burns and a third person was getting medical treatment for a neck injury. The fourth person was treated on site, the company said.
MORE:
http://www.petroleumworld.com/storyt11010702.htm
==================
16. Nikiforuk Pores Over Royal Society's Oil Sands Study – Dec. 2010
http://thetyee.ca/Opinion/2010/12/16/RoyalSocietyStudy/
What the scientists got right, and missed, in their high-profile, largely damning report.
By Andrew Nikiforuk, 16 Dec 2010, TheTyee.ca
Every now and then a group of respected scientists put on their nerdy rubber boots and then bravely wade into a swamp of scientific literature.
The goal, of course, is to shed some proverbial light on a highly contentious or viscous matter.
Seven members of the Royal Society did just that on the oil sands and their published efforts yesterday offered some important illumination as well as more murk.
But overall the expert panel solidly confirmed a damning long-term trend: government is generally doing a poor job monitoring the world's largest energy project, let alone keeping pace with development.
Bill Donahue, an independent Edmonton-based expert on water policy and science, clearly summed up the essence of the report: "It is a scathing indictment of the failure of Alberta to regulate." Period.
As discreet communicators, the scientists found, for example, that environmental assessment process had "serious deficiencies in relation to international best practice."
Moreover the capacity of Alberta regulators to protect the public interest with skilled scientific analysis remained a real "concern" while the federal government (and you guessed it) maintained "a very low profile" on oil sands development.
(Just last week the Commissioner of the Environment and Sustainable Development disclosed how low that profile has sunk: Ottawa has but one long-term monitoring station on the Athabasca River downstream of the oil sands, and as of June 2010 it wasn’t even measuring oil sands pollutants.)
As a consequence of such unseemly profiles, the expert panel squarely painted Ottawa as a salamander in the sand at a time when the country needs a wise owl overseeing things.
MORE:
http://thetyee.ca/Opinion/2010/12/16/RoyalSocietyStudy/
- - - - - -
Environmental and health impacts of Canada's oil sands industry
Executive Summary of report by the Royal Society of Canada
http://beta.images.theglobeandmail.com/archive/01073/
Environmental_and__1073246a.pdf
=================
17. Petroleum patent pending
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/
industry-news/energy-and-resources/petroleum-patent-pending/article1862279/
NATHAN VANDERKLIPPE CALGARY— Globe and Mail Update
Last updated Friday, Jan. 07, 2011 6:24PM EST
Deep beneath the muskeg and forest of northern Alberta lies an untapped treasure. Call it the impossible oil sands, a vast pool of crude that lies beyond the reach of current technology.
Of the 1.7 trillion barrels of crude buried in the oil sands, the industry currently believes it can produce just 170 billion, or one out of 10 barrels.
Now, the battle to reach those impossible oil sands has opened a new front: the patent office.
As Canada’s oil and gas companies pour billions into ever more challenging oil and gas reserves, they find themselves in a growing technological arms race that has produced a surge in patent applications from an industry that has historically paid little attention to protection of intellectual property.
Oil sands companies have long been criticized for an overly cautious approach to innovation that has left them dependent on decades-old methods to extract crude. Some critics have also suggested that the sector has failed to grasp an opportunity to make Canada a world leader in the development of new energy technology.
But change is beginning to take root. The past decade has brought seismic changes in the business of energy. Instead of succeeding based on their ability to find hidden pools of oil and gas, much of the oil patch now lives and dies according to its skill in drawing out greater volumes of energy from massive pools of known reserves, like the oil sands, which don’t easily give up their riches.
The result: a substantial shift in the attitude of energy companies toward seeking patents for their discoveries. Rather than discard such measures as unnecessary or a waste of money, a broad cross-section of industry, from giants like Suncor Energy Inc. to small new junior companies, are working to shield their best research from competitors. The change has brought strong growth to legal firms that work in patents, produced a clash of titans –- Suncor is currently fighting a patent battle with Cenovus Energy Inc. – and created an expectation of new profits, as companies seek to develop new licensing revenue streams.
MORE:
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/
industry-news/energy-and-resources/petroleum-patent-pending/article1862279/
______
TOP 10 PATENT APPLICANTS IN CANADA
Only one of Canada’s top 10 corporate filers is an oil and gas company
1. Research In Motion 458
2. Procter & Gamble 389
3. General Electric 337
4. Qualcomm Inc. 289
5. BASF SE 224
6. Schlumberger Canada Ltd. 216
7. 3M Innovative Properties 196
8. Novartis AG 188
9. Boston Scientific Ltd. 184
10. F. Hoffman-LaRoche AG 176
Source: Canadian Intellectual Property Office
===================
18. Illnesses linked to BP oil disaster
http://english.aljazeera.net/indepth/features/2010/12/
20101230105158700342.html
Doctor attributes widespread sickness to toxic chemicals from the Gulf of Mexico catastrophe.
Dahr Jamail Last Modified: 05 Jan 2011 16:55 GMT
Despite BP having capped its well in the Gulf of Mexico in July, the health-related after-effects of the disaster subsist. Gulf Coast residents and BP cleanup workers have linked the source of certain illnesses to chemicals present in BP's oil and the toxic dispersants used to sink it - illnesses that appear to be both spreading and worsening.
Dr. Rodney Soto, a medical doctor in Santa Rosa Beach, Florida, has been testing and treating patients with high levels of oil-related chemicals in their blood stream. These are commonly referred to as Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC's). Anthropogenic VOC's from BP's oil disaster are toxic and have negative chronic health effects.
Dr. Soto is finding disconcertingly consistent and high levels of toxic chemicals in every one of the patients he is testing.
"I'm regularly finding between five and seven VOCs in my patients," Dr. Soto told Al Jazeera. "These patients include people not directly involved in the oil clean-up, as
well as residents that do not live right on the coast. These are clearly related to the oil disaster."
MORE:
http://english.aljazeera.net/indepth/features/2010/12/
20101230105158700342.html
==================
19. Ecological Civilization
http://www.globalresearch.ca/index.php? ... &aid=22701
by Prof. Fred Magdoff January 9, 2011
Given the overwhelming harm being done to the world's environment and to its people, it is essential today to consider how we might organize a truly ecological civilization-one that exists in harmony with natural systems-instead of trying to overwhelm and dominate nature. This is not just an ethical issue; it is essential for our survival as a species and the survival of many other species that we reverse the degradation of the earth's life support systems that once provided dependable climate, clean air, clean water (fresh and ocean), bountiful oceans, and healthy and productive soils.
There are numerous ways to approach and think about the enormous harm that has been done to the environment. I will discuss the following: (1) the critical characteristics that underlie strong ecosystems; (2) why societies are not adequately implementing ecological approaches; and (3) how we might use characteristics of strong natural ecosystems as a framework to consider a future ecological civilization.
MORE:
http://www.globalresearch.ca/index.php? ... &aid=22701
================
20. Bjork's karaoke marathon boosts anti-takeover petition count
http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/
ALeqM5hRT2i2KJIcTXesa7iVV2Mk4FCobw?docId=CNG.8ce3a15f9d99ca997a190449c8ee77b2.331
(AFP) – January 10, 2011
REYKJAVIK — A karaoke marathon held last week by Icelandic singer Bjork helped double the signature count on a petition she hopes will lead to a referendum on foreign ownership of Icelandic natural resources, organisers said Monday.
The Icelandic megastar held a karaoke marathon for nine hours a day Thursday, Friday and Saturday last week along with different Icelandic personalities such as the captain of the country's handball team and comic-turned-Reykjavik-mayor Jon Gnarr.
The aim was to bring more people to sign a petition calling for a referendum on the foreign ownership of natural resources in order to block the sale of Iceland's HS Orka energy group to a Canadian firm.
At the launch of the marathon on Thursday, Bjork's petition had 21,000 signatures and as of 5:30 pm (GMT) Monday, 46,863 people had signed it.
- - - -SNIP -- - - - -
Campaigners were aiming for at least 35,000 signatures because Prime Minister Johanna Sigurdardottir had said in a 2009 op-ed on democratic reform that a petition signed about 35,000 people should be enough to warrant a referendum on any given topic.
Bjork has since July spearheaded a campaign to prevent the takeover of HS Orka by Canada's Magma Energy.
The Canadian company said in May it planned to raise from 43 percent to 98.5 percent its stake in HS Orka -- which produces nine percent of Iceland's electricity -- in what would be the largest foreign investment in Iceland since the country's economy all but collapsed at the end of 2008.
The transaction had received regulatory approval in Iceland but a committee appointed by the government to examine the deal has not yet presented its findings.
"The fight to keep it in the hands of the Icelandic people is not over," Bjork said of HS Orka at the launch the event Thursday.
= = = = = = =
Bjork vows to karaoke until Canada surrenders
http://www.thestar.com/news/world/article/
917725--bjork-vows-to-karaoke-until-canada-surrenders
January 06, 2011
Icelandic singer Bjork is forcing a Canadian energy company with a business presence in her country to “hear the music” of Icelanders opposed to foreign ownership of their country’s resources.
The eclectic musician launched a three-day karaoke marathon on Thursday in the capital of Reykjavík as part of her campaign “to win back the country’s natural resources.”
Vancouver-based Magma Energy Corp. boosted its interest in Iceland’s HS Orka power plant operations to 84.2 per cent last August and to 98.5 per cent the following month.
The acquisition is not sitting well with Bjork and others who want Iceland’s natural resources to be publicly owned and governed.
Bjork is trying to get 15 per cent of the population — about 35,000 people — to sign a petition that would force the government to consider revoking the takeover.
More than 20,000 people have signed so far, and the singer says she is hopeful that the remaining signatures will be gathered during the karaoke marathon.
MORE:
http://www.thestar.com/news/world/article/
917725--bjork-vows-to-karaoke-until-canada-surrenders
===================
21. BARSKY: Letter: CETA: 'What you don't know about a deal you haven't heard of'
From: "Rick Barsky" <barsky@sasktel.net>
Sent: Saturday, January 08, 2011 11:15 AM
Subject: CETA: 'What you don't know about a deal you haven't heard of'
Below is what I have sent to my MP, Kelly Block.
Happy New Year Kelly,
I appreciate the periodic updates on what you and the Conservative Party have been up to.
At times I like to reciprocate and let you know, as my representative in the House of Commons, how I feel about some of the issues of the day.
In that regard, for your attention, I have attached a petition to which I would like to add my name.
It is in regards to the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) talks that will happen in Brussels, Belgium from January 17 - 21, 2011.
In my mind, it is of much more importance, and deserving of much more transparency and discussion than, for instance, the so-called "i-pod tax" which is an obvious political smoke screen designed and perpetuated by parties of all political stripes in order to further political agendas designed to get or keep power by pandering to base and simplistic issues in the minds and pocketbooks of ordinary citizens.
This particular petition brings to mind a similar instance from 1997 when the Multinational Agreement on Investment (MAI) was being negotiated behind closed doors. Ordinary Canadians and indeed many MP's were totally unaware of the dire consequences of this action.
In order to bring transparency, common sense, and directed opposition to an under-handed, capitalistic, corporate, and undemocratic cash grab, the Canadian Action Party was formed to help bring this issue home to Canadian citizens. I was proud to have run as a candidate for that party, with Paul Hellyer as leader, in the 1997 federal general election. Consequently, as you know, common sense prevailed, and the MAI was seen by "ordinary" citizens around the world for what it really was: an unmitigated assault on basic concerns such as environmental, social justice, health, education, and economic standards; all in the name of corporate profit (read: greed). And many governments around the world were complicit in this subversion, including that of Canada at the time.
Let's not let history repeat itself.
I implore you, as my representative, to do all that you can to bring this matter out from behind closed doors.
I implore you, as a fellow citizen of Canada, to stand up for what is in the best interests of people, not corporations.
The ecological well-being of the planet is already threatened on many fronts.
Let us not allow this agreement to proceed.
We must all see it as the threat to our well-being that it truly is.
Thank you.
Rick Barsky
Citizen, Saskatoon-Rosetown-Biggar at Pike Lake, Saskatchewan
- Oscar
- Site Admin
- Posts: 9851
- Joined: Wed May 03, 2006 3:23 pm
FRACKING/ENERGY NEWS: January 20, 2011
by Oscar » Thu Jan 20, 2011 11:56 am
FRACKING/ENERGY NEWS: January 20, 2011
1. Important Frac Events in New Brunswick
2. REPORT: MORNINGSTAR: The Real Weapons of Mass Destruction: Methane, Propaganda & the Architects of Genocide - Part I
3. Methane leaking from shale wells in Canada
4. Pfffft Goes Promise of Pumping C02 Underground (5 articles)
5. NEW RECORD SET FOR DRILLING OF HORIZONTAL OIL WELLS
6. WATCH: Fracking Hell: The Untold Story
7. Quebec should 'go slow' on shale gas: experts
8. Shale gas is not dead, just resting
9. Encana shares jump on joint-venture speculation with Chinese firm
10. Natural gas leaks from wells no cause for concern: officials
11. GASFRAC Energy Services Inc. Announces Incident Investigation
12. Tiny particles used by oil drillers in big demand
13. Tax-free damage: Marcellus states should make polluters pay
14. EPA says Texas company not following contamination order
15. Warning over UK shale gas projects
16. UVic study: Oil spill would hit taxpayers hard
17. Oilsands Quest Announces Executive Appointment and Participation in Saskatchewan Trade Mission to China
18. Why Six Petro Giants Are Obsessed with Oil Sands
19. NDP call on Province to wake up over Oil Sands toxins
20. Oklahoma family sues TransCanada over land claim
21. State Department denies Freedom of Information Act request regarding Keystone pipeline
22. Tar sands etc. news digest for Monday, January 17
23. Alaska pipeline to re-open today
24. Hunting the Ocean for BP's Missing Millions of Barrels of Oil
25. The CEO and the New Feudalism
===================
1. Important Frac Events in New Brunswick:
“Toward a natural gas regulatory framework in New Brunswick”, Thursday, January 20, 6pm Room C11 in Head Hall of the UNB Fredericton Campus.
Hosted by Southwestern Energy Co. with a speaker from the Environmental Defence Fund, Scott Anderson. Public welcome.
Natural Gas in New Brunswick Open House: Government and Industry will be holding an open house in Sussex on Saturday, January 29th. The time and place is yet to be determined, but mark this date in your calendar (I will send out the details as soon as they are made public). The departments of Natural Resources, Environment and Energy and Industry representatives will be in attendance. This open house is open to ALL PUBLIC, not specifically focused on the Sussex area.
Gasland Screenings: Note the upcoming dates and spread the word to friends and family in these communities:
Harvey: Hosted by Harvey Environmental Action Team, with support from CCNB and Cinema Politica, Thursday, February 10th, 7:00pm at the Harvey High School Theatre.
Woodstock: Hosted by Transition Town Woodstock, with support from CCNB and Cinema Politica, Thursday, February 17th, 7:30 pm at Teaching Theatre at NBCC Woodstock.
Fredericton: Hosted by Cinema Politica and CCNB, Friday, March 25 at 7pm at Conserver House, 180 St. John St.
http://www.cinemapolitica.org/node/2085
==================
2. REPORT: MORNINGSTAR: The Real Weapons of Mass Destruction: Methane, Propaganda & the Architects of Genocide - Part I
http://thebiggestlieevertold.wordpress. ... eview=true
An investigative report. [Part 1: http://bit.ly/fV8slf | Part II: http://bit.ly/gMITca | Part III: http://bit.ly/gMrxw9]
By Cory Morningstar Part I January 17, 2011
World Marches to Methane Annihilation
“[T]he question is not will this methane be released, but when.” – Robert C. Hendricks, NASA, November 2007
The architects of death: The Real Weapons of Mass Destruction are the melting permafrost, the destabilizing methane hydrates and the corporations such as Halliburton, ChevronTexaco, BP, Shell, Exxon Mobil who, hand in hand with the US Department of Energy and the US Department of Defense, have been planning and waiting to exploit methane hydrates for decades. Methane hydrates are considered the ultimate in climate wealth opportunity because the control of these hydrocarbons could literally shift the balance of global power (US Department of Defense). It is clear that nothing has been done to prevent catastrophic climate change – and nothing will be done. Global emissions are set to skyrocket. This article attempts to clearly articulate why, almost two decades after the first international climate change summit, the world governments have failed to protect us from dangerous atmospheric interference. As we are now living in a world that is beyond dangerous, society must be aware of, be able to critically analyze, and ultimately reject the new onslaught of misinformation that is being perpetuated by the corporate elite and the current power structures that support their agenda.
What the Governments and Environmental Groups Won't Tell You
Thawing frozen soils could unleash a carbon bomb – massive volumes of carbon dioxide and methane frozen in the earth's soils are a "time-bomb ticking under our feet." – World Congress of Soil Science, 4 August 2010
MORE:
http://thebiggestlieevertold.wordpress.com/
?p=262&preview=true
===============
3. Methane leaking from shale wells in Canada
http://www.frackcheckwv.net/2011/01/12/
methane-leaking-from-shale-wells-in-canada/
by admin on January 12, 2011
Quebec’s Ministry of Natural Resources reports that 19 of 31 hydrofracked wells inspected by that agency are leaking gas. The wells that were found to have leaks belong to Talisman Energy, Gastem, Canbriam, Questerre and Canadian Forest Oil and date back to 2006. A spokesperson for Talisman confirmed that the gas leaking is methane, a gas 21 times more damaging than carbon dioxide as a greenhouse gas. Andre Belisle, president of the Quebec Association Against Atmospheric Pollution, believes that a moratorium should be in place while more scientific studies are performed to comprehensively assess the environmental impact of shale gas industry in Quebec. The 35-page report was prepared by the Ministry for the BAPE, Quebec’s environmental protection agency. The report is available in French on the BAPE website.
MORE:
http://www.frackcheckwv.net/2011/01/12/
methane-leaking-from-shale-wells-in-canada/
==================
4. Pfffft Goes Promise of Pumping C02 Underground (5 articles)
http://thetyee.ca/Opinion/2011/01/12/Pr ... umpingCO2/
Farmers say high profile carbon sequestration experiment is a bubbling, dangerous failure.
By Andrew Nikiforuk, 12 Jan 2011, TheTyee.ca
Canada's poster child for so-called clean energy and "the world's first CO2 Measurement, Monitoring and Verification Initiative" may have sprung a serious leak in Saskatchewan.
And it's the sort of geological and political disclosure that just might unravel plans to spend billions of taxpayers' dollars on constructing elaborate carbon cemeteries across the country, if not the world.
The story, which includes explosions, dead animals, and an international cast of characters, also raises some critical questions about transparency and the quality of government regulation in a carbon-centric economy.
Nearly a decade ago, the Paris-based International Energy Agency linked up with the Petroleum Technology Research Centre (PTRC) in Regina, Saskatchewan to study the Weyburn oilfield as a perfect model graveyard for greenhouse gases. It lies underneath 50,000 acres of flat farmland.
At the time EnCana Corporation (now Cenovus Energy) had started to flood the aging crude field with gallons of salt water and tonnes of CO2 piped from a North Dakota coal gasification plant nearly 320 miles away.
Carbon dioxide, an atmospheric climate warmer and ocean acidifier, simply coaxed more oil from the reservoir and enhanced production rates. Much of the CO2 also stayed in the reservoir.
As a consequence the IEA, the U.S. government, Alberta Research Council and 20 industrial firms -- including Cenovus -- spent more than $40 million to monitor what would become the world's largest demonstration project for storing carbon underground.
MORE:
http://thetyee.ca/Opinion/2011/01/12/
PromiseOfPumpingCO2/
= = = = =
Sask. farmers worried about CO2 leaks
http://www.cbc.ca/canada/saskatchewan/story/2011/01/11/
sk-carbon-complaint-1101.html
Last Updated: Tuesday, January 11, 2011 The Canadian Press
A Saskatchewan farm couple say greenhouse gases that were supposed to be stored permanently underground are leaking out, killing animals and sending groundwater foaming to the surface like shaken-up soda pop.
Cameron and Jane Kerr, who own land above the Weyburn oilfield in eastern Saskatchewan, have released a consultant's report that claims to link high concentrations of carbon dioxide in their soil to gas injected underground every day.
Energy giant Cenovus injects 8,000 tonnes of the gas every day in an attempt to enhance oil recovery and fight climate change.
MORE:
http://www.cbc.ca/canada/saskatchewan/story/
2011/01/11/sk-carbon-complaint-1101.html
= = = = = =
CO2 Levels at Leaking Canadian Carbon Storage Project Could Asphyxiate You In One Place
http://www.treehugger.com/files/2011/01/
co2-levels-leaking-canadian-carbon-storage-project-asphyxiate-you.php
by Matthew McDermott, New York, NY 01.12.11 Science & Technology
Some more on the leaking carbon sequestration project in Canada that has killed farm animals, and caused all sorts of strange problems for farmers Cameron and Jane Kerr. A new piece in The Tyee fills in some of the background details and the current situation. All of it highlights the serious questions that remain about CCS projects and calls into doubt the continue support by politicians and polluters who seemingly hold out hope for the climate change mitigation technology. Here's what's going on in Saskatchewan:
Going back to 2004, the Kerrs began noticing some leaks. This is shortly after both the IEA and the Petroleum Technology Research Centre claimed that there were no leaks in the Weyburn field CO2 storage project, which now stores more than 17 million metric tons of CO2 and is the world's largest geologic carbon sequestration project. Since that time the public monitoring data on the project "appears to have disappeared."
A year earlier, the Kerrs observed strange things happening in a gravel pit, which promptly filled with water after being dug--the water started hissing bubbles, foaming, and becoming discolored. Ducks, rabbits and nearby goat died. In 2007 the pond exploded.
The provincial government promised to do a year-long study, but never did. Which prompted the Kerrs to undertake the study, which Eco-Justice and others helped with and was released yesterday.
Here's the really scary part:
In one location alone [Paul Lafleur, of Petro-Find Geochem] detected concentrations as high as 110,607 parts per million (ppm), twice the amount needed to asphyxiate a person. Near the Kerr's home he also recorded concentrations of 17,000 ppm, a level "that far exceed the threshold level for health concerns." As a consequence "CO2 could enter the home in dangerous concentrations through the crawl space due to negative pressures caused by a natural gas heating furnace."
Given that Cenovus's closest injection well lies a mile away from the Kerr home, Lafleur concluded that the CO2 was probably seeping through open fractures and faults that intersect the Weyburn field. In other words, there were cracks in the [carbon] cemetery.
In addition a Saskatchewan lab confirmed that the CO2 found at Kerr's place clearly originated from "the CO2 injected into the Weyburn reservoir."
MORE:
http://www.treehugger.com/files/2011/01/
co2-levels-leaking-canadian-carbon-storage-project-asphyxiate-you.php
= = = = = =
More on Carbon Capture & Storage: (Links are on website above)
Canadian Carbon Sequestration Project Leaking,
Killing Farm Animals & Causing Algae Blooms
Carbon Capture And Storage Will Happen -
Here's Why We Should Support It
Leaking Underground Carbon Storage Schemes
Could Contaminate Drinking Water Aquifers
Will Carbon Capture & Storage (CCS) Conflict
With Mineral & Property Rights?
= = = = = = =
U of C plans carbon capture research centre near Priddis
http://news.nationalpost.com/2011/01/17/
university-of-calgary-plans-carbon-capture-research-centre/
BY KELLY CRYDERMAN, CALGARY HERALD JANUARY 17, 2011 7:12 AM
CALGARY - Making sure CO2 injected deep underground stays there will be one of the main thrusts of a University of Calgary research facility slated for a donated patch of land just southwest of the city.
The university is eyeing a parcel outside Priddis for the home of the what geophysics professor Don Lawton says would be the country's first facility dedicated to carbon capture and storage (CCS) monitoring and training.
"There are some other projects that are similar, but this is quite unique in its goals," said Lawton, who specializes in the geological storage of CO2 and will be heading up the facility.
The Alberta government has pledged $2 billion towards four commercial scale CCS projects scheduled to start trapping industrial greenhouse gases by 2015.
CCS is a major part of both the federal and Alberta governments' climate change strategies, but major concerns about the safety of large-scale projects remain.
"It's a key issue for CCS implementation on a commercial scale - assuring the public that it's safe," Lawton said.
The likelihood of a fast, catastrophic release is very small, he said, but even a slow leak could negate any benefits of carbon capture.
MORE:
http://news.nationalpost.com/2011/01/17/
university-of-calgary-plans-carbon-capture-research-centre/
====================
5. NEW RECORD SET FOR DRILLING OF HORIZONTAL OIL WELLS
http://www.gov.sk.ca/
news?newsId=04792106-e013-4714-a3c8-27ee3ab78ff4
News Release - January 13, 2011
Saskatchewan has set a new record for the drilling of horizontal oil wells in the province.
Year-end statistics from the Ministry of Energy and Resources show that 1,531 horizontal oil wells were drilled in 2010. That's an 88 per cent increase over the figure for 2009 and a 13 per cent increase over the previous record set in 2008.
"Horizontal well drilling has now become the standard in the Canadian oil industry," Energy and Resources Minister Bill Boyd said. "Twenty years ago it was experimental technology that our province pioneered, but now it represents more than 50 per cent of our total oil production."
Horizontal wells accounted for 56 per cent of the 2,730 oil wells drilled in Saskatchewan last year. The 2,730 figure is a 70 per cent increase over the number of oil wells drilled in 2009 and was above the 2,360 yearly average for oil wells drilled over the last five years.
Boyd noted that horizontal oil wells involve more complicated drilling processes and require more work by his ministry to review and approve well licenses. The ministry is accordingly hiring eight additional staff in its well licensing areas and field offices to deal with industry demands.
"Our oil industry bounced back from a more challenging year in 2009 with great drilling numbers and increased activity in land sales," Boyd said. "We're looking forward to a strong 2011 from the industry and are working hard as a government to be responsive to that activity, and in particular to this new trend in horizontal drilling."
Last year, the province's oil and gas industry recorded approximately $10.5 billion in sales and invested $3.3 billion in exploration and development activity. It provides direct and indirect employment for more than 29,000 people. -30-
For more information, contact:
Bob Ellis, Energy and Resources, Regina
Phone: 306-787-1691
Email: robert.ellis@gov.sk.ca
=================
6. WATCH: Fracking Hell: The Untold Story
http://dandelionsalad.wordpress.com/2011/01/12/
fracking-hell-the-untold-story/
An original investigative report by Earth Focus and UK’s Ecologist Film Unit looks at the risks of natural gas development in the Marcellus Shale. From toxic chemicals in drinking water to unregulated interstate dumping of potentially radioactive waste that experts fear can contaminate water supplies in major population centers including New York City, are the health consequences worth the economic gains?
Marcellus Shale contains enough natural gas to supply all US gas needs for 14 years. But as gas drilling takes place, using a process called hydraulic fracturing or “fracking,” toxic chemicals and methane gas seep into drinking water. Now experts fear that unacceptable levels of radioactive Radium 226 in gas development waste.
Fracking chemicals are linked to bone, liver and breast cancers, gastrointestinal, circulatory, respiratory, developmental as well as brain and nervous system disorders. Such chemicals are present in frack waste and may find their way into drinking water and air.
MORE:
http://dandelionsalad.wordpress.com/2011/01/12/
fracking-hell-the-untold-story/
==================
7. Quebec should 'go slow' on shale gas: experts
http://www.montrealgazette.com/technology/
Quebec+should+slow+shale+experts/4115517/story.html
By Michelle Lalonde, Gazette Environment Reporter January 15, 2011
MONTREAL - Quebec should hold off on shale gas drilling until serious environmental, economic and legal questions about the industry can be answered, a panel of U.S. and Quebec experts told a packed public meeting in Mont St. Hilaire Saturday.
“The government of Quebec should look to Pennsylvania, and monitor how it is dealing with its problems with shale gas,” said Robert Howarth, a professor of ecology and environmental biology at Cornell University who has studied the environmental impacts of the shale gas industry in the U.S.
“Quebec should go slow and wait until these problems are solved before choosing what is now a messy and dirty process that contaminates the air and the water.”
Howarth was one of four experts invited by a Mont St. Hilaire citizen’s group to a round-table discussion called Why the Exploitation of Shale Gas in Quebec Should Wait. The group charged $10 a head and still managed to attract nearly 400 people to the meeting.
Exploration drilling for shale gas - natural gas trapped in shale rock - has only begun in earnest in the past few years in central Quebec, because the technology for extracting the gas in a cost-effective way has been available for only about a decade. Most of the interest is in the St. Lawrence Lowlands between Montreal and Quebec City, mainly on the south side of the St. Lawrence River, where at least 31 wells have been drilled so far.
The provincial government has been keen to move ahead quickly with shale gas development, touting potential for jobs and economic spinoffs, but environmental groups have been calling for a moratorium on drilling until questions about water and air pollution are answered.
The province’s environmental watchdog agency, the BAPE, is examining the environmental impacts, and is to present a report to the government by the end of February. The environment department then has 60 days to render that report public.
But Howarth and others on Saturday’s panel said the BAPE is ill-equipped to analyze the impacts of the industry in such a short time. He said the Quebec government would be wise to wait for the results of a major analysis undertaken by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, that will take at least another two years to complete.
MORE:
http://www.montrealgazette.com/technology/
Quebec+should+slow+shale+experts/4115517/story.html
More on This Story (Links are on website above)
It's safety, baby, safety when drilling for oil
Natural gas leaks from wells no cause for concern: officials
BP blowout a wake-up call for Quebec
BAPE gets extension on shale gas report
Not everyone agrees shale's a plus
FQM urges caution on shale gas
====================
8. Shale gas is not dead, just resting
http://ca.reuters.com/article/businessNews/
idCATRE70F1BZ20110116?sp=true
By Jeffrey Jones Sun Jan 16, 2011 10:42am EST
CALGARY, Alberta (Reuters) - Shale gas producers are victims of their own success, at least in terms of the glut of the fuel they helped create.
Now, they may be forced to keep applying their technology to tap other, less gassy, energy opportunities for at least another year until prices start some kind of recovery.
It's a strategic side trip, but a necessary one as gas prices stuck in a range of $4 to $5 per million British thermal unit push a lot of shale wells below break-even and crimp cash flows of companies such as Encana Corp (ECA.TO: Quote) and Talisman Energy Inc (TLM.TO: Quote).
"It's tough to see share-price accretion for most of the gas-weighted names," said Macquarie Securities Canada analyst Chris Feltin, who sees perhaps another 12 months of weakness.
"We still have a preference for oil-weighted names as the visibility for higher oil prices seems to be improving supply and demand fundamentals globally."
That's no secret to shale players, who invested heavily in prolific prospects in British Columbia, Texas, Louisiana and Pennsylvania and in the multistage rock-fracturing technology that has allowed the gas to flood markets in increasing volumes.
Encana, for instance, has become so efficient at producing the stuff it has somewhat immodestly dubbed its operations "gas factories". Now, it and its peers face a market at the end of their assembly lines that won't pay the price to produce it.
MORE:
http://ca.reuters.com/article/businessNews/
idCATRE70F1BZ20110116?sp=true
=================
9. Encana shares jump on joint-venture speculation with Chinese firm
http://www.calgaryherald.com/business/
Encana+shares+jump+joint+venture+speculation+with+Chinese+firm/4104468/story.html?cid=megadrop_story
Reuters January 13, 2011
CALGARY - Shares in Encana Corp. (TSX:ECA), Canada's largest natural gas producer, rose as much as 5.2 per cent Thursday, as some speculated the company may be close to adding another joint-venture partner to speed development of its properties.
Shares in Encana, which have dropped 19 per cent over the past year, rose C$1.22 to C$30.44 by midafternoon on the Toronto Stock Exchange after earlier touching C$30.74. Volume was 6.17 million shares, more than twice the three-month average.
Analysts tied the rise, the largest in more than six months, to speculation that the company may be close to reaching a joint-venture agreement with China National Petroleum Corp (CNPC).
"The speculation is that the deal with CNPC is being finalized," said Phil Skolnick, an analyst with Canaccord Genuity.
The two companies signed a memorandum of understanding in June agreeing to negotiate a joint-venture agreement that would see state-owned CNPC get a stake in Encana's Horn River and Montney shale-gas properties in northeastern British Columbia.
Such an agreement would likely speed development of the remote properties, offering Encana outside capital to boost production.
MORE:
http://www.calgaryherald.com/business/
Encana+shares+jump+joint+venture+speculation+with+Chinese+firm/4104468/story.html?cid=megadrop_story
==================
10. Natural gas leaks from wells no cause for concern: officials
http://www.montrealgazette.com/technology/
Natural+leaks+from+wells+cause+concern+officials/4065917/story.html
By Michelle Lalonde Gazette environment reporter, Montreal Gazette January 5, 2011
The fact that natural gas is leaking from 19 of 31 shale gas wells in the Lower St. Lawrence is no cause for concern, officials in Quebec’s Natural Resources department said Wednesday.
“It is not a worrisome situation, or anything out of the ordinary, but of course we are following it closely because we want to ensure that we waste as little as possible of this resource, which is a collective resource,” said Sébastien Desrochers, director of the oil and gas sector in the Ministry of Natural Resources.
The department revealed information about the well inspections in a written response to a question from the Bureau d’audiences publiques sur l’environnement. The public watchdog agency is examining environmental impacts of shale gas exploration and exploitation in the province and is to present a report to the Environment department by the end of February.
The document, dated Dec. 7 and posted on the BAPE website, showed that 31 shale gas wells have been inspected at least once by Natural Resource department inspectors and that at 19 of the sites, natural gas was detected at ground level.
The leaky wells are located in 13 different municipalities, all in the St. Lawrence Lowlands: Saint François du Lac, Bécancour, Saint Louis, Saint David, La Visitation de Yamaska, Saint Jean sur Richelieu, Champlain, Leclercville, Saint Édouard de Lotbinière, La Présentation, Fortierville, Saint Barnabé Sud, and St. Hyacinthe.
But Desrochers said it is normal for natural gas to escape when any kind of drilling is done in soil or rock where natural gas is present. He said all of the sites are isolated and far from residences, and that the “very small” amounts of gas that are leaking pose no danger to human health or the environment.
MORE:
http://www.montrealgazette.com/technology/
Natural+leaks+from+wells+cause+concern+officials/4065917/story.html
= = = = = = =
Importance of shale gas leaks debated
http://www.theconcordian.com/news/
importance-of-shale-gas-leaks-debated-1.1837109
Talisman Energy spokesman says leaks don’t always need to be addressed
By Emily Brass Published: Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Updated: Tuesday, January 11, 2011 04:01
During the past year, Quebec's quickly growing shale gas industry sparked heated debates about potential contamination of water. It wasn't until last week that some new concerns over possible effects on the atmosphere came to light.
In December, Quebec's Department of Natural Resources inspected 31 of the province's brand new gas wells and found that 19 of these were leaking. The information was not released until the public watchdog agency, the bureau d'audiences publiques sur l'environnement, made repeated requests to view the results of the inspection.
MORE:
http://www.theconcordian.com/news/
importance-of-shale-gas-leaks-debated-1.1837109
=============
11. GASFRAC Energy Services Inc. Announces Incident Investigation
http://www.digitaljournal.com/pr/200954#ixzz1BK8BqLm3
CALGARY, ALBERTA--(Marketwire - Jan. 16, 2011) - GASFRAC Energy Services Inc. ("GASFRAC") (TSX VENTURE:GFS) announces that an incident occurred on a location that resulted in a propane leak that was quickly contained. As a result of the leak there was an ignition that resulted in a short fire that damaged the back end of two fracturing pumpers. Three employees incurred minor burns, two have been released from hospital and the other has been asked to stay for further examination of second degree burns on his hands.
GASFRAC is working with the occupational health and safety authorities and the operator to complete a thorough investigation of the incident. As a precautionary measure, GASFRAC has suspended operations until the root cause of the leak has been identified and necessary corrective actions initiated. At that time an updated press release will be issued detailing the actions to be taken.
GASFRAC is an oil and gas service company headquartered in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, whose primary business is to provide LPG fracturing services to oil and gas companies in Canada and the USA.
MORE:
http://www.digitaljournal.com/pr/200954#ixzz1BK8BqLm3
===================
12. Tiny particles used by oil drillers in big demand
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-01-09/
tiny-particles-used-by-oil-drillers-in-big-demand.html
Published: Sunday, 9 Jan 2011 | 11:01 AM ET
BISMARCK, N.D. - State geologists are hopeful North Dakota's sands and clays will work as a substitute for increasingly sparse imported materials used to boost the recovery of crude.
A worldwide supply crunch of so-called proppants — ultra-hard sand grains and tiny manmade ceramic balls — has some drillers using lesser-grade particles that have cut the yield of oil wells in the Bakken and Three Forks formations in western North Dakota.
"The reality is people are sold out of everything," said Mike Vincent, a Golden, Colo.-based engineer. "People are taking whatever they can — an extremely low quality material is being pumped into the Bakken."
Proppants, some the size of a grain of sugar, are used in hydraulic fracturing, a process that uses pressurized fluid and chemicals to break open oil-bearing rock some two miles underground. Cracks, propped open by injected sand or ceramic materials, provide a pathway for oil to flow to the well.
Demand for proppants — pushed by high crude prices — has jumped 400 percent in the past decade, said Vincent, president of Insight Petroleum Consulting LLC, a company that specializes in improving the efficiency of hydraulic fractures.
There are only a handful of proppant manufacturers in the North America; much of what is used in the U.S. is being imported from factories in Russia, China and Brazil, industry officials say.
There are about 20 sand suppliers and 20 ceramic proppant suppliers worldwide, said Earl Freeman, a vice president of PropTesters Inc., a Houston-based proppant testing company.
MORE:
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-01-09/
tiny-particles-used-by-oil-drillers-in-big-demand.html
=================
13. Tax-free damage: Marcellus states should make polluters pay
http://earthblog.org/content/
tax-free-damage-marcellus-states-should-make-polluters-pay
Submitted by Nadia Steinzor on Wed, 01/05/2011 - 13:23
Pennsylvania and New York are the only oil- and gas-producing states without a severance tax to make companies pay for the resources they “sever” from the land forever – and from future generations.
Although no substitute for adequate regulation and enforcement, resource extraction taxes can at least help offset the steep costs of gas development (like road damage, toxic clean up, and health problems).
Coupled with the immense budget crises both states face, it beggars the imagination that they wouldn’t make this multinational, multibillion dollar industry pay a severance tax. And perhaps they may yet.
[Get more background at EARTHblog from EARTHWORKS’
Marcellus organizer Nadia Steinzor]
==================
14. EPA says Texas company not following contamination order
http://www.elp.com/index/
from-the-wires/wire_news_display/1336862755.html
(Monday, January 10, 2011)
Texas-based Range Resources Corp. is fighting U.S. EPA's claim that the company violated a December enforcement order that required it to deal with two water wells contaminated by methane.
EPA says that the company did not take "immediate actions to ensure that neighboring wells are not being contaminated" in Parker County, Texas, and that it did not investigate the wells "to determine precisely how the contamination happened." EPA said that it is concerned natural gas could enter homes through water lines and lead to an explosion.
According to Range Resources spokesman Matt Pitzarella, "virtually everything" in the enforcement order "has already been done," and the company will do additional water tests for anyone who asks. The company also said that it has not found a link between its drilling activities and the methane contamination in the wells.
The Texas Railroad Commission will hold a hearing on the issue on Jan. 18. EPA said it would not participate in the hearing.
MORE:
http://www.elp.com/index/
from-the-wires/wire_news_display/1336862755.html
================
15. Warning over UK shale gas projects
http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2011 ... as-warning
QUOTE: Kevin Anderson, professor of energy and climate change at the Tyndall Centre at Manchester University who wrote the report, believes the shale gas should be left in the ground. "In an energy hungry world any new fossil fuel resource will only lead to additional carbon emissions. In the case of shale gas there is also a significant risk its use will delay the introduction of renewable energy alternatives."
Co-op report comes as mining company Cuadrillo Resources prepares to begin more drilling at a find near Blackpool, Lancashire, which it says is the first true shale gas find in Europe
Terry Macalister guardian.co.uk, Monday 17 January 2011 10.18 GMT
Article history
Ministers are being urged to halt controversial projects to drill for shale gas over fears that it poses significant risks to public health and the environment.
A new report prepared for the Co-op warns that the full impact of drilling for shale gas — an energy resource that has sparked a frenzy of exploration in the US — should be assessed before the go-ahead is given projects in the UK.
The warning comes as mining company Cuadrillo Resources prepares to begin more drilling at a find near Blackpool, Lancashire, which it says is the first true shale gas find in Europe.
Cuadrilla Resources, which includes former BP chief and Whitehall non-executive director Lord Browne on its board, said preliminary drilling confirmed and "possibly exceeded" its expectations.
Cuadrilla is planning more extensive drilling later this month which could involve a controversial technique needed in shale gas extraction called "fracking" - when the rock is fractured using chemicals.
The demand to halt shale gas drilling comes amid rising concerns about the chemicals used in fracking causing ground water contamination and which has led to a temporary ban imposed in New York state. A new film, GasLands, which includes clips of homeowners turning on their taps and igniting gas in areas where shale reserves are being extracted, has heightened campaigners' concerns.
"We are calling for a moratorium on any further exploitation of shale gas which will allow the wider environmental concerns to be fully exposed and addressed," said Neville Richardson, chief executive of The Co-operative Financial Services.
Kevin Anderson, professor of energy and climate change at the Tyndall Centre at Manchester University who wrote the report, believes the shale gas should be left in the ground. "In an energy hungry world any new fossil fuel resource will only lead to additional carbon emissions. In the case of shale gas there is also a significant risk its use will delay the introduction of renewable energy alternatives."
The reserves have only become available because of breakthroughs in both drilling techniques and chemical products but it has transformed the energy market in America and sent the price of natural gas plunging downwards.
Britain and the rest of Europe have much higher gas prices currently and a link with oil prices have sent them to very high levels. Oil has been closing in on $100 per barrel in recent weeks, two and a half times higher than the price seen two years ago.
But the UK's Department of Energy and Climate Change appears unlikely to introduce a moratorium, at least in the near term. It has told the Co-op that it is aware of reports from US of environmental and health issues linked to some shale gas projects but regards the risks as slim.
MORE:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2011/jan/17/
uk-shale-gas-warning
=====================
16. UVic study: Oil spill would hit taxpayers hard
http://www.vancouversun.com/news/
UVic+study+spill+would+taxpayers+hard/4107158/story.html
By Scott Simpson, ssimpson@vancouversun.com Vancouver Sun, January 14, 2011
Environmental Law Centre says compensation on civil liability for damage tops out at $1.3B
Oil-spill compensation from industry is just a drop in the bucket compared to what would be needed to recover from a catastrophic spill off B.C.'s coast, according to a new report.
Spill compensation, including oil-tanker insurance and an international convention on civil liability for oil-pollution damage, tops out at $1.3 billion, according to a study by the University of Victoria's Environmental Law Centre released Thursday by Living Oceans Society.
That's roughly one-third of the cleanup and compensation costs of the 1989 Alaskan Exxon Valdez spill, and the Exxon spill doesn't even rank in the top 30 largest global spills.
Living Oceans Society issued the report as part of its opposition to a proposal by Calgary-based Enbridge Inc. to build a twin 1,170-kilometre pipeline system that would move oil and condensate between refineries near Edmonton and a deepsea port terminal on the central British Columbia coast at Kitimat. Supertankers, each carrying up to two million barrels of oil, would thread their way through coastal waters to the open ocean, and groups such as Living Oceans Society and Coastal First Nations assert that the environmental risks are too great to be overridden.
Enbridge has an application before the National Energy Board, including a transportation plan it insists will make tanker traffic safe through inside coastal waters.
In an email, Enbridge said that spills are "not inevitable" and while "the probability is remote, Northern Gateway has placed high priority on both the assessment of risks and the measures required to mitigate those risks, as well as response capabilities and the equipment and logistics support a rapid response would require."
The company said that its risk management program reduces the probability of a large spill to once in 2,800 years.
According to the report, there are four tiers of compensation in the event of a spill. One -- a ship owner's liability -- is limited to $140 million by an international compensation fund, regardless of cleanup costs.
MORE:
http://www.vancouversun.com/news/
UVic+study+spill+would+taxpayers+hard/4107158/story.html
= == = = = = =
REPORT: Financial Vulnerability Assessment: Who Would Pay for Oil Tanker Spills Associated with the Northern Gateway Pipeline?
http://livingoceans.org/files/Images/media/
financial-vulnerability-assessment.pdf
By Matthew Boulton For Living Oceans Society October, 2010
Supervised by: Calvin Sandborn, Legal Director
======================
17. Oilsands Quest Announces Executive Appointment and Participation in Saskatchewan Trade Mission to China
http://news.tradingcharts.com/futures/6 ... 51486.html
CUSIP No. 678046 10 3 NYSE Amex: BQI
CALGARY, Jan. 18 /CNW/ - Oilsands Quest Inc. (NYSE Amex: BQI) ("Oilsands Quest" or "the Company") has appointed Simon Raven to the position of Vice President, Exploration and Development.
Simon Raven has served as Chief Geologist at Oilsands Quest Inc. since August 2006 and has been an integral part of the team that delineated the Company's discoveries at Axe Lake, Raven Ridge and Wallace Creek. In his new role, Mr. Raven will be responsible for the exploration and development of the Company's assets.
Mr. Raven started his career at Synenco, where he worked on the Northern Lights oil sands project as a member of the team that drilled over 500 exploration holes and delineated over two billion barrels of bitumen.
Mr. Raven then spent five years with Norwest Corporation working as a project geologist and project manager. During his time with Norwest, he managed coal bed methane and oil sands exploration projects throughout Western Canada and in Western China.
Mr. Raven is a member of the Canadian Society of Petroleum Geologists (CSPG), American Association of Petroleum Geologists (AAPG) and the Canadian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy (CIM), a professional geologist (P.geol) and an active member of the Association of Professional Engineers, Geologist and Geophysicists of Alberta (APEGGA).
Oilsands Quest to Accompany Saskatchewan Energy Minister to China
Oilsands Quest will be part of a trade delegation to China led by Saskatchewan Minister of Energy and Resources, Bill Boyd, from January 17th to 21st, 2011. The Company, together with three representatives of the Minister's office, will meet with Asian companies that have investments in the province to promote Saskatchewan resources, including oilsands, to potential investors.
"We are very pleased to be a part of Minister Boyd's delegation," said Paul Ching, a Director of the Company who will be a member of the delegation. "We are excited to be developing Saskatchewan's first oil sands project, and we look forward to presenting this opportunity to potential investors."
About Oilsands Quest
Oilsands Quest Inc. (www.oilsandsquest.com) is exploring and developing oil sands permits and licences, located in Saskatchewan and Alberta, and developing Saskatchewan's first commercial oil sands discovery. It is leading the establishment of the province of Saskatchewan's emerging oil sands industry.
For further information: Garth Wong, Chief Financial Officer, Email: ir@oilsandsquest.com, Investor Line: 1-877-718-8941
====================
18. Why Six Petro Giants Are Obsessed with Oil Sands
http://thetyee.ca/News/2011/01/17/
PetroGiants/?utm_source=daily&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=170111
Boxed out of most global oil plays, ExxonMobil, BP, Royal Dutch Shell, Total, ConocoPhillips and Chevron see their fates tied to Alberta crude.
By Geoff Dembicki, 17 Jan 2011, TheTyee.ca
Six of the planet's largest corporations, once masters of the global oil market, now control a tiny fraction of world energy reserves. And as their stock prices stagnate, these so-called "supermajors" are shovelling billions of dollars into Alberta's oil sands.
Green observers fear industry expansions, those underway and projected, could shred Canada's climate change commitments and accelerate a global shift to higher-carbon fossil fuels. Still, aggressive oil sands development appears to be one of the few viable growth strategies left for ExxonMobil, BP, Royal Dutch Shell, Total, ConocoPhillips and Chevron. These six energy giants are among the top-earning private companies on Earth. Yet their continued corporate existence, at least in its current form, is far from assured.
National governments and state-owned fossil fuel firms such as China National Petroleum Corporation produce 93 per cent of the world's oil. The formerly dominant supermajors are now seeking out riskier and riskier reserves, drilling in the ultra-deep waters of the Gulf of Mexico and mapping the Arctic Ocean floor. In their continuing struggle to appease investors, they've also become increasingly reliant on major oil sands expansions, suggests groundbreaking new research detailed later in this story.
"The supermajors just don't have all that many options," said Alexandros Petersen, director of research for the London-based Henry Jackson Society, a global studies think tank. "And so if you get boxed out of places like Venezuela -- or Angola by the Chinese -- you go after whatever you can get. The oil sands are one of those 'whatever-you-can-get' places."
MORE:
http://thetyee.ca/News/2011/01/17/PetroGiants/
?utm_source=daily&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=170111
Related Articles (Links are on website above)
How the World's Oil Giants Are Selling the 'Captured Carbon' Dream
Inside a global effort to convince the public an unproven technology will
let us have our fossil fuels and a cooler planet, too.
Oil Spills Aren't a 'Not in My Backyard' Issue
Add to the BP Gulf disaster many oil nightmares you never hear about. Wherever they hit, we're all responsible.
How the Tar Sands Threaten Canada's Economic Fate
A short course in Dutch Disease, deindustrialization and the Bitumen Curse.
=================
19. NDP call on Province to wake up over Oil Sands toxins
http://www.townoflaronge.ca/TheNorthern ... php?id=792
by Valerie G. Barnes- Connell
In the light of a Oil Sands Advisory Panel’s report released Dec. 21, 2010, NDP Environment critic Sandra Morin announced the NDP is working on a Private Member’s Bill designed to ensure the people of Saskatchewan are protected from “environmental threats to their health and well-being,” along with compensation for the province for, what Morin referred to as, negative affects on the provinces economy resulting from Oil Sands development, she said in an interview with The Northerner.
“It’s long over due. We’re seeing more and more reports over the last two years (highlighting concerns about Oil Sands development). We don’t have adequate monitoring in place to be able to (track) the direct effect ...(it’s) the final bell to be rung on the issue, on doing something substantive on oil sands development.”
Jim Prentice, former federal minister for Environment Canada announced an independent advisory panel Sept. 30. Members of the panel included: Dr. Peter J. Dillon, Dr. Subhasis Ghoshal, Dr. Andrew D. Miall, Dr. Joseph Rasmussen and Dr. John P. Smol, and the panel was chaired by panel member Elizabeth Dowdeswell. Their report was released Dec. 21, 2010.
Morin made specifi c reference to Lake Athabasca in northern Saskatchewan, which is downstream from the Oil Sands and downwind, in a letter to John Baird, minister of Environment Canada, written Dec. 22, 2010.
An adequate environmental monitoring program must extend beyond political boundaries and address concerns in multiple jurisdictions, Morin said.
She notes in her letter the Pembina Institute’s predictions for Oil Sands emissions by 2015 are expected to be 196,000 tonnes of nitrogen oxides, 166,000 tonnes of sulphur dioxide and 300,000 tonnes of volatile organic compounds.
“As with water quality, the approach to monitoring air quality must be comprehensive, coherent, and coordinated among the affected jurisdictions, including Saskatchewan.”
MORE:
http://www.townoflaronge.ca/TheNorthern ... php?id=792
= = = = =
Opposition Wants AB to Pay for Oil Sands Pollution
http://www.mbcradio.com/news/news/news_ ... ewsID=9463
Wednesday, December 22, 2010 at 11:54
A provincial NDP member wants to bring forth a bill that will make Alberta pay for oil sands pollution in Saskatchewan.
Environment Critic Sandra Morin says the Wall government has not done enough to measure or protect Saskatchewan residents from the toxins coming from the Alberta Oilsands project.
Morin says the Alberta government needs to compensate the province for the health of residents and resources such as farmland and water.
MORE:
http://www.mbcradio.com/news/news/news_ ... ewsID=9463
==================
20. Oklahoma family sues TransCanada over land claim
http://www.calgaryherald.com/
story_print.html?id=4121413&sponsor=
Family of homesteaders argue against Canadian company's move to claim land
By Dina O'Meara, Calgary HeraldJanuary 17, 2011 2:02 PM
CALGARY - The family of a homesteading couple in Oklahoma have filed a suit against TransCanada Corp. (TSX:TRP), saying the Canadian company can't force Americans to give up their land to build a foreign pipeline.
The latest challenge to TransCanada's Keystone XL oil pipeline was filed late last week by descendants of the White family, who have farmed in the region for more than a century.
Twelve members of the clan signed the legal suit arguing the Calgary-based energy and pipeline giant did not have the right to make the family give up land to accommodate the 500,000-barrel-per-day line.
"I don't think it is fair for a foreign company doing business in the U.S. to come in and railroad us by taking our land without our consent," said Sue Kelso, daughter of A.L. and Dollie White. "Eminent domain is supposed to be used for projects that benefit everyone. Who's going to benefit from this pipeline except Canadian oil companies and the Chinese?"
MORE:
http://www.calgaryherald.com/
story_print.html?id=4121413&sponsor=
=================
21. State Department denies Freedom of Information Act request regarding Keystone pipeline
http://www.argusleader.com/article/20110112/UPDATES/
110112032/-1/EVENTSFORM
The U.S. State Department has denied a Freedom of Information Act request by environmental groups seeking correspondence between the agency and a TransCanada lobbyist who also served on Secretary of State Hilary Clinton’s presidential campaign.
Friends of the Earth, Corporate Ethics International and the Center for International Environmental Law had cited a potential confilict of interest in the work of Paul Elliott, who is lobbying for approval of the Keystone XL pipeline.
The 1,660-mile pipeline would pass through western South Dakota on its way to ports on the Gulf Coast.
In a press release, Friends of the Earth called the denial an “evasive maneuver” and cited a separate report that Elliott registered as a lobbyist Dec. 16, three days after the groups disclosed the ties and announced filing the FOIA request.
The State Department is expected to release its environmental impact statement on Keystone XL within weeks.
Read the full release here: www.bit.ly/fxuCGO or
http://www.foe.org/
state-department-refuses-release-information-tar-sands-oil-pipeline
==================
22. Tar sands etc. news digest for Monday, January 17
From: Bill Walker <bwalker@corpethics.org>
Date: Mon, Jan 17, 2011 at 12:34 PM
Subject: {TSG} Tar sands etc. news digest for Monday, January 17
Oklahoma eminent domain case
Oklahoma land owners fighting TransCanada over Keystone pipelinehttp://www.theglobeandmail.com/globe-investor/
oklahoma-land-owners-fighting-transcanada-over-keystone-pipeline/article1872884/
Globe and Mail
Oklahoma family fighting TransCanada 'land grab'http://www.ctv.ca/CTVNews/Canada/20110117/
oklahoma-family-transcanada-pipeline-fight-110117/
Associated Press
TransCanada Faces Legal Challenge From Oklahoma Landowners http://www.nasdaq.com/aspx/
stock-market-news-story.aspx?storyid=201101171308dowjonesdjonline000192&title=transcanada-faces-legal-challenge-from-oklahoma-landowners
Dow Jones
Tar Sands: U.S. Legal Challenge to Eminent Domain for TransCanada's Keystone ...
http://www.benzinga.com/pressreleases/11/01/m784028/
tar-sands-u-s-legal-challenge-to-eminent-domain-for-transcanadas-keyston
Benzinga
Hillary Clinton and Keystone lobbyist
Clinton Ties to Pipeline Lobbyist Obscured by Questionable FOIA Denial
http://www.reuters.com/article/idUS96463486420110117
Reuters
The heavy haul
Idaho, Montana megaloads worry Forest Service http://www.thetrucker.com/News/Stories/2011/1/17/
IdahoMontanamegaloadsworryForestService.aspx
The Trucker
ConocoPhillips Fires Back At Opponents Of Big Rig Plan http://www.nbcmontana.com/news/26500538/detail.html
NBC Montana
Canadian environmental politics
West, East split on free-trade talks with Europe http://www.edmontonjournal.com/business/
West+East+split+free+trade+talks+with+Europe/4114197/story.html
Edmonton Journal
Alberta tar sands fire
Horizon restart up in the air http://www.upstreamonline.com/live/article241738.ece
Upstream Online
Alyeska pipeline
Alyeska Completes Repair of Trans Alaska Oil Pipeline
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/
article.cgi?f=%2Fg%2Fa%2F2011%2F01%2F16%2Fbloomberg1376-LF5BBD1A1I4H01-0O6BPCURFNHVDGB07J87595OG7.DTL
San Francisco Chronicle
====================
23. Alaska pipeline to re-open today
http://www.energydelta.org/mainmenu/
edi-intelligence/latest-energy-news/alaska-pipeline-to-re-open-today
January 17, 2011
The Trans Alaska Pipeline System will resume normal operations some time today, after struggling with a leak in piping at the Prudhoe Bay intake station, the company behind it has announced.
A spokeswoman for Alyeska Pipeline Service told Reuters the company would soon finish installing of a 157-foot (48-metre) bypass line that will route oil around the leaking section of pipe.
MORE:
http://www.energydelta.org/mainmenu/edi-intelligence/
latest-energy-news/alaska-pipeline-to-re-open-today
= = = = = =
No estimate for reopening of Alaska oil pipeline
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20110109/ts_ ... ine_alaska
By Yereth Rosen Yereth Rosen – Sun Jan 9, 4:06 pm ET
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (Reuters) – The Trans Alaska Pipeline was shut for a second day on Sunday, with no indication of when it would reopen, after a leak was discovered at Prudhoe Bay, forcing oil companies to cut production to 5 percent of their average 630,000 barrels per day.
The shutdown of one of the United States' key oil arteries, which carries about 12 percent of the country's production, is the latest setback for the aging, 33-year old pipeline, which handles less than a third of the oil it did at its peak in the 1980s.
Closures of the pipeline, although short, have provoked criticism of its operators, particularly major owner BP, whose reputation is already at an all-time low after the Gulf of Mexico blow-out last year, causing the largest-ever U.S. oil spill.
The shutdown of the 800-mile (1,280 kilometer) line, which runs from the Prudhoe Bay oilfield to the tanker port of Valdez, has not yet affected shipments, and tankers are being loaded on schedule at Valdez, meaning there is no immediate danger of restricted oil supply. Oil produced during the shutdown will be stored at Prudhoe Bay until the pipeline reopens.
Alyeska Pipeline Service Co, the operator of the pipeline which discovered the leak on Saturday morning, had no estimate of how much oil leaked, but none seems to have escaped beyond concrete encasing the pipeline at the intake pump station at Prudhoe Bay.
"The concrete encasement is why we don't believe there's any environmental impact," said Alyeska spokeswoman Michelle Egan. "Until we can excavate, we won't be able to say that definitely."
She provided no estimate of when the pipeline would reopen or when normal oil production could resume.
MORE:
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20110109/ts_nm/
us_oil_pipeline_alaska
=================
24. Hunting the Ocean for BP's Missing Millions of Barrels of Oil
http://www.sott.net/articles/show/
221623-Hunting-the-Ocean-for-BP-s-Missing-Millions-of-Barrels-of-Oil
Naomi Klein January 13, 2011
EXCERPT:
Already there is evidence of at least one significant underwater die-off. In November Penn State biologist Charles Fisher led a NOAA-sponsored expedition that found colonies of ancient sea fans and other coral coated in brown sludge, 1,400 meters down. Nearly all the coral in the area was "dead or in the process of dying," Fisher told me. And he echoed something I heard from many other scientists: in a career of studying these creatures, he has never seen anything like this. There were no underwater pools of oil nearby, but the working theory is that subsea oil and dispersants must have passed through the area like some kind of angel of death.
MORE:
http://www.sott.net/articles/show/
221623-Hunting-the-Ocean-for-BP-s-Missing-Millions-of-Barrels-of-Oil
==================
25. The CEO and the New Feudalism
http://murraydobbin.ca/
Posted on January 17, 2011 by murraydobbin
Few developments in our era of savage capitalism are so powerfully symbolic of the new feudalism than the obscene compensation paid out to the new economic elite: the CEOs of the most powerful corporations in the country. The CCPA’s Hugh MacKenzie now reminds us yearly of this economic and social sickness by identifying exactly when the average CEO (of the 100 largest firms) has earned as much as the average worker makes in a year (this time around it was by 2:30 p.m. on January 3rd.) The average total compensation for Canada’s 100 highest paid CEOs was $6,643,895 in 2009.
The social and political implications of this grotesque over-compensation are more important than the actual dollars. Socially, in terms of class, it represents the ruling elite’s deliberate and conscious declaration that they will take as much money as they want out of the system simply because they can. It is the most powerful way that the elite can make clear that they have nothing in common with the rest of us. Their excess compensation has little to do with their value to a firm, their contribution or their ability.
Yet, says MacKenzie, the disparity between CEO compensation and the average worker’s pay continues to grow: “In 1995, the average pay of Canada’s highest paid 50 CEOs was $2.66 million, 85 times the pay of the average worker. In 2009, the average pay of the highest paid 50 CEOs had skyrocketed to 219 times the pay of the average worker.” The ratio for the top 100 went from 104 times in 1998 but to 155 times in 2009
MORE:
http://murraydobbin.ca/
= = = = = = =
Canada’s best-paid CEOs ‘recession-proof’: study
http://www.policyalternatives.ca/newsro ... -releases/
canada%E2%80%99s-best-paid-ceos-%E2%80%98recession-proof%E2%80%99-study
National Office | News Release
Issue(s): Corporations and corporate power, Inequality and poverty
Projects & Initiatives: Growing Gap
January 3, 2011
TORONTO – Canada’s best-paid 100 CEOs breezed through the worst of the recession with earnings 155 times higher than the average Canadian income earner, says a new study by the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives (CCPA).
The study, Recession-Proof, looks at 2009 compensation levels for Canada’s best paid 100 CEOs and finds they pocketed an average of $6.6 million during the darkest period of the recession – a stark contrast from the total average Canadian income of $42,988.
“At this rate of reward, this handful of elite CEOs pocket the equivalent of the average Canadian wage by 2:30 pm on January 3 – the first working day of the year,” says the study’s author and CCPA Research Associate Hugh Mackenzie.
The study shows executive compensation in Canada wasn’t always this rich. In 1998, the best paid 100 CEOs pocketed an average of 104 times more than the average Canadian wage earner, compared to 155 times more in 2009.
“Even that extraordinary number understates the real story,” says Mackenzie. “Thanks to a change in corporate reporting introduced in 2008, we only have a conservative statistical estimate of the stock options that make up about one third of CEOs’ 2009 pay. The public will never know how much most of these CEOs actually got paid in 2009.
“And that’s only half the story. These CEOs are sitting on $1.3 billion of stock options they haven’t yet cashed in. That’s about $2 in future income for every $1 they declared in 2009.”
When the CEOs decide to exercise those stock options, the study reveals Canadians will subsidize that bonus with an estimated average of $360 million in foregone taxes, since stock options are taxed at a lower rate, as if they are capital gains. Among Mackenzie’s recommendations: getting rid of that expensive and unfair loophole.
The study highlights the role that soaring executive compensation plays in the dramatic growth in income inequality in Canada identified in a recent CCPA study by Senior Economist Armine Yalnizyan. Yalnizyan found that fully one third of all income growth in Canada in the past 20 years went to the richest 1% of Canadians. –30–
For more information please contact:
Trish Hennessy at (416) 551-2059 or Kerri-Anne Finn at (613) 563-1341 x306.
Canada’s best-paid CEOs ‘recession-proof’: study http://www.policyalternatives.ca/publications/reports/
recession-proof
[/b]
1. Important Frac Events in New Brunswick
2. REPORT: MORNINGSTAR: The Real Weapons of Mass Destruction: Methane, Propaganda & the Architects of Genocide - Part I
3. Methane leaking from shale wells in Canada
4. Pfffft Goes Promise of Pumping C02 Underground (5 articles)
5. NEW RECORD SET FOR DRILLING OF HORIZONTAL OIL WELLS
6. WATCH: Fracking Hell: The Untold Story
7. Quebec should 'go slow' on shale gas: experts
8. Shale gas is not dead, just resting
9. Encana shares jump on joint-venture speculation with Chinese firm
10. Natural gas leaks from wells no cause for concern: officials
11. GASFRAC Energy Services Inc. Announces Incident Investigation
12. Tiny particles used by oil drillers in big demand
13. Tax-free damage: Marcellus states should make polluters pay
14. EPA says Texas company not following contamination order
15. Warning over UK shale gas projects
16. UVic study: Oil spill would hit taxpayers hard
17. Oilsands Quest Announces Executive Appointment and Participation in Saskatchewan Trade Mission to China
18. Why Six Petro Giants Are Obsessed with Oil Sands
19. NDP call on Province to wake up over Oil Sands toxins
20. Oklahoma family sues TransCanada over land claim
21. State Department denies Freedom of Information Act request regarding Keystone pipeline
22. Tar sands etc. news digest for Monday, January 17
23. Alaska pipeline to re-open today
24. Hunting the Ocean for BP's Missing Millions of Barrels of Oil
25. The CEO and the New Feudalism
===================
1. Important Frac Events in New Brunswick:
“Toward a natural gas regulatory framework in New Brunswick”, Thursday, January 20, 6pm Room C11 in Head Hall of the UNB Fredericton Campus.
Hosted by Southwestern Energy Co. with a speaker from the Environmental Defence Fund, Scott Anderson. Public welcome.
Natural Gas in New Brunswick Open House: Government and Industry will be holding an open house in Sussex on Saturday, January 29th. The time and place is yet to be determined, but mark this date in your calendar (I will send out the details as soon as they are made public). The departments of Natural Resources, Environment and Energy and Industry representatives will be in attendance. This open house is open to ALL PUBLIC, not specifically focused on the Sussex area.
Gasland Screenings: Note the upcoming dates and spread the word to friends and family in these communities:
Harvey: Hosted by Harvey Environmental Action Team, with support from CCNB and Cinema Politica, Thursday, February 10th, 7:00pm at the Harvey High School Theatre.
Woodstock: Hosted by Transition Town Woodstock, with support from CCNB and Cinema Politica, Thursday, February 17th, 7:30 pm at Teaching Theatre at NBCC Woodstock.
Fredericton: Hosted by Cinema Politica and CCNB, Friday, March 25 at 7pm at Conserver House, 180 St. John St.
http://www.cinemapolitica.org/node/2085
==================
2. REPORT: MORNINGSTAR: The Real Weapons of Mass Destruction: Methane, Propaganda & the Architects of Genocide - Part I
http://thebiggestlieevertold.wordpress. ... eview=true
An investigative report. [Part 1: http://bit.ly/fV8slf | Part II: http://bit.ly/gMITca | Part III: http://bit.ly/gMrxw9]
By Cory Morningstar Part I January 17, 2011
World Marches to Methane Annihilation
“[T]he question is not will this methane be released, but when.” – Robert C. Hendricks, NASA, November 2007
The architects of death: The Real Weapons of Mass Destruction are the melting permafrost, the destabilizing methane hydrates and the corporations such as Halliburton, ChevronTexaco, BP, Shell, Exxon Mobil who, hand in hand with the US Department of Energy and the US Department of Defense, have been planning and waiting to exploit methane hydrates for decades. Methane hydrates are considered the ultimate in climate wealth opportunity because the control of these hydrocarbons could literally shift the balance of global power (US Department of Defense). It is clear that nothing has been done to prevent catastrophic climate change – and nothing will be done. Global emissions are set to skyrocket. This article attempts to clearly articulate why, almost two decades after the first international climate change summit, the world governments have failed to protect us from dangerous atmospheric interference. As we are now living in a world that is beyond dangerous, society must be aware of, be able to critically analyze, and ultimately reject the new onslaught of misinformation that is being perpetuated by the corporate elite and the current power structures that support their agenda.
What the Governments and Environmental Groups Won't Tell You
Thawing frozen soils could unleash a carbon bomb – massive volumes of carbon dioxide and methane frozen in the earth's soils are a "time-bomb ticking under our feet." – World Congress of Soil Science, 4 August 2010
MORE:
http://thebiggestlieevertold.wordpress.com/
?p=262&preview=true
===============
3. Methane leaking from shale wells in Canada
http://www.frackcheckwv.net/2011/01/12/
methane-leaking-from-shale-wells-in-canada/
by admin on January 12, 2011
Quebec’s Ministry of Natural Resources reports that 19 of 31 hydrofracked wells inspected by that agency are leaking gas. The wells that were found to have leaks belong to Talisman Energy, Gastem, Canbriam, Questerre and Canadian Forest Oil and date back to 2006. A spokesperson for Talisman confirmed that the gas leaking is methane, a gas 21 times more damaging than carbon dioxide as a greenhouse gas. Andre Belisle, president of the Quebec Association Against Atmospheric Pollution, believes that a moratorium should be in place while more scientific studies are performed to comprehensively assess the environmental impact of shale gas industry in Quebec. The 35-page report was prepared by the Ministry for the BAPE, Quebec’s environmental protection agency. The report is available in French on the BAPE website.
MORE:
http://www.frackcheckwv.net/2011/01/12/
methane-leaking-from-shale-wells-in-canada/
==================
4. Pfffft Goes Promise of Pumping C02 Underground (5 articles)
http://thetyee.ca/Opinion/2011/01/12/Pr ... umpingCO2/
Farmers say high profile carbon sequestration experiment is a bubbling, dangerous failure.
By Andrew Nikiforuk, 12 Jan 2011, TheTyee.ca
Canada's poster child for so-called clean energy and "the world's first CO2 Measurement, Monitoring and Verification Initiative" may have sprung a serious leak in Saskatchewan.
And it's the sort of geological and political disclosure that just might unravel plans to spend billions of taxpayers' dollars on constructing elaborate carbon cemeteries across the country, if not the world.
The story, which includes explosions, dead animals, and an international cast of characters, also raises some critical questions about transparency and the quality of government regulation in a carbon-centric economy.
Nearly a decade ago, the Paris-based International Energy Agency linked up with the Petroleum Technology Research Centre (PTRC) in Regina, Saskatchewan to study the Weyburn oilfield as a perfect model graveyard for greenhouse gases. It lies underneath 50,000 acres of flat farmland.
At the time EnCana Corporation (now Cenovus Energy) had started to flood the aging crude field with gallons of salt water and tonnes of CO2 piped from a North Dakota coal gasification plant nearly 320 miles away.
Carbon dioxide, an atmospheric climate warmer and ocean acidifier, simply coaxed more oil from the reservoir and enhanced production rates. Much of the CO2 also stayed in the reservoir.
As a consequence the IEA, the U.S. government, Alberta Research Council and 20 industrial firms -- including Cenovus -- spent more than $40 million to monitor what would become the world's largest demonstration project for storing carbon underground.
MORE:
http://thetyee.ca/Opinion/2011/01/12/
PromiseOfPumpingCO2/
= = = = =
Sask. farmers worried about CO2 leaks
http://www.cbc.ca/canada/saskatchewan/story/2011/01/11/
sk-carbon-complaint-1101.html
Last Updated: Tuesday, January 11, 2011 The Canadian Press
A Saskatchewan farm couple say greenhouse gases that were supposed to be stored permanently underground are leaking out, killing animals and sending groundwater foaming to the surface like shaken-up soda pop.
Cameron and Jane Kerr, who own land above the Weyburn oilfield in eastern Saskatchewan, have released a consultant's report that claims to link high concentrations of carbon dioxide in their soil to gas injected underground every day.
Energy giant Cenovus injects 8,000 tonnes of the gas every day in an attempt to enhance oil recovery and fight climate change.
MORE:
http://www.cbc.ca/canada/saskatchewan/story/
2011/01/11/sk-carbon-complaint-1101.html
= = = = = =
CO2 Levels at Leaking Canadian Carbon Storage Project Could Asphyxiate You In One Place
http://www.treehugger.com/files/2011/01/
co2-levels-leaking-canadian-carbon-storage-project-asphyxiate-you.php
by Matthew McDermott, New York, NY 01.12.11 Science & Technology
Some more on the leaking carbon sequestration project in Canada that has killed farm animals, and caused all sorts of strange problems for farmers Cameron and Jane Kerr. A new piece in The Tyee fills in some of the background details and the current situation. All of it highlights the serious questions that remain about CCS projects and calls into doubt the continue support by politicians and polluters who seemingly hold out hope for the climate change mitigation technology. Here's what's going on in Saskatchewan:
Going back to 2004, the Kerrs began noticing some leaks. This is shortly after both the IEA and the Petroleum Technology Research Centre claimed that there were no leaks in the Weyburn field CO2 storage project, which now stores more than 17 million metric tons of CO2 and is the world's largest geologic carbon sequestration project. Since that time the public monitoring data on the project "appears to have disappeared."
A year earlier, the Kerrs observed strange things happening in a gravel pit, which promptly filled with water after being dug--the water started hissing bubbles, foaming, and becoming discolored. Ducks, rabbits and nearby goat died. In 2007 the pond exploded.
The provincial government promised to do a year-long study, but never did. Which prompted the Kerrs to undertake the study, which Eco-Justice and others helped with and was released yesterday.
Here's the really scary part:
In one location alone [Paul Lafleur, of Petro-Find Geochem] detected concentrations as high as 110,607 parts per million (ppm), twice the amount needed to asphyxiate a person. Near the Kerr's home he also recorded concentrations of 17,000 ppm, a level "that far exceed the threshold level for health concerns." As a consequence "CO2 could enter the home in dangerous concentrations through the crawl space due to negative pressures caused by a natural gas heating furnace."
Given that Cenovus's closest injection well lies a mile away from the Kerr home, Lafleur concluded that the CO2 was probably seeping through open fractures and faults that intersect the Weyburn field. In other words, there were cracks in the [carbon] cemetery.
In addition a Saskatchewan lab confirmed that the CO2 found at Kerr's place clearly originated from "the CO2 injected into the Weyburn reservoir."
MORE:
http://www.treehugger.com/files/2011/01/
co2-levels-leaking-canadian-carbon-storage-project-asphyxiate-you.php
= = = = = =
More on Carbon Capture & Storage: (Links are on website above)
Canadian Carbon Sequestration Project Leaking,
Killing Farm Animals & Causing Algae Blooms
Carbon Capture And Storage Will Happen -
Here's Why We Should Support It
Leaking Underground Carbon Storage Schemes
Could Contaminate Drinking Water Aquifers
Will Carbon Capture & Storage (CCS) Conflict
With Mineral & Property Rights?
= = = = = = =
U of C plans carbon capture research centre near Priddis
http://news.nationalpost.com/2011/01/17/
university-of-calgary-plans-carbon-capture-research-centre/
BY KELLY CRYDERMAN, CALGARY HERALD JANUARY 17, 2011 7:12 AM
CALGARY - Making sure CO2 injected deep underground stays there will be one of the main thrusts of a University of Calgary research facility slated for a donated patch of land just southwest of the city.
The university is eyeing a parcel outside Priddis for the home of the what geophysics professor Don Lawton says would be the country's first facility dedicated to carbon capture and storage (CCS) monitoring and training.
"There are some other projects that are similar, but this is quite unique in its goals," said Lawton, who specializes in the geological storage of CO2 and will be heading up the facility.
The Alberta government has pledged $2 billion towards four commercial scale CCS projects scheduled to start trapping industrial greenhouse gases by 2015.
CCS is a major part of both the federal and Alberta governments' climate change strategies, but major concerns about the safety of large-scale projects remain.
"It's a key issue for CCS implementation on a commercial scale - assuring the public that it's safe," Lawton said.
The likelihood of a fast, catastrophic release is very small, he said, but even a slow leak could negate any benefits of carbon capture.
MORE:
http://news.nationalpost.com/2011/01/17/
university-of-calgary-plans-carbon-capture-research-centre/
====================
5. NEW RECORD SET FOR DRILLING OF HORIZONTAL OIL WELLS
http://www.gov.sk.ca/
news?newsId=04792106-e013-4714-a3c8-27ee3ab78ff4
News Release - January 13, 2011
Saskatchewan has set a new record for the drilling of horizontal oil wells in the province.
Year-end statistics from the Ministry of Energy and Resources show that 1,531 horizontal oil wells were drilled in 2010. That's an 88 per cent increase over the figure for 2009 and a 13 per cent increase over the previous record set in 2008.
"Horizontal well drilling has now become the standard in the Canadian oil industry," Energy and Resources Minister Bill Boyd said. "Twenty years ago it was experimental technology that our province pioneered, but now it represents more than 50 per cent of our total oil production."
Horizontal wells accounted for 56 per cent of the 2,730 oil wells drilled in Saskatchewan last year. The 2,730 figure is a 70 per cent increase over the number of oil wells drilled in 2009 and was above the 2,360 yearly average for oil wells drilled over the last five years.
Boyd noted that horizontal oil wells involve more complicated drilling processes and require more work by his ministry to review and approve well licenses. The ministry is accordingly hiring eight additional staff in its well licensing areas and field offices to deal with industry demands.
"Our oil industry bounced back from a more challenging year in 2009 with great drilling numbers and increased activity in land sales," Boyd said. "We're looking forward to a strong 2011 from the industry and are working hard as a government to be responsive to that activity, and in particular to this new trend in horizontal drilling."
Last year, the province's oil and gas industry recorded approximately $10.5 billion in sales and invested $3.3 billion in exploration and development activity. It provides direct and indirect employment for more than 29,000 people. -30-
For more information, contact:
Bob Ellis, Energy and Resources, Regina
Phone: 306-787-1691
Email: robert.ellis@gov.sk.ca
=================
6. WATCH: Fracking Hell: The Untold Story
http://dandelionsalad.wordpress.com/2011/01/12/
fracking-hell-the-untold-story/
An original investigative report by Earth Focus and UK’s Ecologist Film Unit looks at the risks of natural gas development in the Marcellus Shale. From toxic chemicals in drinking water to unregulated interstate dumping of potentially radioactive waste that experts fear can contaminate water supplies in major population centers including New York City, are the health consequences worth the economic gains?
Marcellus Shale contains enough natural gas to supply all US gas needs for 14 years. But as gas drilling takes place, using a process called hydraulic fracturing or “fracking,” toxic chemicals and methane gas seep into drinking water. Now experts fear that unacceptable levels of radioactive Radium 226 in gas development waste.
Fracking chemicals are linked to bone, liver and breast cancers, gastrointestinal, circulatory, respiratory, developmental as well as brain and nervous system disorders. Such chemicals are present in frack waste and may find their way into drinking water and air.
MORE:
http://dandelionsalad.wordpress.com/2011/01/12/
fracking-hell-the-untold-story/
==================
7. Quebec should 'go slow' on shale gas: experts
http://www.montrealgazette.com/technology/
Quebec+should+slow+shale+experts/4115517/story.html
By Michelle Lalonde, Gazette Environment Reporter January 15, 2011
MONTREAL - Quebec should hold off on shale gas drilling until serious environmental, economic and legal questions about the industry can be answered, a panel of U.S. and Quebec experts told a packed public meeting in Mont St. Hilaire Saturday.
“The government of Quebec should look to Pennsylvania, and monitor how it is dealing with its problems with shale gas,” said Robert Howarth, a professor of ecology and environmental biology at Cornell University who has studied the environmental impacts of the shale gas industry in the U.S.
“Quebec should go slow and wait until these problems are solved before choosing what is now a messy and dirty process that contaminates the air and the water.”
Howarth was one of four experts invited by a Mont St. Hilaire citizen’s group to a round-table discussion called Why the Exploitation of Shale Gas in Quebec Should Wait. The group charged $10 a head and still managed to attract nearly 400 people to the meeting.
Exploration drilling for shale gas - natural gas trapped in shale rock - has only begun in earnest in the past few years in central Quebec, because the technology for extracting the gas in a cost-effective way has been available for only about a decade. Most of the interest is in the St. Lawrence Lowlands between Montreal and Quebec City, mainly on the south side of the St. Lawrence River, where at least 31 wells have been drilled so far.
The provincial government has been keen to move ahead quickly with shale gas development, touting potential for jobs and economic spinoffs, but environmental groups have been calling for a moratorium on drilling until questions about water and air pollution are answered.
The province’s environmental watchdog agency, the BAPE, is examining the environmental impacts, and is to present a report to the government by the end of February. The environment department then has 60 days to render that report public.
But Howarth and others on Saturday’s panel said the BAPE is ill-equipped to analyze the impacts of the industry in such a short time. He said the Quebec government would be wise to wait for the results of a major analysis undertaken by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, that will take at least another two years to complete.
MORE:
http://www.montrealgazette.com/technology/
Quebec+should+slow+shale+experts/4115517/story.html
More on This Story (Links are on website above)
It's safety, baby, safety when drilling for oil
Natural gas leaks from wells no cause for concern: officials
BP blowout a wake-up call for Quebec
BAPE gets extension on shale gas report
Not everyone agrees shale's a plus
FQM urges caution on shale gas
====================
8. Shale gas is not dead, just resting
http://ca.reuters.com/article/businessNews/
idCATRE70F1BZ20110116?sp=true
By Jeffrey Jones Sun Jan 16, 2011 10:42am EST
CALGARY, Alberta (Reuters) - Shale gas producers are victims of their own success, at least in terms of the glut of the fuel they helped create.
Now, they may be forced to keep applying their technology to tap other, less gassy, energy opportunities for at least another year until prices start some kind of recovery.
It's a strategic side trip, but a necessary one as gas prices stuck in a range of $4 to $5 per million British thermal unit push a lot of shale wells below break-even and crimp cash flows of companies such as Encana Corp (ECA.TO: Quote) and Talisman Energy Inc (TLM.TO: Quote).
"It's tough to see share-price accretion for most of the gas-weighted names," said Macquarie Securities Canada analyst Chris Feltin, who sees perhaps another 12 months of weakness.
"We still have a preference for oil-weighted names as the visibility for higher oil prices seems to be improving supply and demand fundamentals globally."
That's no secret to shale players, who invested heavily in prolific prospects in British Columbia, Texas, Louisiana and Pennsylvania and in the multistage rock-fracturing technology that has allowed the gas to flood markets in increasing volumes.
Encana, for instance, has become so efficient at producing the stuff it has somewhat immodestly dubbed its operations "gas factories". Now, it and its peers face a market at the end of their assembly lines that won't pay the price to produce it.
MORE:
http://ca.reuters.com/article/businessNews/
idCATRE70F1BZ20110116?sp=true
=================
9. Encana shares jump on joint-venture speculation with Chinese firm
http://www.calgaryherald.com/business/
Encana+shares+jump+joint+venture+speculation+with+Chinese+firm/4104468/story.html?cid=megadrop_story
Reuters January 13, 2011
CALGARY - Shares in Encana Corp. (TSX:ECA), Canada's largest natural gas producer, rose as much as 5.2 per cent Thursday, as some speculated the company may be close to adding another joint-venture partner to speed development of its properties.
Shares in Encana, which have dropped 19 per cent over the past year, rose C$1.22 to C$30.44 by midafternoon on the Toronto Stock Exchange after earlier touching C$30.74. Volume was 6.17 million shares, more than twice the three-month average.
Analysts tied the rise, the largest in more than six months, to speculation that the company may be close to reaching a joint-venture agreement with China National Petroleum Corp (CNPC).
"The speculation is that the deal with CNPC is being finalized," said Phil Skolnick, an analyst with Canaccord Genuity.
The two companies signed a memorandum of understanding in June agreeing to negotiate a joint-venture agreement that would see state-owned CNPC get a stake in Encana's Horn River and Montney shale-gas properties in northeastern British Columbia.
Such an agreement would likely speed development of the remote properties, offering Encana outside capital to boost production.
MORE:
http://www.calgaryherald.com/business/
Encana+shares+jump+joint+venture+speculation+with+Chinese+firm/4104468/story.html?cid=megadrop_story
==================
10. Natural gas leaks from wells no cause for concern: officials
http://www.montrealgazette.com/technology/
Natural+leaks+from+wells+cause+concern+officials/4065917/story.html
By Michelle Lalonde Gazette environment reporter, Montreal Gazette January 5, 2011
The fact that natural gas is leaking from 19 of 31 shale gas wells in the Lower St. Lawrence is no cause for concern, officials in Quebec’s Natural Resources department said Wednesday.
“It is not a worrisome situation, or anything out of the ordinary, but of course we are following it closely because we want to ensure that we waste as little as possible of this resource, which is a collective resource,” said Sébastien Desrochers, director of the oil and gas sector in the Ministry of Natural Resources.
The department revealed information about the well inspections in a written response to a question from the Bureau d’audiences publiques sur l’environnement. The public watchdog agency is examining environmental impacts of shale gas exploration and exploitation in the province and is to present a report to the Environment department by the end of February.
The document, dated Dec. 7 and posted on the BAPE website, showed that 31 shale gas wells have been inspected at least once by Natural Resource department inspectors and that at 19 of the sites, natural gas was detected at ground level.
The leaky wells are located in 13 different municipalities, all in the St. Lawrence Lowlands: Saint François du Lac, Bécancour, Saint Louis, Saint David, La Visitation de Yamaska, Saint Jean sur Richelieu, Champlain, Leclercville, Saint Édouard de Lotbinière, La Présentation, Fortierville, Saint Barnabé Sud, and St. Hyacinthe.
But Desrochers said it is normal for natural gas to escape when any kind of drilling is done in soil or rock where natural gas is present. He said all of the sites are isolated and far from residences, and that the “very small” amounts of gas that are leaking pose no danger to human health or the environment.
MORE:
http://www.montrealgazette.com/technology/
Natural+leaks+from+wells+cause+concern+officials/4065917/story.html
= = = = = = =
Importance of shale gas leaks debated
http://www.theconcordian.com/news/
importance-of-shale-gas-leaks-debated-1.1837109
Talisman Energy spokesman says leaks don’t always need to be addressed
By Emily Brass Published: Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Updated: Tuesday, January 11, 2011 04:01
During the past year, Quebec's quickly growing shale gas industry sparked heated debates about potential contamination of water. It wasn't until last week that some new concerns over possible effects on the atmosphere came to light.
In December, Quebec's Department of Natural Resources inspected 31 of the province's brand new gas wells and found that 19 of these were leaking. The information was not released until the public watchdog agency, the bureau d'audiences publiques sur l'environnement, made repeated requests to view the results of the inspection.
MORE:
http://www.theconcordian.com/news/
importance-of-shale-gas-leaks-debated-1.1837109
=============
11. GASFRAC Energy Services Inc. Announces Incident Investigation
http://www.digitaljournal.com/pr/200954#ixzz1BK8BqLm3
CALGARY, ALBERTA--(Marketwire - Jan. 16, 2011) - GASFRAC Energy Services Inc. ("GASFRAC") (TSX VENTURE:GFS) announces that an incident occurred on a location that resulted in a propane leak that was quickly contained. As a result of the leak there was an ignition that resulted in a short fire that damaged the back end of two fracturing pumpers. Three employees incurred minor burns, two have been released from hospital and the other has been asked to stay for further examination of second degree burns on his hands.
GASFRAC is working with the occupational health and safety authorities and the operator to complete a thorough investigation of the incident. As a precautionary measure, GASFRAC has suspended operations until the root cause of the leak has been identified and necessary corrective actions initiated. At that time an updated press release will be issued detailing the actions to be taken.
GASFRAC is an oil and gas service company headquartered in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, whose primary business is to provide LPG fracturing services to oil and gas companies in Canada and the USA.
MORE:
http://www.digitaljournal.com/pr/200954#ixzz1BK8BqLm3
===================
12. Tiny particles used by oil drillers in big demand
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-01-09/
tiny-particles-used-by-oil-drillers-in-big-demand.html
Published: Sunday, 9 Jan 2011 | 11:01 AM ET
BISMARCK, N.D. - State geologists are hopeful North Dakota's sands and clays will work as a substitute for increasingly sparse imported materials used to boost the recovery of crude.
A worldwide supply crunch of so-called proppants — ultra-hard sand grains and tiny manmade ceramic balls — has some drillers using lesser-grade particles that have cut the yield of oil wells in the Bakken and Three Forks formations in western North Dakota.
"The reality is people are sold out of everything," said Mike Vincent, a Golden, Colo.-based engineer. "People are taking whatever they can — an extremely low quality material is being pumped into the Bakken."
Proppants, some the size of a grain of sugar, are used in hydraulic fracturing, a process that uses pressurized fluid and chemicals to break open oil-bearing rock some two miles underground. Cracks, propped open by injected sand or ceramic materials, provide a pathway for oil to flow to the well.
Demand for proppants — pushed by high crude prices — has jumped 400 percent in the past decade, said Vincent, president of Insight Petroleum Consulting LLC, a company that specializes in improving the efficiency of hydraulic fractures.
There are only a handful of proppant manufacturers in the North America; much of what is used in the U.S. is being imported from factories in Russia, China and Brazil, industry officials say.
There are about 20 sand suppliers and 20 ceramic proppant suppliers worldwide, said Earl Freeman, a vice president of PropTesters Inc., a Houston-based proppant testing company.
MORE:
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-01-09/
tiny-particles-used-by-oil-drillers-in-big-demand.html
=================
13. Tax-free damage: Marcellus states should make polluters pay
http://earthblog.org/content/
tax-free-damage-marcellus-states-should-make-polluters-pay
Submitted by Nadia Steinzor on Wed, 01/05/2011 - 13:23
Pennsylvania and New York are the only oil- and gas-producing states without a severance tax to make companies pay for the resources they “sever” from the land forever – and from future generations.
Although no substitute for adequate regulation and enforcement, resource extraction taxes can at least help offset the steep costs of gas development (like road damage, toxic clean up, and health problems).
Coupled with the immense budget crises both states face, it beggars the imagination that they wouldn’t make this multinational, multibillion dollar industry pay a severance tax. And perhaps they may yet.
[Get more background at EARTHblog from EARTHWORKS’
Marcellus organizer Nadia Steinzor]
==================
14. EPA says Texas company not following contamination order
http://www.elp.com/index/
from-the-wires/wire_news_display/1336862755.html
(Monday, January 10, 2011)
Texas-based Range Resources Corp. is fighting U.S. EPA's claim that the company violated a December enforcement order that required it to deal with two water wells contaminated by methane.
EPA says that the company did not take "immediate actions to ensure that neighboring wells are not being contaminated" in Parker County, Texas, and that it did not investigate the wells "to determine precisely how the contamination happened." EPA said that it is concerned natural gas could enter homes through water lines and lead to an explosion.
According to Range Resources spokesman Matt Pitzarella, "virtually everything" in the enforcement order "has already been done," and the company will do additional water tests for anyone who asks. The company also said that it has not found a link between its drilling activities and the methane contamination in the wells.
The Texas Railroad Commission will hold a hearing on the issue on Jan. 18. EPA said it would not participate in the hearing.
MORE:
http://www.elp.com/index/
from-the-wires/wire_news_display/1336862755.html
================
15. Warning over UK shale gas projects
http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2011 ... as-warning
QUOTE: Kevin Anderson, professor of energy and climate change at the Tyndall Centre at Manchester University who wrote the report, believes the shale gas should be left in the ground. "In an energy hungry world any new fossil fuel resource will only lead to additional carbon emissions. In the case of shale gas there is also a significant risk its use will delay the introduction of renewable energy alternatives."
Co-op report comes as mining company Cuadrillo Resources prepares to begin more drilling at a find near Blackpool, Lancashire, which it says is the first true shale gas find in Europe
Terry Macalister guardian.co.uk, Monday 17 January 2011 10.18 GMT
Article history
Ministers are being urged to halt controversial projects to drill for shale gas over fears that it poses significant risks to public health and the environment.
A new report prepared for the Co-op warns that the full impact of drilling for shale gas — an energy resource that has sparked a frenzy of exploration in the US — should be assessed before the go-ahead is given projects in the UK.
The warning comes as mining company Cuadrillo Resources prepares to begin more drilling at a find near Blackpool, Lancashire, which it says is the first true shale gas find in Europe.
Cuadrilla Resources, which includes former BP chief and Whitehall non-executive director Lord Browne on its board, said preliminary drilling confirmed and "possibly exceeded" its expectations.
Cuadrilla is planning more extensive drilling later this month which could involve a controversial technique needed in shale gas extraction called "fracking" - when the rock is fractured using chemicals.
The demand to halt shale gas drilling comes amid rising concerns about the chemicals used in fracking causing ground water contamination and which has led to a temporary ban imposed in New York state. A new film, GasLands, which includes clips of homeowners turning on their taps and igniting gas in areas where shale reserves are being extracted, has heightened campaigners' concerns.
"We are calling for a moratorium on any further exploitation of shale gas which will allow the wider environmental concerns to be fully exposed and addressed," said Neville Richardson, chief executive of The Co-operative Financial Services.
Kevin Anderson, professor of energy and climate change at the Tyndall Centre at Manchester University who wrote the report, believes the shale gas should be left in the ground. "In an energy hungry world any new fossil fuel resource will only lead to additional carbon emissions. In the case of shale gas there is also a significant risk its use will delay the introduction of renewable energy alternatives."
The reserves have only become available because of breakthroughs in both drilling techniques and chemical products but it has transformed the energy market in America and sent the price of natural gas plunging downwards.
Britain and the rest of Europe have much higher gas prices currently and a link with oil prices have sent them to very high levels. Oil has been closing in on $100 per barrel in recent weeks, two and a half times higher than the price seen two years ago.
But the UK's Department of Energy and Climate Change appears unlikely to introduce a moratorium, at least in the near term. It has told the Co-op that it is aware of reports from US of environmental and health issues linked to some shale gas projects but regards the risks as slim.
MORE:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2011/jan/17/
uk-shale-gas-warning
=====================
16. UVic study: Oil spill would hit taxpayers hard
http://www.vancouversun.com/news/
UVic+study+spill+would+taxpayers+hard/4107158/story.html
By Scott Simpson, ssimpson@vancouversun.com Vancouver Sun, January 14, 2011
Environmental Law Centre says compensation on civil liability for damage tops out at $1.3B
Oil-spill compensation from industry is just a drop in the bucket compared to what would be needed to recover from a catastrophic spill off B.C.'s coast, according to a new report.
Spill compensation, including oil-tanker insurance and an international convention on civil liability for oil-pollution damage, tops out at $1.3 billion, according to a study by the University of Victoria's Environmental Law Centre released Thursday by Living Oceans Society.
That's roughly one-third of the cleanup and compensation costs of the 1989 Alaskan Exxon Valdez spill, and the Exxon spill doesn't even rank in the top 30 largest global spills.
Living Oceans Society issued the report as part of its opposition to a proposal by Calgary-based Enbridge Inc. to build a twin 1,170-kilometre pipeline system that would move oil and condensate between refineries near Edmonton and a deepsea port terminal on the central British Columbia coast at Kitimat. Supertankers, each carrying up to two million barrels of oil, would thread their way through coastal waters to the open ocean, and groups such as Living Oceans Society and Coastal First Nations assert that the environmental risks are too great to be overridden.
Enbridge has an application before the National Energy Board, including a transportation plan it insists will make tanker traffic safe through inside coastal waters.
In an email, Enbridge said that spills are "not inevitable" and while "the probability is remote, Northern Gateway has placed high priority on both the assessment of risks and the measures required to mitigate those risks, as well as response capabilities and the equipment and logistics support a rapid response would require."
The company said that its risk management program reduces the probability of a large spill to once in 2,800 years.
According to the report, there are four tiers of compensation in the event of a spill. One -- a ship owner's liability -- is limited to $140 million by an international compensation fund, regardless of cleanup costs.
MORE:
http://www.vancouversun.com/news/
UVic+study+spill+would+taxpayers+hard/4107158/story.html
= == = = = = =
REPORT: Financial Vulnerability Assessment: Who Would Pay for Oil Tanker Spills Associated with the Northern Gateway Pipeline?
http://livingoceans.org/files/Images/media/
financial-vulnerability-assessment.pdf
By Matthew Boulton For Living Oceans Society October, 2010
Supervised by: Calvin Sandborn, Legal Director
======================
17. Oilsands Quest Announces Executive Appointment and Participation in Saskatchewan Trade Mission to China
http://news.tradingcharts.com/futures/6 ... 51486.html
CUSIP No. 678046 10 3 NYSE Amex: BQI
CALGARY, Jan. 18 /CNW/ - Oilsands Quest Inc. (NYSE Amex: BQI) ("Oilsands Quest" or "the Company") has appointed Simon Raven to the position of Vice President, Exploration and Development.
Simon Raven has served as Chief Geologist at Oilsands Quest Inc. since August 2006 and has been an integral part of the team that delineated the Company's discoveries at Axe Lake, Raven Ridge and Wallace Creek. In his new role, Mr. Raven will be responsible for the exploration and development of the Company's assets.
Mr. Raven started his career at Synenco, where he worked on the Northern Lights oil sands project as a member of the team that drilled over 500 exploration holes and delineated over two billion barrels of bitumen.
Mr. Raven then spent five years with Norwest Corporation working as a project geologist and project manager. During his time with Norwest, he managed coal bed methane and oil sands exploration projects throughout Western Canada and in Western China.
Mr. Raven is a member of the Canadian Society of Petroleum Geologists (CSPG), American Association of Petroleum Geologists (AAPG) and the Canadian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy (CIM), a professional geologist (P.geol) and an active member of the Association of Professional Engineers, Geologist and Geophysicists of Alberta (APEGGA).
Oilsands Quest to Accompany Saskatchewan Energy Minister to China
Oilsands Quest will be part of a trade delegation to China led by Saskatchewan Minister of Energy and Resources, Bill Boyd, from January 17th to 21st, 2011. The Company, together with three representatives of the Minister's office, will meet with Asian companies that have investments in the province to promote Saskatchewan resources, including oilsands, to potential investors.
"We are very pleased to be a part of Minister Boyd's delegation," said Paul Ching, a Director of the Company who will be a member of the delegation. "We are excited to be developing Saskatchewan's first oil sands project, and we look forward to presenting this opportunity to potential investors."
About Oilsands Quest
Oilsands Quest Inc. (www.oilsandsquest.com) is exploring and developing oil sands permits and licences, located in Saskatchewan and Alberta, and developing Saskatchewan's first commercial oil sands discovery. It is leading the establishment of the province of Saskatchewan's emerging oil sands industry.
For further information: Garth Wong, Chief Financial Officer, Email: ir@oilsandsquest.com, Investor Line: 1-877-718-8941
====================
18. Why Six Petro Giants Are Obsessed with Oil Sands
http://thetyee.ca/News/2011/01/17/
PetroGiants/?utm_source=daily&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=170111
Boxed out of most global oil plays, ExxonMobil, BP, Royal Dutch Shell, Total, ConocoPhillips and Chevron see their fates tied to Alberta crude.
By Geoff Dembicki, 17 Jan 2011, TheTyee.ca
Six of the planet's largest corporations, once masters of the global oil market, now control a tiny fraction of world energy reserves. And as their stock prices stagnate, these so-called "supermajors" are shovelling billions of dollars into Alberta's oil sands.
Green observers fear industry expansions, those underway and projected, could shred Canada's climate change commitments and accelerate a global shift to higher-carbon fossil fuels. Still, aggressive oil sands development appears to be one of the few viable growth strategies left for ExxonMobil, BP, Royal Dutch Shell, Total, ConocoPhillips and Chevron. These six energy giants are among the top-earning private companies on Earth. Yet their continued corporate existence, at least in its current form, is far from assured.
National governments and state-owned fossil fuel firms such as China National Petroleum Corporation produce 93 per cent of the world's oil. The formerly dominant supermajors are now seeking out riskier and riskier reserves, drilling in the ultra-deep waters of the Gulf of Mexico and mapping the Arctic Ocean floor. In their continuing struggle to appease investors, they've also become increasingly reliant on major oil sands expansions, suggests groundbreaking new research detailed later in this story.
"The supermajors just don't have all that many options," said Alexandros Petersen, director of research for the London-based Henry Jackson Society, a global studies think tank. "And so if you get boxed out of places like Venezuela -- or Angola by the Chinese -- you go after whatever you can get. The oil sands are one of those 'whatever-you-can-get' places."
MORE:
http://thetyee.ca/News/2011/01/17/PetroGiants/
?utm_source=daily&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=170111
Related Articles (Links are on website above)
How the World's Oil Giants Are Selling the 'Captured Carbon' Dream
Inside a global effort to convince the public an unproven technology will
let us have our fossil fuels and a cooler planet, too.
Oil Spills Aren't a 'Not in My Backyard' Issue
Add to the BP Gulf disaster many oil nightmares you never hear about. Wherever they hit, we're all responsible.
How the Tar Sands Threaten Canada's Economic Fate
A short course in Dutch Disease, deindustrialization and the Bitumen Curse.
=================
19. NDP call on Province to wake up over Oil Sands toxins
http://www.townoflaronge.ca/TheNorthern ... php?id=792
by Valerie G. Barnes- Connell
In the light of a Oil Sands Advisory Panel’s report released Dec. 21, 2010, NDP Environment critic Sandra Morin announced the NDP is working on a Private Member’s Bill designed to ensure the people of Saskatchewan are protected from “environmental threats to their health and well-being,” along with compensation for the province for, what Morin referred to as, negative affects on the provinces economy resulting from Oil Sands development, she said in an interview with The Northerner.
“It’s long over due. We’re seeing more and more reports over the last two years (highlighting concerns about Oil Sands development). We don’t have adequate monitoring in place to be able to (track) the direct effect ...(it’s) the final bell to be rung on the issue, on doing something substantive on oil sands development.”
Jim Prentice, former federal minister for Environment Canada announced an independent advisory panel Sept. 30. Members of the panel included: Dr. Peter J. Dillon, Dr. Subhasis Ghoshal, Dr. Andrew D. Miall, Dr. Joseph Rasmussen and Dr. John P. Smol, and the panel was chaired by panel member Elizabeth Dowdeswell. Their report was released Dec. 21, 2010.
Morin made specifi c reference to Lake Athabasca in northern Saskatchewan, which is downstream from the Oil Sands and downwind, in a letter to John Baird, minister of Environment Canada, written Dec. 22, 2010.
An adequate environmental monitoring program must extend beyond political boundaries and address concerns in multiple jurisdictions, Morin said.
She notes in her letter the Pembina Institute’s predictions for Oil Sands emissions by 2015 are expected to be 196,000 tonnes of nitrogen oxides, 166,000 tonnes of sulphur dioxide and 300,000 tonnes of volatile organic compounds.
“As with water quality, the approach to monitoring air quality must be comprehensive, coherent, and coordinated among the affected jurisdictions, including Saskatchewan.”
MORE:
http://www.townoflaronge.ca/TheNorthern ... php?id=792
= = = = =
Opposition Wants AB to Pay for Oil Sands Pollution
http://www.mbcradio.com/news/news/news_ ... ewsID=9463
Wednesday, December 22, 2010 at 11:54
A provincial NDP member wants to bring forth a bill that will make Alberta pay for oil sands pollution in Saskatchewan.
Environment Critic Sandra Morin says the Wall government has not done enough to measure or protect Saskatchewan residents from the toxins coming from the Alberta Oilsands project.
Morin says the Alberta government needs to compensate the province for the health of residents and resources such as farmland and water.
MORE:
http://www.mbcradio.com/news/news/news_ ... ewsID=9463
==================
20. Oklahoma family sues TransCanada over land claim
http://www.calgaryherald.com/
story_print.html?id=4121413&sponsor=
Family of homesteaders argue against Canadian company's move to claim land
By Dina O'Meara, Calgary HeraldJanuary 17, 2011 2:02 PM
CALGARY - The family of a homesteading couple in Oklahoma have filed a suit against TransCanada Corp. (TSX:TRP), saying the Canadian company can't force Americans to give up their land to build a foreign pipeline.
The latest challenge to TransCanada's Keystone XL oil pipeline was filed late last week by descendants of the White family, who have farmed in the region for more than a century.
Twelve members of the clan signed the legal suit arguing the Calgary-based energy and pipeline giant did not have the right to make the family give up land to accommodate the 500,000-barrel-per-day line.
"I don't think it is fair for a foreign company doing business in the U.S. to come in and railroad us by taking our land without our consent," said Sue Kelso, daughter of A.L. and Dollie White. "Eminent domain is supposed to be used for projects that benefit everyone. Who's going to benefit from this pipeline except Canadian oil companies and the Chinese?"
MORE:
http://www.calgaryherald.com/
story_print.html?id=4121413&sponsor=
=================
21. State Department denies Freedom of Information Act request regarding Keystone pipeline
http://www.argusleader.com/article/20110112/UPDATES/
110112032/-1/EVENTSFORM
The U.S. State Department has denied a Freedom of Information Act request by environmental groups seeking correspondence between the agency and a TransCanada lobbyist who also served on Secretary of State Hilary Clinton’s presidential campaign.
Friends of the Earth, Corporate Ethics International and the Center for International Environmental Law had cited a potential confilict of interest in the work of Paul Elliott, who is lobbying for approval of the Keystone XL pipeline.
The 1,660-mile pipeline would pass through western South Dakota on its way to ports on the Gulf Coast.
In a press release, Friends of the Earth called the denial an “evasive maneuver” and cited a separate report that Elliott registered as a lobbyist Dec. 16, three days after the groups disclosed the ties and announced filing the FOIA request.
The State Department is expected to release its environmental impact statement on Keystone XL within weeks.
Read the full release here: www.bit.ly/fxuCGO or
http://www.foe.org/
state-department-refuses-release-information-tar-sands-oil-pipeline
==================
22. Tar sands etc. news digest for Monday, January 17
From: Bill Walker <bwalker@corpethics.org>
Date: Mon, Jan 17, 2011 at 12:34 PM
Subject: {TSG} Tar sands etc. news digest for Monday, January 17
Oklahoma eminent domain case
Oklahoma land owners fighting TransCanada over Keystone pipelinehttp://www.theglobeandmail.com/globe-investor/
oklahoma-land-owners-fighting-transcanada-over-keystone-pipeline/article1872884/
Globe and Mail
Oklahoma family fighting TransCanada 'land grab'http://www.ctv.ca/CTVNews/Canada/20110117/
oklahoma-family-transcanada-pipeline-fight-110117/
Associated Press
TransCanada Faces Legal Challenge From Oklahoma Landowners http://www.nasdaq.com/aspx/
stock-market-news-story.aspx?storyid=201101171308dowjonesdjonline000192&title=transcanada-faces-legal-challenge-from-oklahoma-landowners
Dow Jones
Tar Sands: U.S. Legal Challenge to Eminent Domain for TransCanada's Keystone ...
http://www.benzinga.com/pressreleases/11/01/m784028/
tar-sands-u-s-legal-challenge-to-eminent-domain-for-transcanadas-keyston
Benzinga
Hillary Clinton and Keystone lobbyist
Clinton Ties to Pipeline Lobbyist Obscured by Questionable FOIA Denial
http://www.reuters.com/article/idUS96463486420110117
Reuters
The heavy haul
Idaho, Montana megaloads worry Forest Service http://www.thetrucker.com/News/Stories/2011/1/17/
IdahoMontanamegaloadsworryForestService.aspx
The Trucker
ConocoPhillips Fires Back At Opponents Of Big Rig Plan http://www.nbcmontana.com/news/26500538/detail.html
NBC Montana
Canadian environmental politics
West, East split on free-trade talks with Europe http://www.edmontonjournal.com/business/
West+East+split+free+trade+talks+with+Europe/4114197/story.html
Edmonton Journal
Alberta tar sands fire
Horizon restart up in the air http://www.upstreamonline.com/live/article241738.ece
Upstream Online
Alyeska pipeline
Alyeska Completes Repair of Trans Alaska Oil Pipeline
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/
article.cgi?f=%2Fg%2Fa%2F2011%2F01%2F16%2Fbloomberg1376-LF5BBD1A1I4H01-0O6BPCURFNHVDGB07J87595OG7.DTL
San Francisco Chronicle
====================
23. Alaska pipeline to re-open today
http://www.energydelta.org/mainmenu/
edi-intelligence/latest-energy-news/alaska-pipeline-to-re-open-today
January 17, 2011
The Trans Alaska Pipeline System will resume normal operations some time today, after struggling with a leak in piping at the Prudhoe Bay intake station, the company behind it has announced.
A spokeswoman for Alyeska Pipeline Service told Reuters the company would soon finish installing of a 157-foot (48-metre) bypass line that will route oil around the leaking section of pipe.
MORE:
http://www.energydelta.org/mainmenu/edi-intelligence/
latest-energy-news/alaska-pipeline-to-re-open-today
= = = = = =
No estimate for reopening of Alaska oil pipeline
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20110109/ts_ ... ine_alaska
By Yereth Rosen Yereth Rosen – Sun Jan 9, 4:06 pm ET
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (Reuters) – The Trans Alaska Pipeline was shut for a second day on Sunday, with no indication of when it would reopen, after a leak was discovered at Prudhoe Bay, forcing oil companies to cut production to 5 percent of their average 630,000 barrels per day.
The shutdown of one of the United States' key oil arteries, which carries about 12 percent of the country's production, is the latest setback for the aging, 33-year old pipeline, which handles less than a third of the oil it did at its peak in the 1980s.
Closures of the pipeline, although short, have provoked criticism of its operators, particularly major owner BP, whose reputation is already at an all-time low after the Gulf of Mexico blow-out last year, causing the largest-ever U.S. oil spill.
The shutdown of the 800-mile (1,280 kilometer) line, which runs from the Prudhoe Bay oilfield to the tanker port of Valdez, has not yet affected shipments, and tankers are being loaded on schedule at Valdez, meaning there is no immediate danger of restricted oil supply. Oil produced during the shutdown will be stored at Prudhoe Bay until the pipeline reopens.
Alyeska Pipeline Service Co, the operator of the pipeline which discovered the leak on Saturday morning, had no estimate of how much oil leaked, but none seems to have escaped beyond concrete encasing the pipeline at the intake pump station at Prudhoe Bay.
"The concrete encasement is why we don't believe there's any environmental impact," said Alyeska spokeswoman Michelle Egan. "Until we can excavate, we won't be able to say that definitely."
She provided no estimate of when the pipeline would reopen or when normal oil production could resume.
MORE:
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20110109/ts_nm/
us_oil_pipeline_alaska
=================
24. Hunting the Ocean for BP's Missing Millions of Barrels of Oil
http://www.sott.net/articles/show/
221623-Hunting-the-Ocean-for-BP-s-Missing-Millions-of-Barrels-of-Oil
Naomi Klein January 13, 2011
EXCERPT:
Already there is evidence of at least one significant underwater die-off. In November Penn State biologist Charles Fisher led a NOAA-sponsored expedition that found colonies of ancient sea fans and other coral coated in brown sludge, 1,400 meters down. Nearly all the coral in the area was "dead or in the process of dying," Fisher told me. And he echoed something I heard from many other scientists: in a career of studying these creatures, he has never seen anything like this. There were no underwater pools of oil nearby, but the working theory is that subsea oil and dispersants must have passed through the area like some kind of angel of death.
MORE:
http://www.sott.net/articles/show/
221623-Hunting-the-Ocean-for-BP-s-Missing-Millions-of-Barrels-of-Oil
==================
25. The CEO and the New Feudalism
http://murraydobbin.ca/
Posted on January 17, 2011 by murraydobbin
Few developments in our era of savage capitalism are so powerfully symbolic of the new feudalism than the obscene compensation paid out to the new economic elite: the CEOs of the most powerful corporations in the country. The CCPA’s Hugh MacKenzie now reminds us yearly of this economic and social sickness by identifying exactly when the average CEO (of the 100 largest firms) has earned as much as the average worker makes in a year (this time around it was by 2:30 p.m. on January 3rd.) The average total compensation for Canada’s 100 highest paid CEOs was $6,643,895 in 2009.
The social and political implications of this grotesque over-compensation are more important than the actual dollars. Socially, in terms of class, it represents the ruling elite’s deliberate and conscious declaration that they will take as much money as they want out of the system simply because they can. It is the most powerful way that the elite can make clear that they have nothing in common with the rest of us. Their excess compensation has little to do with their value to a firm, their contribution or their ability.
Yet, says MacKenzie, the disparity between CEO compensation and the average worker’s pay continues to grow: “In 1995, the average pay of Canada’s highest paid 50 CEOs was $2.66 million, 85 times the pay of the average worker. In 2009, the average pay of the highest paid 50 CEOs had skyrocketed to 219 times the pay of the average worker.” The ratio for the top 100 went from 104 times in 1998 but to 155 times in 2009
MORE:
http://murraydobbin.ca/
= = = = = = =
Canada’s best-paid CEOs ‘recession-proof’: study
http://www.policyalternatives.ca/newsro ... -releases/
canada%E2%80%99s-best-paid-ceos-%E2%80%98recession-proof%E2%80%99-study
National Office | News Release
Issue(s): Corporations and corporate power, Inequality and poverty
Projects & Initiatives: Growing Gap
January 3, 2011
TORONTO – Canada’s best-paid 100 CEOs breezed through the worst of the recession with earnings 155 times higher than the average Canadian income earner, says a new study by the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives (CCPA).
The study, Recession-Proof, looks at 2009 compensation levels for Canada’s best paid 100 CEOs and finds they pocketed an average of $6.6 million during the darkest period of the recession – a stark contrast from the total average Canadian income of $42,988.
“At this rate of reward, this handful of elite CEOs pocket the equivalent of the average Canadian wage by 2:30 pm on January 3 – the first working day of the year,” says the study’s author and CCPA Research Associate Hugh Mackenzie.
The study shows executive compensation in Canada wasn’t always this rich. In 1998, the best paid 100 CEOs pocketed an average of 104 times more than the average Canadian wage earner, compared to 155 times more in 2009.
“Even that extraordinary number understates the real story,” says Mackenzie. “Thanks to a change in corporate reporting introduced in 2008, we only have a conservative statistical estimate of the stock options that make up about one third of CEOs’ 2009 pay. The public will never know how much most of these CEOs actually got paid in 2009.
“And that’s only half the story. These CEOs are sitting on $1.3 billion of stock options they haven’t yet cashed in. That’s about $2 in future income for every $1 they declared in 2009.”
When the CEOs decide to exercise those stock options, the study reveals Canadians will subsidize that bonus with an estimated average of $360 million in foregone taxes, since stock options are taxed at a lower rate, as if they are capital gains. Among Mackenzie’s recommendations: getting rid of that expensive and unfair loophole.
The study highlights the role that soaring executive compensation plays in the dramatic growth in income inequality in Canada identified in a recent CCPA study by Senior Economist Armine Yalnizyan. Yalnizyan found that fully one third of all income growth in Canada in the past 20 years went to the richest 1% of Canadians. –30–
For more information please contact:
Trish Hennessy at (416) 551-2059 or Kerri-Anne Finn at (613) 563-1341 x306.
Canada’s best-paid CEOs ‘recession-proof’: study http://www.policyalternatives.ca/publications/reports/
recession-proof
[/b]
- Oscar
- Site Admin
- Posts: 9851
- Joined: Wed May 03, 2006 3:23 pm
FRACKING/ENERGY NEWS (Pt. I) : January 23, 2011
by Oscar » Sun Jan 23, 2011 4:09 pm
FRACKING/ENERGY NEWS (Pt. I) : January 23, 2011
1. Screenings: Water on the Table: A film about our most wasted resource
2. BISHOP: Chemical and Biological Risk Assessment for Natural Gas Extraction in New York
3. (SK) Gas not leaking from carbon storage project: review (video)
4. Alberta Landowners’ Rights - 5 articles
5. Calmar residents want relocation fund over set up
6. Home energy improvements stalled
7. If knowledge is power, many Albertans are left powerless
8. Encana gives money to Dinosaur Center
9. Wells in Quebec Along the St. Lawrence (MAP)
10. Quebec warns it might slap ban on shale-gas development if industry isn't clean
11. Ontario’s new dilemma: Too much power
12. Regulators question claims in documentary ‘Gasland’
13. Texas Landowners Sue Oil Companies for Water Contamination During Hydraulic Fracking
14. INVESTORS CHALLENGE NINE OIL AND GAS COMPANIES ON HYDRAULIC FRACTURING PRACTICES
15. EPA pushes back on reports it changed fracking rules (3 articles)
16. Houses for shale
17. Chesapeake Energy: What’s Up With These Lawsuits?
18. Marcellus Shale 'key' to W.Va.'s future
=================
1. Screenings: Water on the Table: A film about our most wasted resource
http://www.rabble.ca/news/2011/01/
water-table-film-about-our-most-wasted-resource
BY MELANIE REDMAN | JANUARY 20, 2011
Will the global community define water as a human right, available to all, or as a commodity to be bought, sold, traded, and ultimately out of reach from the poorest people on this earth? Liz Marshall's documentary, Water on the Table, explores this question through a portrait of Maude Barlow and her tireless efforts to define water as a human right. Maude's work as the national chairperson for the Council of Canadians, and her earlier efforts as a leading dissident concerning the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), has placed her in the global hot seat when it comes to water. With a grace most of us will never attain, Maude has leveraged this position to make the question of water front-and-center on the agenda of the United Nations, where efforts continue to implement a global water covenant or treaty, much like the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, guaranteeing water as a human right, as well as solidifying governments' obligations to provide access.
I'm writing this review in the middle of a New York City blizzard. Looking out the window at the centimetres of snow accumulating, it's hard to picture water scarcity, yet we are seeing the beginnings of what Barlow calls "a crisis of monumental proportions" concerning global water security, resulting in water migration and water refugees around the world. Will Canada protect its ecosystems and watersheds as they are, thus preserving this essential life resource for future generations, or will Canada bend to corporate will and prepare for a future of bulk water exports and water insecurity?
The film, in all of its visual and audio grandeur, follows Barlow in two struggles that bring the water issue home to Canadians -- the Alberta Tar Sands, and a local struggle in Simcoe County, Ontario. It's hard enough to wrap my brain around the environmental catastrophe that is the Alberta Tar Sands, but when you learn that three million barrels of water are destroyed daily to extract oil from that place, the breadth of the devastation is much more clear. For every barrel of oil extracted, three to five barrels of water are destroyed.
The film makes it clear that the water is completely ruined and should not be finding its way back into the local water table. Sadly, it does and we're seeing the resulting blight on the health and wellness of river communities in northern Alberta now.
In the face of what could seem like an insurmountable fight with the Tar Sands, the film follows another story of community and perseverance against corporate dominance in Simcoe County, Ontario -- Stop Site 41. More than 10 years ago now, community members learned that the government had granted permission for a landfill to be built on top of what is considered the aquifer with the cleanest, best water in the world. Barlow supported this community's efforts to retain control of their water. Watching their story of incremental victories unfold, we get the sense that we are united in a global struggle with regular folks around the world to protect and secure the "life blood" of the earth.
Filmmaker Marshall's stunning portrait highlights what, for me, is fundamental about Canada -- opportunity. Canada has the opportunity (and obligation) to lead on many global issues, including water -- the opportunity to set the example, draw the line.
As a new Canadian, I've discussed this point again and again with friends and family in the U.S. and Canada. When asked why I think Canada is so special, and why I want to make it my home, I think of Canada's historic position in the global community as a barometer for human rights, and I'm filled with hope that Canada will once again rise to the occasion and support the United Nations in declaring water an inalienable human right.
Info on future screenings:
http://www.wateronthetable.com/screenings/
==================
2. BISHOP: Chemical and Biological Risk Assessment for Natural Gas Extraction in New York
(Possible postings):
www.sustainableotsego.org,
www.damascuscitizens.org,
www.shaleshock.org and
www.un-naturalgas.org
Ronald E. Bishop, Ph.D., CHO, Chemistry and Biochemistry Department
State University of New York, College at Oneonta - Draft, January 21, 2011
Summary:
Over the last decade, operators in the natural gas industry have developed highly sophisticated methods and materials for the exploration and production of methane from unconventional reservoirs. In spite of the technological advances made to date, these activities pose significant chemical and biological hazards to human health and ecosystem stability. If future impacts may be inferred from recent historical performance, then:
• Between two and four percent of shale gas well projects in New York will pollute local ground-water over the short term. Serious regulatory violation rates will exceed twelve percent.
• More than one of every six shale gas wells will leak fluids to surrounding rocks and to the surface over the next century.
• Each gas well pad, with its associated access road and pipeline, will generate a sediment discharge of approximately eight tons per year into local waterways, further threatening federally endangered mollusks and other aquatic organisms.
• Construction of access roads and pipelines will fragment field and forest habitats, further threatening plants and animals which are already species of concern. 2
• Some chemicals in ubiquitous use for shale gas exploration and production, or consistently present in flowback fluids, constitute human health and environmental hazards when present at extremely low concentrations. Potential exposure effects for humans will include poisoning of susceptible tissues, endocrine disruption syndromes, and elevated risks for certain cancers.
• Exposures of gas field workers and neighbors to toxic chemicals and noxious bacteria are exacerbated by certain common practices, such as air/foam-lubricated drilling and the use of impoundments for flowback fluids. These methods, along with the intensive use of diesel-fueled equipment, will degrade air quality and may cause a recently described “down-winder’s syndrome” in humans, livestock and crops.
• State officials have not effectively managed oil and gas exploration and production in New York, evidenced by thousands of undocumented or improperly abandoned wells and numerous incidents of soil and water contamination. Human health impacts from these incidents appear to include abnormally high death rates from glandular and reproductive system cancers in men and women. Improved regulations and enhanced enforcement may reasonably be anticipated to produce more industry penalties, but not necessarily better industry practices, than were seen in the past.
Overall, proceeding with any new projects to extract methane from unconventional reservoirs by current practices in New York State is highly likely to degrade air, surface water and ground-water quality, to harm humans, and to negatively impact aquatic and forest ecosystems. Mitigation measures can partially reduce, but not eliminate, the anticipated damage.
Full Text:
Possible postings:
www.sustainableotsego.org,
www.damascuscitizens.org,
www.shaleshock.org and
www.un-naturalgas.org
=======
3. (SK) Gas not leaking from carbon storage project: review (video)
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/
industry-news/energy-and-resources/gas-not-leaking-from-carbon-storage-project-review/article1875950/
NATHAN VANDERKLIPPE Last updated Wed., Jan. 19, 2011
A scientific review says there is no evidence to support claims that carbon dioxide is leaking from a high-profile Saskatchewan project.
A team of engineers, geologists and geophysicists reviewed claims made by a consultant who said soil samples showed conclusive proof that gases are escaping from a carbon sequestration reservoir in Weyburn, Sask.
The team assessed the findings of a firm called Petro-Find Geochem Ltd., which conducted the report on behalf of Jane and Cameron Kerr, whose discovery of a series of bizarre phenomena on their property near Weyburn – including strange algal blooms, dead animals and fizzy water – made them suspect gas was bubbling up. Petro-Find found high levels of carbon dioxide in soil gas, and concluded that it “is clearly the anthropogenic CO2 injected into the Weyburn reservoir.”
But scientists with the Petroleum Technology Research Centre, which has been conducting a decade-long, $85-million research survey of the Weyburn project for the International Energy Agency, said the findings in the Petro-Find report do not support that conclusion.
MORE:
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/
industry-news/energy-and-resources/gas-not-leaking-from-carbon-storage-project-review/article1875950/
MORE RELATED TO THIS STORY (Links are on website)
• Alleged leaks from carbon storage project questioned
• Carbon capture project leaking into their land, couple says
• Powering a province on the rise
VIDEO: Farmer says land fizzing with CO2 (Link on website above)
================
4. Alberta Landowners’ Rights - 5 articles
WATCH: Keith Wilson Information Tour Video – (AB) Landowners’ Rights
The following are the links to the *Keith Wilson Information Tour Video*, in nine parts. The video is from January, 2011, Brooks, Alberta. The video is also on the landownersagainstbills.com website and can be found in nine parts under video. They can also be found on youtube, under "Keith Wilson Tour".
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ntxqRtU29ac
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4KBj1iELg3U
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wJtpyJZQlVQ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7XLoUGVjfxs
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hTDAXvBq7xY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3RkpWjN8o5c
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c0KbfhW-BpU
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DKLCNkXvpMs
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pZhddr8KaAs
= = = = = =
Critics argue legislation threatens property rights
http://www.albertasurfacerights.com/articles/?id=857
Jan 19, 2011 04:38 pm | By Don Patterson | Rocky View Weekly
Opposition to a series of laws approved by the provincial government in recent years is building as critics argue it will impact Albertan’s property rights.
As calls increase to repeal such laws as the Land Assembly Project Area Act and the Alberta Land Stewardship Act (ALSA) — often referred to as Bills 19 and 36 respectively — Premier Ed Stelmach announced the Province will review the legislation.
Alberta lawyer Keith Wilson said the laws should be scrapped and sent back to the drawing board. He will be speaking at the Community Centre in Crossfield, Jan. 26 at 7 p.m.
“This legislation is dangerous, flawed and needs to be repealed,” he said during a public forum in High River, Jan. 12.
MORE:
http://www.albertasurfacerights.com/articles/?id=857
= = = = = =
CCS ACT - Bill 24 - Press Release - Alberta Surface Rights Group
http://www.albertasurfacerights.com/articles/?id=876
For immediate release – January 21, 2011
The Alberta Surface Rights Group has done extensive research into the Provincial Government’s recent passing of the Carbon, Capture and Sequestrian Act (Bill 24). The Bill was introduced for first reading to the Legislature on November 2, 2011 and was proclaimed on December 2, 2011. In order to rush this legislation thru, the Government of Alberta enacted Closure to stifle any public debate, and in a mere 30 days the Act was passed which put into law the Government’s expropriation of subsurface property ownership and also committed 2.5 Billion dollars of Alberta taxpayers’ dollars to be given to private for profit companies.
- - - - SNIP - - - -
All MLA’s have been invited to attend this meeting to be held at the Trochu Community Hall on February 1, 2011 at 7:00 pm.
= = = = = = =
LETTER: RIEDNER: CCS + Land rights + tax dollars
DATE: Fri, 21 Jan 2011 14:46:18 -0700
FROM: Marcus Riedner
TO: calgary.bow@assembly.ab.ca, premier@gov.ab.ca
Good afternoon,
There has been a lot of information in the news this week on the failure (or at best controversy) at the Carbon Capture and Sequestering facility in Weyburn Saskatchewan, and the level of damage it did (or did not do depending on which science you look at) to a farming family near the facility. Given that the Alberta government is planning to spend $2.5 billion tax payer dollars on this technology that is showing signs of failure and long term damage to agriculture land and ground water, I'm curious as to why the tax payer is footing the bill for the RnD and production of these facilities. With the tight budgets for health care that have had my wife waiting 18 months to deal with a volleyball sized uterine tumor, and my father nearly dying in an ER waiting room I seriously question the short and long term value of an investment that large when vital services are failing.
Education in the province is slipping every year, and the cost to students for post secondary has approached levels seen in the USA. It looks like when my wife and I have kids (hopefully we can find a hospital to do the delivery, which will now have to be c-section ) we'll need a second mortgage to pay for their schooling and they'll still need to weigh themselves down with huge debt loads to get educated. Given that an educated person generates an extra $50-75,000 of lifetime taxes for each year of post-secondary education they get, it doesn't make long term financial sense to make it increasingly
difficult for people to gain an education. Someone with a bachelors degree is going to generate an additional $250,000 in tax revenue, to me the long term health of our economy requires education. $2.5 billion dollars also trains a lot of doctors, nurses, and medical technicians.
I'm also a bit concerned about the logic in spending money to make dirty industry clean, rather then promoting clean industry in the first place. I've heard a great deal about money allocated to desperately offsetting the environmental nightmare that is Big Oil and
Gas in this province, but I've heard almost nothing about promoting wind, solar, geothermal, or hydro. Can you provide the plans, if there are any, for alternatives to oil and gas power production in Alberta, and what sort of financial commitments are in place by the government?
I would also like to know why so many pieces of legislation in this province are getting fast-tracked into law or hush-hushed until passed (Bill 19, Bill 36, Bill 50, Bill 24). As a citizen who tries to pay attention to what laws our politicians are passing I find it increasingly troubling that so many activities in the legislative assembly are going unheard by the media and people until after they are passed into law. It seems that industry and corporations, which only have a vested interest in profit margins, are regularly consulted. Citizenry, not so much. Is there a twitter feed or a mailing list that I can subscribe too in order to keep abreast of these things before the pass into law? I want to be more informed, but with the government hiding things and the media obtuse until after-the-fact how am I supposed to stay abreast of issues in the province?
Over all Big Oil and Gas are more profitable then ever, and our government keeps giving them tax breaks in the middle of a deficit nightmare. I seriously question the ethics and economic sense in pushing more tax burden onto an increasingly marginalized middle class. Especially to pay for the mess that large industry has made. Would it not make more sense to levy that $2.5 billion dollars out of the oil and gas industry, given that they are making a lot of the mess in the first place?
I do understand that citizens bare a responsibility for our lifestyle as well. Is that not what royalty fees (in addition too corporate taxes) and the consumer taxes at the gas pump are too represent? I don't see industry paying their share, just the citizenry. It saddens me, to see greed running the show. 25 years from now this nightmare is going to balloon in cost... and I'm going to be paying for it. Since I have to pay for it either way, I'd much rather pay for our province to move off of oil, and on to solar, wind, geothermal, and hydro rather then some untested, already showing signs of failure technology like CCS.
Regards,
Marcus Riedner
Calgary, Alberta
= = = = = = =
LETTER: Malsbury: Ed Says Landowners Need to Stop Fear Mongering!
http://albertasurfacerights.org/articles/?id=874
January 22, 2011
Ed Stelmach gave a speech in Edmonton yesterday at a provincial conference of the Agriculture Service Boards.
His message was the Tories love the farmers and all those pesky questions about land bills are nothing more than FEAR MONGERING by a bunch of activists with an agenda! The rest of the message seemed to be "TRUST US, WE CARE ABOUT YOU, THESE BILLS ARE FOR YOUR OWN GOOD, WE'D NEVER SELL YOU OUT TO BIG OIL" ....and on and on....not much mention of what landowners were saying, or how come he can't (and won't) debate the bills! In other words...nothing more than a bunch of drivel!
MORE:
http://albertasurfacerights.org/articles/?id=874
=================
5. Calmar residents want relocation fund over set up
http://www.edmontonjournal.com/
Calmar+residents+want+relocation+fund+over/4147561/story.html#ixzz1Bmq82u2I
Would assist those moving away from abandoned gas wells
BY HANNEKE BROOYMANS, EDMONTONJOURNAL.COM
JANUARY 22, 2011 7:52 AM
EDMONTON — Calmar residents living near abandoned gas wells discovered in their midst have asked town council and Imperial Oil to set up a fund to relocate people who want to move.
They envision the fund being similar to the one set up in 2005 to relocate residents being hemmed in by chemical plants in the industrial heartland northeast of Edmonton, their lawyer Bill McElhanney said.
A legal representative of the residents made the suggestion to council earlier this week. Town public works director Ed Melesko said he’s been asked not to provide any comment until they talk to their lawyer. Mayor Don Faulkner also did not respond to a request for comment.
McElhanney said the existence of oil wells and the stigma attached to them means it’s arguable whether or not the market value of nearby homes can even be established. He estimates 40 residences are affected, and that maybe 12 or 13 households would potentially like to leave.
So far, Imperial Oil, which owns the wells, has purchased four homes closest to the sweet gas well in Evergreen Crescent. The company is still in negotiations with owners of a fifth home. The company needs to clear a space large enough to bring in a drilling rig and properly abandon the well, which means taking over these homes.
MORE:
http://www.edmontonjournal.com/
Calmar+residents+want+relocation+fund+over/4147561/story.html#ixzz1Bmq82u2I
==================
6. Home energy improvements stalled
http://www.ffwdweekly.com/article/news-views/news/
home-energy-improvements-stalled-6920/
Province caving to industry lobbying, says Pembina
Published January 20, 2011 by Trevor Scott Howell in News
The Alberta government is abandoning plans to increase energy efficiency requirements for new homes — a delay that could cost homebuyers almost $1 billion in higher utility bills, says the Pembina Institute.
In 2008, the province announced its climate change strategy would “implement energy efficiency standards” into the building code.
But lobbying by the homebuilders’ association seems to have dampened the province’s enthusiasm to implement the change, says Jesse Row, Pembina’s director of sustainable communities.
MORE:
http://www.ffwdweekly.com/article/news-views/news/
home-energy-improvements-stalled-6920/
================
7. If knowledge is power, many Albertans are left powerless
http://www.edmontonjournal.com/opinion/
knowledge+power+many+Albertans+left+powerless/4137070/story.html
BY GRAHAM THOMSON, EDMONTON JOURNAL JANUARY 20, 2011
If knowledge is power and ignorance is bliss, it would seem the Alberta government wants us all to be blissfully powerless.
At least that's the impression you get when looking at how the government handles, mishandles and withholds knowledge. If you've ever put a request for information through the government's Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act you'd be forgiven for thinking the FOIP acronym stands for F--k Off, It's Private.
Negotiating the labyrinth of Alberta's Freedom of Information laws can be prohibitively expensive and ultimately futile. The Journal's Karen Kleiss surveyed the FOIP system form 1995 to 2009 and discovered a drop in full disclosures and a dramatic rise in cases where no records were found.
Of everybody who filed a request in 1995, 44 per cent got at least a partial disclosure; by 2009 that had dropped to 15 per cent. In 1995, the government couldn't find matching records for six per cent of requests; by 2009, it couldn't find matching records for 60 per cent of requests. It would seem either a growing number of Albertans don't know what to ask for, or a growing number of civil servants don't know what to look for. Or perhaps there's simply not much freedom in our freedom of information.
MORE:
http://www.edmontonjournal.com/opinion/
knowledge+power+many+Albertans+left+powerless/4137070/story.html
================
8. Encana gives money to Dinosaur Center
http://hqgrandeprairie.com/news/local/n ... /09/08/31/
Encana-gives-money-to-Dinosaur-Center
A significant donation to the River of Death and Discovery Center was announced over the weekend. County Economic Development Officer Walter Paszkowski says Encana is contributing 150 grand to the project over the next 2 years. The money will be used for children's and education programs, as well as for developing the bone bed on the site.
====================
9. Wells in Quebec Along the St. Lawrence (MAP)
http://www.fractracker.org/2011/01/
wells-in-quebec-along-st-lawrence.html
POSTED BY MATT KELSO AT 11:53 AM THURSDAY, JANUARY 20, 2011
Thursday, January 20, 2011
The United States isn't the only place where the gas drilling industry is adversely affecting the environment. I have recently uploaded a dataset from Quebec's Bureau d’audiences publiques sur l’environnement, which includes over 600 wells, including 31 which have recently been inspected.
The CBC has correctly noted that 19 of these inspected wells--more than half--were shown to be have natural gas emissions, which is a violation in Quebec for wells that are supposed to be temporarily capped.
Even though the 31 inspected wells is a small sample size, there were other problems.
In fact, of the 31 wells, there were only three that didn't have any reported problems at all (1). While this report doesn't provide a lot of detail on these violations, repeated violations such as, "bolted joints in water" or , "no surface casing" makes it seem like either the drilling operators don't care about the law, or they actually don't have someone on site who knows what is permissible in the area that they are drilling in.
With almost every well having a violation and some having more than one, the violations per well in Quebec seem roughly in line with the 0.96 violations per Marcellus well in Pennsylvania.
Although many of the wells in this report are quite old, the natural gas industry is starting to accelerate their efforts there as Canada begins to explore the Utica shale.
===================
10. Quebec warns it might slap ban on shale-gas development if industry isn't clean
http://www.canadianbusiness.com/markets/headline_news/
article.jsp?content=b5719522
By The Canadian Press January 22, 2011
LAC-BEAUPORT, Que. - The Quebec government surprised observers by warning Friday that it might not allow natural-gas development to proceed in the province.
The hardened tone from the government came after another report of leaks from an exploration well — this time in Lotbiniere, Que.
The statement from Premier Jean Charest and one of his ministers came after many months in which the government had sounded gung-ho about the potentially lucrative industry.
"The exploitation of shale gas will be done correctly on our territory — or it won't happen," Charest told reporters outside a caucus retreat.
MORE:
http://www.canadianbusiness.com/markets/headline_news/
article.jsp?content=b5719522
================
11. Ontario’s new dilemma: Too much power
http://www.thestar.com/business/article/
925248--ontario-s-new-dilemma-too-much-power
John Spears Toronto Star 20 January 2011
Ontario residents were bemused to discover that on New Year’s Day 2011, on average, they were paid to use electricity.
If that seemed unusual – and it is – it’s only the start.
Within the next two years, the conditions that produced the bonus New Year’s power could crop up about one day in every seven, according to an analysis by the agency that runs Ontario’s power market.
A big reason: about 5,000 megawatts of wind powered generation is due to be connected to the Ontario grid in the next few years, producing surges of power that are more than the province needs.
The power surplus may be a head-scratcher for consumers, who saw blackouts and power shortages only a few years ago.
But energy bureaucrats are now hard at work trying to head off the impending surpluses, which force the province to give away power not just to customers in Ontario, but also to the U.S.
MORE:
http://www.thestar.com/business/article/
925248--ontario-s-new-dilemma-too-much-power
====================
12. Regulators question claims in documentary ‘Gasland’
http://www.allvoices.com/s/
event-7953919/aHR0cDovL2R1cmFuZ29oZXJhbGQuY29tL2FydGljbGUvMjAxMTAxMjEvTkVXUzAxLzcwMTIxOTkyNy8tMS9uZXdzJmFtcDtzb3VyY2U9UlNT
By Gavin Wisdom Herald Staff Writer
Article Last Updated: Thursday, January 20, 2011 10:58pm
State regulators are refuting information from the award-winning documentary “Gasland,” written and directed by Josh Fox.
The Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission, in a statement released Thursday at a meeting in Durango, concluded that two of the three Weld County water wells Fox examined contained “biogenic” gas unrelated to oil and gas activity.
One of the more memorable moments of the film is when a resident ignites water flowing from his tap with a lighter.
Industry advocate Christi Zeller, executive director of the La Plata Energy Council, said such documentaries can increase the number of requests for water-well monitoring by area residents, paid for by taxpayers through the commission, “Money is getting eaten up that could be used for other important things, such as plugging old wells,” Zeller said.
MORE:
http://www.allvoices.com/s/
event-7953919/aHR0cDovL2R1cmFuZ29oZXJhbGQuY29tL2FydGljbGUvMjAxMTAxMjEvTkVXUzAxLzcwMTIxOTkyNy8tMS9uZXdzJmFtcDtzb3VyY2U9UlNT
==================
13. Texas Landowners Sue Oil Companies for Water Contamination During Hydraulic Fracking
http://www.lawfirmnewswire.com/2011/01/
texas-landowners-sue-oil-companies-for-water-contamination-during-hydraulic-fracking/
Austin, TX (Law Firm Newswire) January 21, 2011 – Gregory D. Jordan, an experienced Austin oil and gas attorney, Austin business lawyer and business litigation lawyer offers commentary on recent suits.
Two recently filed lawsuits in Texas argue that hydraulic fracturing in the Barnett Shale has caused significant groundwater contamination. One suit has been filed pertaining to property in Tarrant County and a similar suit has been filed covering property in Denton County. The Tarrant County suit names Chesapeake Energy and Encana Oil & Gas as Defendants. Devon Energy is named as a Defendant in the Denton County suit. Both the Denton County lawsuit and the Tarrant County lawsuit are pending before U.S. District Judge Sam Lindsay in Dallas.
MORE:
http://www.lawfirmnewswire.com/2011/01/
texas-landowners-sue-oil-companies-for-water-contamination-during-hydraulic-fracking/
==================
14. INVESTORS CHALLENGE NINE OIL AND GAS COMPANIES ON HYDRAULIC FRACTURING PRACTICES
http://www.ceres.org/Page.aspx?pid=1324
Shareholders File Resolutions with Cabot Oil & Gas, Exxonmobil, Chevron, and Other Energy Companies to Spur More Responsible “Fracking” Practices
BOSTON///January 21, 2011///Leading U.S. investors today announced they have filed shareholder resolutions with nine oil and gas companies, pressing them to disclose their plans for managing water pollution, litigation and regulatory risks that are increasingly associated with ever-expanding natural gas hydraulic fracturing operations (also known as “fracking”) in the United States.
Resolutions were filed with many of the natural gas industry’s significant players, including ExxonMobil, Chevron, Ultra Petroleum, El Paso, Cabot Oil & Gas, Southwestern Energy, Energen Anadarko and Carrizo Oil & Gas.
"Oil and gas firms are being too vague about how they will manage the environmental challenges resulting from fracking," said New York State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli, whose office filed a resolution with Cabot Oil & Gas asking for a specific plan to reduce or eliminate the hazards. "The risks associated with unconventional shale gas extraction have the potential to negatively impact shareholder value. I urge companies working in this field to share their risk mitigation and management strategies with investors and the public."
The shareholder proposals ask companies to disclose their policies and strategies for reducing environmental and financial risks from chemicals use, water impacts and a host of other issues. The resolutions also request adoption of best management practices, such as:
MORE:
http://www.ceres.org/Page.aspx?pid=1324
================
15. EPA pushes back on reports it changed fracking rules (3 articles)
http://www.oilandgaschronicle.com/
natural-gas-epa-pushes-back-on-reports-it-changed-fracking-rules/
(Thursday, January 20, 2011) Mike Soraghan, E&E reporter
U.S. EPA is contesting reports that it changed the rules for hydraulic fracturing without notice or comment.
Industry groups protested and filed a legal action against EPA after it posted information on its website explaining how hydraulic fracturing would be regulated under the Safe Drinking Water Act when diesel is mixed into the fracturing fluid. They said the language imposed new rules on the industry without proper process, making it difficult to comply (Greenwire, Jan. 19). [ . . . ]
= = = = = =
EPA Posts Frack Rules Without Explanation; Oil and Gas Industry Cries Foul
http://www.nytimes.com/gwire/2011/01/19/
19greenwire-epa-posts-frack-rules-without-explanation-oil-30043.html
By MIKE SORAGHAN of Greenwire Published: January 19, 2011
Forget tedious public comment periods or dry Federal Register notices.
U.S. EPA, it turns out, can change the rules simply by quietly posting new language on a back page of its website.
That is what Matt Armstrong found out. A lawyer who closely follows the issue of "hydraulic fracturing," he was poking around on the EPA website last June and was stunned when he realized the agency had added new language requiring drillers to get permits if they are going to fracture with diesel fuel. - - - -SNIP - - - -
The discovery led to angry calls from environmentalists to step in and block the use of diesel. And grass-roots groups in Pennsylvania and New York, upset with drilling in their communities, saw it as one more reason to ban fracturing.
That is when the change appeared on the EPA's website, with no explanation.
To read IPAA's court filing (pdf)
http://www.eenews.net/assets/2011/01/19 ... _gw_06.pdf
To read EPA's court filing (pdf):
http://www.eenews.net/assets/2011/01/19 ... _gw_05.pdf
= = = = = =
EPA working within current law to regulate diesel in fracking fluid
http://earthblog.org/content/
epa-working-within-current-law-regulate-diesel-fracking-fluid
Submitted by Lauren Pagel on Thu, 01/20/2011 - 19:14
Yesterday, the New York Times erroneously reported that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued new regulations for the use of diesel fuel in hydraulic fracturing (aka fracking).
What the EPA did do: use its website to highlight existing law that authorizes EPA to prevent the injection of diesel fuel underground during fracking. EPA took this step only after companies like Halliburton were caught doing so. [ . . . . ]
===================
16. Houses for shale
http://www.strausnews.com/articles/2010/06/08/
pike_county_courier/news/1.txt
New mortgages unavailable for properties with gas drilling leases
By Linda Fields June 3, 2010
NORTHEAST Pa — Property owners may make money from leasing to Marcellus Shale gas drillers, and they may also find their property can’t be financed for a new mortgage.
If gas is extracted and sold, the royalties can be lucrative; but what they may not know is that as long as a lease is intact, they may not be able to mortgage their property.
Broker Lori Rudalavage, who owns LA Mortgage in Clarks Summit, has been trying to sort out the policies being put into place at major banks. It hasn’t been easy, and it concerns her.
“There are a lot of properties with leases in this area,” Rudalavage notes. She adds, when it comes down to obtaining a mortgage on those properties, “more and more of [the banks] are saying, ‘no, no, no.’” [ . . . ]
=================
17. Chesapeake Energy: What’s Up With These Lawsuits?
http://blogs.forbes.com/christopherhelman/2011/01/21/
chesapeake-energy-whats-up-with-these-lawsuits/?boxes=Homepagechannels
Christopher Helman SOUTHWEST BUREAU Jan. 21 2011 - 1:45 pm |
In recent weeks more and more oil and gas industry folks have been drawing my attention to articles like this, this, and this, from small-town papers about the bevy of lawsuits being filed against Chesapeake Energy. Most of the plaintiffs are landowners in Texas and Michigan who agreed to lease their land to Chesapeake (often at prices more than $5,000 an acre) for oil and gas exploration. They signed contracts with Chesapeake, or one of its agents and received orders for payment in amounts totaling millions of dollars. So imagine their surprise when a few weeks later instead of getting cash the landowners instead got letters from Chesapeake claiming to void the leases and stating “we will not be funding the order of payment.” Try doing that with your landlord sometime and see what happens.
Enough landowners felt they had a case against Chesapeake that in Texas last year they filed a class action lawsuit over leases in the Barnett Shale. More recently we’ve seen individual cases being filed in northern Michigan, where Chesapeake and Encana Energy had been competing for acreage in the Collingwood Shale. A test well drilled by Encana into the Collingwood a year ago was a big success, and set off the land rush. A state auction of mineral rights last May reportedly brought an unprecedented $178 million for 118,000 acres.
MORE:
http://blogs.forbes.com/christopherhelman/2011/01/21/
chesapeake-energy-whats-up-with-these-lawsuits/?boxes=Homepagechannels
===============
18. Marcellus Shale 'key' to W.Va.'s future
http://www.dailymail.com/ap/ApTopStories/201101210305
Friday January 21, 2011 By Jared Hunt Charleston Daily Mail, W.Va. (MCT)
Jan. 21--The Marcellus Shale natural gas play could be a bigger boon for the state over the next century than coal mining was over the past 100 years, industry leaders said.
The Independent Oil and Gas Association held a CEO summit as part of their annual meeting Thursday, and those in attendance agree the outlook is promising.
"The Marcellus Shale is going to be the key to us and the future of West Virginia," Chesapeake Energy CEO Aubrey McClendon said. "Whatever successes we had from coal will pale in comparison."
- - - SNIP - - -
However, he joked that being in business in the state has been a challenge.
"Chesapeake likes West Virginia," McClendon said. "There was a day we loved West Virginia until I had a run-in with our court system and lost about $400 million."
He was referring to a Roane County Circuit Court jury's awarding of $405 million to landowners after their class-action lawsuit had accused Columbia Natural Resources -- which Chesapeake had purchased -- of failing to make proper payments on natural gas royalties.
The circuit court jury found Columbia short-changed the landowners by $134.3 million and said the company should pay $271 million more in punitive damages.
The state Supreme Court refused to hear an appeal of that decision in 2008, and the company subsequently canceled a plan to locate a regional headquarters in Charleston.
McClendon criticized the state's lack of an intermediate appellate court, which would have had given the company the right to appeal that verdict.
MORE:
http://www.dailymail.com/ap/ApTopStories/201101210305
1. Screenings: Water on the Table: A film about our most wasted resource
2. BISHOP: Chemical and Biological Risk Assessment for Natural Gas Extraction in New York
3. (SK) Gas not leaking from carbon storage project: review (video)
4. Alberta Landowners’ Rights - 5 articles
5. Calmar residents want relocation fund over set up
6. Home energy improvements stalled
7. If knowledge is power, many Albertans are left powerless
8. Encana gives money to Dinosaur Center
9. Wells in Quebec Along the St. Lawrence (MAP)
10. Quebec warns it might slap ban on shale-gas development if industry isn't clean
11. Ontario’s new dilemma: Too much power
12. Regulators question claims in documentary ‘Gasland’
13. Texas Landowners Sue Oil Companies for Water Contamination During Hydraulic Fracking
14. INVESTORS CHALLENGE NINE OIL AND GAS COMPANIES ON HYDRAULIC FRACTURING PRACTICES
15. EPA pushes back on reports it changed fracking rules (3 articles)
16. Houses for shale
17. Chesapeake Energy: What’s Up With These Lawsuits?
18. Marcellus Shale 'key' to W.Va.'s future
=================
1. Screenings: Water on the Table: A film about our most wasted resource
http://www.rabble.ca/news/2011/01/
water-table-film-about-our-most-wasted-resource
BY MELANIE REDMAN | JANUARY 20, 2011
Will the global community define water as a human right, available to all, or as a commodity to be bought, sold, traded, and ultimately out of reach from the poorest people on this earth? Liz Marshall's documentary, Water on the Table, explores this question through a portrait of Maude Barlow and her tireless efforts to define water as a human right. Maude's work as the national chairperson for the Council of Canadians, and her earlier efforts as a leading dissident concerning the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), has placed her in the global hot seat when it comes to water. With a grace most of us will never attain, Maude has leveraged this position to make the question of water front-and-center on the agenda of the United Nations, where efforts continue to implement a global water covenant or treaty, much like the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, guaranteeing water as a human right, as well as solidifying governments' obligations to provide access.
I'm writing this review in the middle of a New York City blizzard. Looking out the window at the centimetres of snow accumulating, it's hard to picture water scarcity, yet we are seeing the beginnings of what Barlow calls "a crisis of monumental proportions" concerning global water security, resulting in water migration and water refugees around the world. Will Canada protect its ecosystems and watersheds as they are, thus preserving this essential life resource for future generations, or will Canada bend to corporate will and prepare for a future of bulk water exports and water insecurity?
The film, in all of its visual and audio grandeur, follows Barlow in two struggles that bring the water issue home to Canadians -- the Alberta Tar Sands, and a local struggle in Simcoe County, Ontario. It's hard enough to wrap my brain around the environmental catastrophe that is the Alberta Tar Sands, but when you learn that three million barrels of water are destroyed daily to extract oil from that place, the breadth of the devastation is much more clear. For every barrel of oil extracted, three to five barrels of water are destroyed.
The film makes it clear that the water is completely ruined and should not be finding its way back into the local water table. Sadly, it does and we're seeing the resulting blight on the health and wellness of river communities in northern Alberta now.
In the face of what could seem like an insurmountable fight with the Tar Sands, the film follows another story of community and perseverance against corporate dominance in Simcoe County, Ontario -- Stop Site 41. More than 10 years ago now, community members learned that the government had granted permission for a landfill to be built on top of what is considered the aquifer with the cleanest, best water in the world. Barlow supported this community's efforts to retain control of their water. Watching their story of incremental victories unfold, we get the sense that we are united in a global struggle with regular folks around the world to protect and secure the "life blood" of the earth.
Filmmaker Marshall's stunning portrait highlights what, for me, is fundamental about Canada -- opportunity. Canada has the opportunity (and obligation) to lead on many global issues, including water -- the opportunity to set the example, draw the line.
As a new Canadian, I've discussed this point again and again with friends and family in the U.S. and Canada. When asked why I think Canada is so special, and why I want to make it my home, I think of Canada's historic position in the global community as a barometer for human rights, and I'm filled with hope that Canada will once again rise to the occasion and support the United Nations in declaring water an inalienable human right.
Info on future screenings:
http://www.wateronthetable.com/screenings/
==================
2. BISHOP: Chemical and Biological Risk Assessment for Natural Gas Extraction in New York
(Possible postings):
www.sustainableotsego.org,
www.damascuscitizens.org,
www.shaleshock.org and
www.un-naturalgas.org
Ronald E. Bishop, Ph.D., CHO, Chemistry and Biochemistry Department
State University of New York, College at Oneonta - Draft, January 21, 2011
Summary:
Over the last decade, operators in the natural gas industry have developed highly sophisticated methods and materials for the exploration and production of methane from unconventional reservoirs. In spite of the technological advances made to date, these activities pose significant chemical and biological hazards to human health and ecosystem stability. If future impacts may be inferred from recent historical performance, then:
• Between two and four percent of shale gas well projects in New York will pollute local ground-water over the short term. Serious regulatory violation rates will exceed twelve percent.
• More than one of every six shale gas wells will leak fluids to surrounding rocks and to the surface over the next century.
• Each gas well pad, with its associated access road and pipeline, will generate a sediment discharge of approximately eight tons per year into local waterways, further threatening federally endangered mollusks and other aquatic organisms.
• Construction of access roads and pipelines will fragment field and forest habitats, further threatening plants and animals which are already species of concern. 2
• Some chemicals in ubiquitous use for shale gas exploration and production, or consistently present in flowback fluids, constitute human health and environmental hazards when present at extremely low concentrations. Potential exposure effects for humans will include poisoning of susceptible tissues, endocrine disruption syndromes, and elevated risks for certain cancers.
• Exposures of gas field workers and neighbors to toxic chemicals and noxious bacteria are exacerbated by certain common practices, such as air/foam-lubricated drilling and the use of impoundments for flowback fluids. These methods, along with the intensive use of diesel-fueled equipment, will degrade air quality and may cause a recently described “down-winder’s syndrome” in humans, livestock and crops.
• State officials have not effectively managed oil and gas exploration and production in New York, evidenced by thousands of undocumented or improperly abandoned wells and numerous incidents of soil and water contamination. Human health impacts from these incidents appear to include abnormally high death rates from glandular and reproductive system cancers in men and women. Improved regulations and enhanced enforcement may reasonably be anticipated to produce more industry penalties, but not necessarily better industry practices, than were seen in the past.
Overall, proceeding with any new projects to extract methane from unconventional reservoirs by current practices in New York State is highly likely to degrade air, surface water and ground-water quality, to harm humans, and to negatively impact aquatic and forest ecosystems. Mitigation measures can partially reduce, but not eliminate, the anticipated damage.
Full Text:
Possible postings:
www.sustainableotsego.org,
www.damascuscitizens.org,
www.shaleshock.org and
www.un-naturalgas.org
=======
3. (SK) Gas not leaking from carbon storage project: review (video)
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/
industry-news/energy-and-resources/gas-not-leaking-from-carbon-storage-project-review/article1875950/
NATHAN VANDERKLIPPE Last updated Wed., Jan. 19, 2011
A scientific review says there is no evidence to support claims that carbon dioxide is leaking from a high-profile Saskatchewan project.
A team of engineers, geologists and geophysicists reviewed claims made by a consultant who said soil samples showed conclusive proof that gases are escaping from a carbon sequestration reservoir in Weyburn, Sask.
The team assessed the findings of a firm called Petro-Find Geochem Ltd., which conducted the report on behalf of Jane and Cameron Kerr, whose discovery of a series of bizarre phenomena on their property near Weyburn – including strange algal blooms, dead animals and fizzy water – made them suspect gas was bubbling up. Petro-Find found high levels of carbon dioxide in soil gas, and concluded that it “is clearly the anthropogenic CO2 injected into the Weyburn reservoir.”
But scientists with the Petroleum Technology Research Centre, which has been conducting a decade-long, $85-million research survey of the Weyburn project for the International Energy Agency, said the findings in the Petro-Find report do not support that conclusion.
MORE:
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/
industry-news/energy-and-resources/gas-not-leaking-from-carbon-storage-project-review/article1875950/
MORE RELATED TO THIS STORY (Links are on website)
• Alleged leaks from carbon storage project questioned
• Carbon capture project leaking into their land, couple says
• Powering a province on the rise
VIDEO: Farmer says land fizzing with CO2 (Link on website above)
================
4. Alberta Landowners’ Rights - 5 articles
WATCH: Keith Wilson Information Tour Video – (AB) Landowners’ Rights
The following are the links to the *Keith Wilson Information Tour Video*, in nine parts. The video is from January, 2011, Brooks, Alberta. The video is also on the landownersagainstbills.com website and can be found in nine parts under video. They can also be found on youtube, under "Keith Wilson Tour".
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ntxqRtU29ac
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4KBj1iELg3U
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wJtpyJZQlVQ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7XLoUGVjfxs
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hTDAXvBq7xY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3RkpWjN8o5c
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c0KbfhW-BpU
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DKLCNkXvpMs
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pZhddr8KaAs
= = = = = =
Critics argue legislation threatens property rights
http://www.albertasurfacerights.com/articles/?id=857
Jan 19, 2011 04:38 pm | By Don Patterson | Rocky View Weekly
Opposition to a series of laws approved by the provincial government in recent years is building as critics argue it will impact Albertan’s property rights.
As calls increase to repeal such laws as the Land Assembly Project Area Act and the Alberta Land Stewardship Act (ALSA) — often referred to as Bills 19 and 36 respectively — Premier Ed Stelmach announced the Province will review the legislation.
Alberta lawyer Keith Wilson said the laws should be scrapped and sent back to the drawing board. He will be speaking at the Community Centre in Crossfield, Jan. 26 at 7 p.m.
“This legislation is dangerous, flawed and needs to be repealed,” he said during a public forum in High River, Jan. 12.
MORE:
http://www.albertasurfacerights.com/articles/?id=857
= = = = = =
CCS ACT - Bill 24 - Press Release - Alberta Surface Rights Group
http://www.albertasurfacerights.com/articles/?id=876
For immediate release – January 21, 2011
The Alberta Surface Rights Group has done extensive research into the Provincial Government’s recent passing of the Carbon, Capture and Sequestrian Act (Bill 24). The Bill was introduced for first reading to the Legislature on November 2, 2011 and was proclaimed on December 2, 2011. In order to rush this legislation thru, the Government of Alberta enacted Closure to stifle any public debate, and in a mere 30 days the Act was passed which put into law the Government’s expropriation of subsurface property ownership and also committed 2.5 Billion dollars of Alberta taxpayers’ dollars to be given to private for profit companies.
- - - - SNIP - - - -
All MLA’s have been invited to attend this meeting to be held at the Trochu Community Hall on February 1, 2011 at 7:00 pm.
= = = = = = =
LETTER: RIEDNER: CCS + Land rights + tax dollars
DATE: Fri, 21 Jan 2011 14:46:18 -0700
FROM: Marcus Riedner
TO: calgary.bow@assembly.ab.ca, premier@gov.ab.ca
Good afternoon,
There has been a lot of information in the news this week on the failure (or at best controversy) at the Carbon Capture and Sequestering facility in Weyburn Saskatchewan, and the level of damage it did (or did not do depending on which science you look at) to a farming family near the facility. Given that the Alberta government is planning to spend $2.5 billion tax payer dollars on this technology that is showing signs of failure and long term damage to agriculture land and ground water, I'm curious as to why the tax payer is footing the bill for the RnD and production of these facilities. With the tight budgets for health care that have had my wife waiting 18 months to deal with a volleyball sized uterine tumor, and my father nearly dying in an ER waiting room I seriously question the short and long term value of an investment that large when vital services are failing.
Education in the province is slipping every year, and the cost to students for post secondary has approached levels seen in the USA. It looks like when my wife and I have kids (hopefully we can find a hospital to do the delivery, which will now have to be c-section ) we'll need a second mortgage to pay for their schooling and they'll still need to weigh themselves down with huge debt loads to get educated. Given that an educated person generates an extra $50-75,000 of lifetime taxes for each year of post-secondary education they get, it doesn't make long term financial sense to make it increasingly
difficult for people to gain an education. Someone with a bachelors degree is going to generate an additional $250,000 in tax revenue, to me the long term health of our economy requires education. $2.5 billion dollars also trains a lot of doctors, nurses, and medical technicians.
I'm also a bit concerned about the logic in spending money to make dirty industry clean, rather then promoting clean industry in the first place. I've heard a great deal about money allocated to desperately offsetting the environmental nightmare that is Big Oil and
Gas in this province, but I've heard almost nothing about promoting wind, solar, geothermal, or hydro. Can you provide the plans, if there are any, for alternatives to oil and gas power production in Alberta, and what sort of financial commitments are in place by the government?
I would also like to know why so many pieces of legislation in this province are getting fast-tracked into law or hush-hushed until passed (Bill 19, Bill 36, Bill 50, Bill 24). As a citizen who tries to pay attention to what laws our politicians are passing I find it increasingly troubling that so many activities in the legislative assembly are going unheard by the media and people until after they are passed into law. It seems that industry and corporations, which only have a vested interest in profit margins, are regularly consulted. Citizenry, not so much. Is there a twitter feed or a mailing list that I can subscribe too in order to keep abreast of these things before the pass into law? I want to be more informed, but with the government hiding things and the media obtuse until after-the-fact how am I supposed to stay abreast of issues in the province?
Over all Big Oil and Gas are more profitable then ever, and our government keeps giving them tax breaks in the middle of a deficit nightmare. I seriously question the ethics and economic sense in pushing more tax burden onto an increasingly marginalized middle class. Especially to pay for the mess that large industry has made. Would it not make more sense to levy that $2.5 billion dollars out of the oil and gas industry, given that they are making a lot of the mess in the first place?
I do understand that citizens bare a responsibility for our lifestyle as well. Is that not what royalty fees (in addition too corporate taxes) and the consumer taxes at the gas pump are too represent? I don't see industry paying their share, just the citizenry. It saddens me, to see greed running the show. 25 years from now this nightmare is going to balloon in cost... and I'm going to be paying for it. Since I have to pay for it either way, I'd much rather pay for our province to move off of oil, and on to solar, wind, geothermal, and hydro rather then some untested, already showing signs of failure technology like CCS.
Regards,
Marcus Riedner
Calgary, Alberta
= = = = = = =
LETTER: Malsbury: Ed Says Landowners Need to Stop Fear Mongering!
http://albertasurfacerights.org/articles/?id=874
January 22, 2011
Ed Stelmach gave a speech in Edmonton yesterday at a provincial conference of the Agriculture Service Boards.
His message was the Tories love the farmers and all those pesky questions about land bills are nothing more than FEAR MONGERING by a bunch of activists with an agenda! The rest of the message seemed to be "TRUST US, WE CARE ABOUT YOU, THESE BILLS ARE FOR YOUR OWN GOOD, WE'D NEVER SELL YOU OUT TO BIG OIL" ....and on and on....not much mention of what landowners were saying, or how come he can't (and won't) debate the bills! In other words...nothing more than a bunch of drivel!
MORE:
http://albertasurfacerights.org/articles/?id=874
=================
5. Calmar residents want relocation fund over set up
http://www.edmontonjournal.com/
Calmar+residents+want+relocation+fund+over/4147561/story.html#ixzz1Bmq82u2I
Would assist those moving away from abandoned gas wells
BY HANNEKE BROOYMANS, EDMONTONJOURNAL.COM
JANUARY 22, 2011 7:52 AM
EDMONTON — Calmar residents living near abandoned gas wells discovered in their midst have asked town council and Imperial Oil to set up a fund to relocate people who want to move.
They envision the fund being similar to the one set up in 2005 to relocate residents being hemmed in by chemical plants in the industrial heartland northeast of Edmonton, their lawyer Bill McElhanney said.
A legal representative of the residents made the suggestion to council earlier this week. Town public works director Ed Melesko said he’s been asked not to provide any comment until they talk to their lawyer. Mayor Don Faulkner also did not respond to a request for comment.
McElhanney said the existence of oil wells and the stigma attached to them means it’s arguable whether or not the market value of nearby homes can even be established. He estimates 40 residences are affected, and that maybe 12 or 13 households would potentially like to leave.
So far, Imperial Oil, which owns the wells, has purchased four homes closest to the sweet gas well in Evergreen Crescent. The company is still in negotiations with owners of a fifth home. The company needs to clear a space large enough to bring in a drilling rig and properly abandon the well, which means taking over these homes.
MORE:
http://www.edmontonjournal.com/
Calmar+residents+want+relocation+fund+over/4147561/story.html#ixzz1Bmq82u2I
==================
6. Home energy improvements stalled
http://www.ffwdweekly.com/article/news-views/news/
home-energy-improvements-stalled-6920/
Province caving to industry lobbying, says Pembina
Published January 20, 2011 by Trevor Scott Howell in News
The Alberta government is abandoning plans to increase energy efficiency requirements for new homes — a delay that could cost homebuyers almost $1 billion in higher utility bills, says the Pembina Institute.
In 2008, the province announced its climate change strategy would “implement energy efficiency standards” into the building code.
But lobbying by the homebuilders’ association seems to have dampened the province’s enthusiasm to implement the change, says Jesse Row, Pembina’s director of sustainable communities.
MORE:
http://www.ffwdweekly.com/article/news-views/news/
home-energy-improvements-stalled-6920/
================
7. If knowledge is power, many Albertans are left powerless
http://www.edmontonjournal.com/opinion/
knowledge+power+many+Albertans+left+powerless/4137070/story.html
BY GRAHAM THOMSON, EDMONTON JOURNAL JANUARY 20, 2011
If knowledge is power and ignorance is bliss, it would seem the Alberta government wants us all to be blissfully powerless.
At least that's the impression you get when looking at how the government handles, mishandles and withholds knowledge. If you've ever put a request for information through the government's Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act you'd be forgiven for thinking the FOIP acronym stands for F--k Off, It's Private.
Negotiating the labyrinth of Alberta's Freedom of Information laws can be prohibitively expensive and ultimately futile. The Journal's Karen Kleiss surveyed the FOIP system form 1995 to 2009 and discovered a drop in full disclosures and a dramatic rise in cases where no records were found.
Of everybody who filed a request in 1995, 44 per cent got at least a partial disclosure; by 2009 that had dropped to 15 per cent. In 1995, the government couldn't find matching records for six per cent of requests; by 2009, it couldn't find matching records for 60 per cent of requests. It would seem either a growing number of Albertans don't know what to ask for, or a growing number of civil servants don't know what to look for. Or perhaps there's simply not much freedom in our freedom of information.
MORE:
http://www.edmontonjournal.com/opinion/
knowledge+power+many+Albertans+left+powerless/4137070/story.html
================
8. Encana gives money to Dinosaur Center
http://hqgrandeprairie.com/news/local/n ... /09/08/31/
Encana-gives-money-to-Dinosaur-Center
A significant donation to the River of Death and Discovery Center was announced over the weekend. County Economic Development Officer Walter Paszkowski says Encana is contributing 150 grand to the project over the next 2 years. The money will be used for children's and education programs, as well as for developing the bone bed on the site.
====================
9. Wells in Quebec Along the St. Lawrence (MAP)
http://www.fractracker.org/2011/01/
wells-in-quebec-along-st-lawrence.html
POSTED BY MATT KELSO AT 11:53 AM THURSDAY, JANUARY 20, 2011
Thursday, January 20, 2011
The United States isn't the only place where the gas drilling industry is adversely affecting the environment. I have recently uploaded a dataset from Quebec's Bureau d’audiences publiques sur l’environnement, which includes over 600 wells, including 31 which have recently been inspected.
The CBC has correctly noted that 19 of these inspected wells--more than half--were shown to be have natural gas emissions, which is a violation in Quebec for wells that are supposed to be temporarily capped.
Even though the 31 inspected wells is a small sample size, there were other problems.
In fact, of the 31 wells, there were only three that didn't have any reported problems at all (1). While this report doesn't provide a lot of detail on these violations, repeated violations such as, "bolted joints in water" or , "no surface casing" makes it seem like either the drilling operators don't care about the law, or they actually don't have someone on site who knows what is permissible in the area that they are drilling in.
With almost every well having a violation and some having more than one, the violations per well in Quebec seem roughly in line with the 0.96 violations per Marcellus well in Pennsylvania.
Although many of the wells in this report are quite old, the natural gas industry is starting to accelerate their efforts there as Canada begins to explore the Utica shale.
===================
10. Quebec warns it might slap ban on shale-gas development if industry isn't clean
http://www.canadianbusiness.com/markets/headline_news/
article.jsp?content=b5719522
By The Canadian Press January 22, 2011
LAC-BEAUPORT, Que. - The Quebec government surprised observers by warning Friday that it might not allow natural-gas development to proceed in the province.
The hardened tone from the government came after another report of leaks from an exploration well — this time in Lotbiniere, Que.
The statement from Premier Jean Charest and one of his ministers came after many months in which the government had sounded gung-ho about the potentially lucrative industry.
"The exploitation of shale gas will be done correctly on our territory — or it won't happen," Charest told reporters outside a caucus retreat.
MORE:
http://www.canadianbusiness.com/markets/headline_news/
article.jsp?content=b5719522
================
11. Ontario’s new dilemma: Too much power
http://www.thestar.com/business/article/
925248--ontario-s-new-dilemma-too-much-power
John Spears Toronto Star 20 January 2011
Ontario residents were bemused to discover that on New Year’s Day 2011, on average, they were paid to use electricity.
If that seemed unusual – and it is – it’s only the start.
Within the next two years, the conditions that produced the bonus New Year’s power could crop up about one day in every seven, according to an analysis by the agency that runs Ontario’s power market.
A big reason: about 5,000 megawatts of wind powered generation is due to be connected to the Ontario grid in the next few years, producing surges of power that are more than the province needs.
The power surplus may be a head-scratcher for consumers, who saw blackouts and power shortages only a few years ago.
But energy bureaucrats are now hard at work trying to head off the impending surpluses, which force the province to give away power not just to customers in Ontario, but also to the U.S.
MORE:
http://www.thestar.com/business/article/
925248--ontario-s-new-dilemma-too-much-power
====================
12. Regulators question claims in documentary ‘Gasland’
http://www.allvoices.com/s/
event-7953919/aHR0cDovL2R1cmFuZ29oZXJhbGQuY29tL2FydGljbGUvMjAxMTAxMjEvTkVXUzAxLzcwMTIxOTkyNy8tMS9uZXdzJmFtcDtzb3VyY2U9UlNT
By Gavin Wisdom Herald Staff Writer
Article Last Updated: Thursday, January 20, 2011 10:58pm
State regulators are refuting information from the award-winning documentary “Gasland,” written and directed by Josh Fox.
The Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission, in a statement released Thursday at a meeting in Durango, concluded that two of the three Weld County water wells Fox examined contained “biogenic” gas unrelated to oil and gas activity.
One of the more memorable moments of the film is when a resident ignites water flowing from his tap with a lighter.
Industry advocate Christi Zeller, executive director of the La Plata Energy Council, said such documentaries can increase the number of requests for water-well monitoring by area residents, paid for by taxpayers through the commission, “Money is getting eaten up that could be used for other important things, such as plugging old wells,” Zeller said.
MORE:
http://www.allvoices.com/s/
event-7953919/aHR0cDovL2R1cmFuZ29oZXJhbGQuY29tL2FydGljbGUvMjAxMTAxMjEvTkVXUzAxLzcwMTIxOTkyNy8tMS9uZXdzJmFtcDtzb3VyY2U9UlNT
==================
13. Texas Landowners Sue Oil Companies for Water Contamination During Hydraulic Fracking
http://www.lawfirmnewswire.com/2011/01/
texas-landowners-sue-oil-companies-for-water-contamination-during-hydraulic-fracking/
Austin, TX (Law Firm Newswire) January 21, 2011 – Gregory D. Jordan, an experienced Austin oil and gas attorney, Austin business lawyer and business litigation lawyer offers commentary on recent suits.
Two recently filed lawsuits in Texas argue that hydraulic fracturing in the Barnett Shale has caused significant groundwater contamination. One suit has been filed pertaining to property in Tarrant County and a similar suit has been filed covering property in Denton County. The Tarrant County suit names Chesapeake Energy and Encana Oil & Gas as Defendants. Devon Energy is named as a Defendant in the Denton County suit. Both the Denton County lawsuit and the Tarrant County lawsuit are pending before U.S. District Judge Sam Lindsay in Dallas.
MORE:
http://www.lawfirmnewswire.com/2011/01/
texas-landowners-sue-oil-companies-for-water-contamination-during-hydraulic-fracking/
==================
14. INVESTORS CHALLENGE NINE OIL AND GAS COMPANIES ON HYDRAULIC FRACTURING PRACTICES
http://www.ceres.org/Page.aspx?pid=1324
Shareholders File Resolutions with Cabot Oil & Gas, Exxonmobil, Chevron, and Other Energy Companies to Spur More Responsible “Fracking” Practices
BOSTON///January 21, 2011///Leading U.S. investors today announced they have filed shareholder resolutions with nine oil and gas companies, pressing them to disclose their plans for managing water pollution, litigation and regulatory risks that are increasingly associated with ever-expanding natural gas hydraulic fracturing operations (also known as “fracking”) in the United States.
Resolutions were filed with many of the natural gas industry’s significant players, including ExxonMobil, Chevron, Ultra Petroleum, El Paso, Cabot Oil & Gas, Southwestern Energy, Energen Anadarko and Carrizo Oil & Gas.
"Oil and gas firms are being too vague about how they will manage the environmental challenges resulting from fracking," said New York State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli, whose office filed a resolution with Cabot Oil & Gas asking for a specific plan to reduce or eliminate the hazards. "The risks associated with unconventional shale gas extraction have the potential to negatively impact shareholder value. I urge companies working in this field to share their risk mitigation and management strategies with investors and the public."
The shareholder proposals ask companies to disclose their policies and strategies for reducing environmental and financial risks from chemicals use, water impacts and a host of other issues. The resolutions also request adoption of best management practices, such as:
MORE:
http://www.ceres.org/Page.aspx?pid=1324
================
15. EPA pushes back on reports it changed fracking rules (3 articles)
http://www.oilandgaschronicle.com/
natural-gas-epa-pushes-back-on-reports-it-changed-fracking-rules/
(Thursday, January 20, 2011) Mike Soraghan, E&E reporter
U.S. EPA is contesting reports that it changed the rules for hydraulic fracturing without notice or comment.
Industry groups protested and filed a legal action against EPA after it posted information on its website explaining how hydraulic fracturing would be regulated under the Safe Drinking Water Act when diesel is mixed into the fracturing fluid. They said the language imposed new rules on the industry without proper process, making it difficult to comply (Greenwire, Jan. 19). [ . . . ]
= = = = = =
EPA Posts Frack Rules Without Explanation; Oil and Gas Industry Cries Foul
http://www.nytimes.com/gwire/2011/01/19/
19greenwire-epa-posts-frack-rules-without-explanation-oil-30043.html
By MIKE SORAGHAN of Greenwire Published: January 19, 2011
Forget tedious public comment periods or dry Federal Register notices.
U.S. EPA, it turns out, can change the rules simply by quietly posting new language on a back page of its website.
That is what Matt Armstrong found out. A lawyer who closely follows the issue of "hydraulic fracturing," he was poking around on the EPA website last June and was stunned when he realized the agency had added new language requiring drillers to get permits if they are going to fracture with diesel fuel. - - - -SNIP - - - -
The discovery led to angry calls from environmentalists to step in and block the use of diesel. And grass-roots groups in Pennsylvania and New York, upset with drilling in their communities, saw it as one more reason to ban fracturing.
That is when the change appeared on the EPA's website, with no explanation.
To read IPAA's court filing (pdf)
http://www.eenews.net/assets/2011/01/19 ... _gw_06.pdf
To read EPA's court filing (pdf):
http://www.eenews.net/assets/2011/01/19 ... _gw_05.pdf
= = = = = =
EPA working within current law to regulate diesel in fracking fluid
http://earthblog.org/content/
epa-working-within-current-law-regulate-diesel-fracking-fluid
Submitted by Lauren Pagel on Thu, 01/20/2011 - 19:14
Yesterday, the New York Times erroneously reported that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued new regulations for the use of diesel fuel in hydraulic fracturing (aka fracking).
What the EPA did do: use its website to highlight existing law that authorizes EPA to prevent the injection of diesel fuel underground during fracking. EPA took this step only after companies like Halliburton were caught doing so. [ . . . . ]
===================
16. Houses for shale
http://www.strausnews.com/articles/2010/06/08/
pike_county_courier/news/1.txt
New mortgages unavailable for properties with gas drilling leases
By Linda Fields June 3, 2010
NORTHEAST Pa — Property owners may make money from leasing to Marcellus Shale gas drillers, and they may also find their property can’t be financed for a new mortgage.
If gas is extracted and sold, the royalties can be lucrative; but what they may not know is that as long as a lease is intact, they may not be able to mortgage their property.
Broker Lori Rudalavage, who owns LA Mortgage in Clarks Summit, has been trying to sort out the policies being put into place at major banks. It hasn’t been easy, and it concerns her.
“There are a lot of properties with leases in this area,” Rudalavage notes. She adds, when it comes down to obtaining a mortgage on those properties, “more and more of [the banks] are saying, ‘no, no, no.’” [ . . . ]
=================
17. Chesapeake Energy: What’s Up With These Lawsuits?
http://blogs.forbes.com/christopherhelman/2011/01/21/
chesapeake-energy-whats-up-with-these-lawsuits/?boxes=Homepagechannels
Christopher Helman SOUTHWEST BUREAU Jan. 21 2011 - 1:45 pm |
In recent weeks more and more oil and gas industry folks have been drawing my attention to articles like this, this, and this, from small-town papers about the bevy of lawsuits being filed against Chesapeake Energy. Most of the plaintiffs are landowners in Texas and Michigan who agreed to lease their land to Chesapeake (often at prices more than $5,000 an acre) for oil and gas exploration. They signed contracts with Chesapeake, or one of its agents and received orders for payment in amounts totaling millions of dollars. So imagine their surprise when a few weeks later instead of getting cash the landowners instead got letters from Chesapeake claiming to void the leases and stating “we will not be funding the order of payment.” Try doing that with your landlord sometime and see what happens.
Enough landowners felt they had a case against Chesapeake that in Texas last year they filed a class action lawsuit over leases in the Barnett Shale. More recently we’ve seen individual cases being filed in northern Michigan, where Chesapeake and Encana Energy had been competing for acreage in the Collingwood Shale. A test well drilled by Encana into the Collingwood a year ago was a big success, and set off the land rush. A state auction of mineral rights last May reportedly brought an unprecedented $178 million for 118,000 acres.
MORE:
http://blogs.forbes.com/christopherhelman/2011/01/21/
chesapeake-energy-whats-up-with-these-lawsuits/?boxes=Homepagechannels
===============
18. Marcellus Shale 'key' to W.Va.'s future
http://www.dailymail.com/ap/ApTopStories/201101210305
Friday January 21, 2011 By Jared Hunt Charleston Daily Mail, W.Va. (MCT)
Jan. 21--The Marcellus Shale natural gas play could be a bigger boon for the state over the next century than coal mining was over the past 100 years, industry leaders said.
The Independent Oil and Gas Association held a CEO summit as part of their annual meeting Thursday, and those in attendance agree the outlook is promising.
"The Marcellus Shale is going to be the key to us and the future of West Virginia," Chesapeake Energy CEO Aubrey McClendon said. "Whatever successes we had from coal will pale in comparison."
- - - SNIP - - -
However, he joked that being in business in the state has been a challenge.
"Chesapeake likes West Virginia," McClendon said. "There was a day we loved West Virginia until I had a run-in with our court system and lost about $400 million."
He was referring to a Roane County Circuit Court jury's awarding of $405 million to landowners after their class-action lawsuit had accused Columbia Natural Resources -- which Chesapeake had purchased -- of failing to make proper payments on natural gas royalties.
The circuit court jury found Columbia short-changed the landowners by $134.3 million and said the company should pay $271 million more in punitive damages.
The state Supreme Court refused to hear an appeal of that decision in 2008, and the company subsequently canceled a plan to locate a regional headquarters in Charleston.
McClendon criticized the state's lack of an intermediate appellate court, which would have had given the company the right to appeal that verdict.
MORE:
http://www.dailymail.com/ap/ApTopStories/201101210305
- Oscar
- Site Admin
- Posts: 9851
- Joined: Wed May 03, 2006 3:23 pm
FRACKING/ENERG NEWS (Pt. 2): January 23, 2011
by Oscar » Sun Jan 23, 2011 6:20 pm
FRACKING/ENERG NEWS (Pt. 2): January 23, 2011
1. WATCH: Naomi Klein: Addicted to risk (20 min.)
2. Alberta committed to ‘greener’ oil: Stelmach
3. TransCanada secures contracts to ship oil
4. Canada’s Kent far from Superman
5. Tar Sands Oil Some of World's Dirtiest: Report
6. LETTER: SHIELDS: Another 30 Million--Give Us a Break!!
7. LETTER: Shields: They Have Not Admitted Bias Without Reason!!
8. WATCH: TIPPING POINT: Wake Up, Freak Out - then Get a Grip
9. Hot air still blowing on wind power
10. Past year Canada's warmest ever: report
11. Trees aid in climate change fight
12. A Reality Check on the Plug-In Revolution
13. "Love, Earth" Wal-Mart jewelry -- not so Loving
14. Canada ranks last in freedom of information: study
15. The Logic of Imperial Insanity and the Road to World War III
16. Council of Canadians Update: January 21, 2011
17. The Real Weapons of Mass Destruction: Methane, Propaganda & the Architects of Genocide | Part III
18. Banro Corporation SLAPP Suit for $5 Million
19. Progress Report: Future At Risk
20. LETTER: SHIELDS: Why Alberta Sucks
====================
1. WATCH: Naomi Klein: Addicted to risk (20 min.)
http://growthisnotsustainable.blogspot. ... -risk.html
Growth is Not Sustainable Friday, January 21, 2011
Watch Naomi's TED Talk: Addicted To Risk
Naomi delivered a TED talk at the first-ever TEDWomen conference on December 8, 2010, in Washington, DC. Just days before the talk, Naomi had been on a boat in the Gulf of Mexico, looking at the catastrophic results of BP's risky pursuit of oil. Our societies have become addicted to extreme risk in finding new energy, new financial instruments and more—and too often, we're left to clean up a mess afterward.
In January's Newsletter: (Links are on website above)
Watch Naomi's TED Talk: Addicted To Risk
Naomi's New Feature for The Nation: "The Search for BP's Oil"
Naomi Introduces The Goldstone Report
Take Action To Protect Our Planet from Extreme Energy Extraction
=================
2. Alberta committed to ‘greener’ oil: Stelmach
http://www.edmontonjournal.com/business/
Alberta+committed+greener+Stelmach/4133761/story.html?cid=megadrop_story
Premier’s speech opens Edmonton oilsands conference
By Karen Kleiss, edmontonjournal.com January 19, 2011 1:03 PM
EDMONTON -Premier Ed Stelmach opened an Edmonton oilsands conference Wednesday with a speech about Alberta’s commitment to producing green, ethical oil.
[ http://premier.alberta.ca/speeches/
2011_Jan_19_KingsUniversity.cfm ]
More than 300 King’s University College students turned out to hear his keynote address at the school’s Oil Things Considered conference, a two-day debate that will feature talks from Stelmach, federal NDP MP Linda Duncan, author Andrew Nikiforuk and others.
[ . . . ]
================
3. TransCanada secures contracts to ship oil
http://www.inforum.com/event/article/id/305677/
TransCanada says feeder pipelines to move crude from Bakken Formation
By: James MacPherson, Associated Press, INFORUM January 21, 2011
BISMARCK – TransCanada Corp. said Thursday that it has secured enough contracts to ship 65,000 barrels of oil daily from Montana and North Dakota on its proposed oil pipeline from Canada to the Gulf of Mexico.
The Calgary-based company said it signed five-year contracts with producers tapping the rich Bakken Formation in North Dakota and Montana to transport crude on the proposed 1,980-mile-long Keystone XL pipeline, which is designed to move crude from Alberta’s oil sands to refineries in Oklahoma and Texas.
The five-mile-long Bakken Marketlink pipeline would meet with the Keystone XL pipeline in Baker, Mont., said Paul Miller, TransCanada’s senior vice president of oil pipelines. The $140 million project would rely on so-called feeder pipelines proposed by other companies to move North Dakota and Montana crude to the facility in Baker, he said.
“There are numerous proposals out there for feeder pipelines to the Baker hub,” he said.
Miller said oil from North Dakota and Montana would be segregated from Canadian crude and then sent to storage facilities in Cushing, Okla., which typically store about 10 percent of the nation’s oil.
TransCanada had faced political pressure to let U.S. oil companies tap into the Keystone XL pipeline that would cross Montana, South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma and Texas. The project would pass through or near oil fields along the Montana-North Dakota border.
MORE:
http://www.inforum.com/event/article/id/305677/
================
4. Canada’s Kent far from Superman
http://www.ffwdweekly.com/article/news-views/viewpoint/
canadas-kent-far-from-superman-6896/
What can we expect of Prentice's successor? Don't hold your breath.
Published January 20, 2011 by Jeff Gailus in Viewpoint
QUOTE: "There has been a demonization of a legitimate resource," Kent told the media shortly after accepting his new position. Oilsands crude "is ethical oil. It is regulated oil.” And, he went on to say, “There is absolutely no scientific evidence that there has been any leaking from tailings ponds into the Athabasca River."
Former federal environment minister Jim Prentice recently fled his political post for the relative security of one of Canada’s biggest banks. Speculation about why he couldn’t wait until his term was up has kept pundits busy over the last couple of months, but it’s clear that Prentice’s legacy as Canada’s environment minister is a mixed one.
MORE:
http://www.ffwdweekly.com/article/news-views/viewpoint/
canadas-kent-far-from-superman-6896/
=================
5. Tar Sands Oil Some of World's Dirtiest: Report
http://thetyee.ca/Opinion/2011/01/14/
TarSandsWorldsDirtiest/?utm_source=mondayheadlines&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=170111
Findings counter studies that put bitumen's carbon footprint slightly higher than regular crude.
By Andrew Nikiforuk, 14 Jan 2011, TheTyee.ca
A report by a major global research group representing the world's 10 largest car buying markets has concluded that Canada's bitumen is one of the world's dirtiest oils due to its poor quality, low gravity and the vast amount of natural gas needed to enrich it.
The study for the International Council on Clean Transportation (ICCT), which looked at the carbon intensity of oil from 3,000 fields now supplying European gasoline markets, also concluded that increasing reliance on dirty fuels will raise greenhouse gas emissions by 45 per cent above that of conventional oils.
The findings of the ICCT, a group that does technical research on the environmental performance of automobiles, contradicts modeling studies funded by the Alberta government and the oil sands industry which claim that bitumen has only a five to 15 per cent higher carbon footprint than conventional crude.
The study calculated the amount of green house gas emissions created by extracting, moving and refining different types of crude oil based on specific characteristics including weight, viscosity, purity, age of the field, leaks and the flaring of waste gases. (About 20 per cent of oil's carbon footprint comes from the production and refining process: the rest comes from cars burning gasoline.)
MORE:
http://thetyee.ca/Opinion/2011/01/14/
TarSandsWorldsDirtiest/?utm_source=mondayheadlines&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=170111
- - - - - -
REPORT: Carbon Intensity of Crude Oil in Europe Crude
http://www.theicct.org/pubs/ICCT_crudeo ... ec2010.pdf
By Energy-Redefined LLC For ICCT December 2010
- - - - -
Tyee writer in residence Andrew Nikiforuk is an award winning investigative journalist and author of the national best seller: Tar Sands: Dirty Oil and the Future of a Continent.
==================
6. LETTER: SHIELDS: Another 30 Million--Give Us a Break!!
From: lagran
To: David Swann ; brian mason ; calgary.currie@assembly.ab.ca
Cc: Alberta Activism ; Minister, EMPR EMPR:EX ; Henton, Darcy (Edm Journal) ; bill boyd ; jmorales@neb-one.gc.ca ; acameron@neb-one.gc.ca
Sent: Saturday, January 22, 2011 7:59 PM
How many Albertans were aware that our government gave a donation of 30 million dollars to the orphan well fund for the benefit of the mighty oil industry? This along with the 5% levy on the first 60,000 bbls. of flush oil from the recent bevy of horizontal cardium wells, is the reason industry is rolling in cash while our government founders in debt.
Now some want the government to participate in a fund for the land owners affected by a abandon well owned by Imperial oil. Can industry do nothing in Alberta any more without public dollars attached. These leaches can only be controlled by a totally new government, with a public perspective, and a determination to recognize the public's ownership of our resources, and a desire to run affairs in the best interest of that public. And this industry and their regulator refuse to provide the costs Albertans suffer by the many well blow-outs each year. Or pay a yearly sum to retain the well easements on land titles for abandon wells! $30 million to the energy industry as a form stimulus----Get out of here!!
Stewart Shields
Lacombe, Alberta
- - - - - - - -
Energy Resources conservation Board - Bulletin 2011-02
http://www.ercb.ca/docs/documents/bulletins/
Bulletin-2011-02.pdf
January 17, 2011
2011 Orphan Levy
In accordance with Part 11 of the Oil and Gas Conservation Act, the Energy Resources Conservation Board (ERCB) is, by regulation, prescribing an Orphan Fund Levy in the amount of $12 million. This levy is based on the revenue requirements identified by the Alberta Orphan Oil and Gas Abandonment and Reclamation Association (Orphan Well Association) in their 2011/2012 budget.(1):
- - - -
FOOTNOTE: (1) In June 2009, the Orphan Well Association received a $30 million grant from the Government of Alberta as part of the government’s economic stimulus plan. Conditions of the grant are that it be spent over two years and that the ERCB continue to collect the Orphan Fund Levy.
- - - - -
The ERCB will allocate the Orphan Fund Levy among licensees and approval holders included within the Licensee Liability Rating (LLR) and Oilfield Waste Liability (OWL) Programs based on the February 2011 monthly assessment. Information on these programs is in Directive 006: Licensee Liability Rating (LLR) Program and Licence Transfer Process, Directive 011: Licensee Liability Rating (LLR) Program - Updated Industry Parameters and Liability Costs, and Directive 075: Oilfield Waste Liability (OWL) Program.
Formula
Each licensee and approval holder included within the LLR and OWL Programs will be invoiced for their proportionate share of the Orphan Fund Levy in accordance with the following formula:
Levy = A × $12,000,000
B
where
A is the licensee or approval holder’s deemed liability on February 5, 2011, for all of its facilities, wells, and unreclaimed sites included within the LLR and OWL programs, as calculated in accordance with Directive 006, Directive 011, and Directive 075, and
B is the sum of the industry’s liability on February 5, 2011, for all facilities, wells, and unreclaimed sites included within the LLR and OWL programs, as calculated in accordance with Directive 006, Directive 011, and Directive 075.
A licensee or approval holder may review its deemed liability at any time through the Digital Data Submission (DDS) system on the ERCB Web site at
www.ercb.ca.
Payment
Invoices for the 2011 Orphan Levy will be mailed to, and must be paid by, the licensee or approval holder of record at the time of the February 05, 2011 assessment. Payment must be made in Canadian currency using a negotiable financial instrument payable in Canadian currency including a cheque, money order, bank draft, or cash. Orphan Fund invoices will be mailed no later than February 16, 2011, with payment required no later than March 18, 2011.
Please note that all payments must be made payable to the ERCB, and that failure to pay the full invoiced amount by March 18, 2011 will result in a penalty of 20 per cent of the original invoiced amount being assessed to the licensee or approval holder.
Failure to pay the invoiced amount by the due date will also result in the licensee being subject to the enforcement provisions of Directive 019: Compliance Assurance.
Appeal
Any appeal of the invoiced amount must be provided in writing and either mailed to:
Rob Kennedy
Liability Management Group
Energy Resources Conservation Board
Suite 1000, 250 – 5th Street
Calgary, Alberta T2P 0R4
================
7. LETTER: Shields: They Have Not Admitted Bias Without Reason!!
From: lagran
To: Minister.energy@gov.ab.ca
Cc: Alberta Activism ; Minister, EMPR EMPR:EX ; bill boyd ; jmorales@neb-one.gc.ca; acameron@neb-one.gc.ca
Sent: Saturday, January 22, 2011 6:58 PM
Although I feel sorry for the folks in Calmar affected by poor standards of oil well abandonment's, I cannot agree with Government funds being used to cover damages industry members brought on themselves. These type of solutions spread like wildfires and soon we the public would be saddled with all sorts of industry costs! Imperial Oil a division of the mighty Exxon-Mobil family, are not short of funds, after Exxon Mobil set a world record for profits last year! Governments duty here should be to judge the past events of both the producer and the energy regulator to determine why easements are erased from the title of the landowner allowing this major misfortune to happen to anyone?
Government must find a way for well easements to remain in place for perpetuity. This government must realize the ERCB will do anything to prevent those who drill these wells from being responsible for them forever. They have not admitted to bias without reason, many suspect that industry satisfying their annual budget is reason enough for the bias findings we have received from this Calgary bunch!! The safest method to ensure no repeat of this or another much more dangerous happening, is to have the original easement stay attached to the land title with the land owner recognized yearly for having an abandon well on his property, and without the need of disclosure at the time of selling! This Alberta government has found a bevy of ways to turn public funds back to industry, lets put a stop (to) this hemorrhage, not promote it. Imperial oil is on the hook for all this mess, let them fork over some of that $1.06 a gallon price for gasoline!
Stewart Shields
Lacombe, Alberta
- - - - - -
Fund sought to help Calmar homeowners near gas wells
http://www.edmontonjournal.com/news/
todays-paper/Fund+sought+help+Calmar+homeowners+near+wells/4149871/story.html
By Hanneke Brooymans, Edmonton Journal January 22, 2011
Calmar residents living near abandoned gas wells discovered in their midst have asked town council and Imperial Oil to set up a fund to relocate people who want to move.
They envision the fund being similar to the one set up in 2005 to relocate residents hemmed in by chemical plants in the industrial heartland northeast of Edmonton, their lawyer Bill McElhanney said.
- - - - SNIP - - - -
Ralph Olson, who lives in Calmar near the Evergreen Crescent well, wants Imperial Oil, the town and the government of Alberta to contribute to the fund.
Jerry Ward, a spokesman for Alberta Municipal Affairs, said a formal request should be sent in by the citizens to the Treasury Board minister, who would look at it. Ward was careful to say that this did not amount to a commitment either way.
hbrooymans@edmontonjournal.com
===============
8. WATCH: TIPPING POINT: Wake Up, Freak Out - then Get a Grip
http://vimeo.com/1709110
A short animated film about the feedback loops likely to lead to catastrophic climate change, by Leo Murray.
=======================
9. Hot air still blowing on wind power
http://www.thestarphoenix.com/entertainment/
still+blowing+wind+power/4031184/story.html
By Paul Hanley, Special to The StarPhoenix December 29, 2010
Follow the money. Always good advice when trying to sort through debates over controversial issues.
Among the latest environmental controversies is a supposed exposé of wind energy, with media reports purporting that wind is not environmentally friendly after all, plus it makes people sick and despoils the countryside.
With Saskatoon looking at putting up its first wind turbine, the contrarians are obliged to step up to the plate. Citing authorities in Denmark, the world centre of wind energy, columnist Bronwyn Eyre:
http://www2.canada.com/saskatoonstarphoenix/news/
story.html?id=5a054010-bfad-4bdb-bc28-90532ccba30c
for instance reported recently that increased development of wind turbines does not reduce CO2 emissions; that European utilities pay up to 20 times the price of conventional power for renewable power; and that wind power is pretty much useless anyway.
Where do these notions come from? Are they valid? Let's follow the money.
According to the article "Oil industry behind critical wind energy report"
in the Copenhagen Post:
http://www.cphpost.dk/business/119-business/
48553-oil-industry-behind-critical-wind-energy-report.html
the source of the these "facts" is a study from the free market Danish think-tank CEPOS that was commissioned and paid for by the Institute for Energy Research (IER), an American organization tied to the coal and oil industries. Apparently, they came up with the report in the lead-up to last year's climate summit in Copenhagen in an effort to
forestall the renewable energy industry, hold on to fossil fuel's market share and scuttle meaningful action on climate change.
Renewable energy is not perfect, so if one is intent on finding its faults, magnifying them and ignoring everything positive it's easy to do a hatchet job.
MORE:
http://www.thestarphoenix.com/entertainment/
still+blowing+wind+power/4031184/story.html
================
10. Past year Canada's warmest ever: report
http://www.thestarphoenix.com/technology/
Past+year+Canada+warmest+ever+report/4089450/story.html
By Margaret Munro, Postmedia News January 11, 2011
Environment Canada has quietly released its climate report for 2010, confirming that it was the hottest year on Canadian record books.
<http://www.ec.gc.ca/meteo-weather/
default.asp?lang=En&n=254A5B18-1>
National temperatures exceeded average values by a whopping 3 C, the warmest since record-keeping began in 1948, says the report, posted on the department's website Monday.
"All of the country was above normal, with most of Nunavut and northern Quebec at least 4 C above normal," says the report, that highlights 2010's northern heat wave on its map in red.
"An area over southern Alberta and Saskatchewan was the only part of Canada with close to normal temperatures this past year," it adds.
He also notes that 3 C above normal is remarkable.
"These are rather large numbers," Weaver said, noting temperatures were significantly higher than normal in 2010 despite "prognostications" from climate change skeptics who have been predicting the planet will cool because of changes in solar activity.
Environment Canada's media office did not issue a release with the report Monday. Spokesperson Mark Johnson described it as "old news."
In December, the department noted in its top 10 weather stories of 2010 that "Canada's a hottie" and had been breaking temperature records 2010.
MORE:
http://www.thestarphoenix.com/technology/
Past+year+Canada+warmest+ever+report/4089450/story.html
===============
11. Trees aid in climate change fight
http://www.thestarphoenix.com/technology/
Trees+climate+change+fight/4089428/story.html
By Paul Hanley, Special to The StarPhoenix January 11, 2011
We've all heard the bad news: Every year we destroy 130,000 square kilometres of forest for short-term economic gain, which contributes more than 20 per cent of annual CO2 emissions. We don't often hear the good news: There are people everywhere working to restore 70,000 sq. km of forest annually for the long-term benefit of people and the planet.
That's why the United Nations has declared 2011 the International Year of Forests, as a time "to celebrate people's action to sustainably manage the world's forests."
(Find more information at www.un.org/en/events/iyof2011.)
Harnessing people's affinity for trees could be a key to launching large-scale reforestation schemes and fighting poverty, according to Chris Reij, facilitator of the African Re-greening Initiatives at the Centre for International Co-operation. His article, Investing in Trees to Mitigate Climate Change, appears in State of the World 2011, the annual from the Worldwatch Institute. It will be released tomorrow and is available in local bookstores or online at
www.worldwatch.org.
Reij reports that African farmers are taking to forest restoration in a big way. We rarely hear good news from northern Africa, but farmer-managed natural regeneration of degraded land is taking hold in several areas. In part of Niger, for example, farmers have restored five million hectares of degraded land largely through tree planting in what Reij calls the largest environmental transformation in the Sahel region, if not Africa.
MORE:
http://www.thestarphoenix.com/technology/
Trees+climate+change+fight/4089428/story.html
=================
12. A Reality Check on the Plug-In Revolution
http://www.yesmagazine.org/planet/
a-reality-check-on-the-plug-in-revolution
We need 100 million Plug-Ins on the world’s roads by 2020, not one million.
Guy Dauncey, BCSEA + YES! Magazine, Friday January 14, 2011
Before I start, let me put some facts on the table, so that we have them in mind when we pay our virtual visit to the Detroit Auto Show, which opens its doors to the public on Saturday.
• In 2010, 52 million new cars were produced.
• There are around 700 million vehicles in the world - 600 million cars and light trucks and 100 million commercial vehicles, trucks and coaches.
• For the past 100 years, the internal combustion engine has dominated the market, burning the crushed-up remains of 200 million year-old sea-creatures, otherwise known as oil.
• When the oil is burnt, its ancient carbon mixes with oxygen and produces 10% of our global CO2 emissions - 5% of the greenhouse gases that are causing the global warming emergency.
• Each car adds 4-5 tonnes of CO2 to the atmosphere a year, unless it’s electric, powered by green, renewable electricity.
• The world’s ability to continue to provide oil for all these cars is in real doubt. Peak oil is coming, whether we like it or not.
• A bike adds no pollution at all, while making you happier and healthier.
So while accepting that a truly sustainable system of transport would prioritize walking, cycling, transit, rail, ridesharing and teleworking before it addressed the needs of the car, let’s see what this year’s Detroit Auto Show has to offer.
And here’s the big surprise. While Tea Party activists were busy trying to redefine the energy debate, the auto-companies quietly embraced the green agenda.
This year’s Auto Show is an all-electric celebration. The 49 journalists who did the voting chose the GM Volt - a plug-in hybrid - as the North American Car of the Year, and a runaway winner.
MORE:
http://www.yesmagazine.org/planet/
a-reality-check-on-the-plug-in-revolution
==================
13. "Love, Earth" Wal-Mart jewelry -- not so Loving
http://earthblog.org/content/
love-earth-wal-mart-jewelry-not-so-loving
Submitted by Scott Cardiff on Tue, 01/04/2011 - 19:51
A new investigation in the Broward-Palm Beach and Miami New Times has shed more light on Wal-Mart's "Love, Earth" jewelry line, and it's not looking so lovely.
In fact, the jewelry is looking rather like dirty gold: it comes at a great cost to jewelry factory workers and to the environment and communities around the mines.
This new report adds to the existing concerns over Wal-Mart's "Love, Earth" that began as soon as it launched in mid-2008.
[Learn more about EARTHWORKS concerns about "Love, Earth" from our International Coordinator, Scott Cardiff, at EARTHblog]
=================
14. Canada ranks last in freedom of information: study
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/
canada-ranks-last-in-freedom-of-information-study/article1863083/print/
Dean Beeby Ottawa— The Canadian Press
Published Sunday, Jan. 09, 2011 11:19AM EST
Last updated Sunday, Jan. 09, 2011 5:50PM EST
A new study ranks Canada dead last in an international comparison of freedom-of-information laws — a hard fall after many years being judged a global model in openness.
The study by a pair of British academics looked at the effectiveness of freedom-of-information laws in five parliamentary democracies: Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, the United Kingdom and Canada.
New Zealand placed first and Canada last.
“Above all, an effective FOI regime requires strong government commitment and political will. Officials cannot do it on their own,” says the paper, published in the journal Government Information Quarterly.
MORE:
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/
canada-ranks-last-in-freedom-of-information-study/article1863083/print/
====================
15. The Logic of Imperial Insanity and the Road to World War III
www.globalresearch.ca/index.php?context=va&aid=22781
By Andrew Gavin Marshall Global Research, January 14, 2011
Defining the Imperial Stratagem
In the late 1990s Brzezinski wrote up the design for America’s imperial project in the 21st century in his book, “The Grand Chessboard.” He stated bluntly that, “it is imperative that no Eurasian challenger emerges, capable of dominating Eurasia and thus of also challenging America,” and then made clear the imperial nature of his strategy:
To put it in a terminology that harkens back to the more brutal age of ancient empires, the three grand imperatives of imperial geostrategy are to prevent collusion and maintain security dependence among the vassals, to keep tributaries pliant and protected, and to keep the barbarians from coming together.[1]
He further explained that the Central Asian nations (or “Eurasian Balkans” as he refers to them): are of importance from the standpoint of security and historical ambitions to at least three of their most immediate and more powerful neighbors, namely Russia, Turkey and Iran, with China also signaling an increasing political interest in the region. But the Eurasian Balkans are infinitely more important as a potential economic prize: an enormous concentration of natural gas and oil reserves is located in the region, in addition to important minerals, including gold.[2]
Brzezinski emphasizes “that America's primary interest is to help ensure that no single power comes to control this geopolitical space and that the global community has unhindered financial and economic access to it.”[3]
MORE:
www.globalresearch.ca/index.php?context=va&aid=22781
================
16. Council of Canadians Update: January 21, 2011
UPDATE: Departing Europe after CETA intervention this week
http://www.canadians.org/campaignblog/?p=6039
BRUSSELS, 11:15 am (5:15 am ET) - Council of Canadians trade campaigner Stuart Trew and I are at the Brussels airport now boarding for the 25-minute flight to Amsterdam and then on to Toronto and Montreal-Ottawa respectively.
NEWS: Decision on Great Lakes shipments delayed indefinitely
http://www.canadians.org/campaignblog/?p=6036
CottageCountryNow.ca reports that, “A federal decision to permit the shipment of 16 radioactive steam generators across the Great Lakes has been delayed indefinitely. For reasons unexplained, the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) said on Monday (January 17) that it needs more time to deliberate the proposed shipment.”
Lessons from Cancun
http://www.canadians.org/energyblog/?p=416
Following up on my recent promise (thanks Via – free wifi on the train is a good thing), here is a written version (padded with additional thoughts fostered by what is turning out to be a lovely train ride) of what I presented last night.
Eye Witness Report-Back from Cancun
http://www.canadians.org/energyblog/?p=413
Last night I joined a panel in Toronto. I spoke alongside John Dillon of KAIROS and Adriana Mugnatto-Hamu of JustEarth and the Toronto Climate Campaign. There were video statements from Bolivia’s Ambassador to the UN Pablo Solòn, Gerry LeBlanc, USW Injured Workers program based in Toronto and Daniel T’seleie of the Canadian Youth Delegation joined via skype.
=====================
17. The Real Weapons of Mass Destruction: Methane, Propaganda & the Architects of Genocide | Part III
http://thebiggestlieevertold.wordpress.com/2011/01/17/
the-real-weapons-of-mass-destruction-methane-propaganda-the-architects-of-genocide-part-iii/
An investigative report. By Cory Morningstar
[Part 1: http://bit.ly/fV8slf |
Part II: http://bit.ly/gMITca |
Part III: http://bit.ly/gMrxw9]
The Spin Doctors | Spinning the Potential for Abrupt & Catastrophic Climate Change
"This is a Bullshit Free Zone. We do not apologize for any inconvenience."
"Facts do not cease to exist because they are ignored." – Aldous Huxley
It is now beyond obvious, that those who control the world’s economy are hell-bent in burning all of our planet's remaining fossil fuels – including those, that not long ago, were considered impractical to exploit. Corporate colluded states, corporate controlled media and corporate funded scientists will be red-lining the well-oiled engine of the propaganda machine as it works over-time. They will try to convince you, that the methane hydrates in the world’s oceans are deep enough, that the inevitable increased temperature will not affect them. Think again. Take a look at the map – the methane hydrates, even outside of the Arctic, are almost all located on the shallow continental shelves. If that doesn’t work they will try to convince you that mysterious bacteria will rapaciously devour all methane gas. In the following paragraphs, the danger that this misinformation presents is outlined. Layered upon the aforementioned spin, at the same time, they will try to convince you that because the methane hydrates are now destabilizing and melting (because state governments have done nothing for decades) – we have no choice but to extract the methane and burn it – for the safety of humanity. If the misinformation contradicts itself – this in itself is of little to no importance – as long as the key message is allowed to weave itself into the collective subconscious. The key message being: "There is no emergency. Methane risks are non-threatening."
MORE:
http://thebiggestlieevertold.wordpress.com/2011/01/17/
the-real-weapons-of-mass-destruction-methane-propaganda-the-architects-of-genocide-part-iii/
===============
18. Banro Corporation SLAPP Suit for $5 Million
http://slapp.ecosociete.org/en/pressrelease18-01-11
PRESS RELEASE - January 18, 2011
Publisher Écosociété and the authors of Noir Canada take the case to Supreme Court
The Supreme Court of Canada has accepted to hear the motion of Éditions Ecosociété and the authors of the book Noir Canada (Alain Deneault, Delphine Abadie, and William Sacher) to repatriate to Quebec the proceedings instituted against them by Banro Corporation in the Superior Court of Ontario
(http://csc.lexum.umontreal.ca/en/news_release/
2011/11-01-13.3a/11-01-13....).
Éditions Ecosociété and the authors of Noir Canada argue that Ontario is not the appropriate jurisdiction to prosecute the architects of the book who work in Quebec and who do their work in French. A few dozen copies of Noir Canada only were distributed in Ontario. Banro Corporation for its part is registered in Toronto but exploits no mine in the province and has several foreign administrators.
The book Noir Canada gives an account of the controversial role of Canadian corporations in Africa, based exclusively on previously-known international documentation, such as United Nations reports or the research of public organizations such as Human Rights Watch and Pole Institut
(http://www.freespeechatrisk.ca/resources/).
Éditions Ecosociété and the authors of Noir Canada were first sued in Quebec for libel by Barrick Gold, on April 29, 2008 for $6 million. Banro entered the fray on June 11, 2008 by reproducing essentially the same allegations as Barrick, in a suit for $5 million, this time in Ontario, under another code of law. Éditions Ecosociété and the authors of Noir Canada see in the Banro suit a strategy to exhaust them since this presents for them a doubling of judicial procedures and costs, as well as numerous trips to Toronto, whether it be for attending hearings or for participating in questioning before the process.
This corresponds to that which is called “Strategic lawsuits against public participation” (SLAPP). This instrumentalization of law puts in peril liberty of expression and the right of the public to information. The province of Ontario, contrary to Quebec, has no anti-SLAPP legislation currently in force. To date, 272 Canadian university professors have signed a petition in support of Éditions Écosociété and the authors of Noir Canada, appealing to the Ontario government that it adopts in its turn an anti-SLAPP law. They put forward that “SLAPPs impose unacceptable limitations on freedom of expression, academic freedom and deliberative democracy. These lawsuits are brought in the absence of any meaningful public debate. They are filed by companies or institutions against individuals or activist groups, aimed at neutralizing or censuring public criticism of their activities”
(http://www.freespeechatrisk.ca/academic-petition/).
The Supreme Court hearing will take place on March 25, 2011. - 30 -
Source: Édition Écosociété
Contact: Michel Seymour, Professor of Philosophy at the Université of Montréal in charge of the professor's petition, (514) 462-8733 or (514) 343-5933.
=================
19. Progress Report: Future At Risk
http://www.americanprogress.org/pr
by Faiz Shakir, Benjamin Armbruster, George Zornick, Zaid Jilani, Brad Johnson, Alex Seitz-Wald, and Tanya Somanader January 21, 2011
The first decade of the twenty-first century ended with the hottest and wettest year in recorded history, which also saw an extraordinary level of climate disasters like the catastrophic heat wave in Russia and the floods in Pakistan. This young year is already continuing the misery. Record-hot seas, warmed by billions of tons of greenhouse pollution from the burning of fossil fuels, are fueling catastrophic floods and storms around the planet. Global food and energy prices are rising as nations overwhelmed by disasters struggle with production, which threatens our economic recovery. In the United States, the blazing summer of 2010 is being followed by a harsh winter of extremes: record snowfalls, disastrous flooding, and record heat waves. Climate scientists first warned policymakers of the harsh consequences of dependence on the unconstrained abuse of coal and oil in the 1950s and 1960s, forecasting a future which is now our generation's reality. “The 2010 data confirm the Earth’s significant long-term warming trend,” confirmed the World Meteorological Organization Secretary-General Michel Jarraud. “The ten warmest years on record have all occurred since 1998.” With unabated pollution, climate disasters are poised to reach unimaginable levels of devastation in the coming years. The political climate in Washington, DC is not any brighter, as polluters have taken over of the halls of Congress. Lobbyists for carbon pollution interests have set up shop in the U.S. House of Representatives, and the Republican Party is dominated by politicians who paint global warming as a scientific conspiracy. Some Democrats have joined the Republican assault on President Barack Obama's efforts to turn back carbon pollution, arguing that the only way to preserve the American dream is to leave the coal and oil industries in control of our nation's energy destiny.
MORE:
http://www.americanprogress.org/pr
=================
20. LETTER: SHIELDS: Why Alberta Sucks
From: lagran
To: bill boyd ; Minister, EMPR EMPR:EX ; Minister.energy@gov.ab.ca
Cc: Rae.B@parl.gc.ca ; jmorales@neb-one.gc.ca ; goodale ; flaherty ; Jerry Bellikka ; acameron@neb-one.gc.ca
Sent: Sunday, January 23, 2011 1:10 PM
I must simply continue to point out the treatment the Alberta government are affording their masters the Alberta oil patch. The information below was taken from "Globe Investor.com" about Cequence {CQE}, a Calgary based oil and gas developer, who explore in the Deep Basin of Alberta. Please note Cequence themselves estimate the cost of 4.5 million to drill and complete in Simonette, with the Alberta public offering 3.2 million in Deep Royalty Credits. This leaves Cequence with a cost of only 1.3 million, and the Alberta public the cost of 3.2 million. Who owns this well again?
If indeed industry need help to drill resources for sales in United States, any funds granted to help this type of venture, should include an equity interest for the public of Alberta for the supplied capital, much like what Norway has done to have both an active industry and a wealthy public. This type of industry welfare is not in the best interest of Alberta's public, and will lead to NAFTA complaints from States like Oklahoma as United States become more energy self- sufficient. Ever wonder how Alberta can not match Norway with a energy paid capital pool that is the envy of the entire world? The above fully explains this extra-ordinary phenomenon! Do we need another caretaker for our publicly owned resources? Why are most of the Alberta opposition parties soooo silent on these issues? Do they simply want to replace the Tories, and keep the energy industry in control?
Stewart Shields
Lacombe, Alberta
= = = = = =
CEQUENCE ENERGY LTD. ANNOUNCES THIRD QUARTER RESULTS AND 2011 CORPORATE GUIDANCE
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/globe-in ... s-sources/
?date=20101111&archive=cnw&slug=C3257
Press release from CNW Group Thursday, November 11, 2010
CALGARY, Nov. 11 /CNW/ - Cequence Energy Ltd. ("Cequence" or the "Company") (TSX: "CQE") is pleased to announce its operating and financial results for the quarter ended September 30, 2010. The unaudited consolidated financial statements, notes thereto and management's discussion and analysis are available on the Company's website at www.cequence-energy.com and on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.
- - - - SNIP - - - -
Deep Basin (Simonette), Alberta
Cequence drilled its 100% working interest initial Wilrich horizontal well ("1-11 Well") in the Simonette area of Alberta. The 1-11 Well flowed at a restricted rate of 8.5 mmcf/d and an estimated 210 bbls of natural gas liquids per day at a wellhead flowing pressure of 1,075 psi.
Management estimates that a Wilrich horizontal well will cost approximately $4.5 million to drill and complete and is expected to earn approximately $3.2 million in Deep Royalty Credits. Wilrich horizontal economics compare favorably to all natural gas resource plays in the Western Canadian Sedimentary Basin and provide Cequence with a developable resource, even in the current depressed natural gas price environment. Cequence is currently drilling a follow up horizontal well 2 miles northwest of the initial horizontal well targeting the Wilrich at 100% working interest to help delineate the potential of the prospect area. Cequence budgeted an additional two Wilrich horizontal delineation wells this winter and four more in the second half of 2011. Cequence believes there are 18 net prospective sections at 100% working interest surrounding the initial horizontal well and an additional 30 net sections with similar potential on other land owned by Cequence. The play should ultimately be developed with two to three horizontal wells per section depending on individual well performance. This could yield a development inventory of approximately 45 wells surrounding our existing discovery.
Cequence has acquired more than 50 net sections of Montney rights at Simonette and plans to drill its first Montney horizontal well in the fourth quarter. This well will follow up on a successful vertical well drilled in December 2009. Management believes that success in the Montney has the potential to add a second large scale resource play at Simonette with the potential for up to 200 net drilling locations surrounding its initial vertical discovery.
Cequence is currently installing field compression to de-bottleneck the gas gathering system and anticipates all currently shut-in Simonette production will produce unrestricted by mid-December 2010.
MORE:
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/globe-in ... s-sources/
?date=20101111&archive=cnw&slug=C3257
1. WATCH: Naomi Klein: Addicted to risk (20 min.)
2. Alberta committed to ‘greener’ oil: Stelmach
3. TransCanada secures contracts to ship oil
4. Canada’s Kent far from Superman
5. Tar Sands Oil Some of World's Dirtiest: Report
6. LETTER: SHIELDS: Another 30 Million--Give Us a Break!!
7. LETTER: Shields: They Have Not Admitted Bias Without Reason!!
8. WATCH: TIPPING POINT: Wake Up, Freak Out - then Get a Grip
9. Hot air still blowing on wind power
10. Past year Canada's warmest ever: report
11. Trees aid in climate change fight
12. A Reality Check on the Plug-In Revolution
13. "Love, Earth" Wal-Mart jewelry -- not so Loving
14. Canada ranks last in freedom of information: study
15. The Logic of Imperial Insanity and the Road to World War III
16. Council of Canadians Update: January 21, 2011
17. The Real Weapons of Mass Destruction: Methane, Propaganda & the Architects of Genocide | Part III
18. Banro Corporation SLAPP Suit for $5 Million
19. Progress Report: Future At Risk
20. LETTER: SHIELDS: Why Alberta Sucks
====================
1. WATCH: Naomi Klein: Addicted to risk (20 min.)
http://growthisnotsustainable.blogspot. ... -risk.html
Growth is Not Sustainable Friday, January 21, 2011
Watch Naomi's TED Talk: Addicted To Risk
Naomi delivered a TED talk at the first-ever TEDWomen conference on December 8, 2010, in Washington, DC. Just days before the talk, Naomi had been on a boat in the Gulf of Mexico, looking at the catastrophic results of BP's risky pursuit of oil. Our societies have become addicted to extreme risk in finding new energy, new financial instruments and more—and too often, we're left to clean up a mess afterward.
In January's Newsletter: (Links are on website above)
Watch Naomi's TED Talk: Addicted To Risk
Naomi's New Feature for The Nation: "The Search for BP's Oil"
Naomi Introduces The Goldstone Report
Take Action To Protect Our Planet from Extreme Energy Extraction
=================
2. Alberta committed to ‘greener’ oil: Stelmach
http://www.edmontonjournal.com/business/
Alberta+committed+greener+Stelmach/4133761/story.html?cid=megadrop_story
Premier’s speech opens Edmonton oilsands conference
By Karen Kleiss, edmontonjournal.com January 19, 2011 1:03 PM
EDMONTON -Premier Ed Stelmach opened an Edmonton oilsands conference Wednesday with a speech about Alberta’s commitment to producing green, ethical oil.
[ http://premier.alberta.ca/speeches/
2011_Jan_19_KingsUniversity.cfm ]
More than 300 King’s University College students turned out to hear his keynote address at the school’s Oil Things Considered conference, a two-day debate that will feature talks from Stelmach, federal NDP MP Linda Duncan, author Andrew Nikiforuk and others.
[ . . . ]
================
3. TransCanada secures contracts to ship oil
http://www.inforum.com/event/article/id/305677/
TransCanada says feeder pipelines to move crude from Bakken Formation
By: James MacPherson, Associated Press, INFORUM January 21, 2011
BISMARCK – TransCanada Corp. said Thursday that it has secured enough contracts to ship 65,000 barrels of oil daily from Montana and North Dakota on its proposed oil pipeline from Canada to the Gulf of Mexico.
The Calgary-based company said it signed five-year contracts with producers tapping the rich Bakken Formation in North Dakota and Montana to transport crude on the proposed 1,980-mile-long Keystone XL pipeline, which is designed to move crude from Alberta’s oil sands to refineries in Oklahoma and Texas.
The five-mile-long Bakken Marketlink pipeline would meet with the Keystone XL pipeline in Baker, Mont., said Paul Miller, TransCanada’s senior vice president of oil pipelines. The $140 million project would rely on so-called feeder pipelines proposed by other companies to move North Dakota and Montana crude to the facility in Baker, he said.
“There are numerous proposals out there for feeder pipelines to the Baker hub,” he said.
Miller said oil from North Dakota and Montana would be segregated from Canadian crude and then sent to storage facilities in Cushing, Okla., which typically store about 10 percent of the nation’s oil.
TransCanada had faced political pressure to let U.S. oil companies tap into the Keystone XL pipeline that would cross Montana, South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma and Texas. The project would pass through or near oil fields along the Montana-North Dakota border.
MORE:
http://www.inforum.com/event/article/id/305677/
================
4. Canada’s Kent far from Superman
http://www.ffwdweekly.com/article/news-views/viewpoint/
canadas-kent-far-from-superman-6896/
What can we expect of Prentice's successor? Don't hold your breath.
Published January 20, 2011 by Jeff Gailus in Viewpoint
QUOTE: "There has been a demonization of a legitimate resource," Kent told the media shortly after accepting his new position. Oilsands crude "is ethical oil. It is regulated oil.” And, he went on to say, “There is absolutely no scientific evidence that there has been any leaking from tailings ponds into the Athabasca River."
Former federal environment minister Jim Prentice recently fled his political post for the relative security of one of Canada’s biggest banks. Speculation about why he couldn’t wait until his term was up has kept pundits busy over the last couple of months, but it’s clear that Prentice’s legacy as Canada’s environment minister is a mixed one.
MORE:
http://www.ffwdweekly.com/article/news-views/viewpoint/
canadas-kent-far-from-superman-6896/
=================
5. Tar Sands Oil Some of World's Dirtiest: Report
http://thetyee.ca/Opinion/2011/01/14/
TarSandsWorldsDirtiest/?utm_source=mondayheadlines&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=170111
Findings counter studies that put bitumen's carbon footprint slightly higher than regular crude.
By Andrew Nikiforuk, 14 Jan 2011, TheTyee.ca
A report by a major global research group representing the world's 10 largest car buying markets has concluded that Canada's bitumen is one of the world's dirtiest oils due to its poor quality, low gravity and the vast amount of natural gas needed to enrich it.
The study for the International Council on Clean Transportation (ICCT), which looked at the carbon intensity of oil from 3,000 fields now supplying European gasoline markets, also concluded that increasing reliance on dirty fuels will raise greenhouse gas emissions by 45 per cent above that of conventional oils.
The findings of the ICCT, a group that does technical research on the environmental performance of automobiles, contradicts modeling studies funded by the Alberta government and the oil sands industry which claim that bitumen has only a five to 15 per cent higher carbon footprint than conventional crude.
The study calculated the amount of green house gas emissions created by extracting, moving and refining different types of crude oil based on specific characteristics including weight, viscosity, purity, age of the field, leaks and the flaring of waste gases. (About 20 per cent of oil's carbon footprint comes from the production and refining process: the rest comes from cars burning gasoline.)
MORE:
http://thetyee.ca/Opinion/2011/01/14/
TarSandsWorldsDirtiest/?utm_source=mondayheadlines&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=170111
- - - - - -
REPORT: Carbon Intensity of Crude Oil in Europe Crude
http://www.theicct.org/pubs/ICCT_crudeo ... ec2010.pdf
By Energy-Redefined LLC For ICCT December 2010
- - - - -
Tyee writer in residence Andrew Nikiforuk is an award winning investigative journalist and author of the national best seller: Tar Sands: Dirty Oil and the Future of a Continent.
==================
6. LETTER: SHIELDS: Another 30 Million--Give Us a Break!!
From: lagran
To: David Swann ; brian mason ; calgary.currie@assembly.ab.ca
Cc: Alberta Activism ; Minister, EMPR EMPR:EX ; Henton, Darcy (Edm Journal) ; bill boyd ; jmorales@neb-one.gc.ca ; acameron@neb-one.gc.ca
Sent: Saturday, January 22, 2011 7:59 PM
How many Albertans were aware that our government gave a donation of 30 million dollars to the orphan well fund for the benefit of the mighty oil industry? This along with the 5% levy on the first 60,000 bbls. of flush oil from the recent bevy of horizontal cardium wells, is the reason industry is rolling in cash while our government founders in debt.
Now some want the government to participate in a fund for the land owners affected by a abandon well owned by Imperial oil. Can industry do nothing in Alberta any more without public dollars attached. These leaches can only be controlled by a totally new government, with a public perspective, and a determination to recognize the public's ownership of our resources, and a desire to run affairs in the best interest of that public. And this industry and their regulator refuse to provide the costs Albertans suffer by the many well blow-outs each year. Or pay a yearly sum to retain the well easements on land titles for abandon wells! $30 million to the energy industry as a form stimulus----Get out of here!!
Stewart Shields
Lacombe, Alberta
- - - - - - - -
Energy Resources conservation Board - Bulletin 2011-02
http://www.ercb.ca/docs/documents/bulletins/
Bulletin-2011-02.pdf
January 17, 2011
2011 Orphan Levy
In accordance with Part 11 of the Oil and Gas Conservation Act, the Energy Resources Conservation Board (ERCB) is, by regulation, prescribing an Orphan Fund Levy in the amount of $12 million. This levy is based on the revenue requirements identified by the Alberta Orphan Oil and Gas Abandonment and Reclamation Association (Orphan Well Association) in their 2011/2012 budget.(1):
- - - -
FOOTNOTE: (1) In June 2009, the Orphan Well Association received a $30 million grant from the Government of Alberta as part of the government’s economic stimulus plan. Conditions of the grant are that it be spent over two years and that the ERCB continue to collect the Orphan Fund Levy.
- - - - -
The ERCB will allocate the Orphan Fund Levy among licensees and approval holders included within the Licensee Liability Rating (LLR) and Oilfield Waste Liability (OWL) Programs based on the February 2011 monthly assessment. Information on these programs is in Directive 006: Licensee Liability Rating (LLR) Program and Licence Transfer Process, Directive 011: Licensee Liability Rating (LLR) Program - Updated Industry Parameters and Liability Costs, and Directive 075: Oilfield Waste Liability (OWL) Program.
Formula
Each licensee and approval holder included within the LLR and OWL Programs will be invoiced for their proportionate share of the Orphan Fund Levy in accordance with the following formula:
Levy = A × $12,000,000
B
where
A is the licensee or approval holder’s deemed liability on February 5, 2011, for all of its facilities, wells, and unreclaimed sites included within the LLR and OWL programs, as calculated in accordance with Directive 006, Directive 011, and Directive 075, and
B is the sum of the industry’s liability on February 5, 2011, for all facilities, wells, and unreclaimed sites included within the LLR and OWL programs, as calculated in accordance with Directive 006, Directive 011, and Directive 075.
A licensee or approval holder may review its deemed liability at any time through the Digital Data Submission (DDS) system on the ERCB Web site at
www.ercb.ca.
Payment
Invoices for the 2011 Orphan Levy will be mailed to, and must be paid by, the licensee or approval holder of record at the time of the February 05, 2011 assessment. Payment must be made in Canadian currency using a negotiable financial instrument payable in Canadian currency including a cheque, money order, bank draft, or cash. Orphan Fund invoices will be mailed no later than February 16, 2011, with payment required no later than March 18, 2011.
Please note that all payments must be made payable to the ERCB, and that failure to pay the full invoiced amount by March 18, 2011 will result in a penalty of 20 per cent of the original invoiced amount being assessed to the licensee or approval holder.
Failure to pay the invoiced amount by the due date will also result in the licensee being subject to the enforcement provisions of Directive 019: Compliance Assurance.
Appeal
Any appeal of the invoiced amount must be provided in writing and either mailed to:
Rob Kennedy
Liability Management Group
Energy Resources Conservation Board
Suite 1000, 250 – 5th Street
Calgary, Alberta T2P 0R4
================
7. LETTER: Shields: They Have Not Admitted Bias Without Reason!!
From: lagran
To: Minister.energy@gov.ab.ca
Cc: Alberta Activism ; Minister, EMPR EMPR:EX ; bill boyd ; jmorales@neb-one.gc.ca; acameron@neb-one.gc.ca
Sent: Saturday, January 22, 2011 6:58 PM
Although I feel sorry for the folks in Calmar affected by poor standards of oil well abandonment's, I cannot agree with Government funds being used to cover damages industry members brought on themselves. These type of solutions spread like wildfires and soon we the public would be saddled with all sorts of industry costs! Imperial Oil a division of the mighty Exxon-Mobil family, are not short of funds, after Exxon Mobil set a world record for profits last year! Governments duty here should be to judge the past events of both the producer and the energy regulator to determine why easements are erased from the title of the landowner allowing this major misfortune to happen to anyone?
Government must find a way for well easements to remain in place for perpetuity. This government must realize the ERCB will do anything to prevent those who drill these wells from being responsible for them forever. They have not admitted to bias without reason, many suspect that industry satisfying their annual budget is reason enough for the bias findings we have received from this Calgary bunch!! The safest method to ensure no repeat of this or another much more dangerous happening, is to have the original easement stay attached to the land title with the land owner recognized yearly for having an abandon well on his property, and without the need of disclosure at the time of selling! This Alberta government has found a bevy of ways to turn public funds back to industry, lets put a stop (to) this hemorrhage, not promote it. Imperial oil is on the hook for all this mess, let them fork over some of that $1.06 a gallon price for gasoline!
Stewart Shields
Lacombe, Alberta
- - - - - -
Fund sought to help Calmar homeowners near gas wells
http://www.edmontonjournal.com/news/
todays-paper/Fund+sought+help+Calmar+homeowners+near+wells/4149871/story.html
By Hanneke Brooymans, Edmonton Journal January 22, 2011
Calmar residents living near abandoned gas wells discovered in their midst have asked town council and Imperial Oil to set up a fund to relocate people who want to move.
They envision the fund being similar to the one set up in 2005 to relocate residents hemmed in by chemical plants in the industrial heartland northeast of Edmonton, their lawyer Bill McElhanney said.
- - - - SNIP - - - -
Ralph Olson, who lives in Calmar near the Evergreen Crescent well, wants Imperial Oil, the town and the government of Alberta to contribute to the fund.
Jerry Ward, a spokesman for Alberta Municipal Affairs, said a formal request should be sent in by the citizens to the Treasury Board minister, who would look at it. Ward was careful to say that this did not amount to a commitment either way.
hbrooymans@edmontonjournal.com
===============
8. WATCH: TIPPING POINT: Wake Up, Freak Out - then Get a Grip
http://vimeo.com/1709110
A short animated film about the feedback loops likely to lead to catastrophic climate change, by Leo Murray.
=======================
9. Hot air still blowing on wind power
http://www.thestarphoenix.com/entertainment/
still+blowing+wind+power/4031184/story.html
By Paul Hanley, Special to The StarPhoenix December 29, 2010
Follow the money. Always good advice when trying to sort through debates over controversial issues.
Among the latest environmental controversies is a supposed exposé of wind energy, with media reports purporting that wind is not environmentally friendly after all, plus it makes people sick and despoils the countryside.
With Saskatoon looking at putting up its first wind turbine, the contrarians are obliged to step up to the plate. Citing authorities in Denmark, the world centre of wind energy, columnist Bronwyn Eyre:
http://www2.canada.com/saskatoonstarphoenix/news/
story.html?id=5a054010-bfad-4bdb-bc28-90532ccba30c
for instance reported recently that increased development of wind turbines does not reduce CO2 emissions; that European utilities pay up to 20 times the price of conventional power for renewable power; and that wind power is pretty much useless anyway.
Where do these notions come from? Are they valid? Let's follow the money.
According to the article "Oil industry behind critical wind energy report"
in the Copenhagen Post:
http://www.cphpost.dk/business/119-business/
48553-oil-industry-behind-critical-wind-energy-report.html
the source of the these "facts" is a study from the free market Danish think-tank CEPOS that was commissioned and paid for by the Institute for Energy Research (IER), an American organization tied to the coal and oil industries. Apparently, they came up with the report in the lead-up to last year's climate summit in Copenhagen in an effort to
forestall the renewable energy industry, hold on to fossil fuel's market share and scuttle meaningful action on climate change.
Renewable energy is not perfect, so if one is intent on finding its faults, magnifying them and ignoring everything positive it's easy to do a hatchet job.
MORE:
http://www.thestarphoenix.com/entertainment/
still+blowing+wind+power/4031184/story.html
================
10. Past year Canada's warmest ever: report
http://www.thestarphoenix.com/technology/
Past+year+Canada+warmest+ever+report/4089450/story.html
By Margaret Munro, Postmedia News January 11, 2011
Environment Canada has quietly released its climate report for 2010, confirming that it was the hottest year on Canadian record books.
<http://www.ec.gc.ca/meteo-weather/
default.asp?lang=En&n=254A5B18-1>
National temperatures exceeded average values by a whopping 3 C, the warmest since record-keeping began in 1948, says the report, posted on the department's website Monday.
"All of the country was above normal, with most of Nunavut and northern Quebec at least 4 C above normal," says the report, that highlights 2010's northern heat wave on its map in red.
"An area over southern Alberta and Saskatchewan was the only part of Canada with close to normal temperatures this past year," it adds.
He also notes that 3 C above normal is remarkable.
"These are rather large numbers," Weaver said, noting temperatures were significantly higher than normal in 2010 despite "prognostications" from climate change skeptics who have been predicting the planet will cool because of changes in solar activity.
Environment Canada's media office did not issue a release with the report Monday. Spokesperson Mark Johnson described it as "old news."
In December, the department noted in its top 10 weather stories of 2010 that "Canada's a hottie" and had been breaking temperature records 2010.
MORE:
http://www.thestarphoenix.com/technology/
Past+year+Canada+warmest+ever+report/4089450/story.html
===============
11. Trees aid in climate change fight
http://www.thestarphoenix.com/technology/
Trees+climate+change+fight/4089428/story.html
By Paul Hanley, Special to The StarPhoenix January 11, 2011
We've all heard the bad news: Every year we destroy 130,000 square kilometres of forest for short-term economic gain, which contributes more than 20 per cent of annual CO2 emissions. We don't often hear the good news: There are people everywhere working to restore 70,000 sq. km of forest annually for the long-term benefit of people and the planet.
That's why the United Nations has declared 2011 the International Year of Forests, as a time "to celebrate people's action to sustainably manage the world's forests."
(Find more information at www.un.org/en/events/iyof2011.)
Harnessing people's affinity for trees could be a key to launching large-scale reforestation schemes and fighting poverty, according to Chris Reij, facilitator of the African Re-greening Initiatives at the Centre for International Co-operation. His article, Investing in Trees to Mitigate Climate Change, appears in State of the World 2011, the annual from the Worldwatch Institute. It will be released tomorrow and is available in local bookstores or online at
www.worldwatch.org.
Reij reports that African farmers are taking to forest restoration in a big way. We rarely hear good news from northern Africa, but farmer-managed natural regeneration of degraded land is taking hold in several areas. In part of Niger, for example, farmers have restored five million hectares of degraded land largely through tree planting in what Reij calls the largest environmental transformation in the Sahel region, if not Africa.
MORE:
http://www.thestarphoenix.com/technology/
Trees+climate+change+fight/4089428/story.html
=================
12. A Reality Check on the Plug-In Revolution
http://www.yesmagazine.org/planet/
a-reality-check-on-the-plug-in-revolution
We need 100 million Plug-Ins on the world’s roads by 2020, not one million.
Guy Dauncey, BCSEA + YES! Magazine, Friday January 14, 2011
Before I start, let me put some facts on the table, so that we have them in mind when we pay our virtual visit to the Detroit Auto Show, which opens its doors to the public on Saturday.
• In 2010, 52 million new cars were produced.
• There are around 700 million vehicles in the world - 600 million cars and light trucks and 100 million commercial vehicles, trucks and coaches.
• For the past 100 years, the internal combustion engine has dominated the market, burning the crushed-up remains of 200 million year-old sea-creatures, otherwise known as oil.
• When the oil is burnt, its ancient carbon mixes with oxygen and produces 10% of our global CO2 emissions - 5% of the greenhouse gases that are causing the global warming emergency.
• Each car adds 4-5 tonnes of CO2 to the atmosphere a year, unless it’s electric, powered by green, renewable electricity.
• The world’s ability to continue to provide oil for all these cars is in real doubt. Peak oil is coming, whether we like it or not.
• A bike adds no pollution at all, while making you happier and healthier.
So while accepting that a truly sustainable system of transport would prioritize walking, cycling, transit, rail, ridesharing and teleworking before it addressed the needs of the car, let’s see what this year’s Detroit Auto Show has to offer.
And here’s the big surprise. While Tea Party activists were busy trying to redefine the energy debate, the auto-companies quietly embraced the green agenda.
This year’s Auto Show is an all-electric celebration. The 49 journalists who did the voting chose the GM Volt - a plug-in hybrid - as the North American Car of the Year, and a runaway winner.
MORE:
http://www.yesmagazine.org/planet/
a-reality-check-on-the-plug-in-revolution
==================
13. "Love, Earth" Wal-Mart jewelry -- not so Loving
http://earthblog.org/content/
love-earth-wal-mart-jewelry-not-so-loving
Submitted by Scott Cardiff on Tue, 01/04/2011 - 19:51
A new investigation in the Broward-Palm Beach and Miami New Times has shed more light on Wal-Mart's "Love, Earth" jewelry line, and it's not looking so lovely.
In fact, the jewelry is looking rather like dirty gold: it comes at a great cost to jewelry factory workers and to the environment and communities around the mines.
This new report adds to the existing concerns over Wal-Mart's "Love, Earth" that began as soon as it launched in mid-2008.
[Learn more about EARTHWORKS concerns about "Love, Earth" from our International Coordinator, Scott Cardiff, at EARTHblog]
=================
14. Canada ranks last in freedom of information: study
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/
canada-ranks-last-in-freedom-of-information-study/article1863083/print/
Dean Beeby Ottawa— The Canadian Press
Published Sunday, Jan. 09, 2011 11:19AM EST
Last updated Sunday, Jan. 09, 2011 5:50PM EST
A new study ranks Canada dead last in an international comparison of freedom-of-information laws — a hard fall after many years being judged a global model in openness.
The study by a pair of British academics looked at the effectiveness of freedom-of-information laws in five parliamentary democracies: Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, the United Kingdom and Canada.
New Zealand placed first and Canada last.
“Above all, an effective FOI regime requires strong government commitment and political will. Officials cannot do it on their own,” says the paper, published in the journal Government Information Quarterly.
MORE:
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/
canada-ranks-last-in-freedom-of-information-study/article1863083/print/
====================
15. The Logic of Imperial Insanity and the Road to World War III
www.globalresearch.ca/index.php?context=va&aid=22781
By Andrew Gavin Marshall Global Research, January 14, 2011
Defining the Imperial Stratagem
In the late 1990s Brzezinski wrote up the design for America’s imperial project in the 21st century in his book, “The Grand Chessboard.” He stated bluntly that, “it is imperative that no Eurasian challenger emerges, capable of dominating Eurasia and thus of also challenging America,” and then made clear the imperial nature of his strategy:
To put it in a terminology that harkens back to the more brutal age of ancient empires, the three grand imperatives of imperial geostrategy are to prevent collusion and maintain security dependence among the vassals, to keep tributaries pliant and protected, and to keep the barbarians from coming together.[1]
He further explained that the Central Asian nations (or “Eurasian Balkans” as he refers to them): are of importance from the standpoint of security and historical ambitions to at least three of their most immediate and more powerful neighbors, namely Russia, Turkey and Iran, with China also signaling an increasing political interest in the region. But the Eurasian Balkans are infinitely more important as a potential economic prize: an enormous concentration of natural gas and oil reserves is located in the region, in addition to important minerals, including gold.[2]
Brzezinski emphasizes “that America's primary interest is to help ensure that no single power comes to control this geopolitical space and that the global community has unhindered financial and economic access to it.”[3]
MORE:
www.globalresearch.ca/index.php?context=va&aid=22781
================
16. Council of Canadians Update: January 21, 2011
UPDATE: Departing Europe after CETA intervention this week
http://www.canadians.org/campaignblog/?p=6039
BRUSSELS, 11:15 am (5:15 am ET) - Council of Canadians trade campaigner Stuart Trew and I are at the Brussels airport now boarding for the 25-minute flight to Amsterdam and then on to Toronto and Montreal-Ottawa respectively.
NEWS: Decision on Great Lakes shipments delayed indefinitely
http://www.canadians.org/campaignblog/?p=6036
CottageCountryNow.ca reports that, “A federal decision to permit the shipment of 16 radioactive steam generators across the Great Lakes has been delayed indefinitely. For reasons unexplained, the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) said on Monday (January 17) that it needs more time to deliberate the proposed shipment.”
Lessons from Cancun
http://www.canadians.org/energyblog/?p=416
Following up on my recent promise (thanks Via – free wifi on the train is a good thing), here is a written version (padded with additional thoughts fostered by what is turning out to be a lovely train ride) of what I presented last night.
Eye Witness Report-Back from Cancun
http://www.canadians.org/energyblog/?p=413
Last night I joined a panel in Toronto. I spoke alongside John Dillon of KAIROS and Adriana Mugnatto-Hamu of JustEarth and the Toronto Climate Campaign. There were video statements from Bolivia’s Ambassador to the UN Pablo Solòn, Gerry LeBlanc, USW Injured Workers program based in Toronto and Daniel T’seleie of the Canadian Youth Delegation joined via skype.
=====================
17. The Real Weapons of Mass Destruction: Methane, Propaganda & the Architects of Genocide | Part III
http://thebiggestlieevertold.wordpress.com/2011/01/17/
the-real-weapons-of-mass-destruction-methane-propaganda-the-architects-of-genocide-part-iii/
An investigative report. By Cory Morningstar
[Part 1: http://bit.ly/fV8slf |
Part II: http://bit.ly/gMITca |
Part III: http://bit.ly/gMrxw9]
The Spin Doctors | Spinning the Potential for Abrupt & Catastrophic Climate Change
"This is a Bullshit Free Zone. We do not apologize for any inconvenience."
"Facts do not cease to exist because they are ignored." – Aldous Huxley
It is now beyond obvious, that those who control the world’s economy are hell-bent in burning all of our planet's remaining fossil fuels – including those, that not long ago, were considered impractical to exploit. Corporate colluded states, corporate controlled media and corporate funded scientists will be red-lining the well-oiled engine of the propaganda machine as it works over-time. They will try to convince you, that the methane hydrates in the world’s oceans are deep enough, that the inevitable increased temperature will not affect them. Think again. Take a look at the map – the methane hydrates, even outside of the Arctic, are almost all located on the shallow continental shelves. If that doesn’t work they will try to convince you that mysterious bacteria will rapaciously devour all methane gas. In the following paragraphs, the danger that this misinformation presents is outlined. Layered upon the aforementioned spin, at the same time, they will try to convince you that because the methane hydrates are now destabilizing and melting (because state governments have done nothing for decades) – we have no choice but to extract the methane and burn it – for the safety of humanity. If the misinformation contradicts itself – this in itself is of little to no importance – as long as the key message is allowed to weave itself into the collective subconscious. The key message being: "There is no emergency. Methane risks are non-threatening."
MORE:
http://thebiggestlieevertold.wordpress.com/2011/01/17/
the-real-weapons-of-mass-destruction-methane-propaganda-the-architects-of-genocide-part-iii/
===============
18. Banro Corporation SLAPP Suit for $5 Million
http://slapp.ecosociete.org/en/pressrelease18-01-11
PRESS RELEASE - January 18, 2011
Publisher Écosociété and the authors of Noir Canada take the case to Supreme Court
The Supreme Court of Canada has accepted to hear the motion of Éditions Ecosociété and the authors of the book Noir Canada (Alain Deneault, Delphine Abadie, and William Sacher) to repatriate to Quebec the proceedings instituted against them by Banro Corporation in the Superior Court of Ontario
(http://csc.lexum.umontreal.ca/en/news_release/
2011/11-01-13.3a/11-01-13....).
Éditions Ecosociété and the authors of Noir Canada argue that Ontario is not the appropriate jurisdiction to prosecute the architects of the book who work in Quebec and who do their work in French. A few dozen copies of Noir Canada only were distributed in Ontario. Banro Corporation for its part is registered in Toronto but exploits no mine in the province and has several foreign administrators.
The book Noir Canada gives an account of the controversial role of Canadian corporations in Africa, based exclusively on previously-known international documentation, such as United Nations reports or the research of public organizations such as Human Rights Watch and Pole Institut
(http://www.freespeechatrisk.ca/resources/).
Éditions Ecosociété and the authors of Noir Canada were first sued in Quebec for libel by Barrick Gold, on April 29, 2008 for $6 million. Banro entered the fray on June 11, 2008 by reproducing essentially the same allegations as Barrick, in a suit for $5 million, this time in Ontario, under another code of law. Éditions Ecosociété and the authors of Noir Canada see in the Banro suit a strategy to exhaust them since this presents for them a doubling of judicial procedures and costs, as well as numerous trips to Toronto, whether it be for attending hearings or for participating in questioning before the process.
This corresponds to that which is called “Strategic lawsuits against public participation” (SLAPP). This instrumentalization of law puts in peril liberty of expression and the right of the public to information. The province of Ontario, contrary to Quebec, has no anti-SLAPP legislation currently in force. To date, 272 Canadian university professors have signed a petition in support of Éditions Écosociété and the authors of Noir Canada, appealing to the Ontario government that it adopts in its turn an anti-SLAPP law. They put forward that “SLAPPs impose unacceptable limitations on freedom of expression, academic freedom and deliberative democracy. These lawsuits are brought in the absence of any meaningful public debate. They are filed by companies or institutions against individuals or activist groups, aimed at neutralizing or censuring public criticism of their activities”
(http://www.freespeechatrisk.ca/academic-petition/).
The Supreme Court hearing will take place on March 25, 2011. - 30 -
Source: Édition Écosociété
Contact: Michel Seymour, Professor of Philosophy at the Université of Montréal in charge of the professor's petition, (514) 462-8733 or (514) 343-5933.
=================
19. Progress Report: Future At Risk
http://www.americanprogress.org/pr
by Faiz Shakir, Benjamin Armbruster, George Zornick, Zaid Jilani, Brad Johnson, Alex Seitz-Wald, and Tanya Somanader January 21, 2011
The first decade of the twenty-first century ended with the hottest and wettest year in recorded history, which also saw an extraordinary level of climate disasters like the catastrophic heat wave in Russia and the floods in Pakistan. This young year is already continuing the misery. Record-hot seas, warmed by billions of tons of greenhouse pollution from the burning of fossil fuels, are fueling catastrophic floods and storms around the planet. Global food and energy prices are rising as nations overwhelmed by disasters struggle with production, which threatens our economic recovery. In the United States, the blazing summer of 2010 is being followed by a harsh winter of extremes: record snowfalls, disastrous flooding, and record heat waves. Climate scientists first warned policymakers of the harsh consequences of dependence on the unconstrained abuse of coal and oil in the 1950s and 1960s, forecasting a future which is now our generation's reality. “The 2010 data confirm the Earth’s significant long-term warming trend,” confirmed the World Meteorological Organization Secretary-General Michel Jarraud. “The ten warmest years on record have all occurred since 1998.” With unabated pollution, climate disasters are poised to reach unimaginable levels of devastation in the coming years. The political climate in Washington, DC is not any brighter, as polluters have taken over of the halls of Congress. Lobbyists for carbon pollution interests have set up shop in the U.S. House of Representatives, and the Republican Party is dominated by politicians who paint global warming as a scientific conspiracy. Some Democrats have joined the Republican assault on President Barack Obama's efforts to turn back carbon pollution, arguing that the only way to preserve the American dream is to leave the coal and oil industries in control of our nation's energy destiny.
MORE:
http://www.americanprogress.org/pr
=================
20. LETTER: SHIELDS: Why Alberta Sucks
From: lagran
To: bill boyd ; Minister, EMPR EMPR:EX ; Minister.energy@gov.ab.ca
Cc: Rae.B@parl.gc.ca ; jmorales@neb-one.gc.ca ; goodale ; flaherty ; Jerry Bellikka ; acameron@neb-one.gc.ca
Sent: Sunday, January 23, 2011 1:10 PM
I must simply continue to point out the treatment the Alberta government are affording their masters the Alberta oil patch. The information below was taken from "Globe Investor.com" about Cequence {CQE}, a Calgary based oil and gas developer, who explore in the Deep Basin of Alberta. Please note Cequence themselves estimate the cost of 4.5 million to drill and complete in Simonette, with the Alberta public offering 3.2 million in Deep Royalty Credits. This leaves Cequence with a cost of only 1.3 million, and the Alberta public the cost of 3.2 million. Who owns this well again?
If indeed industry need help to drill resources for sales in United States, any funds granted to help this type of venture, should include an equity interest for the public of Alberta for the supplied capital, much like what Norway has done to have both an active industry and a wealthy public. This type of industry welfare is not in the best interest of Alberta's public, and will lead to NAFTA complaints from States like Oklahoma as United States become more energy self- sufficient. Ever wonder how Alberta can not match Norway with a energy paid capital pool that is the envy of the entire world? The above fully explains this extra-ordinary phenomenon! Do we need another caretaker for our publicly owned resources? Why are most of the Alberta opposition parties soooo silent on these issues? Do they simply want to replace the Tories, and keep the energy industry in control?
Stewart Shields
Lacombe, Alberta
= = = = = =
CEQUENCE ENERGY LTD. ANNOUNCES THIRD QUARTER RESULTS AND 2011 CORPORATE GUIDANCE
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/globe-in ... s-sources/
?date=20101111&archive=cnw&slug=C3257
Press release from CNW Group Thursday, November 11, 2010
CALGARY, Nov. 11 /CNW/ - Cequence Energy Ltd. ("Cequence" or the "Company") (TSX: "CQE") is pleased to announce its operating and financial results for the quarter ended September 30, 2010. The unaudited consolidated financial statements, notes thereto and management's discussion and analysis are available on the Company's website at www.cequence-energy.com and on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.
- - - - SNIP - - - -
Deep Basin (Simonette), Alberta
Cequence drilled its 100% working interest initial Wilrich horizontal well ("1-11 Well") in the Simonette area of Alberta. The 1-11 Well flowed at a restricted rate of 8.5 mmcf/d and an estimated 210 bbls of natural gas liquids per day at a wellhead flowing pressure of 1,075 psi.
Management estimates that a Wilrich horizontal well will cost approximately $4.5 million to drill and complete and is expected to earn approximately $3.2 million in Deep Royalty Credits. Wilrich horizontal economics compare favorably to all natural gas resource plays in the Western Canadian Sedimentary Basin and provide Cequence with a developable resource, even in the current depressed natural gas price environment. Cequence is currently drilling a follow up horizontal well 2 miles northwest of the initial horizontal well targeting the Wilrich at 100% working interest to help delineate the potential of the prospect area. Cequence budgeted an additional two Wilrich horizontal delineation wells this winter and four more in the second half of 2011. Cequence believes there are 18 net prospective sections at 100% working interest surrounding the initial horizontal well and an additional 30 net sections with similar potential on other land owned by Cequence. The play should ultimately be developed with two to three horizontal wells per section depending on individual well performance. This could yield a development inventory of approximately 45 wells surrounding our existing discovery.
Cequence has acquired more than 50 net sections of Montney rights at Simonette and plans to drill its first Montney horizontal well in the fourth quarter. This well will follow up on a successful vertical well drilled in December 2009. Management believes that success in the Montney has the potential to add a second large scale resource play at Simonette with the potential for up to 200 net drilling locations surrounding its initial vertical discovery.
Cequence is currently installing field compression to de-bottleneck the gas gathering system and anticipates all currently shut-in Simonette production will produce unrestricted by mid-December 2010.
MORE:
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/globe-in ... s-sources/
?date=20101111&archive=cnw&slug=C3257
- Oscar
- Site Admin
- Posts: 9851
- Joined: Wed May 03, 2006 3:23 pm
FRACKING/ENERGY NEWS: January 26, 2011
by Oscar » Wed Jan 26, 2011 10:51 pm
FRACKING/ENERGY NEWS: January 26, 2011
1. WATCH: Tipping Point: The Age of the Oil Sands
2. Industry furious (but not surprised) at Gasland’s Oscar nod
3. Montreal Chapter calls for fracking moratorium in Quebec
4. Chemical and Biological Risk Assessment for Natural Gas Extraction in New York
5. Radioactive Waste from Horizontal Hydrofracking
6. Why Hydraulic Fracturing Should Be Prohibited
7. Shale Gas: A Provisional Assessment of Climate Change and Environmental Impacts - January 2011
8. S.D. novelist mines pipeline controversy
9. Take Action To Protect Our Planet from Extreme Energy Extraction
10. Open-pit oilsands mine decision is a real-time truth test of government promises
11. GREENPEACE CANADA E-NEWSLETTER January, 2011
12. LETTER: SHIELDS: Gifts Please
13. SASKATCHEWAN SIGNS AGREEMENT WITH JAPAN COAL ENERGY CENTER
14. What's to be Done? Solutions for 2011 from Six Notable Canadians
15. PREMIER BRAD WALL ISSUES STATEMENT ON RESIGNATION OF PREMIER ED STELMACH
16. LETTER: SHIELDS: What Kitchen Mouse Is Next?
17. Oregon homeowners can now go solar with no upfront costs
18. Weather Modification Information Act in Canada
19. Barack Obama: As Bad as Bush
=============
1. WATCH: Tipping Point: The Age of the Oil Sands
http://www.cbc.ca/documentaries/natureofthings/2011/
tippingpoint/
Thursday January 27 at 8 pm on CBC-TV,
Saturday February 5 at 7 pm ET on CBC News Network
Tipping Point: Watch the promo: 34 min
http://www.cbc.ca/documentaries/natureofthings/
video.html?ID=1739461018
Tipping Point: Dr. Schindler talks about funding his research: 34 min
http://www.cbc.ca/documentaries/natureofthings/
video.html?ID=1750446124
Tipping Point: The Age of the Oil Sands is a two-hour visual tour de force, taking viewers inside the David and Goliath struggle playing out within one of the most compelling environmental issues of our time.
In an oil-scarce world, we know there are sacrifices to be made in the pursuit of energy. What no one expected was that a tiny Native community downriver from Canada’s oil sands would reach out to the world, and be heard.
Directed by Edmonton filmmakers Tom Radford and Niobe Thompson of Clearwater Media, and hosted by Dr. David Suzuki, this special presentation of The Nature of Things goes behind the headlines to reveal how a groundbreaking new research project triggered a tipping point for the Alberta oil sands.
MORE:
http://www.cbc.ca/documentaries/natureofthings/2011/
tippingpoint/
==================
2. Industry furious (but not surprised) at Gasland’s Oscar nod
http://fuelfix.com/blog/2011/01/25/
industry-furious-but-not-surprised-at-gaslands-oscar-nod/
Posted on January 25, 2011 at 12:51 pm by Tom Fowler in E&P
As if the energy industry didn’t have enough reasons to hate the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
Never mind the Oscar for An Inconvenient Truth or the exploding LNG tanker at the end of Oscar-nominated Syriana. Included in today’s list of Oscar nominees is the documentary Gasland, the film that demonizes natural gas drilling.
MORE:
http://fuelfix.com/blog/2011/01/25/
industry-furious-but-not-surprised-at-gaslands-oscar-nod/
- - - - - - - -
GASLAND nominated Oscar for Best Documentary.
The 83rd Annual Oscar Nominations
http://carpetbagger.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/01/25/
the-83rd-annual-oscar-nominations/
January 25, 2011, 8:54 am By THE NEW YORK TIMES
- - - - -
2011 Oscar documentaries: Nods to 'GasLand' and 'Superman,' but not Joan Rivers
http://www.washingtonpost.com/
wp-dyn/content/article/2010/11/28/AR2010112803633.html
by Ann Hornaday Washington Post Staff Writer Monday, November 29, 2010;
The best and most surprising picks were two little movies that made their own big impacts this past year: "GasLand," in which filmmaker Josh Fox tackles the environmental and health risks of natural gas drilling, was a hit at D.C.'s Environmental Film Festival when it screened here last March. Fox has since taken his movie on the road, showing the film in communities where the energy industry is trying to acquire natural gas leases, and in some cases dissuading people from signing their rights away. He's also screened "GasLand" in Washington, at the Environmental Protection Agency, the Department of Justice and Congress. "The thing that was most important to me was to get on the road with the film and get it out in front of people," Fox says, adding that he began screening the film as a work in progress. "Basically, I've been touring with the movie for a year and a half. It's been exhausting, but also the most rewarding thing I've ever done in my life."
Fox estimates that up to 60,000 people have seen "GasLand" in small community screenings. His do-it-yourself road show offers proof that nonfiction films have the potential to change the political conversation and (literal) topography, even without the munificence of such well-funded provocateurs as Participant Media (which produced "Waiting for 'Superman' ").
================
3. Montreal Chapter calls for fracking moratorium in Quebec
http://www.canadians.org/publications/subscribe/enews/
2011/jan24.html#fracking
January 24, 2011
The Council of Canadians’ Montreal chapter is calling for an immediate halt on fracking projects in Quebec until they can be deemed safe following the release of a report that revealed many of the fracking wells in the province are leaking dangerous amounts of methane gas.
The Concordian reports that “in December, Quebec’s Department of Natural Resources inspected 31 of the province’s brand new gas wells and found that 19 of these were leaking. The information was not released until the public watchdog agency, the bureau d’audiences publiques sur l’environnement, made repeated requests to view the results of the inspection.”
Hydraulic fracturing – more commonly known as “fracking” – is a process where sand, water and chemicals are blasted into rock formations such as shale, coal beds and “tight” sands to gain access to trapped natural gas deposits. This injection process creates cracks in the rock formations and allows the gas to flow up the well.
Communities across Canada are asking questions about fracking as more and more projects as the industry continues to grow both in the United States and in Canada. Serious health and environmental questions are being raised about the effects of fracking on groundwater, drinking water and on people’s health.
Abdul Pirani, Council of Canadians board member and Montreal Chapter president, said safety has to come first. “First and foremost, [fracking] has to be safe – safe for the people and safe for the environment.”
To read more about the Council’s fracking campaign go here:
http://www.canadians.org/water/issues/f ... index.html
===============
4. Chemical and Biological Risk Assessment for Natural Gas Extraction in New York
(Possible postings):
www.sustainableotsego.org,
www.damascuscitizens.org,
www.shaleshock.org and
www.un-naturalgas.org
Ronald E. Bishop, Ph.D., CHO, Chemistry and Biochemistry Department
State University of New York, College at Oneonta - Draft, January 21, 2011
Summary:
Over the last decade, operators in the natural gas industry have developed highly sophisticated methods and materials for the exploration and production of methane from unconventional reservoirs. In spite of the technological advances made to date, these activities pose significant chemical and biological hazards to human health and ecosystem stability. If future impacts may be inferred from recent historical performance, then:
• Between two and four percent of shale gas well projects in New York will pollute local ground-water over the short term. Serious regulatory violation rates will exceed twelve percent.
• More than one of every six shale gas wells will leak fluids to surrounding rocks and to the surface over the next century.
• Each gas well pad, with its associated access road and pipeline, will generate a sediment discharge of approximately eight tons per year into local waterways, further threatening federally endangered mollusks and other aquatic organisms.
• Construction of access roads and pipelines will fragment field and forest habitats, further threatening plants and animals which are already species of concern. 2
• Some chemicals in ubiquitous use for shale gas exploration and production, or consistently present in flowback fluids, constitute human health and environmental hazards when present at extremely low concentrations. Potential exposure effects for humans will include poisoning of susceptible tissues, endocrine disruption syndromes, and elevated risks for certain cancers.
• Exposures of gas field workers and neighbors to toxic chemicals and noxious bacteria are exacerbated by certain common practices, such as air/foam-lubricated drilling and the use of impoundments for flowback fluids. These methods, along with the intensive use of diesel-fueled equipment, will degrade air quality and may cause a recently described “down-winder’s syndrome” in humans, livestock and crops.
• State officials have not effectively managed oil and gas exploration and production in New York, evidenced by thousands of undocumented or improperly abandoned wells and numerous incidents of soil and water contamination. Human health impacts from these incidents appear to include abnormally high death rates from glandular and reproductive system cancers in men and women. Improved regulations and enhanced enforcement may reasonably be anticipated to produce more industry penalties, but not necessarily better industry practices, than were seen in the past.
Overall, proceeding with any new projects to extract methane from unconventional reservoirs by current practices in New York State is highly likely to degrade air, surface water and ground-water quality, to harm humans, and to negatively impact aquatic and forest ecosystems. Mitigation measures can partially reduce, but not eliminate, the anticipated damage.
Full Text: (Possible postings:
www.sustainableotsego.org,
www.damascuscitizens.org,
www.shaleshock.org and
www.un-naturalgas.org)
- - - - - -
Check these websites for more Fracking info: www.sustainableotsego.org,
www.damascuscitizens.org,
www.shaleshock.org and
www.un-naturalgas.org
=================
5. Radioactive Waste from Horizontal Hydrofracking
http://www.sustainableotsego.org/
index.php?option=com_phocadownload&view=category&id=1:general&Itemid=77#
By James L. “Chip” Northrup
http://www.otsego2000.org/
In a previous paper,1 I compared the horizontal hydrofracking of shale to a “pipe bomb.” Real bombs have been used to frack shale, including at least one nuclear device at Rulison, Colorado.2 The bomb worked, but the gas was too radioactive to be marketable. Ironically, the horizontal hydrofracking of Marcellus shale poses a similar problem – it produces radioactive waste.
The frack fluid effectively leaches radioactive radium out of the shale. When the frack water is pumped back out of the well, it is laced with radium, a potent carcinogen.3 Based on a recent article in Scientific American, the amount of radium in water from
the Marcellus is 267 times the safe limit for disposal, and thousands of times the level considered safe to drink.4
In New York, municipal treatment plants filter or settle sediment out of water. Using this method to treat ‘produced’ water from fracking operations would effectively reduce the sediment in the wastewater to a radioactive sludge, which, depending on the level of contamination, would have to be disposed of as a HAZMAT waste. New York state municipal treatment plants are simply not equipped to do this. Handling the radioactive wastewater would put municipal water treatment workers at risk.
MORE:
http://www.sustainableotsego.org/
index.php?option=com_phocadownload&view=category&id=1:general&Itemid=77#
- - - - - -
1 “Potential Leaks from High Pressure Hydrofracking of Shale,” September 8, 2010.
http://63.134.196.109/documents/Northru ... -12-10.pdf
2 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rulison
3 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radium
4 http://www.scientificamerican.com/
article.cfm?id=marcellus-shale-natural-gas-drilling-radioactive-wastewater
5 http://63.134.196.109/documents/
HydroQuestEPAComments9-11-10withfigures.pdf
6 http://www.dec.ny.gov/energy/29856.html
7 http://www.epa.gov/radon/pubs/citguide.html
8 http://ny-radon.info/NY_general.html
9 http://www.pipelineandgastechnology.com/Headlines/
2010/09/item67443.php
10 http://www.neb.gc.ca/
clf-nsi/rsftyndthnvrnmnt/sfty/sftydvsr/1994/nbs199401-eng.pdf
===================
6. Why Hydraulic Fracturing Should Be Prohibited
http://www.sustainableotsego.org/
index.php?option=com_phocadownload&view=section&id=2:why-hydraulic-fracturing-should-be-prohibited&Itemid=77
This section contains the categories from the Sustainable Otsego collection of documents presented to the EPA on 9/15/2010.
====================
7. Shale Gas: A Provisional Assessment of Climate Change and Environmental Impacts - January 2011 (89 pages)
http://www.tyndall.ac.uk/sites/default/files/
coop_shale_gas_report_final_200111.pdf
A report by researchers at The Tyndall Centre, University of Manchester- January 2011
EXCERPT:
In addition to outstanding questions concerning the magnitude of any potential GHG benefits of shale gas (or otherwise), the drilling and hydraulic fracturing technologies required for shale gas production also bring with them a number of negative environmental impacts and risks. Various concerns have been raised about environmental and human health risks and other negative impacts associated with processes and technologies applied in the extraction of shale gas. These include:
surface and groundwater contamination associated with chemicals used in the hydraulic fracturing process and the mobilisation of sub-surface contaminants such as heavy metals, organic chemicals, and naturally occurring radioactive materials (NORMS); hazardous waste generation and disposal; resource issues including abstraction of significant quantities of water for hydraulic fracturing processes; and land use, infrastructure and landscape impacts. The environmental risks associated with hydraulic fracturing in particular have risen in prominence in the US. There have been a number of incidents and reports of contamination from shale gas developments and the process has, since March 2010, been the subject of a detailed US Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) investigation and research programme into the safety and risk implications2 that is expected to provide initial results towards the end of 2012. Some state regulators are moving towards moratoria on hydraulic fracturing while risks are assessed. In New York State, for example, on 3 August 2010 the State Senate passed a Bill to suspend hydraulic fracturing for the extraction of natural gas or oil until 15 May 2011 (and to suspend the issuance of new permits for such drilling). On 11 December 2010, the New York State Governor vetoed the Bill and issued an Executive Order directing the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) to “conduct further comprehensive review and analysis of high-volume hydraulic fracturing in the Marcellus Shale”. The Executive Order requires that high-volume, horizontal hydraulic fracturing would not be permitted until 1 July 2011 at the earliest.
Full text:
http://www.tyndall.ac.uk/sites/default/files/
coop_shale_gas_report_final_200111.pdf
================
8. S.D. novelist mines pipeline controversy
http://www.mitchellrepublic.com/event/article/id/49493/
group/News/
Published January 21 2011 By: Jennifer Jungwirth, The Daily Republic
Real-life issues surrounding the construction of crude-oil pipelines through South Dakota helped inspire a new novel by a South Dakota author.
“Mercy Kill,” by Lori Armstrong, of Rapid City, hit bookshelves two weeks ago. It’s set in western South Dakota in the fictional Eagle County and features the character Mercy Gunderson, a former Army sniper who returns to her family’s ranch. With limited job opportunities, Gunderson takes a job at a local bar. Her attempt to settle back home, however, is interrupted when Titan Oil, a Canadian company, proposes to run underground pipelines through the county. The proposal stirs tense emotions, and after an act of violence, Gunderson takes it upon herself to find a killer.
While Armstrong was writing the novel, TransCanada proposed the construction of the Keystone XL pipeline through western South Dakota. TransCanada already was building another pipeline through the eastern part of the state.
Armstrong, who still has family in Woonsocket, said her novel is not a direct reflection of TransCanada’s activity in the state but is based partly on TransCanada’s involvement with South Dakotans.
“South Dakota issues will always be a jumping off point for me,” Armstrong said. “It affects the lives of South Dakotans and those who make their living from the land.”
She did extensive research, she said, and tried to make her fiction comparable to real-life situations without plaguing readers with information overload. She wanted her book to be one that residents in California and other states could read and be interested in, too.
“It can’t be an information dump. You’re not preaching to people. There’s a fine line between how it affects the plot and the characters, but it can’t be what it’s all about.”
The book does address potential controversies, however. She said that if something goes wrong with a pipeline in real life, it lands squarely on the landowners’ shoulders.
“If anything goes wrong, there is a lot of pass the buck. But who’s responsible? It always seems to be the landowners, and they are the ones that want it the least.”
MORE:
http://www.mitchellrepublic.com/event/article/id/
49493/group/News/
==================
9. Take Action To Protect Our Planet from Extreme Energy Extraction
Naomi Klein’s Newsletter January, 2011
If watching Naomi's TED Talk and reading her feature about the ongoing disaster in the Gulf made you want to take action, here are three great activist campaigns to choose from.
Friends of the Earth is urging people to tell President Obama to reject a pipeline for the world's dirtiest oil—the proposed Keystone XL pipeline, which would bring tar sands oil into the U.S. and endanger the health of communities and ecosystems all along its path from Canada to the Gulf Coast of Texas.
You could also check out the Gulf Future Campaign, a coalition of organizations working to protect the environment and the distinct culture of the Gulf Coast for future generations, which recommends asking the U.S. government to "take a hard look" at the National Oil Spill Commission's final recommendations for reducing the risks of offshore drilling, and "to begin working towards them immediately."
Finally, the Sierra Club is circulating a letter of thanks to the EPA for stopping the Spruce Mine, a notorious project that "would have destroyed over seven miles of vital streams and 2,000 miles of mountain acres."
==================
10. Open-pit oilsands mine decision is a real-time truth test of government promises
http://www.greenpeace.org/canada/en/Blog/
open-pit-oilsands-mine-decision-is-a-real-tim/blog/32533
Blogpost by By Mike Hudema And Sheila Muxlow - January 24, 2011 at 23:13
(Originally printed in the Edmonton Journal)
Politicians are known the world over for talking out of both sides of their mouths. They often make grand proclamations to win votes, to silence criticism, to placate opposition. Lately in the face of serious criticism from scientists, the federal government has tried to appear tough on the oilsands. But Canadians have yet to see action. The pending decision on whether or not to approve a new open-pit oilsands mine in Alberta provides Canadians with a real-time truth test of government promises.
In the last few months, mounting evidence of federal and provincial mismanagement of the oilsands has forced both levels of government to raise a white flag and promise widespread change. Following the feedback of a federally appointed water panel and a report on the oilsands from the Royal Society of Canada, the Stelmach and Harper governments have admitted the system is broken. And yet, here we are, days or weeks away from hearing whether or not a new giant open-pit oilsands mine will be approved in Alberta by that very same broken system. And since not a single oilsands mining project has ever been turned down, odds are that Total's Joslyn mine will be approved.
The project's approval would come in stark contrast to promises we've been hearing lately about cracking down on polluters and tightening tailings pond legislation.
To date, all proposed oilsands projects have received the green light thanks to an approvals process that the Royal Society's report on the oilsands said wouldn't meet World Bank standards for projects in developing countries.
The Royal Society scientists also noted that the regulatory system is run by agencies that "need to seriously review whether they have and can effectively maintain the specialized technical expertise needed to regulate industrial development of this scope and sophistication."
Adding to the chorus, the Chair of the Oilsands Advisory Panel appointed by the federal government to assess the environmental monitoring system, said that "until we solve the problems associated with the surveillance system, you cannot trust what the data indicate, and consequently, you cannot credibly say that you are making the right decisions when you rely on this data."
MORE:
http://www.greenpeace.org/canada/en/Blog/
open-pit-oilsands-mine-decision-is-a-real-tim/blog/32533
==================
11. GREENPEACE CANADA E-NEWSLETTER January, 2011
Interactive map places the tar sands in your backyard
http://www.greenpeace.org/canada/en/Blog/
wwwifitweremyhomeca/blog/32687?utm_source=SilverpopMailing&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=January%20e-news%20eng%20(1)&utm_content=
Canada's new Environment Minister Peter Kent didn't even let the ink dry on his contract before vowing to defend Alberta's tar sands as "ethical oil." But what's ethical about producing over 30 million tonnes of CO2 emissions per year?
We have a feeling that if the tar sands were in Mr. Kent's home riding of Thornhill, Ontario, he wouldn't be calling them "ethical." [ . . . . ]
Check out the map: If It Was My Home, What Would You Do?
http://www.ifitweremyhome.ca/
170 sq km of toxic tailing, using as much water as a city of 2 million people and enough natural gas to heat 5 million Canadian homes, it could destroy an area the size of England and is already destroying land, poisoning rivers and crushing downstream communities. [ . . . . ]
Can we prevent 'natural' disasters?
http://www.greenpeace.org/international/en/news/Blogs/
climate/extreme-weather-and-climate-change-how-long-m/blog/32361?utm_source=SilverpopMailing&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=January%20e-news%20eng%20(1)&utm_content=
Debates over the connection between extreme weather events and climate change seem to intensify each year – but pondering the same short-term questions may be distracting us from the bigger picture, with time running out for real action on climate change. [ . . . ]
Endangered species exemption for industry will sacrifice caribou
http://www.greenpeace.org/canada/en/recent/
McGuinty-endangered-species-exemption/?utm_source=SilverpopMailing&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=January%20e-news%20eng%20(1)&utm_content=
With the Ontario government proposing to exempt the forest industry and others from the Endangered Species Act, Greenpeace will be ramping up its efforts to convince Premier McGuinty to honour his promise to protect the threatened woodland caribou. [ . . . ]
Alberta's attempt to bully U.S. E.P.A. falls flat
http://www.greenpeace.org/canada/en/Blog/
albertas-attempt-to-bully-us-environmental-pr/blog/32529?utm_source=SilverpopMailing&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=January%20e-news%20eng%20(1)&utm_content=
Blogpost by Keith Stewart - January 24, 2011 at 11:08 Add comment
I thought only the Brits could pull off this kind of discreet disdain, but there’s probably a little less swagger in the step of Alberta’s officialdom after a polite-bordering-on-condescending rebuke from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). [ . . . .]
=================
12. LETTER: SHIELDS: Gifts Please
From: lagran
To: Prime Minister/Premier ministre ; Layton, Jack - M.P. ; iggy
Cc: Alberta Activism ; Rae.B@parl.gc.ca ; Minister, EMPR EMPR:EX ; goodale ; flaherty ; Bymak, Pat (The StarPhoenix) ; bill boyd ; T Banks ; jmorales@neb-one.gc.ca ; acameron@neb-one.gc.ca
Sent: Tuesday, January 25, 2011 7:03 PM
Subject: Gifts Please
Firstly why would the richest CARTEL in the world need a loan? Each member of the CARTEL -Exxon-Mobil, Royal Dutch Shell, and Conoco Philips - has more than enough capital to build their proposed pipeline, so why the loan?
Canada is not at all in need of this natural gas from the Arctic, indeed it is to benefit the American consumer that it would be built. Canadians paid for the drilling of the wells that will fill the pipeline through PIP grants, unlike those wells in Alaska, and that is all the welfare Canadians should be stuck with to offer a cheap supply of energy to the American consumer. Canada should spend dollars to divert natural gas away from the low price NAFTA market, and offer our resources for sale on the pricier Asian market. Long before loan guarantees are paid to the richest foreign consortium in the world, Canadian's themselves should be offered the chance to build a "Common-Carrier" pipeline, removing these foreign CARTELS from controlling our Arctic region through control of the movement of our Arctic riches! What Canadian explorer will budget funds in our Arctic region with the knowledge that discoveries must be moved by a foreign competitor? We must stop the Tory practice of allowing the Americans to act like Dracula living off Canadian blood! This energy industry has developed into little more than welfare cases, getting royalty tax credits almost, and sometimes more, than the cost to drill wells in Alberta and Saskatchewan. Governments must be put on notice to get equity interest for every cent invested in energy enterprises. Loan guarantees is oilfield slang for gifts please!! Imagine, Alberta GAVE the Orphan Well Fund 30 million under the guise of a stimulus package!!
Stewart Shields
Lacombe, Alberta
- - - -
Pipeline needs fed loans: minister
http://www.calgaryherald.com/news/
Pipeline+needs+loans+minister/4161558/story.html
From Herald News Services January 25, 2011
Funding - Financial incentives as well as official support from Ottawa will be needed to bring Canadian Arctic natural gas to southern markets, said a senior Northwest Territories official Monday.
On the eve of an expected federal approval on the Mackenzie Valley pipeline, Minister of Industry Bob McLeod said the Conservative government should pay heed to proponents of the $16.5-billion project requesting loan guarantees to backstop the massive project.
A report earlier this month said Ottawa was set to give its final approval to the project, but would not offer any subsidies.
A fiscal framework would provide a "level playing field" with a rival Alaska pipeline project receiving $19 billion US in loan guarantees from Washington, not a subsidy, argued McLeod.
MORE:
http://www.calgaryherald.com/news/
Pipeline+needs+loans+minister/4161558/story.html
= = = = = =
Mackenzie pipeline needs federal cash: insiders
http://www.cbc.ca/canada/north/story/2011/01/12/
mackenzie-pipeline-funding.html
Ottawa not selling $16.2B project to taxpayers, analyst says
Last Updated: Wednesday, January 12, 2011 | 7:35 PM CST
The Mackenzie Valley pipeline needs financial support from the federal government in order for it to go ahead, say project proponents and industry analysts.
The 1,200-kilometre natural gas pipeline being proposed in the Northwest Territories is expected to receive final approval from the federal cabinet as early as next week, CBC News has learned.
However, Ottawa is not expected to commit any public subsidy to the pipeline, although the project's proponents have long said the federal government needs to support the $16.2-billion megaproject.
"It is critical for us and for the government of Canada to get together here to work towards a fiscal framework to allow this project to go forward," Fred Carmichael, chairman of the Aboriginal Pipeline Group, told CBC News on Wednesday.
The Aboriginal Pipeline Group, which represents several aboriginal groups along the pipeline route, is part of a private consortium of companies — led by Calgary-based Imperial Oil — spearheading the pipeline proposal.
The consortium, which also includes Exxon Mobil Corp., ConocoPhillips and Royal Dutch Shell PLC, wants to build a pipeline from anchor fields in the Beaufort Sea, through the Mackenzie Valley in the Northwest Territories to the Alberta border, where it would link to southern markets.
MORE:
http://www.cbc.ca/canada/north/story/2011/01/12/
mackenzie-pipeline-funding.html
==================
13. SASKATCHEWAN SIGNS AGREEMENT WITH JAPAN COAL ENERGY CENTER
http://www.gov.sk.ca/
news?newsId=072c8935-d574-419c-9564-81e94a83d4fc
News Release - January 25, 2011
The Government of Saskatchewan and the Japan Coal Energy Center (JCOAL) have a new Memorandum of Understanding to encourage more co-operation between the province and Japan on technologies respecting clean coal and carbon capture and storage.
Energy and Resources Minister Bill Boyd and JCOAL Chairman Yoshihiko Nakagaki signed the MOU today in Tokyo during the minister's resources investment mission to Asia.
The agreement sets the stage for future information exchanges and research projects involving scientists and companies in both jurisdictions and could lead to Japanese investment in Saskatchewan carbon capture and storage projects.
"JCOAL has a great track record in clean coal technology research and Saskatchewan is a world leader in carbon capture and storage technology," Boyd said. "It's taken a lot of work on both sides to make this MOU happen, and the relationships we establish through it will help both Saskatchewan and Japan as our industries and utilities work to reduce their environmental footprints."
Saskatchewan is Canada's third largest coal producer, with reserves that will last hundreds of years at current production levels.
"The technical co-operation coming out of this MOU may well help us unlock some of our province's deeper coal resources, which require new and innovative technologies to be developed," Boyd said.
JCOAL is a non-profit organization representing more than 100 Japanese coal, gas, steel and mining companies as well as manufacturers and electricity utilities. It receives funding from Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry and its subsidiary, the New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization.
Saskatchewan's expertise in carbon capture and storage technology includes the International Energy Agency Greenhouse Gas Weyburn-Midale CO2 Monitoring and Storage Project being led by the Petroleum Technology Research Centre (PTRC); the International Test Centre for CO2 Capture at the University of Regina; the International Performance Assessment Centre for Geologic Storage of CO2; PTRC's Aquistore Project; and SaskPower's integrated carbon capture and sequestration project at Boundary Dam, among other research. -30-
For more information, contact:
Bob Ellis, Energy and Resources, Regina
Phone: 306-787-1691
Email: robert.ellis@gov.sk.ca
==================
14. What's to be Done? Solutions for 2011 from Six Notable Canadians
http://xraymagazine.ca/xray/solutionsfor2011.aspx
It’s a bright, shiny new year. Across the land, people have tallied up last year’s wins and losses, and made resolutions to do better. At X-Ray Magazine, we’re always tallying up the wins and losses on Canada’s political scene, and this year, we wondered how Canada could do better.
We asked some notable Canadians - Liberal MP Carolyn Bennett, Council of Canadians leader Maude Barlow, democracy watchdog Duff Conacher, labour activist Joel Harden, national student leader David Molenhuis, and environmentalist Beatrice Olivastri - to share their resolutions and solutions for some of the country’s woes. Read on, get riled, be inspired, and share your ideas for positive change in Canada
MORE:
http://xraymagazine.ca/xray/solutionsfor2011.aspx
================
15. PREMIER BRAD WALL ISSUES STATEMENT ON RESIGNATION OF PREMIER ED STELMACH
http://www.gov.sk.ca/
news?newsId=380fea96-97eb-456d-88a8-7be04bad81d9
News Release - January 25, 2011
Premier Brad Wall today issued the following statement on Alberta Premier Ed Stelmach's announcement that he will resign prior to the next provincial election:
"First of all, I want to wish Ed well, not only as a fellow Premier, but as a friend.
"Premier Ed Stelmach has always been a clear and strong voice for Alberta. I saw first-hand at Premiers' meetings how he always defended Alberta's interests, how he spoke passionately for this generation and future generations of Albertans, but always within the context of a strong and united Canada.
"Important to Saskatchewan is the fact that Premier Stelmach was an architect of the New West.
"More than anything, Ed Stelmach is a decent man. He is a man of character and integrity. His leadership will be missed.
"Tami and I want to wish Ed and Marie the very best and thank them for their continued friendship." -30-
For more information, contact:
Kathy Young, Executive Council, Regina
Phone: 306-787-0425
Email: kathy.young@gov.sk.ca
================
16. LETTER: SHIELDS: What Kitchen Mouse Is Next?
From: lagran
To: Prime Minister/Premier ministre ; Layton, Jack - M.P. ; iggy
Cc: David Swann ; Office of the Premier ; Minister, EMPR EMPR:EX ; brian mason ; jmorales@neb-one.gc.ca ; Bymak, Pat (The StarPhoenix) ; Jerry Bellikka
Sent: Tuesday, January 25, 2011 2:49 PM
Subject: What Kitchen Mouse Is Next?
The next few months in Alberta will be very exciting, I'm almost sorry I will miss the month of February. Will the Alberta public simply anoint the oil industry and CAPP favorite candidate to lead the province in a fashion that suits industry, or will we finally find a ballsy candidate that will govern for the Alberta public. Stelmach started very much like that ballsy leader all Albertans need but soon was in CALGARY pouring water in the blue ribbon royalty advisors plans with respect to Alberta royalties, admittedly too generous by far to industry!
Soon Alberta sat still as Harper approved raw bitumen export to United States, allowing industry to trade Alberta "Free-Bees" for refinery space in U.S. locations---the gig was obviously up for Stelmach. Unlike Danny Williams, who drew public admiration all across Canada for standing tall and staring down the energy giants, Stelmach buckled under their stare, and will leave office without the respect shown Danny as a fighter for the people he served. Like them or not we must admit, Canadians like Trudeau and Danny Williams, who refused to flinch when the energy interests applied pressure certainly leave a bigger mark on history than the Premier-caretaker of energy interest will!
What will Alberta get next, will it be "Attila The Hen" or another Calgary entity backed quietly by big oil? Can Alberta generate a Premier from the growing north of the province, both in wealth and population? Must we follow the past principle of having the north part of the province create the wealth that is to be allocated and spent by members from the south? I will be very anxious to return home from Asia to find the answers to many questions!
Stewart Shields
Lacombe, Alberta
- - - - -
Premier Ed Stelmach's comments today
http://alberta.ca/blog/home.cfm/2011/1/25/
Premiers-comments
Posted At : January 25, 2011 11:46 AM (MST) | Posted By : Premier Ed Stelmach
Related Categories: Office of the Premier
My decision today....
• Since the New Year I have been spending the last few weeks asking my Caucus to indicate to me their intentions for the next provincial election.
• I am impressed by the passion of my caucus colleagues and their desire to serve Albertans.
• They firmly believe in the mandate that Albertans gave us in the last election- the largest majority for a new Premier in Alberta's history.
• Our members are also equally committed to continuing in their role as members of the PC Caucus and fight in the next election.
• I have been asking these good men and women to make a minimum commitment of five years. It is a commitment to serve Albertans and those in public office know that this service comes with a personal sacrifice.
• As I have been having these discussions I have also been reflecting on my own commitment to serve beyond the next election.
• Upon much reflection and consultation with family and close friends, I have determined that after 25 years of public service I am not be prepared to serve another full term as Premier.
• Therefore I have decided to announce today I will not be running as a candidate in the next general election.
• There is no doubt that my decision today will come as a shock to many and a disappointment to my friends and Albertans.
• I am grateful to all those who supported me – who gave me the opportunity to raise integrity and honesty into government for the benefit of all Albertans.
MORE:
http://alberta.ca/blog/home.cfm/2011/1/25/
Premiers-comments
================
17. Oregon homeowners can now go solar with no upfront costs
http://www.oregonlive.com/business/index.ssf/2011/01/
oregon_homeowners_can_now_go_s.html
Published: Tuesday, January 04, 2011, 7:47 PM
By Richard Read, The Oregonian
Oregonians put off by the high price of renewable energy can now go solar on the cheap, installing panels for no money down.
Contractors in a handful of states are starting to offer solar to the masses with lease deals that eliminate upfront costs. Oregon is joining the trend, thanks to regulations that took effect Jan. 1.
The Portland branch of a national solar company unveiled a lease program Tuesday enabling homeowners to put up panels for low monthly payments, cutting their electricity bills and carbon footprints. At least one other contractor, a local company, is developing similar products.
Managers of SolarCity, a California-based company, say Oregon homeowners can go solar for as little as $20 a month with no up-front costs. The new financing option, which incorporates state and federal tax credits, results from an Oregon Energy Department rule change.
"For less money each month than the cost of two movie tickets, Oregon homeowners can install solar power," said Rob LaVigne, SolarCity's regional director in Oregon. "What's nice about a system like this is there's no hidden costs."
The new approach departs from programs that have required homeowners to spend thousands of dollars on systems that gradually yield returns. The lease option may not cut a homeowners' electricity bills that much, but it can warm the hearts and homes of utility customers who want to go green.
In an example provided by SolarCity, Susie Homeowner signs a 15-year contract, paying $25 a month to the company. SolarCity installs, guarantees and insures the 3.2 kilowatt system, which includes about 16 solar panels.
Susie's $70 monthly electricity bill drops by $30. The remaining $40 bill results in a $5 monthly savings after her lease payment. She also pockets a portion of the tax credits issued by the state.
SolarCity makes its money from the income stream and rebates and by claiming a slightly larger federal tax credit than the homeowner would get. As the solar system¹s owner, SolarCity can depreciate the equipment for tax purposes.
MORE:
http://www.oregonlive.com/business/index.ssf/2011/01/
oregon_homeowners_can_now_go_s.html
================
18. Weather Modification Information Act in Canada
http://laws.justice.gc.ca/PDF/Statute/W/W-5.pdf
Current to December 14, 2010
Section 2 states: “weather modification activity” includes any action designed or intended to produce, by physical or chemical means, changes in the composition or dynamics of the atmosphere for the purpose of increasing, decreasing or redistributing precipitation, decreasing or suppressing hail or lightning or dissipating fog or cloud."
===================
19. Barack Obama: As Bad as Bush
www.globalresearch.ca/index.php?context=va&aid=22917
By Mike Whitney Global Research, January 22, 2011
His enemies call him a tyrant and a dictator, but he is neither. Hugo Chavez is a tireless champion of the poor and a committed Christian socialist. The only difference between Chavez's type of Christianity and Barack Obama's, is that Chavez walks the walk.
For example, on Tuesday, Chavez used his powers under the new "enabling laws" to enact the "Law for Dignified Refuge" a presidential decree that mandates "dignified and humane" housing for all Venezuelans. The Venezuelan parliament approved the controversial (and temporary) enabling laws because the country faced an unprecedented housing crisis due to the massive floods in December.
More than 125,000 people lost their homes in the disaster requiring a speedy response from the government. Chavez swung into action immediately turning the presidential palace into a homeless shelter and initiating a campaign to construct permanent housing for the victims. Now he has pushed through landmark legislation that will legally require the government to help the homeless.
Contrast Chavez's response to Obama's during the BP oil spill, where BP was allowed to wreak havoc on the environment and destroy people's livelihood without any consequences. In fact, Obama even provided cover for the oil giant by appearing in public relations "I feel your pain" photo-ops on a beach in Louisiana that were intended to divert public rage away from BP. So, now the fishing and shrimping industries are devastated, sensitive estuaries and ecosystems have been destroyed, the level of toxins in the bloodstreams of people living in the region have skyrocketed and--worst of all--BP has gotten off Scot-free. Thanks, Barack.
Now imagine what would have happened if Chavez had been in charge. BP's stateside operations would have been shut down, their assets would have been seized, and Tony Hayward and his buddies would have been thrown in the hoosegow. Got a problem with that?
MORE:
www.globalresearch.ca/index.php?context=va&aid=22917
1. WATCH: Tipping Point: The Age of the Oil Sands
2. Industry furious (but not surprised) at Gasland’s Oscar nod
3. Montreal Chapter calls for fracking moratorium in Quebec
4. Chemical and Biological Risk Assessment for Natural Gas Extraction in New York
5. Radioactive Waste from Horizontal Hydrofracking
6. Why Hydraulic Fracturing Should Be Prohibited
7. Shale Gas: A Provisional Assessment of Climate Change and Environmental Impacts - January 2011
8. S.D. novelist mines pipeline controversy
9. Take Action To Protect Our Planet from Extreme Energy Extraction
10. Open-pit oilsands mine decision is a real-time truth test of government promises
11. GREENPEACE CANADA E-NEWSLETTER January, 2011
12. LETTER: SHIELDS: Gifts Please
13. SASKATCHEWAN SIGNS AGREEMENT WITH JAPAN COAL ENERGY CENTER
14. What's to be Done? Solutions for 2011 from Six Notable Canadians
15. PREMIER BRAD WALL ISSUES STATEMENT ON RESIGNATION OF PREMIER ED STELMACH
16. LETTER: SHIELDS: What Kitchen Mouse Is Next?
17. Oregon homeowners can now go solar with no upfront costs
18. Weather Modification Information Act in Canada
19. Barack Obama: As Bad as Bush
=============
1. WATCH: Tipping Point: The Age of the Oil Sands
http://www.cbc.ca/documentaries/natureofthings/2011/
tippingpoint/
Thursday January 27 at 8 pm on CBC-TV,
Saturday February 5 at 7 pm ET on CBC News Network
Tipping Point: Watch the promo: 34 min
http://www.cbc.ca/documentaries/natureofthings/
video.html?ID=1739461018
Tipping Point: Dr. Schindler talks about funding his research: 34 min
http://www.cbc.ca/documentaries/natureofthings/
video.html?ID=1750446124
Tipping Point: The Age of the Oil Sands is a two-hour visual tour de force, taking viewers inside the David and Goliath struggle playing out within one of the most compelling environmental issues of our time.
In an oil-scarce world, we know there are sacrifices to be made in the pursuit of energy. What no one expected was that a tiny Native community downriver from Canada’s oil sands would reach out to the world, and be heard.
Directed by Edmonton filmmakers Tom Radford and Niobe Thompson of Clearwater Media, and hosted by Dr. David Suzuki, this special presentation of The Nature of Things goes behind the headlines to reveal how a groundbreaking new research project triggered a tipping point for the Alberta oil sands.
MORE:
http://www.cbc.ca/documentaries/natureofthings/2011/
tippingpoint/
==================
2. Industry furious (but not surprised) at Gasland’s Oscar nod
http://fuelfix.com/blog/2011/01/25/
industry-furious-but-not-surprised-at-gaslands-oscar-nod/
Posted on January 25, 2011 at 12:51 pm by Tom Fowler in E&P
As if the energy industry didn’t have enough reasons to hate the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
Never mind the Oscar for An Inconvenient Truth or the exploding LNG tanker at the end of Oscar-nominated Syriana. Included in today’s list of Oscar nominees is the documentary Gasland, the film that demonizes natural gas drilling.
MORE:
http://fuelfix.com/blog/2011/01/25/
industry-furious-but-not-surprised-at-gaslands-oscar-nod/
- - - - - - - -
GASLAND nominated Oscar for Best Documentary.
The 83rd Annual Oscar Nominations
http://carpetbagger.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/01/25/
the-83rd-annual-oscar-nominations/
January 25, 2011, 8:54 am By THE NEW YORK TIMES
- - - - -
2011 Oscar documentaries: Nods to 'GasLand' and 'Superman,' but not Joan Rivers
http://www.washingtonpost.com/
wp-dyn/content/article/2010/11/28/AR2010112803633.html
by Ann Hornaday Washington Post Staff Writer Monday, November 29, 2010;
The best and most surprising picks were two little movies that made their own big impacts this past year: "GasLand," in which filmmaker Josh Fox tackles the environmental and health risks of natural gas drilling, was a hit at D.C.'s Environmental Film Festival when it screened here last March. Fox has since taken his movie on the road, showing the film in communities where the energy industry is trying to acquire natural gas leases, and in some cases dissuading people from signing their rights away. He's also screened "GasLand" in Washington, at the Environmental Protection Agency, the Department of Justice and Congress. "The thing that was most important to me was to get on the road with the film and get it out in front of people," Fox says, adding that he began screening the film as a work in progress. "Basically, I've been touring with the movie for a year and a half. It's been exhausting, but also the most rewarding thing I've ever done in my life."
Fox estimates that up to 60,000 people have seen "GasLand" in small community screenings. His do-it-yourself road show offers proof that nonfiction films have the potential to change the political conversation and (literal) topography, even without the munificence of such well-funded provocateurs as Participant Media (which produced "Waiting for 'Superman' ").
================
3. Montreal Chapter calls for fracking moratorium in Quebec
http://www.canadians.org/publications/subscribe/enews/
2011/jan24.html#fracking
January 24, 2011
The Council of Canadians’ Montreal chapter is calling for an immediate halt on fracking projects in Quebec until they can be deemed safe following the release of a report that revealed many of the fracking wells in the province are leaking dangerous amounts of methane gas.
The Concordian reports that “in December, Quebec’s Department of Natural Resources inspected 31 of the province’s brand new gas wells and found that 19 of these were leaking. The information was not released until the public watchdog agency, the bureau d’audiences publiques sur l’environnement, made repeated requests to view the results of the inspection.”
Hydraulic fracturing – more commonly known as “fracking” – is a process where sand, water and chemicals are blasted into rock formations such as shale, coal beds and “tight” sands to gain access to trapped natural gas deposits. This injection process creates cracks in the rock formations and allows the gas to flow up the well.
Communities across Canada are asking questions about fracking as more and more projects as the industry continues to grow both in the United States and in Canada. Serious health and environmental questions are being raised about the effects of fracking on groundwater, drinking water and on people’s health.
Abdul Pirani, Council of Canadians board member and Montreal Chapter president, said safety has to come first. “First and foremost, [fracking] has to be safe – safe for the people and safe for the environment.”
To read more about the Council’s fracking campaign go here:
http://www.canadians.org/water/issues/f ... index.html
===============
4. Chemical and Biological Risk Assessment for Natural Gas Extraction in New York
(Possible postings):
www.sustainableotsego.org,
www.damascuscitizens.org,
www.shaleshock.org and
www.un-naturalgas.org
Ronald E. Bishop, Ph.D., CHO, Chemistry and Biochemistry Department
State University of New York, College at Oneonta - Draft, January 21, 2011
Summary:
Over the last decade, operators in the natural gas industry have developed highly sophisticated methods and materials for the exploration and production of methane from unconventional reservoirs. In spite of the technological advances made to date, these activities pose significant chemical and biological hazards to human health and ecosystem stability. If future impacts may be inferred from recent historical performance, then:
• Between two and four percent of shale gas well projects in New York will pollute local ground-water over the short term. Serious regulatory violation rates will exceed twelve percent.
• More than one of every six shale gas wells will leak fluids to surrounding rocks and to the surface over the next century.
• Each gas well pad, with its associated access road and pipeline, will generate a sediment discharge of approximately eight tons per year into local waterways, further threatening federally endangered mollusks and other aquatic organisms.
• Construction of access roads and pipelines will fragment field and forest habitats, further threatening plants and animals which are already species of concern. 2
• Some chemicals in ubiquitous use for shale gas exploration and production, or consistently present in flowback fluids, constitute human health and environmental hazards when present at extremely low concentrations. Potential exposure effects for humans will include poisoning of susceptible tissues, endocrine disruption syndromes, and elevated risks for certain cancers.
• Exposures of gas field workers and neighbors to toxic chemicals and noxious bacteria are exacerbated by certain common practices, such as air/foam-lubricated drilling and the use of impoundments for flowback fluids. These methods, along with the intensive use of diesel-fueled equipment, will degrade air quality and may cause a recently described “down-winder’s syndrome” in humans, livestock and crops.
• State officials have not effectively managed oil and gas exploration and production in New York, evidenced by thousands of undocumented or improperly abandoned wells and numerous incidents of soil and water contamination. Human health impacts from these incidents appear to include abnormally high death rates from glandular and reproductive system cancers in men and women. Improved regulations and enhanced enforcement may reasonably be anticipated to produce more industry penalties, but not necessarily better industry practices, than were seen in the past.
Overall, proceeding with any new projects to extract methane from unconventional reservoirs by current practices in New York State is highly likely to degrade air, surface water and ground-water quality, to harm humans, and to negatively impact aquatic and forest ecosystems. Mitigation measures can partially reduce, but not eliminate, the anticipated damage.
Full Text: (Possible postings:
www.sustainableotsego.org,
www.damascuscitizens.org,
www.shaleshock.org and
www.un-naturalgas.org)
- - - - - -
Check these websites for more Fracking info: www.sustainableotsego.org,
www.damascuscitizens.org,
www.shaleshock.org and
www.un-naturalgas.org
=================
5. Radioactive Waste from Horizontal Hydrofracking
http://www.sustainableotsego.org/
index.php?option=com_phocadownload&view=category&id=1:general&Itemid=77#
By James L. “Chip” Northrup
http://www.otsego2000.org/
In a previous paper,1 I compared the horizontal hydrofracking of shale to a “pipe bomb.” Real bombs have been used to frack shale, including at least one nuclear device at Rulison, Colorado.2 The bomb worked, but the gas was too radioactive to be marketable. Ironically, the horizontal hydrofracking of Marcellus shale poses a similar problem – it produces radioactive waste.
The frack fluid effectively leaches radioactive radium out of the shale. When the frack water is pumped back out of the well, it is laced with radium, a potent carcinogen.3 Based on a recent article in Scientific American, the amount of radium in water from
the Marcellus is 267 times the safe limit for disposal, and thousands of times the level considered safe to drink.4
In New York, municipal treatment plants filter or settle sediment out of water. Using this method to treat ‘produced’ water from fracking operations would effectively reduce the sediment in the wastewater to a radioactive sludge, which, depending on the level of contamination, would have to be disposed of as a HAZMAT waste. New York state municipal treatment plants are simply not equipped to do this. Handling the radioactive wastewater would put municipal water treatment workers at risk.
MORE:
http://www.sustainableotsego.org/
index.php?option=com_phocadownload&view=category&id=1:general&Itemid=77#
- - - - - -
1 “Potential Leaks from High Pressure Hydrofracking of Shale,” September 8, 2010.
http://63.134.196.109/documents/Northru ... -12-10.pdf
2 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rulison
3 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radium
4 http://www.scientificamerican.com/
article.cfm?id=marcellus-shale-natural-gas-drilling-radioactive-wastewater
5 http://63.134.196.109/documents/
HydroQuestEPAComments9-11-10withfigures.pdf
6 http://www.dec.ny.gov/energy/29856.html
7 http://www.epa.gov/radon/pubs/citguide.html
8 http://ny-radon.info/NY_general.html
9 http://www.pipelineandgastechnology.com/Headlines/
2010/09/item67443.php
10 http://www.neb.gc.ca/
clf-nsi/rsftyndthnvrnmnt/sfty/sftydvsr/1994/nbs199401-eng.pdf
===================
6. Why Hydraulic Fracturing Should Be Prohibited
http://www.sustainableotsego.org/
index.php?option=com_phocadownload&view=section&id=2:why-hydraulic-fracturing-should-be-prohibited&Itemid=77
This section contains the categories from the Sustainable Otsego collection of documents presented to the EPA on 9/15/2010.
====================
7. Shale Gas: A Provisional Assessment of Climate Change and Environmental Impacts - January 2011 (89 pages)
http://www.tyndall.ac.uk/sites/default/files/
coop_shale_gas_report_final_200111.pdf
A report by researchers at The Tyndall Centre, University of Manchester- January 2011
EXCERPT:
In addition to outstanding questions concerning the magnitude of any potential GHG benefits of shale gas (or otherwise), the drilling and hydraulic fracturing technologies required for shale gas production also bring with them a number of negative environmental impacts and risks. Various concerns have been raised about environmental and human health risks and other negative impacts associated with processes and technologies applied in the extraction of shale gas. These include:
surface and groundwater contamination associated with chemicals used in the hydraulic fracturing process and the mobilisation of sub-surface contaminants such as heavy metals, organic chemicals, and naturally occurring radioactive materials (NORMS); hazardous waste generation and disposal; resource issues including abstraction of significant quantities of water for hydraulic fracturing processes; and land use, infrastructure and landscape impacts. The environmental risks associated with hydraulic fracturing in particular have risen in prominence in the US. There have been a number of incidents and reports of contamination from shale gas developments and the process has, since March 2010, been the subject of a detailed US Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) investigation and research programme into the safety and risk implications2 that is expected to provide initial results towards the end of 2012. Some state regulators are moving towards moratoria on hydraulic fracturing while risks are assessed. In New York State, for example, on 3 August 2010 the State Senate passed a Bill to suspend hydraulic fracturing for the extraction of natural gas or oil until 15 May 2011 (and to suspend the issuance of new permits for such drilling). On 11 December 2010, the New York State Governor vetoed the Bill and issued an Executive Order directing the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) to “conduct further comprehensive review and analysis of high-volume hydraulic fracturing in the Marcellus Shale”. The Executive Order requires that high-volume, horizontal hydraulic fracturing would not be permitted until 1 July 2011 at the earliest.
Full text:
http://www.tyndall.ac.uk/sites/default/files/
coop_shale_gas_report_final_200111.pdf
================
8. S.D. novelist mines pipeline controversy
http://www.mitchellrepublic.com/event/article/id/49493/
group/News/
Published January 21 2011 By: Jennifer Jungwirth, The Daily Republic
Real-life issues surrounding the construction of crude-oil pipelines through South Dakota helped inspire a new novel by a South Dakota author.
“Mercy Kill,” by Lori Armstrong, of Rapid City, hit bookshelves two weeks ago. It’s set in western South Dakota in the fictional Eagle County and features the character Mercy Gunderson, a former Army sniper who returns to her family’s ranch. With limited job opportunities, Gunderson takes a job at a local bar. Her attempt to settle back home, however, is interrupted when Titan Oil, a Canadian company, proposes to run underground pipelines through the county. The proposal stirs tense emotions, and after an act of violence, Gunderson takes it upon herself to find a killer.
While Armstrong was writing the novel, TransCanada proposed the construction of the Keystone XL pipeline through western South Dakota. TransCanada already was building another pipeline through the eastern part of the state.
Armstrong, who still has family in Woonsocket, said her novel is not a direct reflection of TransCanada’s activity in the state but is based partly on TransCanada’s involvement with South Dakotans.
“South Dakota issues will always be a jumping off point for me,” Armstrong said. “It affects the lives of South Dakotans and those who make their living from the land.”
She did extensive research, she said, and tried to make her fiction comparable to real-life situations without plaguing readers with information overload. She wanted her book to be one that residents in California and other states could read and be interested in, too.
“It can’t be an information dump. You’re not preaching to people. There’s a fine line between how it affects the plot and the characters, but it can’t be what it’s all about.”
The book does address potential controversies, however. She said that if something goes wrong with a pipeline in real life, it lands squarely on the landowners’ shoulders.
“If anything goes wrong, there is a lot of pass the buck. But who’s responsible? It always seems to be the landowners, and they are the ones that want it the least.”
MORE:
http://www.mitchellrepublic.com/event/article/id/
49493/group/News/
==================
9. Take Action To Protect Our Planet from Extreme Energy Extraction
Naomi Klein’s Newsletter January, 2011
If watching Naomi's TED Talk and reading her feature about the ongoing disaster in the Gulf made you want to take action, here are three great activist campaigns to choose from.
Friends of the Earth is urging people to tell President Obama to reject a pipeline for the world's dirtiest oil—the proposed Keystone XL pipeline, which would bring tar sands oil into the U.S. and endanger the health of communities and ecosystems all along its path from Canada to the Gulf Coast of Texas.
You could also check out the Gulf Future Campaign, a coalition of organizations working to protect the environment and the distinct culture of the Gulf Coast for future generations, which recommends asking the U.S. government to "take a hard look" at the National Oil Spill Commission's final recommendations for reducing the risks of offshore drilling, and "to begin working towards them immediately."
Finally, the Sierra Club is circulating a letter of thanks to the EPA for stopping the Spruce Mine, a notorious project that "would have destroyed over seven miles of vital streams and 2,000 miles of mountain acres."
==================
10. Open-pit oilsands mine decision is a real-time truth test of government promises
http://www.greenpeace.org/canada/en/Blog/
open-pit-oilsands-mine-decision-is-a-real-tim/blog/32533
Blogpost by By Mike Hudema And Sheila Muxlow - January 24, 2011 at 23:13
(Originally printed in the Edmonton Journal)
Politicians are known the world over for talking out of both sides of their mouths. They often make grand proclamations to win votes, to silence criticism, to placate opposition. Lately in the face of serious criticism from scientists, the federal government has tried to appear tough on the oilsands. But Canadians have yet to see action. The pending decision on whether or not to approve a new open-pit oilsands mine in Alberta provides Canadians with a real-time truth test of government promises.
In the last few months, mounting evidence of federal and provincial mismanagement of the oilsands has forced both levels of government to raise a white flag and promise widespread change. Following the feedback of a federally appointed water panel and a report on the oilsands from the Royal Society of Canada, the Stelmach and Harper governments have admitted the system is broken. And yet, here we are, days or weeks away from hearing whether or not a new giant open-pit oilsands mine will be approved in Alberta by that very same broken system. And since not a single oilsands mining project has ever been turned down, odds are that Total's Joslyn mine will be approved.
The project's approval would come in stark contrast to promises we've been hearing lately about cracking down on polluters and tightening tailings pond legislation.
To date, all proposed oilsands projects have received the green light thanks to an approvals process that the Royal Society's report on the oilsands said wouldn't meet World Bank standards for projects in developing countries.
The Royal Society scientists also noted that the regulatory system is run by agencies that "need to seriously review whether they have and can effectively maintain the specialized technical expertise needed to regulate industrial development of this scope and sophistication."
Adding to the chorus, the Chair of the Oilsands Advisory Panel appointed by the federal government to assess the environmental monitoring system, said that "until we solve the problems associated with the surveillance system, you cannot trust what the data indicate, and consequently, you cannot credibly say that you are making the right decisions when you rely on this data."
MORE:
http://www.greenpeace.org/canada/en/Blog/
open-pit-oilsands-mine-decision-is-a-real-tim/blog/32533
==================
11. GREENPEACE CANADA E-NEWSLETTER January, 2011
Interactive map places the tar sands in your backyard
http://www.greenpeace.org/canada/en/Blog/
wwwifitweremyhomeca/blog/32687?utm_source=SilverpopMailing&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=January%20e-news%20eng%20(1)&utm_content=
Canada's new Environment Minister Peter Kent didn't even let the ink dry on his contract before vowing to defend Alberta's tar sands as "ethical oil." But what's ethical about producing over 30 million tonnes of CO2 emissions per year?
We have a feeling that if the tar sands were in Mr. Kent's home riding of Thornhill, Ontario, he wouldn't be calling them "ethical." [ . . . . ]
Check out the map: If It Was My Home, What Would You Do?
http://www.ifitweremyhome.ca/
170 sq km of toxic tailing, using as much water as a city of 2 million people and enough natural gas to heat 5 million Canadian homes, it could destroy an area the size of England and is already destroying land, poisoning rivers and crushing downstream communities. [ . . . . ]
Can we prevent 'natural' disasters?
http://www.greenpeace.org/international/en/news/Blogs/
climate/extreme-weather-and-climate-change-how-long-m/blog/32361?utm_source=SilverpopMailing&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=January%20e-news%20eng%20(1)&utm_content=
Debates over the connection between extreme weather events and climate change seem to intensify each year – but pondering the same short-term questions may be distracting us from the bigger picture, with time running out for real action on climate change. [ . . . ]
Endangered species exemption for industry will sacrifice caribou
http://www.greenpeace.org/canada/en/recent/
McGuinty-endangered-species-exemption/?utm_source=SilverpopMailing&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=January%20e-news%20eng%20(1)&utm_content=
With the Ontario government proposing to exempt the forest industry and others from the Endangered Species Act, Greenpeace will be ramping up its efforts to convince Premier McGuinty to honour his promise to protect the threatened woodland caribou. [ . . . ]
Alberta's attempt to bully U.S. E.P.A. falls flat
http://www.greenpeace.org/canada/en/Blog/
albertas-attempt-to-bully-us-environmental-pr/blog/32529?utm_source=SilverpopMailing&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=January%20e-news%20eng%20(1)&utm_content=
Blogpost by Keith Stewart - January 24, 2011 at 11:08 Add comment
I thought only the Brits could pull off this kind of discreet disdain, but there’s probably a little less swagger in the step of Alberta’s officialdom after a polite-bordering-on-condescending rebuke from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). [ . . . .]
=================
12. LETTER: SHIELDS: Gifts Please
From: lagran
To: Prime Minister/Premier ministre ; Layton, Jack - M.P. ; iggy
Cc: Alberta Activism ; Rae.B@parl.gc.ca ; Minister, EMPR EMPR:EX ; goodale ; flaherty ; Bymak, Pat (The StarPhoenix) ; bill boyd ; T Banks ; jmorales@neb-one.gc.ca ; acameron@neb-one.gc.ca
Sent: Tuesday, January 25, 2011 7:03 PM
Subject: Gifts Please
Firstly why would the richest CARTEL in the world need a loan? Each member of the CARTEL -Exxon-Mobil, Royal Dutch Shell, and Conoco Philips - has more than enough capital to build their proposed pipeline, so why the loan?
Canada is not at all in need of this natural gas from the Arctic, indeed it is to benefit the American consumer that it would be built. Canadians paid for the drilling of the wells that will fill the pipeline through PIP grants, unlike those wells in Alaska, and that is all the welfare Canadians should be stuck with to offer a cheap supply of energy to the American consumer. Canada should spend dollars to divert natural gas away from the low price NAFTA market, and offer our resources for sale on the pricier Asian market. Long before loan guarantees are paid to the richest foreign consortium in the world, Canadian's themselves should be offered the chance to build a "Common-Carrier" pipeline, removing these foreign CARTELS from controlling our Arctic region through control of the movement of our Arctic riches! What Canadian explorer will budget funds in our Arctic region with the knowledge that discoveries must be moved by a foreign competitor? We must stop the Tory practice of allowing the Americans to act like Dracula living off Canadian blood! This energy industry has developed into little more than welfare cases, getting royalty tax credits almost, and sometimes more, than the cost to drill wells in Alberta and Saskatchewan. Governments must be put on notice to get equity interest for every cent invested in energy enterprises. Loan guarantees is oilfield slang for gifts please!! Imagine, Alberta GAVE the Orphan Well Fund 30 million under the guise of a stimulus package!!
Stewart Shields
Lacombe, Alberta
- - - -
Pipeline needs fed loans: minister
http://www.calgaryherald.com/news/
Pipeline+needs+loans+minister/4161558/story.html
From Herald News Services January 25, 2011
Funding - Financial incentives as well as official support from Ottawa will be needed to bring Canadian Arctic natural gas to southern markets, said a senior Northwest Territories official Monday.
On the eve of an expected federal approval on the Mackenzie Valley pipeline, Minister of Industry Bob McLeod said the Conservative government should pay heed to proponents of the $16.5-billion project requesting loan guarantees to backstop the massive project.
A report earlier this month said Ottawa was set to give its final approval to the project, but would not offer any subsidies.
A fiscal framework would provide a "level playing field" with a rival Alaska pipeline project receiving $19 billion US in loan guarantees from Washington, not a subsidy, argued McLeod.
MORE:
http://www.calgaryherald.com/news/
Pipeline+needs+loans+minister/4161558/story.html
= = = = = =
Mackenzie pipeline needs federal cash: insiders
http://www.cbc.ca/canada/north/story/2011/01/12/
mackenzie-pipeline-funding.html
Ottawa not selling $16.2B project to taxpayers, analyst says
Last Updated: Wednesday, January 12, 2011 | 7:35 PM CST
The Mackenzie Valley pipeline needs financial support from the federal government in order for it to go ahead, say project proponents and industry analysts.
The 1,200-kilometre natural gas pipeline being proposed in the Northwest Territories is expected to receive final approval from the federal cabinet as early as next week, CBC News has learned.
However, Ottawa is not expected to commit any public subsidy to the pipeline, although the project's proponents have long said the federal government needs to support the $16.2-billion megaproject.
"It is critical for us and for the government of Canada to get together here to work towards a fiscal framework to allow this project to go forward," Fred Carmichael, chairman of the Aboriginal Pipeline Group, told CBC News on Wednesday.
The Aboriginal Pipeline Group, which represents several aboriginal groups along the pipeline route, is part of a private consortium of companies — led by Calgary-based Imperial Oil — spearheading the pipeline proposal.
The consortium, which also includes Exxon Mobil Corp., ConocoPhillips and Royal Dutch Shell PLC, wants to build a pipeline from anchor fields in the Beaufort Sea, through the Mackenzie Valley in the Northwest Territories to the Alberta border, where it would link to southern markets.
MORE:
http://www.cbc.ca/canada/north/story/2011/01/12/
mackenzie-pipeline-funding.html
==================
13. SASKATCHEWAN SIGNS AGREEMENT WITH JAPAN COAL ENERGY CENTER
http://www.gov.sk.ca/
news?newsId=072c8935-d574-419c-9564-81e94a83d4fc
News Release - January 25, 2011
The Government of Saskatchewan and the Japan Coal Energy Center (JCOAL) have a new Memorandum of Understanding to encourage more co-operation between the province and Japan on technologies respecting clean coal and carbon capture and storage.
Energy and Resources Minister Bill Boyd and JCOAL Chairman Yoshihiko Nakagaki signed the MOU today in Tokyo during the minister's resources investment mission to Asia.
The agreement sets the stage for future information exchanges and research projects involving scientists and companies in both jurisdictions and could lead to Japanese investment in Saskatchewan carbon capture and storage projects.
"JCOAL has a great track record in clean coal technology research and Saskatchewan is a world leader in carbon capture and storage technology," Boyd said. "It's taken a lot of work on both sides to make this MOU happen, and the relationships we establish through it will help both Saskatchewan and Japan as our industries and utilities work to reduce their environmental footprints."
Saskatchewan is Canada's third largest coal producer, with reserves that will last hundreds of years at current production levels.
"The technical co-operation coming out of this MOU may well help us unlock some of our province's deeper coal resources, which require new and innovative technologies to be developed," Boyd said.
JCOAL is a non-profit organization representing more than 100 Japanese coal, gas, steel and mining companies as well as manufacturers and electricity utilities. It receives funding from Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry and its subsidiary, the New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization.
Saskatchewan's expertise in carbon capture and storage technology includes the International Energy Agency Greenhouse Gas Weyburn-Midale CO2 Monitoring and Storage Project being led by the Petroleum Technology Research Centre (PTRC); the International Test Centre for CO2 Capture at the University of Regina; the International Performance Assessment Centre for Geologic Storage of CO2; PTRC's Aquistore Project; and SaskPower's integrated carbon capture and sequestration project at Boundary Dam, among other research. -30-
For more information, contact:
Bob Ellis, Energy and Resources, Regina
Phone: 306-787-1691
Email: robert.ellis@gov.sk.ca
==================
14. What's to be Done? Solutions for 2011 from Six Notable Canadians
http://xraymagazine.ca/xray/solutionsfor2011.aspx
It’s a bright, shiny new year. Across the land, people have tallied up last year’s wins and losses, and made resolutions to do better. At X-Ray Magazine, we’re always tallying up the wins and losses on Canada’s political scene, and this year, we wondered how Canada could do better.
We asked some notable Canadians - Liberal MP Carolyn Bennett, Council of Canadians leader Maude Barlow, democracy watchdog Duff Conacher, labour activist Joel Harden, national student leader David Molenhuis, and environmentalist Beatrice Olivastri - to share their resolutions and solutions for some of the country’s woes. Read on, get riled, be inspired, and share your ideas for positive change in Canada
MORE:
http://xraymagazine.ca/xray/solutionsfor2011.aspx
================
15. PREMIER BRAD WALL ISSUES STATEMENT ON RESIGNATION OF PREMIER ED STELMACH
http://www.gov.sk.ca/
news?newsId=380fea96-97eb-456d-88a8-7be04bad81d9
News Release - January 25, 2011
Premier Brad Wall today issued the following statement on Alberta Premier Ed Stelmach's announcement that he will resign prior to the next provincial election:
"First of all, I want to wish Ed well, not only as a fellow Premier, but as a friend.
"Premier Ed Stelmach has always been a clear and strong voice for Alberta. I saw first-hand at Premiers' meetings how he always defended Alberta's interests, how he spoke passionately for this generation and future generations of Albertans, but always within the context of a strong and united Canada.
"Important to Saskatchewan is the fact that Premier Stelmach was an architect of the New West.
"More than anything, Ed Stelmach is a decent man. He is a man of character and integrity. His leadership will be missed.
"Tami and I want to wish Ed and Marie the very best and thank them for their continued friendship." -30-
For more information, contact:
Kathy Young, Executive Council, Regina
Phone: 306-787-0425
Email: kathy.young@gov.sk.ca
================
16. LETTER: SHIELDS: What Kitchen Mouse Is Next?
From: lagran
To: Prime Minister/Premier ministre ; Layton, Jack - M.P. ; iggy
Cc: David Swann ; Office of the Premier ; Minister, EMPR EMPR:EX ; brian mason ; jmorales@neb-one.gc.ca ; Bymak, Pat (The StarPhoenix) ; Jerry Bellikka
Sent: Tuesday, January 25, 2011 2:49 PM
Subject: What Kitchen Mouse Is Next?
The next few months in Alberta will be very exciting, I'm almost sorry I will miss the month of February. Will the Alberta public simply anoint the oil industry and CAPP favorite candidate to lead the province in a fashion that suits industry, or will we finally find a ballsy candidate that will govern for the Alberta public. Stelmach started very much like that ballsy leader all Albertans need but soon was in CALGARY pouring water in the blue ribbon royalty advisors plans with respect to Alberta royalties, admittedly too generous by far to industry!
Soon Alberta sat still as Harper approved raw bitumen export to United States, allowing industry to trade Alberta "Free-Bees" for refinery space in U.S. locations---the gig was obviously up for Stelmach. Unlike Danny Williams, who drew public admiration all across Canada for standing tall and staring down the energy giants, Stelmach buckled under their stare, and will leave office without the respect shown Danny as a fighter for the people he served. Like them or not we must admit, Canadians like Trudeau and Danny Williams, who refused to flinch when the energy interests applied pressure certainly leave a bigger mark on history than the Premier-caretaker of energy interest will!
What will Alberta get next, will it be "Attila The Hen" or another Calgary entity backed quietly by big oil? Can Alberta generate a Premier from the growing north of the province, both in wealth and population? Must we follow the past principle of having the north part of the province create the wealth that is to be allocated and spent by members from the south? I will be very anxious to return home from Asia to find the answers to many questions!
Stewart Shields
Lacombe, Alberta
- - - - -
Premier Ed Stelmach's comments today
http://alberta.ca/blog/home.cfm/2011/1/25/
Premiers-comments
Posted At : January 25, 2011 11:46 AM (MST) | Posted By : Premier Ed Stelmach
Related Categories: Office of the Premier
My decision today....
• Since the New Year I have been spending the last few weeks asking my Caucus to indicate to me their intentions for the next provincial election.
• I am impressed by the passion of my caucus colleagues and their desire to serve Albertans.
• They firmly believe in the mandate that Albertans gave us in the last election- the largest majority for a new Premier in Alberta's history.
• Our members are also equally committed to continuing in their role as members of the PC Caucus and fight in the next election.
• I have been asking these good men and women to make a minimum commitment of five years. It is a commitment to serve Albertans and those in public office know that this service comes with a personal sacrifice.
• As I have been having these discussions I have also been reflecting on my own commitment to serve beyond the next election.
• Upon much reflection and consultation with family and close friends, I have determined that after 25 years of public service I am not be prepared to serve another full term as Premier.
• Therefore I have decided to announce today I will not be running as a candidate in the next general election.
• There is no doubt that my decision today will come as a shock to many and a disappointment to my friends and Albertans.
• I am grateful to all those who supported me – who gave me the opportunity to raise integrity and honesty into government for the benefit of all Albertans.
MORE:
http://alberta.ca/blog/home.cfm/2011/1/25/
Premiers-comments
================
17. Oregon homeowners can now go solar with no upfront costs
http://www.oregonlive.com/business/index.ssf/2011/01/
oregon_homeowners_can_now_go_s.html
Published: Tuesday, January 04, 2011, 7:47 PM
By Richard Read, The Oregonian
Oregonians put off by the high price of renewable energy can now go solar on the cheap, installing panels for no money down.
Contractors in a handful of states are starting to offer solar to the masses with lease deals that eliminate upfront costs. Oregon is joining the trend, thanks to regulations that took effect Jan. 1.
The Portland branch of a national solar company unveiled a lease program Tuesday enabling homeowners to put up panels for low monthly payments, cutting their electricity bills and carbon footprints. At least one other contractor, a local company, is developing similar products.
Managers of SolarCity, a California-based company, say Oregon homeowners can go solar for as little as $20 a month with no up-front costs. The new financing option, which incorporates state and federal tax credits, results from an Oregon Energy Department rule change.
"For less money each month than the cost of two movie tickets, Oregon homeowners can install solar power," said Rob LaVigne, SolarCity's regional director in Oregon. "What's nice about a system like this is there's no hidden costs."
The new approach departs from programs that have required homeowners to spend thousands of dollars on systems that gradually yield returns. The lease option may not cut a homeowners' electricity bills that much, but it can warm the hearts and homes of utility customers who want to go green.
In an example provided by SolarCity, Susie Homeowner signs a 15-year contract, paying $25 a month to the company. SolarCity installs, guarantees and insures the 3.2 kilowatt system, which includes about 16 solar panels.
Susie's $70 monthly electricity bill drops by $30. The remaining $40 bill results in a $5 monthly savings after her lease payment. She also pockets a portion of the tax credits issued by the state.
SolarCity makes its money from the income stream and rebates and by claiming a slightly larger federal tax credit than the homeowner would get. As the solar system¹s owner, SolarCity can depreciate the equipment for tax purposes.
MORE:
http://www.oregonlive.com/business/index.ssf/2011/01/
oregon_homeowners_can_now_go_s.html
================
18. Weather Modification Information Act in Canada
http://laws.justice.gc.ca/PDF/Statute/W/W-5.pdf
Current to December 14, 2010
Section 2 states: “weather modification activity” includes any action designed or intended to produce, by physical or chemical means, changes in the composition or dynamics of the atmosphere for the purpose of increasing, decreasing or redistributing precipitation, decreasing or suppressing hail or lightning or dissipating fog or cloud."
===================
19. Barack Obama: As Bad as Bush
www.globalresearch.ca/index.php?context=va&aid=22917
By Mike Whitney Global Research, January 22, 2011
His enemies call him a tyrant and a dictator, but he is neither. Hugo Chavez is a tireless champion of the poor and a committed Christian socialist. The only difference between Chavez's type of Christianity and Barack Obama's, is that Chavez walks the walk.
For example, on Tuesday, Chavez used his powers under the new "enabling laws" to enact the "Law for Dignified Refuge" a presidential decree that mandates "dignified and humane" housing for all Venezuelans. The Venezuelan parliament approved the controversial (and temporary) enabling laws because the country faced an unprecedented housing crisis due to the massive floods in December.
More than 125,000 people lost their homes in the disaster requiring a speedy response from the government. Chavez swung into action immediately turning the presidential palace into a homeless shelter and initiating a campaign to construct permanent housing for the victims. Now he has pushed through landmark legislation that will legally require the government to help the homeless.
Contrast Chavez's response to Obama's during the BP oil spill, where BP was allowed to wreak havoc on the environment and destroy people's livelihood without any consequences. In fact, Obama even provided cover for the oil giant by appearing in public relations "I feel your pain" photo-ops on a beach in Louisiana that were intended to divert public rage away from BP. So, now the fishing and shrimping industries are devastated, sensitive estuaries and ecosystems have been destroyed, the level of toxins in the bloodstreams of people living in the region have skyrocketed and--worst of all--BP has gotten off Scot-free. Thanks, Barack.
Now imagine what would have happened if Chavez had been in charge. BP's stateside operations would have been shut down, their assets would have been seized, and Tony Hayward and his buddies would have been thrown in the hoosegow. Got a problem with that?
MORE:
www.globalresearch.ca/index.php?context=va&aid=22917
- Oscar
- Site Admin
- Posts: 9851
- Joined: Wed May 03, 2006 3:23 pm
FRACKING/ENERGY NEWS: January 28, 2011
by Oscar » Fri Jan 28, 2011 4:27 pm
FRACKING/ENERGY NEWS: January 28, 2011
1. (AB) EVENT: Pathways to Sustainability conference in Red Deer
2. (SK) JOB POSTING - Energy Conservation Programmer
3. (ON) EVENT: SCREENING: THE REFUGEES OF THE BLUE PLANET
4. FACT SHEET: NO FRACKING WAY!
5. ENTERPRISE SASKATCHEWAN SECTOR TEAMS AND STRATEGIC ISSUES COUNCILS UPDATED
6. Government Partners With Industry to Bring New Technology to Energy Market
7. Why Tax Cuts Make Us Weak
8. Write Mr. Kent a letter and win an iPad!
9. Martinez’s pick for enviro chief: Environmentalists are communists
10. Resolution Calling to Amend the Constitution Banning Corporate Personhood Introduced in Vermont
11. LETTER: NIEMI: Carbon capture plan requires close study
12. Industry Can't Keep Up With 'Fracking' Demand
13. TAKE ACTION!!! Keep oil and gas drilling out of the Baca National Wildlife Refuge
14. Gas Leaks on the Path to a Post-Fossil Future
15. 'Fracking' may accelerate a south Texas water shortage
16. Drilling activity surges on strong oil prices
17. LETTER: MALSBURY: Stelmach Won't Starve on The Unemployment Line
18. LETTER: MALSBURY: What now?
19. NIKIFORUK: Alberta's New Political Volatility
20. NM Supreme Court Orders Records Administrator to Print Rules
21. WATCH: Beyond the Tipping Point: Feedback Dynamics and the onset of Runaway Climate Change | The Imperative of ZERO - Parts 1-7
22. Rethinking a "safe climate": have we already gone too far?
23. COMMENT: Corporate media ignore most all critical climate studies and reports which scream emergency
==============
1. EVENT: Pathways to Sustainability conference in Red Deer
http://www.pathways2sustainability.ca/
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=59191546606
Food, Fuel & Finance – Pathways to Local Resilient Economies”
Red Deer College, Red Deer, AB
February 23 – 25, 2011
Creating a sustainable society is the greatest opportunity and the greatest challenge of our era. Since 2009, the Pathways 2 Sustainability Conference (P2S) has helped form the relationships and capacity for planning and participating in sustainable communities.
Building on P2S 2009’s sustainable communities theme, P2S is moving forward from planning to community-based action. We are featuring over 40 Showcase Exhibitors, 12 Panelists, and 5 Keynotes on topics such as Community Supported Agriculture, Feed In Tariffs, Renewable Energy, Community Finance, Food Security, and Sustainable & Resilient Community Planning.
Pathways 2011 is a networking opportunity for over 250 industry innovators, community & institutional leaders, and the investment community to engage in moving communities in Alberta towards resiliency.
REGISTRATION, AGENDA, etc.:
http://www.pathways2sustainability.ca/
=================
2. (SK) JOB POSTING - Energy Conservation Programmer
Saskatchewan Environmental Society
Location: Saskatoon, SK Canada
Position Title: Energy Conservation Programmer
Duration: permanent, 20hrs/wk
Start date: February 14, 2011; $16-$18/hr (depending on experience)
The Saskatchewan Environmental Society is a non-profit, registered charity whose mandate is to work towards a world in which all needs can be met in sustainable ways. Sustainability will require healthy ecosystems, healthy livelihoods and healthy human communities. We work with, and on behalf of, communities, organizations, businesses and policy makers to encourage informed decision-making that moves us towards sustainability. We undertake research, and use education, community outreach, consultation opportunities and demonstration projects to provide the people of Saskatchewan the information and tools they need to make and to support these informed decisions
The SES has been active in Saskatchewan since 1970. SES’s current action areas include: climate change, energy and water strategies, urban pesticide reduction, and regional sustainability planning.
SES is seeking an individual to support the Energy Conservation Projects Coordinator in implementing the SES Energy Conservation projects.
Primary activities will include:.www.environmentalsociety.ca
Desirable qualifications and skills: www.environmentalsociety.ca
See www.environmentalsociety.ca and follow the links through Issues and Energy for more information on SES’ Energy Conservation Programs.
To apply: e-mail resumes to: angieb@environmentalsociety.ca by February 7, 2011. No late resumes will be accepted.
Rochelle Nault
Administrator | Saskatchewan Environmental Society
t. 1.306.665.1915 | f. 306.665.2128 | 203 Idylwyld Drive South Saskatoon SK S7M 1L6
Live sustainable lives, build a sustainable future online at
www.environmentalsociety.ca
=================
3. (ON) EVENT: SCREENING: THE REFUGEES OF THE BLUE PLANET
Wednesday, February 2 at 7 PM - FREE ADMISSION
NFB Cinema - 150 John St., TORONTO
Directed by Hélène Choquette and Jean-Philippe Duval, 2006, 53 minutes. In French with English subtitles.
TRAILER:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jksgeVYCJDc
Each year, millions of people the world over are driven to forced displacement. From the Maldives to Brazil, and even closer to home, here in Canada, the disturbing accounts of people who have been uprooted are amazingly similar. The enormous pressure placed on rural populations as a result of the degradation of their life-supporting environment is driving them increasingly further from their way of life. The Refugees of the Blue Planet sheds light on the little-known plight of a category of individuals who are suffering the repercussions of this reality: environmental refugees.
The screening will be followed by a panel discussion Dr. Laura Westra, PhD in Law & Professor at York University & Univ. of Windsor, Faculty of Law, and Dr. Rafi Mustafa, who is the past president and current member of the Board for International Development and Relief Foundation (IDRF), an organization that has worked in partnership with the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) to provide emergency relief in disaster-struck areas like Pakistan, Bangladesh and Haiti.
Green Screens partners films from the NFB with experts and panellists selected by the Canadian Institute for Environmental Law and Policy. If you are interested in the environment, Green Screens will entertain and inform you.
Follow the NFB Mediatheque on Facebook, Foursquare or Twitter and follow CIELAP on Twitter!
Sign up for the new NFB Mediatheque newsletter by email here.
NFB MEDIATHEQUE | 150 John St., Toronto | 416-973-3012 | NFB.ca/mediatheque
===============
4. FACT SHEET: NO FRACKING WAY!
http://www.canadians.org/water/issues/f ... index.html
FACT SHEET: No Fracking Way! Hydraulic fracturing poses serious risks to water and health, January 2011
http://www.canadians.org/water/documents/fracking/
factsheet-1110.pdf
As conventional natural gas supplies diminish, energy corporations are looking for new ways to get at trapped reserves. Hydraulic fracturing – more commonly known as “fracking” – is a process where sand, water and chemicals are blasted into rock formations such as shale, coal beds and “tight” sands to gain access to trapped natural gas deposits. This injection process creates cracks in the rock formations and allows the gas to flow up the well.
Communities across Canada are asking questions about fracking as more and more projects as the industry continues to grow both in the United States and in Canada. Serious health and environmental questions are being raised about the effects of fracking on groundwater, drinking water and on people’s health.
The truth is not a lot is known about the long term dangers and effects of fracking. The federal government and provincial governments have yet to establish regulations and safety standards that would protect people and drinking water sources. While natural gas is often referred to as a transition step away from more energy-intensive oil, fracking for “unconventional” gas – gas that is difficult to get to – is not a climate solution. Any energy resource that sacrifices water protection and threatens people’s health and environmental safety in such significant ways should be halted.
MORE:
http://www.canadians.org/water/issues/f ... index.html
=================
5. ENTERPRISE SASKATCHEWAN SECTOR TEAMS AND STRATEGIC ISSUES COUNCILS UPDATED
http://www.gov.sk.ca/
news?newsId=aa553337-435f-4045-883f-269b3718a10d
Press Release January 28, 2011
A reorganization of Enterprise Saskatchewan's (ES) sector teams and issues councils was announced today by Enterprise Minister Jeremy Harrison.
The number of sector teams will be reduced from 18 to eight. The number of strategic issues councils will increase from three to four. The changes will streamline the important process of providing government with recommendations for policies to build on competitive advantages and reduce barriers to economic growth.
"This will make the process of identifying opportunities and barriers to growth more efficient and streamlined," Harrison said. "The consolidation of sector teams and changes to issues councils will put ES in a better position to do the work needed to move Saskatchewan forward. In the near future I believe the sector teams and issues councils will play an integral role in our red tape reduction initiative."
Harrison noted that to date, the sector teams and issues councils have made 40 recommendations to improve competitiveness and reduce barriers to business - from the red tape reduction initiative announced earlier this month, to allowing the movement of drilling rigs on Sundays.
"I want to personally thank all of those sector team and issues council members who have dedicated their time and expertise over the last two years," Harrison said. "Your input was valuable and appreciated by our government, and I look forward to working closely with the new teams and councils in the future." -30-
For more information, contact:
Deb Young
Enterprise Saskatchewan
Regina
Phone: 306-798-0503
- - - - - -
Sector Team Reconfiguration.pdf (14.3 KB)http://www.gov.sk.ca/adx/aspx/
adxGetMedia.aspx?mediaId=1336&PN=Shared
====================
6. Government Partners With Industry to Bring New Technology to Energy Market
http://www.wd.gc.ca/eng/77_12608.asp
News Releases January 28, 2011 Calgary, Alberta
The Government of Canada is supporting the capacity of small and medium-sized businesses to commercialize new technologies that will reduce costs, maximize recovery, and bring forth efficiencies in the natural gas industry.
The Honourable Lynne Yelich, Minister of State for Western Economic Diversification, today announced an investment of $750,000 towards a project facilitated by the not-for-profit industry and stakeholder association, Petroleum Technology Alliance Canada (PTAC). Minister Yelich was joined by the Honourable Rona Ambrose, Minister of Public Works and Government Services and Minister for the Status of Women and Regional Minister for Northern Alberta. In addition to federal funding, Alberta Energy is also contributing $250,000 towards the total project costs.
“Every component of this project contributes to building a stronger economy, as our western Canadian businesses develop the latest product innovations to incorporate into the natural gas resource sector,” said Minister Yelich. “This project is increasing productivity and efficiency while bringing needed technological advancements to market.”
PTAC will direct funding towards construction of the testing equipment, review of the technology and the testing of the pumps, as well as coordination of small business and industry participation.
“Alberta has always shown leadership and supported the advancement of new technologies for responsible energy development,” said Honourable Ron Liepert, Minister of Energy for the Government of Alberta. “Investing in cutting edge science and technology initiatives solidifies Alberta’s reputation as an energy leader and provides long lasting benefits to all Albertans.”
Further, PTAC will provide analysis and business support, as well as provide crucial access to company wells for field testing demonstrations. The equipment will be housed and retained at the not-for-profit Centre for Frontier Engineering Research (C-FER) Technologies testing facility.
“This project exemplifies PTAC’s efforts in engaging stakeholders on proactively developing and deploying new technologies as solutions to important and urgent issues facing our industry,” said Dr. Soheil Asgarpour, President of PTAC. “We are fortunate that companies such as Cenovus Energy Inc., Encana Corporation and Enerplus Corporation have been proactive in providing people and access to gas reservoirs to facilitate this research that will benefit many junior and intermediate-sized companies.”
PTAC’s mandate is facilitating innovation, collaborative research and technology development, demonstration, and deployment for a responsible hydrocarbon industry. In December 2010, PTAC added the responsibility of providing seed money for technology projects to its mandate. The shallow gas water pump project is the first project where PTAC has provided seed money.
Western Economic Diversification Canada works with the provinces, industry associations and communities to promote the development and diversification of the western economy, coordinates federal economic activities in the West and represents the interests of western Canadians in national decision making.
For additional information contact:
Lloyd Suchet
Office of the Minister
Western Economic Diversification Canada
Lloyd.Suchet@wd-deo.gc.ca
Christine King
Alberta Energy Communications
Tel: (780) 427-0770
christine.king@gov.ab.ca
To call toll-free within Alberta dial 310-0000
Dr. Soheil Asgarpour
President of PTAC
Tel: (403) 218-7701
sasgarpour@ptac.org
WD Toll-Free Number:1-888-338-WEST (9378)
Teletypewriter (TTY): 1-877-303-3388
WD Website: www.wd-deo.gc.ca.
Subscribe to news releases and keep up-to-date on the latest from WD.
http://www.wd.gc.ca/eng/77_12608.asp
================
7. Why Tax Cuts Make Us Weak
http://murraydobbin.ca/2011/01/27/
why-tax-cuts-make-us-weak/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+MurrayDobbin+%28Murray+Dobbin%27s+Blog%29
Posted: 27 Jan 2011 03:43 PM PST
I don’t think I have ever re-cycled a column before but the whole question of tax cuts and all the issues it involves never really changes. In November, 2007, I wrote a column for the Tyee and rabble focusing on Conservative finance Minister Jim Flaherty’s five year tax cut plan. This up-coming cut to corporate taxes (by 1.5%, bringing the level to 15%, the lowest in the G7)) is the final outrageous instalment. Here’s what I said then. Nothing has changed – except now we have a huge deficit to deal with, and the corporate tax cuts are even more irresponsible. [ . . . . ]
= = = = =
Oppose Harper’s corporate tax cuts
http://www.canadians.org/wordwarriors/2011/jan-27.html
January 27, 2011
Stephen Harper and his Finance Minister Jim Flaherty have thrown down the gauntlet on an issue they cannot win on and we need to take the opportunity to exploit the strategic mistake. Having govt ministers fan out across the country selling corporate tax cuts when corporations are seen to be the cause of the global recession makes little sense.
[ . . . . ]
===================
8. Write Mr. Kent a letter and win an iPad!
What's Ethical, Mr. Kent?
http://environmentaldefence.ca/ethicscontest
On his first week on the job as Environment Minister, Peter Kent came out swinging to defend the tar sands as ‘ethical oil’ and claiming the tar sands are ‘regulated’.
Mr. Kent needs to know that leaking toxic waste, soaring global warming pollution, and habitat and species destruction are anything but ethical:
http://environmentaldefence.ca/campaign ... -tar-sands
Help our new federal Environment Minister understand the ethics of his role as the elected official responsible for reversing the growth of pollution from the tar sands. You'll not only be exercising your democratic muscle, you could also win an iPad.
===============
9. Martinez’s pick for enviro chief: Environmentalists are communists
http://newmexicoindependent.com/68690/
martinezs-pick-for-enviro-chief-environmentalists-are-communists
By Matthew Reichbach | 01.26.11 | 10:52 am
While appearing on radio host Alex Jones’ show in 2009, Harrison Schmitt said that leaders of the environmental movement are communists. Earlier this month, Gov. Susana Martinez selected Schmitt — a former U.S. Senator and astronaut — to head the Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department, which oversees environmental issues.
“I think that there are individuals, Holdren apparently among them, a very large number who have taken the — shall we say captured the environmental movement and turned it into what was previously considered the communist movement,” Schmitt said in a 40-minute interview with Jones. “And that’s just something that people of common sense are going to continue to have to counter and wake up enough so that they can take control of their government again.”
MORE:
http://newmexicoindependent.com/68690/
martinezs-pick-for-enviro-chief-environmentalists-are-communists
===============
10. Resolution Calling to Amend the Constitution Banning Corporate Personhood Introduced in Vermont
http://www.alternet.org/story/149620/
resolution_calling_to_amend_the_constitution_banning_corporate_personhood_introduced_in_vermont?page=entire
On the anniversary of the Citizens United decision, Vermont politicians are moving to deny corporations the rights that humans enjoy.
January 22, 2011 | AlterNet / By Christopher Ketcham
A year ago today, the Supreme Court issued its bizarre Citizens United decision, allowing unlimited corporate spending in elections as a form of “free speech” for the corporate “person.” Justice John Paul Stevens, writing for the dissent, had the task of recalling the majority to planet earth and basic common sense.
"Corporations have no consciences, no beliefs, no feelings, no thoughts, no desires," wrote Stevens. "Corporations help structure and facilitate the activities of human beings, to be sure, and their 'personhood' often serves as a useful legal fiction. But they are not themselves members of 'We the People' by whom and for whom our Constitution was established."
Fortunately, movements are afoot to reverse a century of accumulated powers and protections granted to corporations by wacky judicial decisions.
In Vermont, state senator Virginia Lyons on Friday presented an anti-corporate personhood resolution for passage in the Vermont legislature. The resolution, the first of its kind, proposes "an amendment to the United States Constitution ... which provides that corporations are not persons under the laws of the United States." Sources in the state house say it has a good chance of passing. This same body of lawmakers, after all, once voted to impeach George W. Bush, and is known for its anti-corporate legislation. Last year the Vermont senate became the first state legislature to weigh in on the future of a nuclear power plant, voting to shut down a poison-leeching plant run by Entergy Inc. Lyons’ Senate voted 26-4 to do it, demonstrating the level of political will of the state’s politicians to stand up to corporate power.
MORE:
http://www.alternet.org/story/149620/
resolution_calling_to_amend_the_constitution_banning_corporate_personhood_introduced_in_vermont?page=entire
================
11. LETTER: NIEMI: Carbon capture plan requires close study
http://www.albertalocalnews.com/reddeer ... e/letters/
Carbon_capture_plan_requires_close_study_114576284.html
Published: January 25, 2011 8:37 AM
Re: Carbon capture hazards
The flurry of columns and letters about carbon capture, leaking CO2, and the loss of landowners rights under Bill 24 (the Carbon Capture and Storage Act) are correlated in ways that are most intriguing when investigated.
Alberta Energy Minister Ron Liepert has stated that “the International Energy Agency deemed the Weyburn (CCS) storage field is being done safely,” even though the Kerrs, who were living on top of this huge experiment, have abandoned the property due to fears for their own well-being.
Further investigation about the IEA leads us to their website and push to accelerate the CCS agenda at the recent 2010 G8 summit in Muskoka. Phrases like “it is important that governments and industry intensify future collaboration to accelerate the pace of development for the full implementation of the G8 goals” (Carbon Capture and Storage: Progress and Next Steps — OECD/IEA, page 5); and “Governments must continue to develop, refine, and finalize legal and regulatory frameworks” cement our destiny.
Liepert and his government are following the pre-set agenda and landowner rights get in their way.
What ultimately undermines biased perspectives are underlying facts and objectivity.
A recent study from Duke University (Little and Jackson) corroborates what the Kerrs at Weyburn, Sask., are experiencing. They scientifically proved that CO2 is very reactive by creating acids and further poisons groundwater by mobilizing heavy metals. In summary they state, “Because freshwater aquifers lie directly above CCS locations, leaks could form carbonic acid in groundwater resources, before surface leakage of CO2 were detected.” Further “minor CO2 leakage along faults, old petroleum wells, or other pathways will persist and will be thermodynamically difficult to seal completely.”
Cynicism for power and politics comes not from weak opinions but a knowledgeable populace. Everyone has an interest in this massive and expensive poisoning project, and needs to respond to it.
Kevin Niemi
Trochu, AB
================
12. Industry Can't Keep Up With 'Fracking' Demand
http://www.automatedtrader.net/real-time-dow-jones/
42677/baker-hughes-ceoindustry-can039t-keep-up-with-039fracking039-demand
By Ryan Dezember, Of DOW JONES NEWSWIRES January 25, 2011
HOUSTON -(Dow Jones)- Baker Hughes Inc. (BHI) Chief Executive Chad Deaton said Tuesday that oilfield services companies can't satisfy oil and gas producers' growing appetite for hydraulic fracturing and other complicated drilling techniques, fueling optimism that the sector will continue to see soaring profits in 2011.
"So far, the industry has been unable to keep up," Deaton told investors during a conference call to discuss the company's fourth-quarter earnings. Though Baker Hughes is rapidly adding to its capacity, the wait in some North American basins for the company's pressure pumping services--essential to force oil and natural gas from deeply buried shale formations--can be as long as 180 days, Deaton said.
Houston-based Baker Hughes also reported a fourth-quarter profit of $335 million, or 77 cents a share, up from $84 million, or 27 cents a share, a year earlier. Excluding acquisition-related costs and investment gains, earnings were 84 cents a share. North American profits, boosted by last year's acquisition of BJ Services Co. and healthy Gulf of Mexico gains, climbed 563%.
Revenue surged 82% to $4.42 billion after slumping 24% a year earlier.
MORE:
http://www.automatedtrader.net/real-time-dow-jones/
42677/baker-hughes-ceoindustry-can039t-keep-up-with-039fracking039-demand
================
13. TAKE ACTION!!! Keep oil and gas drilling out of the Baca National Wildlife Refuge
https://secure.nrdconline.org/site/
Advocacy?cmd=display&page=UserAction&id=2121
Colorado’s Baca National Wildlife Refuge is an important calving ground for thousands of elk and provides sanctuary to threatened species like the bald eagle, greater sandhill crane and mountain plover. Yet the Fish and Wildlife Service wants to allow two energy companies to drill 14,000 feet beneath this wildlife haven. Tell them to conduct a full Environmental Impact Statement before approving any oil and gas drilling.
Your message will be sent to:
David Lucas, Division of Refuge Planning, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Subject line: Conduct a full EIS for the Baca National Wildlife Refuge
Send your letter:
https://secure.nrdconline.org/site/
Advocacy?cmd=display&page=UserAction&id=2121
===============
14. Gas Leaks on the Path to a Post-Fossil Future
http://dotearth.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/01/25/
gas-leaks-on-the-path-to-a-post-fossil-future/?partner=rss&emc=rss
By ANDREW C. REVKIN January 25, 2011, 12:04 pm
(Go to URL above for numerous Links. Ed.)
ProPublica has published a good update on concerns that existing practices for extracting and piping natural gas, through leakage, substantially cut into the fuel’s substantial greenhouse-gas advantage over coal.
A prime source for the story, Robert W. Howarth of Cornell University, is right in his draft paper on such emissions that complete life-cycle analysis is sorely needed to clarify the overall costs and benefits of gas drilling — particularly the fast-spreading extraction method known as hydro-fracking.
But none of this, in my view, undercuts the importance of natural gas as a bridge fuel on the path to a lower-carbon, and more secure, energy menu as humanity sprints toward 9 billion people seeking decent lives.
It does reinforce the need to extract gas without environmental harms, and to thoroughly explore complaints in gas country. An E.P.A. analysis, due in 2012, should help.
MORE:
http://dotearth.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/01/25/
gas-leaks-on-the-path-to-a-post-fossil-future/?partner=rss&emc=rss
=================
15. 'Fracking' may accelerate a south Texas water shortage
http://www.eenews.net/cw/
(Thursday, January 27, 2011) (Subscription Required)
As Texas' population expects to double in the next 40 years and its southern region dries, there are concerns that the state isn't doing enough to regulate the oil and gas industry's use of water.
Federal and international research show that south Texas and its surrounding area will be a significantly drier place, with average temperatures expected spike at least 6 degrees this century. In the same region, water sales have made their way into lucrative spinoff business models. One is through hydraulic fracturing, or "fracking," which uses water, sand and proprietary chemicals to extract natural gas from wells.
Karnes County resident Scott Kimble has been selling millions of gallons of water to the industry for three years. He earns 10 to 20 cents per barrel, which adds up. "Yeah, it's lucrative," Kimble said of selling water. "There's no up-front cost and a very minimal contract."
MORE:
http://www.eenews.net/cw/
=================
16. Drilling activity surges on strong oil prices
http://www.calgaryherald.com/business/
Drilling+activity+surges+strong+prices/4174495/story.html
Focus shifted away from natural gas
BY DINA O'MEARA, CALGARY HERALD JANUARY 27, 2011 7:49 AM
Western Canada rigs are being redeployed to oil plays as oil prices rise.
Photograph by: Stuart Gradon
CALGARY - Western Canadian drilling activity has surged as producers follow the money to oil plays in Alberta and Saskatchewan, pulling up rig numbers and challenging service companies to find enough workers.
Approximately two-thirds of available rigs in Western Canada are running this month, surpassing an expected 60 per cent forecast by industry associations.
The upward trend is expected to carry through the year on the back of sustained oil prices as Canada's energy centre continues to shift its focus to black gold from poorly priced natural gas.
"While still below the levels achieved in 2003-2006 when shallow gas drilling drove much of the activity, our forecast implies 2011 will be the third straight year of improvement," UBS analyst Chad Friess said in a report Wednesday.
Friess expects Canada's rig count to reach 14,000 this year, a more positive outlook than various industry forecasts of around 12,250.
MORE:
http://www.calgaryherald.com/business/
Drilling+activity+surges+strong+prices/4174495/story.html
=================
17. LETTER: MALSBURY: Stelmach Won't Starve on The Unemployment Line
http://www.albertasurfacerights.com/articles/?id=892
Ed Stemach will recieve $949,500.00 in "transition pay" when he leaves politics. On top of that he has access to $97,975.00 in an RRSP that was paid for by Alberta taxpayers. Not too shabby?
Considering Stelmachs age I don't think we should be feeling too sorry for Ed? In the big picture this was probably a good thing for him? Now he can go lay on a tropical beach and not have to put up with everyone calling him an idiot. He won't have to always be running around trying to cover up for all those incompetent clowns he had in cabinet? He won't always have to be watching out for Ted lurking around waiting for any opportunity to stick a knife in his back!
Alberta has the most generous "transition payment" in Canada with 3 months pay for every year served. The 34% wage increase Stemach and gang gave themselves actually really increases the payment....for example without the salary increase Stelmach would only be taking home $776,000 instead of $949,500....the gift that just keeps on giving!
Of course if Mr. Stelmach gets bored lazing about or he finds it difficult to adjust to a life devoid of all the government goodies it is entirely possible to call in some markers from his buddies at Altalink or maybe North West Upgrader/Enhance Energy and get some cushy board position....Lord knows he did his part to feather their nests?
I suspect right about now a lot of the present cabinet are busy as bees checking out how much their own little "windfalls" might be and it is a good bet the phones are humming over to their buddies at the Bow Tower seeing what might be available? The fact is whoever takes over from Ed sure doesn't want all those old dogs hanging around.
Doug Malsbury,
Penhold, Alberta
==================
18. LETTER: MALSBURY: What now?
http://www.albertasurfacerights.com/articles/?id=888
Nothing has changed for landowners just because Stelmach decided to quit. We still have to live with all those horrible pieces of legislation that stold our property rights? We still have a "pretend" regulator who get their orders everyday from BIG OIL and conspire with them on how to screw us! We still have the same old gangsters in place that voted for all the pieces of legislation that stold our property rights? Make no mistake here....everyone of those scoundrels willingly voted for Bill 19, 36, 50 and 24!
Ted Morton rates special attention. He can't plead that he was too stupid to understand the implications of the bill he wrote, Bill 36 the Land Stewardship Act, because Ted is anything but stupid? This is a bill that was evil in its intent...no question about that! It was the work of a "disciple" of the "Chicago School of Economics" and I suspect Ted Morton is very proud of this bill, Bill 36? Probably one of Ted’s heroes is General Pinochet the former dictator of Chile, as Pinochet was held up as a role model in how to create the ideal neo-conservative state...by whatever means needed! Bill 36 goes to extreme lengths to eliminate or extinguish "rule of law" a basic premise of our parlimentary democratic system.
Jack Hayden ushered in Bill 19 the Critical Infrastructure Bill, but I doubt Jack was smart enough to even know what was in the bill....as was very evident when we held a public information meeting in Innisfail last year, where he couldn't answer questions about the bill and in fact...never even had a clue what was in the bill! What can you say? Is ignorance an excuse?
Bill 24 the Carbon Capture and Storage Statutes Amendment bill was a brutal land grab....by a totally brutal minister, Ron Liepert! It would be easy to plead ignorance and ineptitude for Ron, if there weren't so many questions about how this deal was done? This bill smells bad...this bill needs some close scrutiny because it doesn't appear all that kosher....over on the financial side! We need a true audit on this bill!
Bill 50 The Electric Statutes Amendment Act was introduced by Mel Knight. This bill was passed so the government could put in the export power lines. After the Alberta government was caught spying on their own citizens this bill was necessary to quiet the Lavesta group and Joe Anglin from voicing how these lines were being built to rip off Albertans for $ billions! Knight was another dupe who probably had no idea of what he was proposing? Or at least we hope he was just inept?
But at the end of the day all the Tory MLAs got up there like trained seals and performed for the crowd? Were they all ignorant or too lazy to bother to read the bills? Or did they just go with the flow...hoping Ed would smile at them, while they blushed like school girls and dreamed of getting to sit at the cabinet table with their heroes?
Shame on them. For selling out the people who put them in there...talk about biting the hand that fed you!
When the next election rolls around ask them? Ask them why they willingly voted for something they knew was fundamentally wrong? If they try to tell you they didn't think it was wrong....ask them if they think it is okay to steal other peoples’ property? I'm sure some of them will try to pull the old "well I never voted that day"? And that is true...of 72 Tory MLAs in the legislature only 29 were on hand to use closure on Bill 24 (Hansard). Where were the others? I mean after all weren't we paying them to be there?
Every last Tory MLA is tainted here? Not a single one deserves your vote...remember that when you step into that voting booth.
Doug Malsbury,
Penhold, Alberta
=================
19. NIKIFORUK: Alberta's New Political Volatility
http://thetyee.ca/Opinion/2011/01/27/Al ... olatility/
Ed Stelmach got tossed from a once stable ship now rocked by petro dollar storms.
By Andrew Nikiforuk, 27 January 2011, TheTyee.ca
When Alberta Premier Ed Stelmach pragmatically announced his resignation this week, the unhappy petro politician told the world that his bitumen ship now rides an ocean of volatility.
In fact, a province once regarded as the most politically stable, if not authoritarian regime in Canada due its oil wealth, now looks like one unpredictable mess with rising political dissent from all quarters.
Stelmach's stunning departure, an incredible story about rank incompetence, is also a stark reminder of the power of oil price shocks as well as the growing shakiness of regimes dependent on hydrocarbon revenue.
With oil prices erratically bouncing from $150 a barrel to $30 and then back to $80 over the last two years, oil producing states as varied as Texas, Venezuela and the United Arab Emirates and, yes, Alberta, are now running big deficits.
But as Stelmach ably showed, political volatility invariably follows fiscal volatility due to the bad money sense and ineptitude of oil soaked regimes.
He had it made
From one perspective Stelmach's departure may look rather incongruous. Canada's highest paid premier won by a massive majority four years ago because only 40 per cent of the people bothered to vote (oil citizens are incredibly apathetic).
Stelmach, of course, commanded a kingly majority: 72 out of 83 seats (and now 67 of 93 due to defections and other changes).* His party, the Progressive Conservatives, has ruled the province with an oily fist for an alarming 40 years. And then the guy jumps ship.
"It was extradorinary," says Paul McLoughlin. "I was gobsmacked," adds the province's shrewdest political analyst and editor of the AlbertaScan, a political newsletter. "In 40 years there has never been this kind of volatility ever in Alberta."
MORE:
http://thetyee.ca/Opinion/2011/01/27/Al ... olatility/
=================
20. NM Supreme Court Orders Records Administrator to Print Rules
http://nmenvirolaw.org/index.php/site/more/
nm_supreme_court_orders_records_administrator_to_print_rules/
New Mexico Environmental Law Center
SANTA FE, N.M.— The New Mexico Supreme Court sided with environmental groups today when it granted a writ of mandamus to the New Mexico State Records Administrator, compelling her to print the adopted and final greenhouse gas cap and dairy discharge rules. The printing of the rules was halted earlier in the month by Governor Martinez’ Executive Order which suggested the rules were “pending” and therefore subject to a ninety day hold for review.
“This is a tremendous and deserved victory for the administration of justice in New Mexico,” stated Bruce Frederick, staff attorney of the New Mexico Environmental Law Center (NMELC), the nonprofit law firm that brought two suits against the Governor for its clients, New Energy Economy and Amigos Bravos. “The ruling ensures that our regulations will continue to be developed in a public and open process, and be protected from revision through secret, backroom deals.”
Supreme Court Chief Justice Charles Daniels stated, when announcing the court’s decision, the Court did not think it necessary to issue a writ against the Governor or the Secretary of the New Mexico Environment Department. “The issue is whether the suspension of the printing of the rules was proper. We will issue a writ against the State Records Administrator. She has a non-discretionary administrative duty to follow the law.”
“The ruling sends a strong message to Governor Martinez and her cabinet secretaries,” said Douglas Meiklejohn, NMELC Executive Director, “they must follow the law, just like the citizens they govern.”
MORE:
http://nmenvirolaw.org/index.php/site/more/
nm_supreme_court_orders_records_administrator_to_print_rules/
==================
21. WATCH: Beyond the Tipping Point: Feedback Dynamics and the onset of Runaway Climate Change | The Imperative of ZERO - Parts 1-7
http://www.apollo-gaia.org/PlanetEarth/index.htm
David's web site is :
http://www.meridian.org.uk.
David Wasdell is possibly the foremost climate systems analyst on Earth: he tells it like it is, because he sees no reason to lie. When he talks, you listen, because failure to listen to his unique brand of unfiltered, unpoliticized, science-based analysis is failure to listen to the voice of reason.
David Wasdell delivered this copiously illustrated presentation on the 29th June 2008 to the Strategy-Planning workshop of the Tällberg Forum in the heart of Sweden. It was subsequently recorded in studio conditions and beautifully produced by the staff team of the Tällberg Foundation who also added an introduction by their Chairman, Bo Ekman.
After a basic introduction to climate dynamics, the powerful feedback system, already accelerating climate change, is analysed. It is argued that we have already passed the tipping point that marks the onset of runaway climate change, and are fast approaching the critical threshold beyond which the behaviour becomes unstoppable. The presentation concludes with an outline of the global strategy now urgently required to re-stabilise the life-support system of Planet Earth.
New scientific research, published since the video was completed, calls for a doubling of the figure used in the presentation for the strength of the water-vapour feedback. This adds 50% to the calculated power of current global heating and reinforces the conclusion that runaway climate change has already been initiated. The urgency of the imperative response to the global emergency cannot now be overstated.
http://www.apollo-gaia.org/PlanetEarth/index.htm
==================
22. Rethinking a "safe climate": have we already gone too far?
http://climatecodered.blogspot.com/2011/01/
rethinking-safe-climate-have-we-already.html
by David Spratt, 23 January 2011
It is hard to argue that anything above the Holocene maximum (of around 0.5 degrees above the pre-industrial temperature) can preserve a safe climate, and that we have already gone too far. The notion that 1.5C is a safe target is out the window, and even 1 degree looks like an unacceptably high risk.
NASA climate chief James Hansen says:
At current temperatures, no "cushion" left to avoid dangerous climate change
"... even small global warming above the level of the Holocene begins to generate a disproportionate warming on the Antarctic and Greenland ice sheets."
by David Spratt, 23 January 2011
As global temperatures rise to be 0.8 degrees Celsius warmer than the pre-industrial level, is the planet already entering a zone of dangerous climate change?
With Arctic sea-ice in a "death spiral", Greenland in 2010 melting at an unprecedented rate, a seemingly extraordinary number of extreme climate events in the last year from the Russian fires to the Pakistan floods, and 18 countries setting new temperature records, have we already gone too far for a safe climate?
In a draft of a new research paper, NASA climate chief James Hansen and his collaborator Makiko Sato has opened a new debate about what might be the conditions for a safe climate; that is, one in which people and nations can continue to live where and as they have been, with secure food production, and in a bio-diverse environment.
MORE:
http://climatecodered.blogspot.com/2011/01/
rethinking-safe-climate-have-we-already.html
= = = = = =
Singing in the Rain
http://www.columbia.edu/~jeh1/mailings/2011/
20110126_SingingInTheRain.pdf
In this paper Hansen writes:
EXCERPT: “Yes, it may be said, but young people are free to also influence public opinion. However, consider this Heartland chart as an example of what young people are up against. People carrying out these tasks are professional warriors for special interests, well-funded to make the case that global warming and climate disruption are a hoax. Their message is repeated relentlessly. Note that the "free market ideas" phrase in the Heartland bottom line is Orwellian double-speak. They mean the opposite, they want business-as-usual, with fossil fuels subsidized and not required to pay their costs to society”
“Dear grandchild, this is a monster that you must face. You will need to figure it out. I am sorry. But it is the shape of our democracy today, which we bequeath to you.”
MORE:
http://www.columbia.edu/~jeh1/mailings/2011/
20110126_SingingInTheRain.pdf
==================
23. COMMENT: Corporate media ignore most all critical climate studies and reports which scream emergency
From: Cory Morningstar
Sent: Thursday, January 27, 2011 6:49 PM
CANADIANS FOR ACTION ON CLIMATE CHANGE: Corporate media ignore most critical climate studies and reports which scream emergency.
Media & government do not want an educated public – an educated public is the greatest threat to economic growth & business as usual.
The fact is that these greenhouse gases called ‘trace gases’ present, in the atmosphere, in parts per million (1,000,000 parts air) and parts per billion (1,000,000,000 parts air). And that at this tiny concentration they make a 30°C difference to the global temperature means that they are extremely powerful heat radiators.
They result in the greenhouse effect - but this is not the science that produces the effect.
Greenhouse gases when leaving the ground to the atmosphere become energized and actively radiate heat to the lower atmosphere which heats the planet's surface. They have to do this because of their very atomic structure called the dipole.
For so long as they last in the atmosphere, they actively radiating heat energy. The effect of the greenhouse gases right from the start is largely mediated through positive feedbacks. The actual carbon dioxide in the atmosphere only produces directly about a third of its heat radiation effect, the rest is by indirect positive feedback effect - water vapor being the main one. The presence of water vapor, which is increased by global warming, about doubles the effect of global warming greenhouse gas. Clouds have a dual affect. They have albedo cooling and global warming. The first direct measurements on the club effect find that it is a strong positive feedback which puts the climate sensitivity of 3° C that the IPCC and all the scientists use above the top range of the IPCC which is 4.5.
NGOs state they do not campaign based on the science. If you look at their websites – there is very little to actually teach people about global warming and climate disruption.
The scientists and NGOs have ignored the certain record from our planet that we have been in a dire dangerous state of planetary emergency for some years.
The scientists have in fact recorded already that the year earth’s climate system is extremely sensitive to the emission of global warming greenhouse gases and building up in the atmosphere. And we know this from the most reliable real Earth model and is happening before our very eyes; anyone who is sceptical should move the Arctic where the warm accelerating temperatures are quickly melting the permafrost.
Conspiracy?
Thousands upon thousands of scientists from all different realms are all liars? All involved in a ‘conspiracy’?
Why isn’t corporate media inundating us with today’s most critical science?
Indigenous communities and indigenous elders from all over the entire planet are also lying and participating in a ‘conspiracy’?
One can deny facts and papers all one likes – one need not be a scientist or a genius to see what is occurring before our very eyes.
Continued denialism will be our own demise. The corporations are sitting back in the calfskin leather Italian chairs laughing at the public. BAU continues.
Do corporations see climate change as the ultimate ‘climate wealth’ opportunity? Absolutely. So what else is new.
The only solution to climate change is to reject the very economic system that created the crisis in the first place.
Deniers continue to ensure the plutocracy remains unchallenged. The elite few who benefit on the backs of billions – are deeply indebted to the deniers.
The elite few are also indebted to the corporate funded ‘big green’ groups and environmental ‘movement’ in general, who do not share the dire truth of our current situation let alone what must be done to avert catastrophe. Symbolic and meaningless actions in the face of climate continue to reign. Green capitalism and solutions framed on ‘what you as individual can do’ is often promoted as the solutions. The root of the problem is not discussed. Protect the system at all costs.
The Cancun climate conference demonstrated unequivocally that the world’s governments have chosen to protect economic growth over life itself.
Some conspiracy – where those who are said to be responsible – are not even participating.
Denying will ensure the capitalist system remains intact – at the expense of our children.
A recent analysis on the recent and very dire Hansen et Sato paper:
http://climatecodered.blogspot.com/2011/01/
rethinking-safe-climate-have-we-already.html
At a glance:
http://vodpod.com/watch/
4659538-hugo-blanco-end-capitalism-before-it-ends-us?u=cstar&c=canadianclimate
Visuals begin about 8 minutes in:
http://vodpod.com/watch/
4726680-incredible-vivid-time-lapse-evidence-of-extreme-ice-loss?u=cstar&c=canadianclimate
http://vodpod.com/watch/
4292527-global-phytoplankton-in-massive-decline?u=cstar&c=canadianclimate
= = = = = =
How Well Has Media And Government Informed The Public About CO2 Levels In The Air?
http://nwoandsecretsocieties.wordpress.com/2011/01/24/
how-well-has-media-and-government-informed-the-public-about-co2-levels-in-the-air/
Posted on January 24, 2011 by Grace
Ask yourself, your friends, family and work associates if they know the answers to the following questions about Carbon Dioxide (CO2). Be sure to write your answers before looking at the following.
Question 1. What percentage of the atmosphere do you think is CO2?
Question 2. Have you ever seen the percentage given in any media?
Question 3. What percentage of the CO2 is man-made?
Question 4. What percentage of the man-made CO2 does Australia produce?
Question 5. Is CO2 is a pollutant?
Question 6. Have you ever seen any evidence that CO2 causes a greenhouse effect?
I have asked over 100 people these questions. Virtually everyone says they don’t know the answers so ask them to tell you what their perception is by what they have learnt from the media, the government and Green groups. Let them know there is no right or wrong answer as you are just doing a survey as to what people have perceived the answers to be from these sources.
MORE:
http://nwoandsecretsocieties.wordpress.com/2011/01/24/
how-well-has-media-and-government-informed-the-public-about-co2-levels-in-the-air/
1. (AB) EVENT: Pathways to Sustainability conference in Red Deer
2. (SK) JOB POSTING - Energy Conservation Programmer
3. (ON) EVENT: SCREENING: THE REFUGEES OF THE BLUE PLANET
4. FACT SHEET: NO FRACKING WAY!
5. ENTERPRISE SASKATCHEWAN SECTOR TEAMS AND STRATEGIC ISSUES COUNCILS UPDATED
6. Government Partners With Industry to Bring New Technology to Energy Market
7. Why Tax Cuts Make Us Weak
8. Write Mr. Kent a letter and win an iPad!
9. Martinez’s pick for enviro chief: Environmentalists are communists
10. Resolution Calling to Amend the Constitution Banning Corporate Personhood Introduced in Vermont
11. LETTER: NIEMI: Carbon capture plan requires close study
12. Industry Can't Keep Up With 'Fracking' Demand
13. TAKE ACTION!!! Keep oil and gas drilling out of the Baca National Wildlife Refuge
14. Gas Leaks on the Path to a Post-Fossil Future
15. 'Fracking' may accelerate a south Texas water shortage
16. Drilling activity surges on strong oil prices
17. LETTER: MALSBURY: Stelmach Won't Starve on The Unemployment Line
18. LETTER: MALSBURY: What now?
19. NIKIFORUK: Alberta's New Political Volatility
20. NM Supreme Court Orders Records Administrator to Print Rules
21. WATCH: Beyond the Tipping Point: Feedback Dynamics and the onset of Runaway Climate Change | The Imperative of ZERO - Parts 1-7
22. Rethinking a "safe climate": have we already gone too far?
23. COMMENT: Corporate media ignore most all critical climate studies and reports which scream emergency
==============
1. EVENT: Pathways to Sustainability conference in Red Deer
http://www.pathways2sustainability.ca/
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=59191546606
Food, Fuel & Finance – Pathways to Local Resilient Economies”
Red Deer College, Red Deer, AB
February 23 – 25, 2011
Creating a sustainable society is the greatest opportunity and the greatest challenge of our era. Since 2009, the Pathways 2 Sustainability Conference (P2S) has helped form the relationships and capacity for planning and participating in sustainable communities.
Building on P2S 2009’s sustainable communities theme, P2S is moving forward from planning to community-based action. We are featuring over 40 Showcase Exhibitors, 12 Panelists, and 5 Keynotes on topics such as Community Supported Agriculture, Feed In Tariffs, Renewable Energy, Community Finance, Food Security, and Sustainable & Resilient Community Planning.
Pathways 2011 is a networking opportunity for over 250 industry innovators, community & institutional leaders, and the investment community to engage in moving communities in Alberta towards resiliency.
REGISTRATION, AGENDA, etc.:
http://www.pathways2sustainability.ca/
=================
2. (SK) JOB POSTING - Energy Conservation Programmer
Saskatchewan Environmental Society
Location: Saskatoon, SK Canada
Position Title: Energy Conservation Programmer
Duration: permanent, 20hrs/wk
Start date: February 14, 2011; $16-$18/hr (depending on experience)
The Saskatchewan Environmental Society is a non-profit, registered charity whose mandate is to work towards a world in which all needs can be met in sustainable ways. Sustainability will require healthy ecosystems, healthy livelihoods and healthy human communities. We work with, and on behalf of, communities, organizations, businesses and policy makers to encourage informed decision-making that moves us towards sustainability. We undertake research, and use education, community outreach, consultation opportunities and demonstration projects to provide the people of Saskatchewan the information and tools they need to make and to support these informed decisions
The SES has been active in Saskatchewan since 1970. SES’s current action areas include: climate change, energy and water strategies, urban pesticide reduction, and regional sustainability planning.
SES is seeking an individual to support the Energy Conservation Projects Coordinator in implementing the SES Energy Conservation projects.
Primary activities will include:.www.environmentalsociety.ca
Desirable qualifications and skills: www.environmentalsociety.ca
See www.environmentalsociety.ca and follow the links through Issues and Energy for more information on SES’ Energy Conservation Programs.
To apply: e-mail resumes to: angieb@environmentalsociety.ca by February 7, 2011. No late resumes will be accepted.
Rochelle Nault
Administrator | Saskatchewan Environmental Society
t. 1.306.665.1915 | f. 306.665.2128 | 203 Idylwyld Drive South Saskatoon SK S7M 1L6
Live sustainable lives, build a sustainable future online at
www.environmentalsociety.ca
=================
3. (ON) EVENT: SCREENING: THE REFUGEES OF THE BLUE PLANET
Wednesday, February 2 at 7 PM - FREE ADMISSION
NFB Cinema - 150 John St., TORONTO
Directed by Hélène Choquette and Jean-Philippe Duval, 2006, 53 minutes. In French with English subtitles.
TRAILER:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jksgeVYCJDc
Each year, millions of people the world over are driven to forced displacement. From the Maldives to Brazil, and even closer to home, here in Canada, the disturbing accounts of people who have been uprooted are amazingly similar. The enormous pressure placed on rural populations as a result of the degradation of their life-supporting environment is driving them increasingly further from their way of life. The Refugees of the Blue Planet sheds light on the little-known plight of a category of individuals who are suffering the repercussions of this reality: environmental refugees.
The screening will be followed by a panel discussion Dr. Laura Westra, PhD in Law & Professor at York University & Univ. of Windsor, Faculty of Law, and Dr. Rafi Mustafa, who is the past president and current member of the Board for International Development and Relief Foundation (IDRF), an organization that has worked in partnership with the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) to provide emergency relief in disaster-struck areas like Pakistan, Bangladesh and Haiti.
Green Screens partners films from the NFB with experts and panellists selected by the Canadian Institute for Environmental Law and Policy. If you are interested in the environment, Green Screens will entertain and inform you.
Follow the NFB Mediatheque on Facebook, Foursquare or Twitter and follow CIELAP on Twitter!
Sign up for the new NFB Mediatheque newsletter by email here.
NFB MEDIATHEQUE | 150 John St., Toronto | 416-973-3012 | NFB.ca/mediatheque
===============
4. FACT SHEET: NO FRACKING WAY!
http://www.canadians.org/water/issues/f ... index.html
FACT SHEET: No Fracking Way! Hydraulic fracturing poses serious risks to water and health, January 2011
http://www.canadians.org/water/documents/fracking/
factsheet-1110.pdf
As conventional natural gas supplies diminish, energy corporations are looking for new ways to get at trapped reserves. Hydraulic fracturing – more commonly known as “fracking” – is a process where sand, water and chemicals are blasted into rock formations such as shale, coal beds and “tight” sands to gain access to trapped natural gas deposits. This injection process creates cracks in the rock formations and allows the gas to flow up the well.
Communities across Canada are asking questions about fracking as more and more projects as the industry continues to grow both in the United States and in Canada. Serious health and environmental questions are being raised about the effects of fracking on groundwater, drinking water and on people’s health.
The truth is not a lot is known about the long term dangers and effects of fracking. The federal government and provincial governments have yet to establish regulations and safety standards that would protect people and drinking water sources. While natural gas is often referred to as a transition step away from more energy-intensive oil, fracking for “unconventional” gas – gas that is difficult to get to – is not a climate solution. Any energy resource that sacrifices water protection and threatens people’s health and environmental safety in such significant ways should be halted.
MORE:
http://www.canadians.org/water/issues/f ... index.html
=================
5. ENTERPRISE SASKATCHEWAN SECTOR TEAMS AND STRATEGIC ISSUES COUNCILS UPDATED
http://www.gov.sk.ca/
news?newsId=aa553337-435f-4045-883f-269b3718a10d
Press Release January 28, 2011
A reorganization of Enterprise Saskatchewan's (ES) sector teams and issues councils was announced today by Enterprise Minister Jeremy Harrison.
The number of sector teams will be reduced from 18 to eight. The number of strategic issues councils will increase from three to four. The changes will streamline the important process of providing government with recommendations for policies to build on competitive advantages and reduce barriers to economic growth.
"This will make the process of identifying opportunities and barriers to growth more efficient and streamlined," Harrison said. "The consolidation of sector teams and changes to issues councils will put ES in a better position to do the work needed to move Saskatchewan forward. In the near future I believe the sector teams and issues councils will play an integral role in our red tape reduction initiative."
Harrison noted that to date, the sector teams and issues councils have made 40 recommendations to improve competitiveness and reduce barriers to business - from the red tape reduction initiative announced earlier this month, to allowing the movement of drilling rigs on Sundays.
"I want to personally thank all of those sector team and issues council members who have dedicated their time and expertise over the last two years," Harrison said. "Your input was valuable and appreciated by our government, and I look forward to working closely with the new teams and councils in the future." -30-
For more information, contact:
Deb Young
Enterprise Saskatchewan
Regina
Phone: 306-798-0503
- - - - - -
Sector Team Reconfiguration.pdf (14.3 KB)http://www.gov.sk.ca/adx/aspx/
adxGetMedia.aspx?mediaId=1336&PN=Shared
====================
6. Government Partners With Industry to Bring New Technology to Energy Market
http://www.wd.gc.ca/eng/77_12608.asp
News Releases January 28, 2011 Calgary, Alberta
The Government of Canada is supporting the capacity of small and medium-sized businesses to commercialize new technologies that will reduce costs, maximize recovery, and bring forth efficiencies in the natural gas industry.
The Honourable Lynne Yelich, Minister of State for Western Economic Diversification, today announced an investment of $750,000 towards a project facilitated by the not-for-profit industry and stakeholder association, Petroleum Technology Alliance Canada (PTAC). Minister Yelich was joined by the Honourable Rona Ambrose, Minister of Public Works and Government Services and Minister for the Status of Women and Regional Minister for Northern Alberta. In addition to federal funding, Alberta Energy is also contributing $250,000 towards the total project costs.
“Every component of this project contributes to building a stronger economy, as our western Canadian businesses develop the latest product innovations to incorporate into the natural gas resource sector,” said Minister Yelich. “This project is increasing productivity and efficiency while bringing needed technological advancements to market.”
PTAC will direct funding towards construction of the testing equipment, review of the technology and the testing of the pumps, as well as coordination of small business and industry participation.
“Alberta has always shown leadership and supported the advancement of new technologies for responsible energy development,” said Honourable Ron Liepert, Minister of Energy for the Government of Alberta. “Investing in cutting edge science and technology initiatives solidifies Alberta’s reputation as an energy leader and provides long lasting benefits to all Albertans.”
Further, PTAC will provide analysis and business support, as well as provide crucial access to company wells for field testing demonstrations. The equipment will be housed and retained at the not-for-profit Centre for Frontier Engineering Research (C-FER) Technologies testing facility.
“This project exemplifies PTAC’s efforts in engaging stakeholders on proactively developing and deploying new technologies as solutions to important and urgent issues facing our industry,” said Dr. Soheil Asgarpour, President of PTAC. “We are fortunate that companies such as Cenovus Energy Inc., Encana Corporation and Enerplus Corporation have been proactive in providing people and access to gas reservoirs to facilitate this research that will benefit many junior and intermediate-sized companies.”
PTAC’s mandate is facilitating innovation, collaborative research and technology development, demonstration, and deployment for a responsible hydrocarbon industry. In December 2010, PTAC added the responsibility of providing seed money for technology projects to its mandate. The shallow gas water pump project is the first project where PTAC has provided seed money.
Western Economic Diversification Canada works with the provinces, industry associations and communities to promote the development and diversification of the western economy, coordinates federal economic activities in the West and represents the interests of western Canadians in national decision making.
For additional information contact:
Lloyd Suchet
Office of the Minister
Western Economic Diversification Canada
Lloyd.Suchet@wd-deo.gc.ca
Christine King
Alberta Energy Communications
Tel: (780) 427-0770
christine.king@gov.ab.ca
To call toll-free within Alberta dial 310-0000
Dr. Soheil Asgarpour
President of PTAC
Tel: (403) 218-7701
sasgarpour@ptac.org
WD Toll-Free Number:1-888-338-WEST (9378)
Teletypewriter (TTY): 1-877-303-3388
WD Website: www.wd-deo.gc.ca.
Subscribe to news releases and keep up-to-date on the latest from WD.
http://www.wd.gc.ca/eng/77_12608.asp
================
7. Why Tax Cuts Make Us Weak
http://murraydobbin.ca/2011/01/27/
why-tax-cuts-make-us-weak/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+MurrayDobbin+%28Murray+Dobbin%27s+Blog%29
Posted: 27 Jan 2011 03:43 PM PST
I don’t think I have ever re-cycled a column before but the whole question of tax cuts and all the issues it involves never really changes. In November, 2007, I wrote a column for the Tyee and rabble focusing on Conservative finance Minister Jim Flaherty’s five year tax cut plan. This up-coming cut to corporate taxes (by 1.5%, bringing the level to 15%, the lowest in the G7)) is the final outrageous instalment. Here’s what I said then. Nothing has changed – except now we have a huge deficit to deal with, and the corporate tax cuts are even more irresponsible. [ . . . . ]
= = = = =
Oppose Harper’s corporate tax cuts
http://www.canadians.org/wordwarriors/2011/jan-27.html
January 27, 2011
Stephen Harper and his Finance Minister Jim Flaherty have thrown down the gauntlet on an issue they cannot win on and we need to take the opportunity to exploit the strategic mistake. Having govt ministers fan out across the country selling corporate tax cuts when corporations are seen to be the cause of the global recession makes little sense.
[ . . . . ]
===================
8. Write Mr. Kent a letter and win an iPad!
What's Ethical, Mr. Kent?
http://environmentaldefence.ca/ethicscontest
On his first week on the job as Environment Minister, Peter Kent came out swinging to defend the tar sands as ‘ethical oil’ and claiming the tar sands are ‘regulated’.
Mr. Kent needs to know that leaking toxic waste, soaring global warming pollution, and habitat and species destruction are anything but ethical:
http://environmentaldefence.ca/campaign ... -tar-sands
Help our new federal Environment Minister understand the ethics of his role as the elected official responsible for reversing the growth of pollution from the tar sands. You'll not only be exercising your democratic muscle, you could also win an iPad.
===============
9. Martinez’s pick for enviro chief: Environmentalists are communists
http://newmexicoindependent.com/68690/
martinezs-pick-for-enviro-chief-environmentalists-are-communists
By Matthew Reichbach | 01.26.11 | 10:52 am
While appearing on radio host Alex Jones’ show in 2009, Harrison Schmitt said that leaders of the environmental movement are communists. Earlier this month, Gov. Susana Martinez selected Schmitt — a former U.S. Senator and astronaut — to head the Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department, which oversees environmental issues.
“I think that there are individuals, Holdren apparently among them, a very large number who have taken the — shall we say captured the environmental movement and turned it into what was previously considered the communist movement,” Schmitt said in a 40-minute interview with Jones. “And that’s just something that people of common sense are going to continue to have to counter and wake up enough so that they can take control of their government again.”
MORE:
http://newmexicoindependent.com/68690/
martinezs-pick-for-enviro-chief-environmentalists-are-communists
===============
10. Resolution Calling to Amend the Constitution Banning Corporate Personhood Introduced in Vermont
http://www.alternet.org/story/149620/
resolution_calling_to_amend_the_constitution_banning_corporate_personhood_introduced_in_vermont?page=entire
On the anniversary of the Citizens United decision, Vermont politicians are moving to deny corporations the rights that humans enjoy.
January 22, 2011 | AlterNet / By Christopher Ketcham
A year ago today, the Supreme Court issued its bizarre Citizens United decision, allowing unlimited corporate spending in elections as a form of “free speech” for the corporate “person.” Justice John Paul Stevens, writing for the dissent, had the task of recalling the majority to planet earth and basic common sense.
"Corporations have no consciences, no beliefs, no feelings, no thoughts, no desires," wrote Stevens. "Corporations help structure and facilitate the activities of human beings, to be sure, and their 'personhood' often serves as a useful legal fiction. But they are not themselves members of 'We the People' by whom and for whom our Constitution was established."
Fortunately, movements are afoot to reverse a century of accumulated powers and protections granted to corporations by wacky judicial decisions.
In Vermont, state senator Virginia Lyons on Friday presented an anti-corporate personhood resolution for passage in the Vermont legislature. The resolution, the first of its kind, proposes "an amendment to the United States Constitution ... which provides that corporations are not persons under the laws of the United States." Sources in the state house say it has a good chance of passing. This same body of lawmakers, after all, once voted to impeach George W. Bush, and is known for its anti-corporate legislation. Last year the Vermont senate became the first state legislature to weigh in on the future of a nuclear power plant, voting to shut down a poison-leeching plant run by Entergy Inc. Lyons’ Senate voted 26-4 to do it, demonstrating the level of political will of the state’s politicians to stand up to corporate power.
MORE:
http://www.alternet.org/story/149620/
resolution_calling_to_amend_the_constitution_banning_corporate_personhood_introduced_in_vermont?page=entire
================
11. LETTER: NIEMI: Carbon capture plan requires close study
http://www.albertalocalnews.com/reddeer ... e/letters/
Carbon_capture_plan_requires_close_study_114576284.html
Published: January 25, 2011 8:37 AM
Re: Carbon capture hazards
The flurry of columns and letters about carbon capture, leaking CO2, and the loss of landowners rights under Bill 24 (the Carbon Capture and Storage Act) are correlated in ways that are most intriguing when investigated.
Alberta Energy Minister Ron Liepert has stated that “the International Energy Agency deemed the Weyburn (CCS) storage field is being done safely,” even though the Kerrs, who were living on top of this huge experiment, have abandoned the property due to fears for their own well-being.
Further investigation about the IEA leads us to their website and push to accelerate the CCS agenda at the recent 2010 G8 summit in Muskoka. Phrases like “it is important that governments and industry intensify future collaboration to accelerate the pace of development for the full implementation of the G8 goals” (Carbon Capture and Storage: Progress and Next Steps — OECD/IEA, page 5); and “Governments must continue to develop, refine, and finalize legal and regulatory frameworks” cement our destiny.
Liepert and his government are following the pre-set agenda and landowner rights get in their way.
What ultimately undermines biased perspectives are underlying facts and objectivity.
A recent study from Duke University (Little and Jackson) corroborates what the Kerrs at Weyburn, Sask., are experiencing. They scientifically proved that CO2 is very reactive by creating acids and further poisons groundwater by mobilizing heavy metals. In summary they state, “Because freshwater aquifers lie directly above CCS locations, leaks could form carbonic acid in groundwater resources, before surface leakage of CO2 were detected.” Further “minor CO2 leakage along faults, old petroleum wells, or other pathways will persist and will be thermodynamically difficult to seal completely.”
Cynicism for power and politics comes not from weak opinions but a knowledgeable populace. Everyone has an interest in this massive and expensive poisoning project, and needs to respond to it.
Kevin Niemi
Trochu, AB
================
12. Industry Can't Keep Up With 'Fracking' Demand
http://www.automatedtrader.net/real-time-dow-jones/
42677/baker-hughes-ceoindustry-can039t-keep-up-with-039fracking039-demand
By Ryan Dezember, Of DOW JONES NEWSWIRES January 25, 2011
HOUSTON -(Dow Jones)- Baker Hughes Inc. (BHI) Chief Executive Chad Deaton said Tuesday that oilfield services companies can't satisfy oil and gas producers' growing appetite for hydraulic fracturing and other complicated drilling techniques, fueling optimism that the sector will continue to see soaring profits in 2011.
"So far, the industry has been unable to keep up," Deaton told investors during a conference call to discuss the company's fourth-quarter earnings. Though Baker Hughes is rapidly adding to its capacity, the wait in some North American basins for the company's pressure pumping services--essential to force oil and natural gas from deeply buried shale formations--can be as long as 180 days, Deaton said.
Houston-based Baker Hughes also reported a fourth-quarter profit of $335 million, or 77 cents a share, up from $84 million, or 27 cents a share, a year earlier. Excluding acquisition-related costs and investment gains, earnings were 84 cents a share. North American profits, boosted by last year's acquisition of BJ Services Co. and healthy Gulf of Mexico gains, climbed 563%.
Revenue surged 82% to $4.42 billion after slumping 24% a year earlier.
MORE:
http://www.automatedtrader.net/real-time-dow-jones/
42677/baker-hughes-ceoindustry-can039t-keep-up-with-039fracking039-demand
================
13. TAKE ACTION!!! Keep oil and gas drilling out of the Baca National Wildlife Refuge
https://secure.nrdconline.org/site/
Advocacy?cmd=display&page=UserAction&id=2121
Colorado’s Baca National Wildlife Refuge is an important calving ground for thousands of elk and provides sanctuary to threatened species like the bald eagle, greater sandhill crane and mountain plover. Yet the Fish and Wildlife Service wants to allow two energy companies to drill 14,000 feet beneath this wildlife haven. Tell them to conduct a full Environmental Impact Statement before approving any oil and gas drilling.
Your message will be sent to:
David Lucas, Division of Refuge Planning, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Subject line: Conduct a full EIS for the Baca National Wildlife Refuge
Send your letter:
https://secure.nrdconline.org/site/
Advocacy?cmd=display&page=UserAction&id=2121
===============
14. Gas Leaks on the Path to a Post-Fossil Future
http://dotearth.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/01/25/
gas-leaks-on-the-path-to-a-post-fossil-future/?partner=rss&emc=rss
By ANDREW C. REVKIN January 25, 2011, 12:04 pm
(Go to URL above for numerous Links. Ed.)
ProPublica has published a good update on concerns that existing practices for extracting and piping natural gas, through leakage, substantially cut into the fuel’s substantial greenhouse-gas advantage over coal.
A prime source for the story, Robert W. Howarth of Cornell University, is right in his draft paper on such emissions that complete life-cycle analysis is sorely needed to clarify the overall costs and benefits of gas drilling — particularly the fast-spreading extraction method known as hydro-fracking.
But none of this, in my view, undercuts the importance of natural gas as a bridge fuel on the path to a lower-carbon, and more secure, energy menu as humanity sprints toward 9 billion people seeking decent lives.
It does reinforce the need to extract gas without environmental harms, and to thoroughly explore complaints in gas country. An E.P.A. analysis, due in 2012, should help.
MORE:
http://dotearth.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/01/25/
gas-leaks-on-the-path-to-a-post-fossil-future/?partner=rss&emc=rss
=================
15. 'Fracking' may accelerate a south Texas water shortage
http://www.eenews.net/cw/
(Thursday, January 27, 2011) (Subscription Required)
As Texas' population expects to double in the next 40 years and its southern region dries, there are concerns that the state isn't doing enough to regulate the oil and gas industry's use of water.
Federal and international research show that south Texas and its surrounding area will be a significantly drier place, with average temperatures expected spike at least 6 degrees this century. In the same region, water sales have made their way into lucrative spinoff business models. One is through hydraulic fracturing, or "fracking," which uses water, sand and proprietary chemicals to extract natural gas from wells.
Karnes County resident Scott Kimble has been selling millions of gallons of water to the industry for three years. He earns 10 to 20 cents per barrel, which adds up. "Yeah, it's lucrative," Kimble said of selling water. "There's no up-front cost and a very minimal contract."
MORE:
http://www.eenews.net/cw/
=================
16. Drilling activity surges on strong oil prices
http://www.calgaryherald.com/business/
Drilling+activity+surges+strong+prices/4174495/story.html
Focus shifted away from natural gas
BY DINA O'MEARA, CALGARY HERALD JANUARY 27, 2011 7:49 AM
Western Canada rigs are being redeployed to oil plays as oil prices rise.
Photograph by: Stuart Gradon
CALGARY - Western Canadian drilling activity has surged as producers follow the money to oil plays in Alberta and Saskatchewan, pulling up rig numbers and challenging service companies to find enough workers.
Approximately two-thirds of available rigs in Western Canada are running this month, surpassing an expected 60 per cent forecast by industry associations.
The upward trend is expected to carry through the year on the back of sustained oil prices as Canada's energy centre continues to shift its focus to black gold from poorly priced natural gas.
"While still below the levels achieved in 2003-2006 when shallow gas drilling drove much of the activity, our forecast implies 2011 will be the third straight year of improvement," UBS analyst Chad Friess said in a report Wednesday.
Friess expects Canada's rig count to reach 14,000 this year, a more positive outlook than various industry forecasts of around 12,250.
MORE:
http://www.calgaryherald.com/business/
Drilling+activity+surges+strong+prices/4174495/story.html
=================
17. LETTER: MALSBURY: Stelmach Won't Starve on The Unemployment Line
http://www.albertasurfacerights.com/articles/?id=892
Ed Stemach will recieve $949,500.00 in "transition pay" when he leaves politics. On top of that he has access to $97,975.00 in an RRSP that was paid for by Alberta taxpayers. Not too shabby?
Considering Stelmachs age I don't think we should be feeling too sorry for Ed? In the big picture this was probably a good thing for him? Now he can go lay on a tropical beach and not have to put up with everyone calling him an idiot. He won't have to always be running around trying to cover up for all those incompetent clowns he had in cabinet? He won't always have to be watching out for Ted lurking around waiting for any opportunity to stick a knife in his back!
Alberta has the most generous "transition payment" in Canada with 3 months pay for every year served. The 34% wage increase Stemach and gang gave themselves actually really increases the payment....for example without the salary increase Stelmach would only be taking home $776,000 instead of $949,500....the gift that just keeps on giving!
Of course if Mr. Stelmach gets bored lazing about or he finds it difficult to adjust to a life devoid of all the government goodies it is entirely possible to call in some markers from his buddies at Altalink or maybe North West Upgrader/Enhance Energy and get some cushy board position....Lord knows he did his part to feather their nests?
I suspect right about now a lot of the present cabinet are busy as bees checking out how much their own little "windfalls" might be and it is a good bet the phones are humming over to their buddies at the Bow Tower seeing what might be available? The fact is whoever takes over from Ed sure doesn't want all those old dogs hanging around.
Doug Malsbury,
Penhold, Alberta
==================
18. LETTER: MALSBURY: What now?
http://www.albertasurfacerights.com/articles/?id=888
Nothing has changed for landowners just because Stelmach decided to quit. We still have to live with all those horrible pieces of legislation that stold our property rights? We still have a "pretend" regulator who get their orders everyday from BIG OIL and conspire with them on how to screw us! We still have the same old gangsters in place that voted for all the pieces of legislation that stold our property rights? Make no mistake here....everyone of those scoundrels willingly voted for Bill 19, 36, 50 and 24!
Ted Morton rates special attention. He can't plead that he was too stupid to understand the implications of the bill he wrote, Bill 36 the Land Stewardship Act, because Ted is anything but stupid? This is a bill that was evil in its intent...no question about that! It was the work of a "disciple" of the "Chicago School of Economics" and I suspect Ted Morton is very proud of this bill, Bill 36? Probably one of Ted’s heroes is General Pinochet the former dictator of Chile, as Pinochet was held up as a role model in how to create the ideal neo-conservative state...by whatever means needed! Bill 36 goes to extreme lengths to eliminate or extinguish "rule of law" a basic premise of our parlimentary democratic system.
Jack Hayden ushered in Bill 19 the Critical Infrastructure Bill, but I doubt Jack was smart enough to even know what was in the bill....as was very evident when we held a public information meeting in Innisfail last year, where he couldn't answer questions about the bill and in fact...never even had a clue what was in the bill! What can you say? Is ignorance an excuse?
Bill 24 the Carbon Capture and Storage Statutes Amendment bill was a brutal land grab....by a totally brutal minister, Ron Liepert! It would be easy to plead ignorance and ineptitude for Ron, if there weren't so many questions about how this deal was done? This bill smells bad...this bill needs some close scrutiny because it doesn't appear all that kosher....over on the financial side! We need a true audit on this bill!
Bill 50 The Electric Statutes Amendment Act was introduced by Mel Knight. This bill was passed so the government could put in the export power lines. After the Alberta government was caught spying on their own citizens this bill was necessary to quiet the Lavesta group and Joe Anglin from voicing how these lines were being built to rip off Albertans for $ billions! Knight was another dupe who probably had no idea of what he was proposing? Or at least we hope he was just inept?
But at the end of the day all the Tory MLAs got up there like trained seals and performed for the crowd? Were they all ignorant or too lazy to bother to read the bills? Or did they just go with the flow...hoping Ed would smile at them, while they blushed like school girls and dreamed of getting to sit at the cabinet table with their heroes?
Shame on them. For selling out the people who put them in there...talk about biting the hand that fed you!
When the next election rolls around ask them? Ask them why they willingly voted for something they knew was fundamentally wrong? If they try to tell you they didn't think it was wrong....ask them if they think it is okay to steal other peoples’ property? I'm sure some of them will try to pull the old "well I never voted that day"? And that is true...of 72 Tory MLAs in the legislature only 29 were on hand to use closure on Bill 24 (Hansard). Where were the others? I mean after all weren't we paying them to be there?
Every last Tory MLA is tainted here? Not a single one deserves your vote...remember that when you step into that voting booth.
Doug Malsbury,
Penhold, Alberta
=================
19. NIKIFORUK: Alberta's New Political Volatility
http://thetyee.ca/Opinion/2011/01/27/Al ... olatility/
Ed Stelmach got tossed from a once stable ship now rocked by petro dollar storms.
By Andrew Nikiforuk, 27 January 2011, TheTyee.ca
When Alberta Premier Ed Stelmach pragmatically announced his resignation this week, the unhappy petro politician told the world that his bitumen ship now rides an ocean of volatility.
In fact, a province once regarded as the most politically stable, if not authoritarian regime in Canada due its oil wealth, now looks like one unpredictable mess with rising political dissent from all quarters.
Stelmach's stunning departure, an incredible story about rank incompetence, is also a stark reminder of the power of oil price shocks as well as the growing shakiness of regimes dependent on hydrocarbon revenue.
With oil prices erratically bouncing from $150 a barrel to $30 and then back to $80 over the last two years, oil producing states as varied as Texas, Venezuela and the United Arab Emirates and, yes, Alberta, are now running big deficits.
But as Stelmach ably showed, political volatility invariably follows fiscal volatility due to the bad money sense and ineptitude of oil soaked regimes.
He had it made
From one perspective Stelmach's departure may look rather incongruous. Canada's highest paid premier won by a massive majority four years ago because only 40 per cent of the people bothered to vote (oil citizens are incredibly apathetic).
Stelmach, of course, commanded a kingly majority: 72 out of 83 seats (and now 67 of 93 due to defections and other changes).* His party, the Progressive Conservatives, has ruled the province with an oily fist for an alarming 40 years. And then the guy jumps ship.
"It was extradorinary," says Paul McLoughlin. "I was gobsmacked," adds the province's shrewdest political analyst and editor of the AlbertaScan, a political newsletter. "In 40 years there has never been this kind of volatility ever in Alberta."
MORE:
http://thetyee.ca/Opinion/2011/01/27/Al ... olatility/
=================
20. NM Supreme Court Orders Records Administrator to Print Rules
http://nmenvirolaw.org/index.php/site/more/
nm_supreme_court_orders_records_administrator_to_print_rules/
New Mexico Environmental Law Center
SANTA FE, N.M.— The New Mexico Supreme Court sided with environmental groups today when it granted a writ of mandamus to the New Mexico State Records Administrator, compelling her to print the adopted and final greenhouse gas cap and dairy discharge rules. The printing of the rules was halted earlier in the month by Governor Martinez’ Executive Order which suggested the rules were “pending” and therefore subject to a ninety day hold for review.
“This is a tremendous and deserved victory for the administration of justice in New Mexico,” stated Bruce Frederick, staff attorney of the New Mexico Environmental Law Center (NMELC), the nonprofit law firm that brought two suits against the Governor for its clients, New Energy Economy and Amigos Bravos. “The ruling ensures that our regulations will continue to be developed in a public and open process, and be protected from revision through secret, backroom deals.”
Supreme Court Chief Justice Charles Daniels stated, when announcing the court’s decision, the Court did not think it necessary to issue a writ against the Governor or the Secretary of the New Mexico Environment Department. “The issue is whether the suspension of the printing of the rules was proper. We will issue a writ against the State Records Administrator. She has a non-discretionary administrative duty to follow the law.”
“The ruling sends a strong message to Governor Martinez and her cabinet secretaries,” said Douglas Meiklejohn, NMELC Executive Director, “they must follow the law, just like the citizens they govern.”
MORE:
http://nmenvirolaw.org/index.php/site/more/
nm_supreme_court_orders_records_administrator_to_print_rules/
==================
21. WATCH: Beyond the Tipping Point: Feedback Dynamics and the onset of Runaway Climate Change | The Imperative of ZERO - Parts 1-7
http://www.apollo-gaia.org/PlanetEarth/index.htm
David's web site is :
http://www.meridian.org.uk.
David Wasdell is possibly the foremost climate systems analyst on Earth: he tells it like it is, because he sees no reason to lie. When he talks, you listen, because failure to listen to his unique brand of unfiltered, unpoliticized, science-based analysis is failure to listen to the voice of reason.
David Wasdell delivered this copiously illustrated presentation on the 29th June 2008 to the Strategy-Planning workshop of the Tällberg Forum in the heart of Sweden. It was subsequently recorded in studio conditions and beautifully produced by the staff team of the Tällberg Foundation who also added an introduction by their Chairman, Bo Ekman.
After a basic introduction to climate dynamics, the powerful feedback system, already accelerating climate change, is analysed. It is argued that we have already passed the tipping point that marks the onset of runaway climate change, and are fast approaching the critical threshold beyond which the behaviour becomes unstoppable. The presentation concludes with an outline of the global strategy now urgently required to re-stabilise the life-support system of Planet Earth.
New scientific research, published since the video was completed, calls for a doubling of the figure used in the presentation for the strength of the water-vapour feedback. This adds 50% to the calculated power of current global heating and reinforces the conclusion that runaway climate change has already been initiated. The urgency of the imperative response to the global emergency cannot now be overstated.
http://www.apollo-gaia.org/PlanetEarth/index.htm
==================
22. Rethinking a "safe climate": have we already gone too far?
http://climatecodered.blogspot.com/2011/01/
rethinking-safe-climate-have-we-already.html
by David Spratt, 23 January 2011
It is hard to argue that anything above the Holocene maximum (of around 0.5 degrees above the pre-industrial temperature) can preserve a safe climate, and that we have already gone too far. The notion that 1.5C is a safe target is out the window, and even 1 degree looks like an unacceptably high risk.
NASA climate chief James Hansen says:
At current temperatures, no "cushion" left to avoid dangerous climate change
"... even small global warming above the level of the Holocene begins to generate a disproportionate warming on the Antarctic and Greenland ice sheets."
by David Spratt, 23 January 2011
As global temperatures rise to be 0.8 degrees Celsius warmer than the pre-industrial level, is the planet already entering a zone of dangerous climate change?
With Arctic sea-ice in a "death spiral", Greenland in 2010 melting at an unprecedented rate, a seemingly extraordinary number of extreme climate events in the last year from the Russian fires to the Pakistan floods, and 18 countries setting new temperature records, have we already gone too far for a safe climate?
In a draft of a new research paper, NASA climate chief James Hansen and his collaborator Makiko Sato has opened a new debate about what might be the conditions for a safe climate; that is, one in which people and nations can continue to live where and as they have been, with secure food production, and in a bio-diverse environment.
MORE:
http://climatecodered.blogspot.com/2011/01/
rethinking-safe-climate-have-we-already.html
= = = = = =
Singing in the Rain
http://www.columbia.edu/~jeh1/mailings/2011/
20110126_SingingInTheRain.pdf
In this paper Hansen writes:
EXCERPT: “Yes, it may be said, but young people are free to also influence public opinion. However, consider this Heartland chart as an example of what young people are up against. People carrying out these tasks are professional warriors for special interests, well-funded to make the case that global warming and climate disruption are a hoax. Their message is repeated relentlessly. Note that the "free market ideas" phrase in the Heartland bottom line is Orwellian double-speak. They mean the opposite, they want business-as-usual, with fossil fuels subsidized and not required to pay their costs to society”
“Dear grandchild, this is a monster that you must face. You will need to figure it out. I am sorry. But it is the shape of our democracy today, which we bequeath to you.”
MORE:
http://www.columbia.edu/~jeh1/mailings/2011/
20110126_SingingInTheRain.pdf
==================
23. COMMENT: Corporate media ignore most all critical climate studies and reports which scream emergency
From: Cory Morningstar
Sent: Thursday, January 27, 2011 6:49 PM
CANADIANS FOR ACTION ON CLIMATE CHANGE: Corporate media ignore most critical climate studies and reports which scream emergency.
Media & government do not want an educated public – an educated public is the greatest threat to economic growth & business as usual.
The fact is that these greenhouse gases called ‘trace gases’ present, in the atmosphere, in parts per million (1,000,000 parts air) and parts per billion (1,000,000,000 parts air). And that at this tiny concentration they make a 30°C difference to the global temperature means that they are extremely powerful heat radiators.
They result in the greenhouse effect - but this is not the science that produces the effect.
Greenhouse gases when leaving the ground to the atmosphere become energized and actively radiate heat to the lower atmosphere which heats the planet's surface. They have to do this because of their very atomic structure called the dipole.
For so long as they last in the atmosphere, they actively radiating heat energy. The effect of the greenhouse gases right from the start is largely mediated through positive feedbacks. The actual carbon dioxide in the atmosphere only produces directly about a third of its heat radiation effect, the rest is by indirect positive feedback effect - water vapor being the main one. The presence of water vapor, which is increased by global warming, about doubles the effect of global warming greenhouse gas. Clouds have a dual affect. They have albedo cooling and global warming. The first direct measurements on the club effect find that it is a strong positive feedback which puts the climate sensitivity of 3° C that the IPCC and all the scientists use above the top range of the IPCC which is 4.5.
NGOs state they do not campaign based on the science. If you look at their websites – there is very little to actually teach people about global warming and climate disruption.
The scientists and NGOs have ignored the certain record from our planet that we have been in a dire dangerous state of planetary emergency for some years.
The scientists have in fact recorded already that the year earth’s climate system is extremely sensitive to the emission of global warming greenhouse gases and building up in the atmosphere. And we know this from the most reliable real Earth model and is happening before our very eyes; anyone who is sceptical should move the Arctic where the warm accelerating temperatures are quickly melting the permafrost.
Conspiracy?
Thousands upon thousands of scientists from all different realms are all liars? All involved in a ‘conspiracy’?
Why isn’t corporate media inundating us with today’s most critical science?
Indigenous communities and indigenous elders from all over the entire planet are also lying and participating in a ‘conspiracy’?
One can deny facts and papers all one likes – one need not be a scientist or a genius to see what is occurring before our very eyes.
Continued denialism will be our own demise. The corporations are sitting back in the calfskin leather Italian chairs laughing at the public. BAU continues.
Do corporations see climate change as the ultimate ‘climate wealth’ opportunity? Absolutely. So what else is new.
The only solution to climate change is to reject the very economic system that created the crisis in the first place.
Deniers continue to ensure the plutocracy remains unchallenged. The elite few who benefit on the backs of billions – are deeply indebted to the deniers.
The elite few are also indebted to the corporate funded ‘big green’ groups and environmental ‘movement’ in general, who do not share the dire truth of our current situation let alone what must be done to avert catastrophe. Symbolic and meaningless actions in the face of climate continue to reign. Green capitalism and solutions framed on ‘what you as individual can do’ is often promoted as the solutions. The root of the problem is not discussed. Protect the system at all costs.
The Cancun climate conference demonstrated unequivocally that the world’s governments have chosen to protect economic growth over life itself.
Some conspiracy – where those who are said to be responsible – are not even participating.
Denying will ensure the capitalist system remains intact – at the expense of our children.
A recent analysis on the recent and very dire Hansen et Sato paper:
http://climatecodered.blogspot.com/2011/01/
rethinking-safe-climate-have-we-already.html
At a glance:
http://vodpod.com/watch/
4659538-hugo-blanco-end-capitalism-before-it-ends-us?u=cstar&c=canadianclimate
Visuals begin about 8 minutes in:
http://vodpod.com/watch/
4726680-incredible-vivid-time-lapse-evidence-of-extreme-ice-loss?u=cstar&c=canadianclimate
http://vodpod.com/watch/
4292527-global-phytoplankton-in-massive-decline?u=cstar&c=canadianclimate
= = = = = =
How Well Has Media And Government Informed The Public About CO2 Levels In The Air?
http://nwoandsecretsocieties.wordpress.com/2011/01/24/
how-well-has-media-and-government-informed-the-public-about-co2-levels-in-the-air/
Posted on January 24, 2011 by Grace
Ask yourself, your friends, family and work associates if they know the answers to the following questions about Carbon Dioxide (CO2). Be sure to write your answers before looking at the following.
Question 1. What percentage of the atmosphere do you think is CO2?
Question 2. Have you ever seen the percentage given in any media?
Question 3. What percentage of the CO2 is man-made?
Question 4. What percentage of the man-made CO2 does Australia produce?
Question 5. Is CO2 is a pollutant?
Question 6. Have you ever seen any evidence that CO2 causes a greenhouse effect?
I have asked over 100 people these questions. Virtually everyone says they don’t know the answers so ask them to tell you what their perception is by what they have learnt from the media, the government and Green groups. Let them know there is no right or wrong answer as you are just doing a survey as to what people have perceived the answers to be from these sources.
MORE:
http://nwoandsecretsocieties.wordpress.com/2011/01/24/
how-well-has-media-and-government-informed-the-public-about-co2-levels-in-the-air/
- Oscar
- Site Admin
- Posts: 9851
- Joined: Wed May 03, 2006 3:23 pm
FRACKING/ENERGY NEWS: January 31, 2011
by Oscar » Mon Jan 31, 2011 5:57 pm
FRACKING/ENERGY NEWS: January 31, 2011
1. WHY ARE WE PAYING TO HAVE OUR GROUND WATER CONTAMINATED? WHY ARE WE PAYING TO HAVE OUR PROPERTY RIGHTS TAKEN AWAY?
2. Leaky shale gas well 'very, very worrying': Quebec Environment Department
3. Report levels harsh criticism at Alberta oilsands monitor Regional Aquatics program has met only one of nine goals: review
4. Waxman, Markey, and DeGette Investigation Finds Continued Use of Diesel in Hydraulic Fracturing Fluids
5. LETTER: MALSBURY: One Regulator....What Does That Mean?
6. LETTER: SHIELDS: Banksters and Prairie Boys!!
7. LETTER: SHIELDS: Reliving A Bad Tory Dream
8. Alberta to promote tar sands in London, Brussels, Jan. 28 - Feb. 5
9. It’s necessary to team up with dictators, oil sands firm says
10. Ed was doomed after losing countryside
11. Federal Tories face divided loyalties in Alberta
12. Groups File Appeal Over State Department’s Refusal to Disclose Communications with Tar Sands Oil Lobbyist
13. TCEQ Buckles On Oil & Gas Rules Under Pressure From Industry
14. Crude tactics rile Texans
15. Shell’s actions ‘impact’ the right to water in the Niger Delta
16. WATCH: Status of the Land (11 min.)
17. Cooking with Sunshine - Saving More Than Energy
18. Hide Your Kids, Hide Your Wife: Not Even Canadians are Safe from the Kochs Anymore
=================
1. WHY ARE WE PAYING TO HAVE OUR GROUND WATER CONTAMINATED? WHY ARE WE PAYING TO HAVE OUR PROPERTY RIGHTS TAKEN AWAY?
http://www.albertasurfacerights.com/articles/?id=875
These are only a few of the questions that need to be asked of the Alberta Government.
All are welcome to attend the information meeting regarding Bill 24
February 1, 2011 - 7:30 pm
Trochu Community Centre
Guest Speaker: Rob Anderson MLA - Airdrie - Chestermere
Presented by: Alberta Surface Rights Group (Amalgamation of Pine Lake & Red Raven Surface Rights)
This is a meeting that YOU need to attend to find out why
Members: $5.00 Non Members $10.00
Industry and Regulators $100.00
Memberships available at the door $50.00
Sponsored by Westview Co-op - Your one stop for high quality lubricant products
Visit our website:
www.albertasurfacerights.com
================
2. Leaky shale gas well 'very, very worrying': Quebec Environment Department
http://www.montrealgazette.com/
Leaky+shale+well+very+very+worrying+Quebec+Environment+Department/4187582/story.html# ixzz1CS9DHAvZ
BY KEVIN DOUGHERTY, QUEBEC BUREAU, MONTREAL GAZETTE JANUARY 28, 2011
QUEBEC - A Quebec Environment Department official finds an uncontrolled gas leak at a shale gas well near St. Hyacinthe "very, very worrying," and fears the leak "could lead to contamination of underground water."
The well, operated by Calgary-based Canbriam Energy Quebec Partnership, is giving off methane gas that could threaten "the life, health, safety, well being or comfort of human beings," the department said in a notice sent by the company.
"We ask you to proceed immediately with the necessary corrections to stop these emissions," the notice adds. "As well, safety measures at the site should be established to ensure the protection of persons and property."
After Environment Minister Pierre Arcand said last week Quebec's budding shale-gas industry was "not in control of the situation," inspectors from his department issued infraction notices to Canbriam and to Talisman Energy Inc. for a leak at its Leclercville well.
Canbriam spokesperson Donna Phillips said from Calgary Friday that there are no water wells near the La Présentation site and the amount of gas - 2.5 cubic metres a day - is "very small."
"There is absolutely no risk," Phillips said.
But Pierre Paquin, spokesperson for the Quebec Environment Department on shale gas issues, called the La Présentation leak, not in the well, but seven metres away, "significant."
"For us, La Présentation is the most worrying now," Paquin said.
He explained that the gas, released after fracking operations to free the gas from shale rock formations, is escaping from deep in the ground.
The gas is under so much pressure that it has found its own way to the surface, he said.
MORE:
http://www.montrealgazette.com/
Leaky+shale+well+very+very+worrying+Quebec+Environment+Department/4187582/story.html# ixzz1CS9DHAvZ
===================
3. Report levels harsh criticism at Alberta oilsands monitor Regional Aquatics program has met only one of nine goals: review
http://www.edmontonjournal.com/business/
Report+levels+harsh+criticism+Alberta+oilsands+monitor/4197592/story.html
By Hanneke Brooymans, cedmontonjournal.com January 31, 2011 12:06 PM
EDMONTON - The organization charged with monitoring aquatic impacts of the oilsands industry was hit with a highly critical external review report Monday.
The report says that the existing Regional Aquatics Monitoring Program is not sufficient to detect changes if they occur, couldn’t identify potential sources for change if the changes are detected, is not asking the types of questions that the program should be asking, nor is it monitoring the kinds of things they should be to answer the proper questions.
The report says only one of RAMP’s nine objectives has been met, while another has been partially met. Four other objectives have not been met and there is not enough information to judge the other three objectives.
The nine reviewers, headed by a program leader in a government agency called Alberta Innovates, say the program needs to be expanded both in time and space. Before and after studies should be done to determine the industry’s impact and monitoring needs to be done over a larger geographic area, they suggest. “A program of this scale and magnitude is beyond the resources that are currently available within RAMP.”
To read the full report, go to:http://www.rampalberta.org/UserFiles/File/
RAMP%202010%20Scientific%20Peer%20Review%20Report.pdf
MORE:
http://www.edmontonjournal.com/business/
Report+levels+harsh+criticism+Alberta+oilsands+monitor/4197592/story.
=================
4. Waxman, Markey, and DeGette Investigation Finds Continued Use of Diesel in Hydraulic Fracturing Fluids
http://democrats.energycommerce.house.gov/
index.php?q=news/waxman-markey-and-degette-investigation-finds-continued-use-of-diesel-in-hydraulic-fracturing-f
Jan 31, 2011
Today Reps. Henry A. Waxman, Edward J. Markey, and Diana DeGette sent a letter to the Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lisa Jackson regarding the results of an investigation into the use of diesel fuel in hydraulic fracturing fluids.
The congressional investigation finds that oil and gas service companies have injected over 32 million gallons of diesel fuel or hydraulic fracturing fluids containing diesel fuel in wells in 19 states between 2005 and 2009. In addition, the investigation finds 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, which appears to be a violation of the Safe Drinking Water Act.
Below is the full text of the letter:
January 31, 2011
The Honorable Lisa Jackson, Administrator
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Ariel Rios Building, 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20460
Dear Administrator Jackson:
We have been investigating the practice of hydraulic fracturing and its potential impact on water quality in the United States. Because EPA is also examining this issue, we are writing to share our findings regarding the use of diesel fuel in hydraulic fracturing fluids.
In 2003, EPA signed a memorandum of agreement with the three largest providers of hydraulic fracturing to eliminate the use of diesel fuel in coalbed methane formations in underground sources of drinking water. Two years later, Congress exempted hydraulic fracturing from the Safe Drinking Water Act except when the fracturing fluids contain diesel. As a result, many assumed that the industry stopped using diesel fuel altogether in hydraulic fracturing.
Our investigation has found that this is not the case. Between 2005 and 2009, oil and gas service companies injected 32.2 million gallons of diesel fuel or hydraulic fracturing fluids containing diesel fuel in wells in 19 states. Halliburton injected more than 7 million gallons of diesel fuel or fluids containing diesel; BJ Services injected even more, 11.5 million gallons.
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.
Full text of the letter:
http://democrats.energycommerce.house.gov/
index.php?q=news/waxman-markey-and-degette-investigation-finds-continued-use-of-diesel-in-hydraulic-fracturing-f
===================
5. LETTER: MALSBURY: One Regulator....What Does That Mean?
http://www.albertasurfacerights.com/articles/?id=904
January 29, 2011
Right below this article you will see the news story where Ron Liepert announces there will be one regulator for oil and gas. Ron makes it sound like a pretty good deal, but is it? For who?
Last fall I participated in the "Competitive Regulatory Review" along with three of my colleagues. We were invited to participate in a one-day conference in Edmonton by the Department of Energy. I came away with a feeling of total disgust.
The whole thing was orchestrated to come to a pre-planned conclusion. The Review was almost entirely made up of oil company employees and government staff. We were the "token peasants" I guess?
Here’s how it worked: A government speaker would get up and give a little speech about how we needed to get rid of any environmental oversight (pesky things like water testing, reclamation standards, air quality controls, etc.) due to the fact we were "uncompetitive" with the bottom rung places in the world (like Saskatchewan, Nigeria, Ghana)! Then we would go off into groups for breakout sessions to discuss the topic and come to a "group consensus"....of course faithfully herded along by our "group facilitator"...an energy department employee. So here I am, one old farmboy in with about 30 guys from Encana, Suncor, Chevron, Conoco, etc.! Now I wasn't exactly a wallflower...I gave it a good shot...to the point the "facilitator" wouldn't even acknowledge me!
In the meantime my three fellow directors of the Alberta Surface Rights Group were doing the same in different groups...punching away against the odds!
Anyway we spent all day going back and forth. Hear another little speech...off for another round at the breakout session! The whole thing was designed to lead us down the garden path...right to where they wanted to go! Of special note was the subject of "the ERCB should be the sole regulator"....I sure sounded off on that one...I said the ERCB has no credibility with landowners...they have proven time and time again what skunks they are....when a landowner beats them in court they simply change the rules....etc. etc......I got pretty vocal and passionate on that one! It seemed to get the facilitators' pants in a knot!
At the end of the day, the guy running the show (from Encana) trotted up to the podium and said "Well all our groups have reached a consensus "We need to have one regulator and the ERCB looks like the best bet. I'll forward the results to Minister Liepert. (Ronnie didn't lower himself to associate with the peons...he sent Cal Dallas and Dianne McQueen to spread the gospel)"!
So that was that. What does it mean? Sustainable Resources....OUT! Environment.....OUT! ERCB.....IN!
No more Surface Rights Board hearings. No more environmental oversight. Now when you can't negotiate a settlement with a company...the ERCB will judge what is acceptable! Now when a company ruins your water or they pollute your land....the ERCB will decide!.......or to make a long story short....the oil company will decide!
Here's $5000 for your lease....take it or leave it.....No? you don't think it’s enough, you got $18,000 for a lease five years ago?......didn't you get a memo that we are now competitive?......wait a second while I phone the ERCB.....Okay, we have approval...the cats come in tommorrow....here’s your $5000....and get your damned cows out of that field tonight!
Competitive....right?
Doug Malsbury, Penhold, Alberta
= = = = = =
Alberta Moves to One Regulator
http://www.albertasurfacerights.com/articles/?id=903
By Shaun Polczer and Dan Healing, Calgary Herald January 28, 2011
Alberta Energy Minister Ron Liepert announced plans to move to a single regulator for oil and gas.
CALGARY - The Alberta government on Friday took steps to create a single regulator for the oil and gas sector to improve its competitiveness but critics complained the changes come at the expense of the province's environmental and land use policies.
In a move welcomed by industry but criticized by opposition and environmental groups, Energy minister Ron Liepert accepted the report of a task force that recommends combining the regulatory functions of three ministries into a single authority. He also vowed to introduce legislation that could result in an expanded role for the province's oil and gas regulators by spring.
MORE:
http://www.albertasurfacerights.com/articles/?id=903
================
6. LETTER: SHIELDS: Banksters and Prairie Boys!!
From: lagran
To: David Swann ; brian mason ; calgary.currie@assembly.ab.ca
Cc: Minister, EMPR EMPR:EX ; iggy ; goodale ; flaherty ; bill boyd ; Jerry Bellikka ; acameron@neb-one.gc.ca
Sent: Saturday, January 29, 2011 10:02 AM
Subject: Banksters and Prairie Boys!!
One of the major outcomes of turning more power over to the troubled ERCB is the fact they are not headquartered in the government city of Edmonton, but recently moved to new digs in the industry city of Calgary!! This on the surface may not seem important; however, as one who has fought the ERCB on an illegal sour gas well, I find it strange that those in government know so little about the industry Alberta relies on for survival. With every item that moves to the ERCB for resolution so does any information or participation of our government and opposition parties!
How many opposition members really agree that giving 30 million of Alberta public dollars to the Alberta Orphan Well Fund is a proper way to stimulate Alberta's economy, or even a just way to use public dollars? The matter now lays with the ERCB in Calgary never to be spoken about in Edmonton circles! How many understand the Public Royalty Tax Credits pay for the drilling of most Alberta oil-gas wells, along with much of the expense of completions, but Albertan get nothing in ownership for being the major entity in the development of Alberta wells? Saskatchewan is almost identical! Industry knows better than to try these stunts in Norway, where they would be booted back to North America!
The ERCB has this very strange arrangement whereby they do not levy cash fines to industry as a means of gaining compliance. Facilities, if anything, may find themselves shut down, stopping the dribble of royalties payable to the Alberta public. Thus, it is the Alberta public who receive punishment for energy industries’ mistakes in Alberta! Another great injustice is having the ERCB audit production numbers and production reports in Alberta. The ERCB who enjoy curling in oilman's bonspiels, have never even caught a cold let alone royalty cheating! I like to refer to Exxon Mobil ordered to pay U.S. 11.9 billion on Nov.14 2003 by an Alabama jury in a suit over natural gas royalties. Any wonder CAPP readily agreed to pay the majority of the ERCB's Budget directly to ERCB's coffers!!
Again all these items will be leaving the Edmonton region and realm and calmly handled by the industry folks in Calgary! Alberta Activism have asked over and over to have the ERCB headquarters moved to Edmonton to allow better government supervision of industry events. After the great embarrassment of being found guilty of using covert undercover agents against the Alberta public and an admitted bias toward industry, all government folks became tone deaf and our requests found NO fertile ears. Remember each item transferred to the ERCB in the future leaves the realm of government in Edmonton and resides with the realm of industry in Calgary. CAPP should be very, very proud of this coup for the industry they represent!! Now Albertans - let’s talk about bills #9, #6, and #50!
Stewart Shields
Lacombe,
= = = = =
Alberta to launch single oil, gas regulator
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/
industry-news/energy-and-resources/alberta-to-launch-single-oil-gas-regulator/article1886691/
Nathan VanderKlippe Calgary— Globe and Mail Update
Published Friday, Jan. 28, 2011 2:58PM EST
Last updated Friday, Jan. 28, 2011 3:09PM EST
The Alberta government is working to create a single body to approve and police oil and gas development for the province, a major shift that would move many responsibilities away from other parts of government.
A “regulatory enhancement task force” has recommended that the province’s Energy Resources Conservation Board be expanded to take on numerous new functions, including oil and gas land sales, the review of environmental impact assessments for new energy projects and the licensing of water use. [ . . . ]
More related to this story (Links are on website above.)
Total's Joslyn oil sands mine approved
Keystone link to Gulf finds enough producers
Neil Camarta: The face of the oil sands bears his scars proudly
=================
7. LETTER: SHIELDS: Reliving A Bad Tory Dream
From: lagran
To: Prime Minister/Premier ministre ; Layton, Jack - M.P. ; iggy
Sent: Friday, January 28, 2011 5:59 PM
Cc: David Swann ; brian mason ; goodale ; flaherty ; calgary.currie@assembly.ab.ca ; Bymak, Pat (The StarPhoenix) ; bill boyd ; Jerry Bellikka ; acameron@neb-one.gc.ca
Subject: Reliving A Bad Tory Dream
I'm quite happy that some writers have picked up on the very troublesome situation facing the Canadian public with respect to exporting their non-renewable energy resources! We have begun the exact same practices that killed the price of our largest exported product ---natural gas!! Mulroney's Free Trade and deregulation affected the world price for natural gas and destroyed the same in North America. Prior to Mulroney, natural gas exported had a price set in Canada equal to crude with respect to heat value; this was very fair for an energy importer since natural gas is easier to handle and much cleaner when spilled. The American Free-Trade negotiators pressed Simon Reisman into a corner when Mulroney demanded the Bill be ready for signing when U.S. President Regan was in Ottawa. The rest with Natural gas is history, notwithstanding the Canadian public have been paying industry to produce the product, subsidizing the low NAFTA market!!
Harper, by allowing abrasive bitumen slurry to export uncontrolled Thousands of miles to U.S. destinations, Canadians are living another bad Tory dream. With a resurgence in conventional oil discovered and new methods of production, we are more than satisfying the American market. What a stupid time to sell that black sticky muck that is both abrasive and corrosive. Had our " wicked wee mouse" in Alberta had the balls to stick with upgrading bitumen in Alberta to a light synthetic crude oil, pipelines to the coast would have been excepted, no one in their right mind wants bitumen anywhere near our coastal waters; indeed many have asked our Prime Minister to set atomic weights on the type of petro products allowed on our waters. The gap of $10 dollars plus seen now daily between West Texas and Brent North Sea product is a $10 loss to Canadians, all else being equal and above board
Although warned for years by Alberta Activism about exactly this terrible situation we now face, all Canadian government acted like proper Wobble-Wheels and ignored the seeable trend. Evan Frank McKenna the former ambassador to United States could not convince governments of impending danger of NAFTA trade. It was simply too easy to give industry more of the public take of profits and the howling would stop! Although the problem was still there and growing, our wobble-wheels would do nothing to address a miserable mistake, only try to sign more Free Trade Agreements to cover their lack of insight into international trade and foreign relations!!
We must now watch our Prime Minister Harper - who does not welcome heavy lifting - continue to indicate that Canada is doing fine!! Take away the 60 billion borrowed dollars and see how well we are doing!!
Stewart Shields
Lacombe, Alta.
= = = = = = = =
Price gap spells danger
http://www.thedailypress.ca/ArticleDisp ... e=2951610&
By SHARON SINGLETON, QMI AGENCY January 28, 2011
The growing gap between the world's two major oil price benchmarks represents risks for Canada's oil sands because they rely too heavily on the U.S. market, a new report said.
WTI oil prices, the U.S. reference point, have lagged Brent crude prices since last August, with the gap between the two contracts widening to $10 per barrel in January, Scotiabank said in its latest Commodity Price Index report.
Brent prices cover two-thirds of the world's oil.
"The wide discount for WTI oil off Brent highlights the commercial risk for Canada's oil patch of relying largely on one export market -- the United States," said Patricia Mohr, Scotiabank's vice-president of economics and commodity market specialist.
The spread between the two contracts hit a new record on Thursday, with the front-month March Brent contract trading in London at $98.56 a barrel, compared with $87.02 a barrel for the leading U.S. benchmark in New York.
There are various reasons for the price gap, chief among them being oversupply caused by a bottleneck in Cushing, Okla., the main pricing point for U.S.
Oil prices are also rising in Europe on severe winter weather.
Mohr said Canada needs to build more pipeline capacity or use existing rail links from Alberta to the B.C. coast to ship oil to fast-growing Asian markets and guarantee world prices for the oil.
MORE:
http://www.thedailypress.ca/ArticleDisp ... e=2951610&
======================
8. Alberta to promote tar sands in London, Brussels, Jan. 28 - Feb. 5
http://www.canadians.org/campaignblog/?p=6114
A Government of Alberta media release states that, “Energy Minister Ron Liepert will promote Alberta as a leading source of secure energy in the United Kingdom and Belgium, January 28 to February 5. …Liepert will address the Pan European Oil Sands Team Meeting in London.”
===================
9. It’s necessary to team up with dictators, oil sands firm says
http://thetyee.ca/Blogs/TheHook/Environment/
2011/01/28/dictators-Total-oil-sands/
By Geoff Dembicki January 28, 2011 01:15 pm
The CEO of French energy giant Total, a major Alberta oil sands investor, sees no problem making deals with dictators and corrupt regimes, so long as the oil and gas keeps flowing.
"It is nice to be in charge," Christophe De Margerie told Forbes magazine, "to travel and meet these people."
Some of those people, according to a profile appearing in the latest issue, include South Sudanese energy and mining minister Garan Diing Akuong; Yemen president Ali Abdullah Saleh; Congo-Brazzaville president Denis Sassou Nguesso; and Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin.
- - - - SNIP - - -
De Margerie’s company recently received government approval to build its $7-billion to $9-billion Joclyn open pit mine 70 km north of Fort McMurray.
“This decision continues the practice of allowing oilsands development despite increasing adverse effects,” Ecojustice staff lawyer Melissa Gorrie said Friday in a press release.
Green groups including Greenpeace and the Pembina Institute have “condemned” the project, saying its full ecological impacts have not been considered.
Canada’s new environment minister, Peter Kent, and Prime Minister Stephen Harper both refer to Alberta’s oil sands as “ethical oil.”
Geoff Dembicki reports for the Tyee.
====================
10. Ed was doomed after losing countryside
http://www.calgaryherald.com/news/
Verboven+doomed+after+losing+countryside/4192275/story.html
By Will Verboven, Calgary Herald January 30, 2011
A lot of post-mortems have been written since Premier Ed Stelmach's intend-to-resign announcement. If one considers all the political blunders pointed out by commentators, it would seem the only thing the premier didn't do was kick his dog. What was missing was that political sin that goes to the heart of the PC party in Alberta -- the premier lost the countryside.
The countryside is rather important to the PC party, as it forms the unshakable core of its elected MLAs. It was even considered ludicrous to imagine that any rural voter would think about voting anything but PC. That was until Stelmach became premier. He did the politically impossible -- he drove loyal PC rural voters to another party.
OK, it was another conservative party, but in the countryside, that's radical change. Recent polls indicated most rural folks plan to vote for someone other than a PC candidate. Even the most clueless government MLA could see their political butts were going to be kicked in the countryside, but the premier seemed oblivious to the gathering storm.
MORE:
http://www.calgaryherald.com/news/
Verboven+doomed+after+losing+countryside/4192275/story.html
==================
11. Federal Tories face divided loyalties in Alberta
http://www.cbc.ca/politics/story/2011/01/28/
ab-wildrose-pc-split.html#socialcomments
January 31, 2011
PCs, Wildrose Alliance contend for province's Conservatives
Ted Morton's appeal to supporters of the Wildrose Alliance could lead to split loyalties for the province's federal Tories.
The province's former finance minister, who resigned from cabinet in order to seek the leadership of the Progressive Conservative Party, said he plans to bring Wildrose Alliance members back into the Progressive Conservative fold.
The Wildrose Alliance saw its membership and profile increase during Ed Stelmach's term as premier, as some considered his government to be too liberal. Stelmach announced Tuesday that he will resign as premier and party leader at the end of the legislative session and will not run again.
- - - -SNIP - - -
This could spell trouble for federal Tories in the province, some of whom have been quietly supporting Wildrose to the detriment of the provincial PCs. But now that Morton hopes to lead the PC Party, those federal Conservatives may have to pick a side.
Federal Conservative supporters — including MPs — are already divided, Smith says.
"I have not wanted to create any difficulty for my friends in the federal party," she said on The House. "I know that there's a split in the support in their own caucus."
But, she added, she's not going to enter the fray.
"I'm not interested in fanning those flames," she said.
= = = = =
Ted Morton and his ‘phony Conservatives’ look to rebuild
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/
ted-morton-and-his-phony-conservatives-look-to-rebuild/article1887305/
JOSH WINGROVE EDMONTON— From Saturday's Globe and Mail
Published Friday, Jan. 28, 2011 9:22PM EST
Last updated Saturday, Jan. 29, 2011 8:39AM EST
To get a grasp of the suddenly overturned political landscape in Alberta and the uphill battle facing leadership candidate Ted Morton, consider the case of 77-year-old Stanley Schumacher.
It was in 1953 that Mr. Schumacher first bought his Alberta Progressive Conservative party membership. Since then, he’s been as PC as they come – serving as an MLA and as Speaker of the House. In the party’s 2006 leadership race, Mr. Schumacher raised money for Mr. Morton’s failed bid.
But much has changed. Mr. Schumacher, like so many conservatives in Alberta, has given up on the PC party, frustrated by large deficits, a flip-flop on energy royalties and a draconian land use law personally championed by Mr. Morton.
Now, after a showdown this week between former finance minister Mr. Morton and Premier Ed Stelmach led to both men’s surprise departure from cabinet, the party is seeking a new leader. Mr. Morton is running.
This time, Mr. Schumacher won’t be behind him.
MORE
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/
ted-morton-and-his-phony-conservatives-look-to-rebuild/article1887305/
More related to this story (Links are on website above.)
Alberta vendetta averted
Ted Morton vows to merge Alberta Conservatives with upstart Wildrose
Stelmach the latest casualty of resignation-by-coup
=====================
12. Groups File Appeal Over State Department’s Refusal to Disclose Communications with Tar Sands Oil Lobbyist
http://www.desmogblog.com/
groups-file-appeal-over-state-department%E2%80%99s-refusal-disclose-communications-tar-sands-oil-lobbyist
31 January 11
Three watchdog groups filed an appeal today with the U.S. State Department over its refusal to release correspondence between the agency and a former high-ranking presidential campaign staffer for Hillary Clinton. In his role as oil lobbyist, Paul Elliott is seeking Secretary of State Clinton’s approval for the controversial Keystone XL tar sands oil pipeline that would bring 900,000 barrels of tar sands a day over 2,000 miles through Montana, South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma and Texas to refineries on the Gulf Coast.
The coalition, including Friends of the Earth, the Center for International Environmental Law, and Corporate Ethics International submitted a FOIA request in December [PDF] targeted at Elliott, now lead lobbyist for TransCanada, the company aiming to build the pipeline. The request was rejected by the State Department, and Marcie Keever, legal director for Friends of the Earth, believes that the State Department did not have legitimate legal grounds to do so.
For the groups, the failure of the State Department to comply with its responsibility under the Freedom of Information Act is worrying, and further calls into question Clinton’s capacity to remain impartial on the pipeline decision.
“By refusing to disclose any documents, we contend that the State Department is violating the Freedom of Information Act,” said Keever. “We are hopeful that with this appeal the State Department will release communications between the oil lobbyist and Secretary Clinton and her staffers. If the agency doesn’t, we will take it to court if necessary.”
The State Department’s rejection of the groups’ FOIA request was criticized by independent FOIA experts and, unless overturned, threatens to force the issue into the courts.
MORE:
http://www.desmogblog.com/
groups-file-appeal-over-state-department%E2%80%99s-refusal-disclose-communications-tar-sands-oil-lobbyist
===================
13. TCEQ Buckles On Oil & Gas Rules Under Pressure From Industry
http://blogs.edf.org/texasenergyexchange/2011/01/28/
tceq-buckles-on-oil-gas-rules-under-pressure-from-industry/comment-page-1/#comment-4658
January 28, 2011 | Posted by Ramon Alvarez, Ph.D. in Clean Air, Climate, Natural Gas, Oil
After a 10-month process, the TCEQ finally ended the suspense regarding what emissions safeguards the oil and gas industry will have to follow in order to protect the citizens of Texas. On Wednesday, the TCEQ adopted a much, much weaker rule than the one it proposed in July (see details at the bottom of this post). The rule was dramatically scaled back to apply only to those living near the Barnett Shale near Dallas-Fort Worth and, miraculously, the process will begin anew to decide what protections will apply elsewhere.
MORE:
http://blogs.edf.org/texasenergyexchange/
2011/01/28/tceq-buckles-on-oil-gas-rules-under-pressure-from-industry/comment-page-1/#comment-4658
==============
14. Crude tactics rile Texans
http://www.grandforksherald.com/event/article/id/
191851/group/News/
By: Kim Murphy, Los Angeles Times Published January 29 2011
PORT ARTHUR, Texas — Texas has rarely met an oil facility it didn’t like. Ever since Spindletop sent a gush of crude 150 feet into the air near here in 1901, Texans have been mostly willing to put up with the spills, smokestack belches and massive refinery vistas that go along with big, fat pots of “Texas tea.”
But that was before a Canadian company, TransCanada Corp., came forward with a plan to build a 1,700-mile pipeline to carry heavy, high-pollutant oil from the tar sands under the boreal forests of northern Alberta, across the American heartland, through scenic ranchlands in the piney woods of east Texas and on to refineries near Houston and Port Arthur.
For many in Texas — who are holding meetings, passing out leaflets and hosting neighborhood talks with, of all people, the Sierra Club — the Keystone XL pipeline is a barrel too far.
Warnings that the pipeline could worsen the state’s already potent refinery emissions and threaten water supplies have riled up people not normally inclined to cotton to environmentalists; TransCanada’s heavy-handed approach to obtaining easements through rural property — a mix of dickering and threats of eminent domain — has populated the Sierra Club’s recent meetings with rural residents in denim shirts and silver belt buckles whose political inclinations lean more toward the tea party movement than eco-activism.
“Basically, what you’re saying is they’re going to shove it down our throat, whether we want it or not?” Charles Crouch, a former refinery worker, said at a meeting on the pipeline last month in Lufkin.
“That’s hard to do in Texas, I’ll tell you. We get riled up, and we’re going to figure out a way to stop this thing.”
The State Department is expected to decide soon whether to require additional environmental studies before approving the Keystone XL project, which would run through an aquifer in Nebraska that provides up to 25 percent of the nation’s agricultural irrigation, en route to Texas, where the Environmental Protection Agency has said more documentation is needed on potential worsening of poisonous refinery emissions.
Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton promised a “meticulous environmental review,” a standard conservationists say can be met only by doing a substantial number of new studies.
A similar pipeline in the $12 billion Keystone system, from Alberta to Oklahoma and on to market hubs in the Midwest, began operating in June.
Keystone XL would run 1,660 miles southeast through the same region to Cushing, Okla., then jut south to Houston and the Texas Gulf Coast.
Already, 12 Oklahoma residents who were sued by TransCanada over access to their property are mounting a legal case to question the public benefit of the pipeline.
Nebraskans, who staged a protest at the state Capitol this month, have been even more vociferous in opposition.
Even in Texas, dozens of people showed up at each of the Sierra Club meetings across the state in December, and many stayed on afterward to organize letter-writing campaigns and community resistance councils.
“Going into this, we didn’t know how Texans would respond. And I’ve honestly been surprised at how receptive Texans have been,” said Ian Davis, senior field organizing manager for the Sierra Club in Houston.
“There’s just something that the folks down here don’t like about a foreign oil pipeline coming through and threatening people with eminent domain, and threatening our lands and our water.”
MORE:
http://www.grandforksherald.com/event/article/id/
191851/group/News/
===============
15. Shell’s actions ‘impact’ the right to water in the Niger Delta
http://www.canadians.org/campaignblog/?p=6146
The Australian Broadcasting Corporation reports that, “Dutch oil company Shell has been grilled over its operations in Africa’s Niger Delta amid claims of pollution and abuses. Shell’s executives have been called before a parliamentary inquiry (into Shell) in the Hague (where the company’s headquarters are based and) asked about oil spills and gas flaring causing atmospheric pollution.”
====================
16. WATCH: Status of the Land (11 min.)
http://whoweare.ca/videos/7117ea7847c1cb18
Enrique Rivera seeks refuge in Canada because a mining company is putting his life in danger. Ironically that mining company belongs to a Canadian corporation. This an overview of what a refuge seekers had to experience while facing an indifferent immigration system.
===================
17. Cooking with Sunshine - Saving More Than Energy
http://www.nextworldtv.com/videos/energ ... shine.html
Did you now that a solar oven can cost as little as $5 and last two years?
SCI stands for Solar Cookers International, a Sacramento, CA non- profit organization that with the help of other aid groups have trained more than 30,000 people in developing countries to cook with the sun. They are spotlighted in this National Geographic clip.
This amazing invention is a perfect solution to so many problems that transcend simply saving energy.
In developing countries, women have to walk 2- 3 miles to get firewood to cook with. Having this constant indoor pollution burns their eyes and chokes their lungs. The solar oven puts an end to these problems as well as deforestation.
Another truly life saving aspect of the solar oven: It can be used as a sustainable way to purify water. If you heat water to 65 degrees Celsius (149 degrees Fahrenheit) you can pasteurize it and make it safe to drink. See in the video how they created a simple way to measure if the water has reached this temperature.
One happy recipient says: "We are all amazed that a cardboard box can cook!" --Bibi Farber
===================
18. Hide Your Kids, Hide Your Wife: Not Even Canadians are Safe from the Kochs Anymore
http://www.desmogblog.com/hide-your-kids-hide-your-wife
By Emma Pullman Created 2011-01-27 05:00 charles_koch_david_koch.jpg [1]
From Koch Industries' roots as "the biggest company you've never heard of [2]", David and Charles Koch have become household names for funding climate change denial and efforts to steer the United States away from a clean energy future. They suffered a little hiccup when California voters failed to buy the arguments of the dirty oil interests bankrolling Prop 23 [3].
Then, when David Koch was booed at the Nutcracker ballet [4] just before Christmas, it started to look like the tides were shifting on public opinion around the billionaire brothers. Despite the headway made in holding the Koch Brothers to account, they've creeped their way into Canada.
Well, let me be clear. It's not as though Koch Industries is a totally foreign force in Canada. Koch and its subsidiaries currently operate in seven Canadian provinces [5], and according to a Greenpeace report [6], Koch has held multiple leases in Alberta's tar sands, and since the 1990s the Koch Pipeline Company [7] has operated the pipelines that carry tar sands crude from Canada into Minnesota and Wisconsin where Koch’s Flint Hill Resources owns oil refineries [8]. On the policy development front, they've busily bankrolled Canada's Fraser Institute [9] to the tune of $175,000 between 2005 and 2008 to ensure Canada remains in the Stone Ages when it comes to environmental policy.
This time though, it's gotten political. According to Chris Genovali's piece in the Huffington Post [10], renewable energy [11] in Ontario is under attack by the Kochtopus.
The Ontario Green Energy Act [12] has been heralded by Al Gore himself as the "single best green energy program on the North American continent." Environmental Defence [13] touts it as a monumental success, demonstrating that one year in, the law is steering the province into a prominent position as a global leader of economic and environmental renewal, on par with European standards.
After all the jobs the Green Energy Act has created and accolades it has received, it is curious that Tim Hudak [14], leader of Ontario's Conservative party, would try to scuttle it.
To make matters even worse, Hudak is confusing the public by using phoney astroturf research.
His fake green turf of choice is the now well-debunked [15] "Spanish study on renewable energy jobs". The 2009 study, the "Study of the effects on employment of public aid to renewable energy sources [16]," by Gabriel Calzada Alvarez, an economics professor at King Juan Carlos University in Madrid, was funded by the American Energy Alliance [17], a "free-market think tank" funded by the Kochtopus [18] and ExxonMobil.
According to Dr. Alvarez’s ginned-up study, Spain's policy on renewable energy caused the country to lose jobs. It erroneously implies that the cost of creating a renewable energy job is higher than the average cost of creating a job in Spain, and outrageously claims that Spain’s policy commitments to renewable energy development actually cost Spain 2.2 jobs lost for each clean energy job created. The study has made its rounds through the echo chamber, and was used to fight the Obama Administration's 2010 budget proposal to create tax incentives for clean energy programs, and to oppose efforts to promote growth in the renewable energy industry.
Though a favourite of renewable energy detractors, the study has been thoroughly debunked by the Spanish government [19], U.S. Department of Energy [20], and numerous others [18] (though apparently the Toronto Sun [21] didn't get the memo). And the American Wind Energy Association [22] notes that "The Spanish Ministry of Labor has found that... renewable energy industries have created 175,000 jobs and the European Commission found that aggressive renewable policy would create a net increase of over 400,000 in the European Union by 2020, giving a 'significant boost to the economy and the number of jobs in the EU.'"
MORE:
http://www.desmogblog.com/hide-your-kids-hide-your-wife
1. WHY ARE WE PAYING TO HAVE OUR GROUND WATER CONTAMINATED? WHY ARE WE PAYING TO HAVE OUR PROPERTY RIGHTS TAKEN AWAY?
2. Leaky shale gas well 'very, very worrying': Quebec Environment Department
3. Report levels harsh criticism at Alberta oilsands monitor Regional Aquatics program has met only one of nine goals: review
4. Waxman, Markey, and DeGette Investigation Finds Continued Use of Diesel in Hydraulic Fracturing Fluids
5. LETTER: MALSBURY: One Regulator....What Does That Mean?
6. LETTER: SHIELDS: Banksters and Prairie Boys!!
7. LETTER: SHIELDS: Reliving A Bad Tory Dream
8. Alberta to promote tar sands in London, Brussels, Jan. 28 - Feb. 5
9. It’s necessary to team up with dictators, oil sands firm says
10. Ed was doomed after losing countryside
11. Federal Tories face divided loyalties in Alberta
12. Groups File Appeal Over State Department’s Refusal to Disclose Communications with Tar Sands Oil Lobbyist
13. TCEQ Buckles On Oil & Gas Rules Under Pressure From Industry
14. Crude tactics rile Texans
15. Shell’s actions ‘impact’ the right to water in the Niger Delta
16. WATCH: Status of the Land (11 min.)
17. Cooking with Sunshine - Saving More Than Energy
18. Hide Your Kids, Hide Your Wife: Not Even Canadians are Safe from the Kochs Anymore
=================
1. WHY ARE WE PAYING TO HAVE OUR GROUND WATER CONTAMINATED? WHY ARE WE PAYING TO HAVE OUR PROPERTY RIGHTS TAKEN AWAY?
http://www.albertasurfacerights.com/articles/?id=875
These are only a few of the questions that need to be asked of the Alberta Government.
All are welcome to attend the information meeting regarding Bill 24
February 1, 2011 - 7:30 pm
Trochu Community Centre
Guest Speaker: Rob Anderson MLA - Airdrie - Chestermere
Presented by: Alberta Surface Rights Group (Amalgamation of Pine Lake & Red Raven Surface Rights)
This is a meeting that YOU need to attend to find out why
Members: $5.00 Non Members $10.00
Industry and Regulators $100.00
Memberships available at the door $50.00
Sponsored by Westview Co-op - Your one stop for high quality lubricant products
Visit our website:
www.albertasurfacerights.com
================
2. Leaky shale gas well 'very, very worrying': Quebec Environment Department
http://www.montrealgazette.com/
Leaky+shale+well+very+very+worrying+Quebec+Environment+Department/4187582/story.html# ixzz1CS9DHAvZ
BY KEVIN DOUGHERTY, QUEBEC BUREAU, MONTREAL GAZETTE JANUARY 28, 2011
QUEBEC - A Quebec Environment Department official finds an uncontrolled gas leak at a shale gas well near St. Hyacinthe "very, very worrying," and fears the leak "could lead to contamination of underground water."
The well, operated by Calgary-based Canbriam Energy Quebec Partnership, is giving off methane gas that could threaten "the life, health, safety, well being or comfort of human beings," the department said in a notice sent by the company.
"We ask you to proceed immediately with the necessary corrections to stop these emissions," the notice adds. "As well, safety measures at the site should be established to ensure the protection of persons and property."
After Environment Minister Pierre Arcand said last week Quebec's budding shale-gas industry was "not in control of the situation," inspectors from his department issued infraction notices to Canbriam and to Talisman Energy Inc. for a leak at its Leclercville well.
Canbriam spokesperson Donna Phillips said from Calgary Friday that there are no water wells near the La Présentation site and the amount of gas - 2.5 cubic metres a day - is "very small."
"There is absolutely no risk," Phillips said.
But Pierre Paquin, spokesperson for the Quebec Environment Department on shale gas issues, called the La Présentation leak, not in the well, but seven metres away, "significant."
"For us, La Présentation is the most worrying now," Paquin said.
He explained that the gas, released after fracking operations to free the gas from shale rock formations, is escaping from deep in the ground.
The gas is under so much pressure that it has found its own way to the surface, he said.
MORE:
http://www.montrealgazette.com/
Leaky+shale+well+very+very+worrying+Quebec+Environment+Department/4187582/story.html# ixzz1CS9DHAvZ
===================
3. Report levels harsh criticism at Alberta oilsands monitor Regional Aquatics program has met only one of nine goals: review
http://www.edmontonjournal.com/business/
Report+levels+harsh+criticism+Alberta+oilsands+monitor/4197592/story.html
By Hanneke Brooymans, cedmontonjournal.com January 31, 2011 12:06 PM
EDMONTON - The organization charged with monitoring aquatic impacts of the oilsands industry was hit with a highly critical external review report Monday.
The report says that the existing Regional Aquatics Monitoring Program is not sufficient to detect changes if they occur, couldn’t identify potential sources for change if the changes are detected, is not asking the types of questions that the program should be asking, nor is it monitoring the kinds of things they should be to answer the proper questions.
The report says only one of RAMP’s nine objectives has been met, while another has been partially met. Four other objectives have not been met and there is not enough information to judge the other three objectives.
The nine reviewers, headed by a program leader in a government agency called Alberta Innovates, say the program needs to be expanded both in time and space. Before and after studies should be done to determine the industry’s impact and monitoring needs to be done over a larger geographic area, they suggest. “A program of this scale and magnitude is beyond the resources that are currently available within RAMP.”
To read the full report, go to:http://www.rampalberta.org/UserFiles/File/
RAMP%202010%20Scientific%20Peer%20Review%20Report.pdf
MORE:
http://www.edmontonjournal.com/business/
Report+levels+harsh+criticism+Alberta+oilsands+monitor/4197592/story.
=================
4. Waxman, Markey, and DeGette Investigation Finds Continued Use of Diesel in Hydraulic Fracturing Fluids
http://democrats.energycommerce.house.gov/
index.php?q=news/waxman-markey-and-degette-investigation-finds-continued-use-of-diesel-in-hydraulic-fracturing-f
Jan 31, 2011
Today Reps. Henry A. Waxman, Edward J. Markey, and Diana DeGette sent a letter to the Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lisa Jackson regarding the results of an investigation into the use of diesel fuel in hydraulic fracturing fluids.
The congressional investigation finds that oil and gas service companies have injected over 32 million gallons of diesel fuel or hydraulic fracturing fluids containing diesel fuel in wells in 19 states between 2005 and 2009. In addition, the investigation finds 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, which appears to be a violation of the Safe Drinking Water Act.
Below is the full text of the letter:
January 31, 2011
The Honorable Lisa Jackson, Administrator
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Ariel Rios Building, 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20460
Dear Administrator Jackson:
We have been investigating the practice of hydraulic fracturing and its potential impact on water quality in the United States. Because EPA is also examining this issue, we are writing to share our findings regarding the use of diesel fuel in hydraulic fracturing fluids.
In 2003, EPA signed a memorandum of agreement with the three largest providers of hydraulic fracturing to eliminate the use of diesel fuel in coalbed methane formations in underground sources of drinking water. Two years later, Congress exempted hydraulic fracturing from the Safe Drinking Water Act except when the fracturing fluids contain diesel. As a result, many assumed that the industry stopped using diesel fuel altogether in hydraulic fracturing.
Our investigation has found that this is not the case. Between 2005 and 2009, oil and gas service companies injected 32.2 million gallons of diesel fuel or hydraulic fracturing fluids containing diesel fuel in wells in 19 states. Halliburton injected more than 7 million gallons of diesel fuel or fluids containing diesel; BJ Services injected even more, 11.5 million gallons.
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.
Full text of the letter:
http://democrats.energycommerce.house.gov/
index.php?q=news/waxman-markey-and-degette-investigation-finds-continued-use-of-diesel-in-hydraulic-fracturing-f
===================
5. LETTER: MALSBURY: One Regulator....What Does That Mean?
http://www.albertasurfacerights.com/articles/?id=904
January 29, 2011
Right below this article you will see the news story where Ron Liepert announces there will be one regulator for oil and gas. Ron makes it sound like a pretty good deal, but is it? For who?
Last fall I participated in the "Competitive Regulatory Review" along with three of my colleagues. We were invited to participate in a one-day conference in Edmonton by the Department of Energy. I came away with a feeling of total disgust.
The whole thing was orchestrated to come to a pre-planned conclusion. The Review was almost entirely made up of oil company employees and government staff. We were the "token peasants" I guess?
Here’s how it worked: A government speaker would get up and give a little speech about how we needed to get rid of any environmental oversight (pesky things like water testing, reclamation standards, air quality controls, etc.) due to the fact we were "uncompetitive" with the bottom rung places in the world (like Saskatchewan, Nigeria, Ghana)! Then we would go off into groups for breakout sessions to discuss the topic and come to a "group consensus"....of course faithfully herded along by our "group facilitator"...an energy department employee. So here I am, one old farmboy in with about 30 guys from Encana, Suncor, Chevron, Conoco, etc.! Now I wasn't exactly a wallflower...I gave it a good shot...to the point the "facilitator" wouldn't even acknowledge me!
In the meantime my three fellow directors of the Alberta Surface Rights Group were doing the same in different groups...punching away against the odds!
Anyway we spent all day going back and forth. Hear another little speech...off for another round at the breakout session! The whole thing was designed to lead us down the garden path...right to where they wanted to go! Of special note was the subject of "the ERCB should be the sole regulator"....I sure sounded off on that one...I said the ERCB has no credibility with landowners...they have proven time and time again what skunks they are....when a landowner beats them in court they simply change the rules....etc. etc......I got pretty vocal and passionate on that one! It seemed to get the facilitators' pants in a knot!
At the end of the day, the guy running the show (from Encana) trotted up to the podium and said "Well all our groups have reached a consensus "We need to have one regulator and the ERCB looks like the best bet. I'll forward the results to Minister Liepert. (Ronnie didn't lower himself to associate with the peons...he sent Cal Dallas and Dianne McQueen to spread the gospel)"!
So that was that. What does it mean? Sustainable Resources....OUT! Environment.....OUT! ERCB.....IN!
No more Surface Rights Board hearings. No more environmental oversight. Now when you can't negotiate a settlement with a company...the ERCB will judge what is acceptable! Now when a company ruins your water or they pollute your land....the ERCB will decide!.......or to make a long story short....the oil company will decide!
Here's $5000 for your lease....take it or leave it.....No? you don't think it’s enough, you got $18,000 for a lease five years ago?......didn't you get a memo that we are now competitive?......wait a second while I phone the ERCB.....Okay, we have approval...the cats come in tommorrow....here’s your $5000....and get your damned cows out of that field tonight!
Competitive....right?
Doug Malsbury, Penhold, Alberta
= = = = = =
Alberta Moves to One Regulator
http://www.albertasurfacerights.com/articles/?id=903
By Shaun Polczer and Dan Healing, Calgary Herald January 28, 2011
Alberta Energy Minister Ron Liepert announced plans to move to a single regulator for oil and gas.
CALGARY - The Alberta government on Friday took steps to create a single regulator for the oil and gas sector to improve its competitiveness but critics complained the changes come at the expense of the province's environmental and land use policies.
In a move welcomed by industry but criticized by opposition and environmental groups, Energy minister Ron Liepert accepted the report of a task force that recommends combining the regulatory functions of three ministries into a single authority. He also vowed to introduce legislation that could result in an expanded role for the province's oil and gas regulators by spring.
MORE:
http://www.albertasurfacerights.com/articles/?id=903
================
6. LETTER: SHIELDS: Banksters and Prairie Boys!!
From: lagran
To: David Swann ; brian mason ; calgary.currie@assembly.ab.ca
Cc: Minister, EMPR EMPR:EX ; iggy ; goodale ; flaherty ; bill boyd ; Jerry Bellikka ; acameron@neb-one.gc.ca
Sent: Saturday, January 29, 2011 10:02 AM
Subject: Banksters and Prairie Boys!!
One of the major outcomes of turning more power over to the troubled ERCB is the fact they are not headquartered in the government city of Edmonton, but recently moved to new digs in the industry city of Calgary!! This on the surface may not seem important; however, as one who has fought the ERCB on an illegal sour gas well, I find it strange that those in government know so little about the industry Alberta relies on for survival. With every item that moves to the ERCB for resolution so does any information or participation of our government and opposition parties!
How many opposition members really agree that giving 30 million of Alberta public dollars to the Alberta Orphan Well Fund is a proper way to stimulate Alberta's economy, or even a just way to use public dollars? The matter now lays with the ERCB in Calgary never to be spoken about in Edmonton circles! How many understand the Public Royalty Tax Credits pay for the drilling of most Alberta oil-gas wells, along with much of the expense of completions, but Albertan get nothing in ownership for being the major entity in the development of Alberta wells? Saskatchewan is almost identical! Industry knows better than to try these stunts in Norway, where they would be booted back to North America!
The ERCB has this very strange arrangement whereby they do not levy cash fines to industry as a means of gaining compliance. Facilities, if anything, may find themselves shut down, stopping the dribble of royalties payable to the Alberta public. Thus, it is the Alberta public who receive punishment for energy industries’ mistakes in Alberta! Another great injustice is having the ERCB audit production numbers and production reports in Alberta. The ERCB who enjoy curling in oilman's bonspiels, have never even caught a cold let alone royalty cheating! I like to refer to Exxon Mobil ordered to pay U.S. 11.9 billion on Nov.14 2003 by an Alabama jury in a suit over natural gas royalties. Any wonder CAPP readily agreed to pay the majority of the ERCB's Budget directly to ERCB's coffers!!
Again all these items will be leaving the Edmonton region and realm and calmly handled by the industry folks in Calgary! Alberta Activism have asked over and over to have the ERCB headquarters moved to Edmonton to allow better government supervision of industry events. After the great embarrassment of being found guilty of using covert undercover agents against the Alberta public and an admitted bias toward industry, all government folks became tone deaf and our requests found NO fertile ears. Remember each item transferred to the ERCB in the future leaves the realm of government in Edmonton and resides with the realm of industry in Calgary. CAPP should be very, very proud of this coup for the industry they represent!! Now Albertans - let’s talk about bills #9, #6, and #50!
Stewart Shields
Lacombe,
= = = = =
Alberta to launch single oil, gas regulator
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/
industry-news/energy-and-resources/alberta-to-launch-single-oil-gas-regulator/article1886691/
Nathan VanderKlippe Calgary— Globe and Mail Update
Published Friday, Jan. 28, 2011 2:58PM EST
Last updated Friday, Jan. 28, 2011 3:09PM EST
The Alberta government is working to create a single body to approve and police oil and gas development for the province, a major shift that would move many responsibilities away from other parts of government.
A “regulatory enhancement task force” has recommended that the province’s Energy Resources Conservation Board be expanded to take on numerous new functions, including oil and gas land sales, the review of environmental impact assessments for new energy projects and the licensing of water use. [ . . . ]
More related to this story (Links are on website above.)
Total's Joslyn oil sands mine approved
Keystone link to Gulf finds enough producers
Neil Camarta: The face of the oil sands bears his scars proudly
=================
7. LETTER: SHIELDS: Reliving A Bad Tory Dream
From: lagran
To: Prime Minister/Premier ministre ; Layton, Jack - M.P. ; iggy
Sent: Friday, January 28, 2011 5:59 PM
Cc: David Swann ; brian mason ; goodale ; flaherty ; calgary.currie@assembly.ab.ca ; Bymak, Pat (The StarPhoenix) ; bill boyd ; Jerry Bellikka ; acameron@neb-one.gc.ca
Subject: Reliving A Bad Tory Dream
I'm quite happy that some writers have picked up on the very troublesome situation facing the Canadian public with respect to exporting their non-renewable energy resources! We have begun the exact same practices that killed the price of our largest exported product ---natural gas!! Mulroney's Free Trade and deregulation affected the world price for natural gas and destroyed the same in North America. Prior to Mulroney, natural gas exported had a price set in Canada equal to crude with respect to heat value; this was very fair for an energy importer since natural gas is easier to handle and much cleaner when spilled. The American Free-Trade negotiators pressed Simon Reisman into a corner when Mulroney demanded the Bill be ready for signing when U.S. President Regan was in Ottawa. The rest with Natural gas is history, notwithstanding the Canadian public have been paying industry to produce the product, subsidizing the low NAFTA market!!
Harper, by allowing abrasive bitumen slurry to export uncontrolled Thousands of miles to U.S. destinations, Canadians are living another bad Tory dream. With a resurgence in conventional oil discovered and new methods of production, we are more than satisfying the American market. What a stupid time to sell that black sticky muck that is both abrasive and corrosive. Had our " wicked wee mouse" in Alberta had the balls to stick with upgrading bitumen in Alberta to a light synthetic crude oil, pipelines to the coast would have been excepted, no one in their right mind wants bitumen anywhere near our coastal waters; indeed many have asked our Prime Minister to set atomic weights on the type of petro products allowed on our waters. The gap of $10 dollars plus seen now daily between West Texas and Brent North Sea product is a $10 loss to Canadians, all else being equal and above board
Although warned for years by Alberta Activism about exactly this terrible situation we now face, all Canadian government acted like proper Wobble-Wheels and ignored the seeable trend. Evan Frank McKenna the former ambassador to United States could not convince governments of impending danger of NAFTA trade. It was simply too easy to give industry more of the public take of profits and the howling would stop! Although the problem was still there and growing, our wobble-wheels would do nothing to address a miserable mistake, only try to sign more Free Trade Agreements to cover their lack of insight into international trade and foreign relations!!
We must now watch our Prime Minister Harper - who does not welcome heavy lifting - continue to indicate that Canada is doing fine!! Take away the 60 billion borrowed dollars and see how well we are doing!!
Stewart Shields
Lacombe, Alta.
= = = = = = = =
Price gap spells danger
http://www.thedailypress.ca/ArticleDisp ... e=2951610&
By SHARON SINGLETON, QMI AGENCY January 28, 2011
The growing gap between the world's two major oil price benchmarks represents risks for Canada's oil sands because they rely too heavily on the U.S. market, a new report said.
WTI oil prices, the U.S. reference point, have lagged Brent crude prices since last August, with the gap between the two contracts widening to $10 per barrel in January, Scotiabank said in its latest Commodity Price Index report.
Brent prices cover two-thirds of the world's oil.
"The wide discount for WTI oil off Brent highlights the commercial risk for Canada's oil patch of relying largely on one export market -- the United States," said Patricia Mohr, Scotiabank's vice-president of economics and commodity market specialist.
The spread between the two contracts hit a new record on Thursday, with the front-month March Brent contract trading in London at $98.56 a barrel, compared with $87.02 a barrel for the leading U.S. benchmark in New York.
There are various reasons for the price gap, chief among them being oversupply caused by a bottleneck in Cushing, Okla., the main pricing point for U.S.
Oil prices are also rising in Europe on severe winter weather.
Mohr said Canada needs to build more pipeline capacity or use existing rail links from Alberta to the B.C. coast to ship oil to fast-growing Asian markets and guarantee world prices for the oil.
MORE:
http://www.thedailypress.ca/ArticleDisp ... e=2951610&
======================
8. Alberta to promote tar sands in London, Brussels, Jan. 28 - Feb. 5
http://www.canadians.org/campaignblog/?p=6114
A Government of Alberta media release states that, “Energy Minister Ron Liepert will promote Alberta as a leading source of secure energy in the United Kingdom and Belgium, January 28 to February 5. …Liepert will address the Pan European Oil Sands Team Meeting in London.”
===================
9. It’s necessary to team up with dictators, oil sands firm says
http://thetyee.ca/Blogs/TheHook/Environment/
2011/01/28/dictators-Total-oil-sands/
By Geoff Dembicki January 28, 2011 01:15 pm
The CEO of French energy giant Total, a major Alberta oil sands investor, sees no problem making deals with dictators and corrupt regimes, so long as the oil and gas keeps flowing.
"It is nice to be in charge," Christophe De Margerie told Forbes magazine, "to travel and meet these people."
Some of those people, according to a profile appearing in the latest issue, include South Sudanese energy and mining minister Garan Diing Akuong; Yemen president Ali Abdullah Saleh; Congo-Brazzaville president Denis Sassou Nguesso; and Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin.
- - - - SNIP - - -
De Margerie’s company recently received government approval to build its $7-billion to $9-billion Joclyn open pit mine 70 km north of Fort McMurray.
“This decision continues the practice of allowing oilsands development despite increasing adverse effects,” Ecojustice staff lawyer Melissa Gorrie said Friday in a press release.
Green groups including Greenpeace and the Pembina Institute have “condemned” the project, saying its full ecological impacts have not been considered.
Canada’s new environment minister, Peter Kent, and Prime Minister Stephen Harper both refer to Alberta’s oil sands as “ethical oil.”
Geoff Dembicki reports for the Tyee.
====================
10. Ed was doomed after losing countryside
http://www.calgaryherald.com/news/
Verboven+doomed+after+losing+countryside/4192275/story.html
By Will Verboven, Calgary Herald January 30, 2011
A lot of post-mortems have been written since Premier Ed Stelmach's intend-to-resign announcement. If one considers all the political blunders pointed out by commentators, it would seem the only thing the premier didn't do was kick his dog. What was missing was that political sin that goes to the heart of the PC party in Alberta -- the premier lost the countryside.
The countryside is rather important to the PC party, as it forms the unshakable core of its elected MLAs. It was even considered ludicrous to imagine that any rural voter would think about voting anything but PC. That was until Stelmach became premier. He did the politically impossible -- he drove loyal PC rural voters to another party.
OK, it was another conservative party, but in the countryside, that's radical change. Recent polls indicated most rural folks plan to vote for someone other than a PC candidate. Even the most clueless government MLA could see their political butts were going to be kicked in the countryside, but the premier seemed oblivious to the gathering storm.
MORE:
http://www.calgaryherald.com/news/
Verboven+doomed+after+losing+countryside/4192275/story.html
==================
11. Federal Tories face divided loyalties in Alberta
http://www.cbc.ca/politics/story/2011/01/28/
ab-wildrose-pc-split.html#socialcomments
January 31, 2011
PCs, Wildrose Alliance contend for province's Conservatives
Ted Morton's appeal to supporters of the Wildrose Alliance could lead to split loyalties for the province's federal Tories.
The province's former finance minister, who resigned from cabinet in order to seek the leadership of the Progressive Conservative Party, said he plans to bring Wildrose Alliance members back into the Progressive Conservative fold.
The Wildrose Alliance saw its membership and profile increase during Ed Stelmach's term as premier, as some considered his government to be too liberal. Stelmach announced Tuesday that he will resign as premier and party leader at the end of the legislative session and will not run again.
- - - -SNIP - - -
This could spell trouble for federal Tories in the province, some of whom have been quietly supporting Wildrose to the detriment of the provincial PCs. But now that Morton hopes to lead the PC Party, those federal Conservatives may have to pick a side.
Federal Conservative supporters — including MPs — are already divided, Smith says.
"I have not wanted to create any difficulty for my friends in the federal party," she said on The House. "I know that there's a split in the support in their own caucus."
But, she added, she's not going to enter the fray.
"I'm not interested in fanning those flames," she said.
= = = = =
Ted Morton and his ‘phony Conservatives’ look to rebuild
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/
ted-morton-and-his-phony-conservatives-look-to-rebuild/article1887305/
JOSH WINGROVE EDMONTON— From Saturday's Globe and Mail
Published Friday, Jan. 28, 2011 9:22PM EST
Last updated Saturday, Jan. 29, 2011 8:39AM EST
To get a grasp of the suddenly overturned political landscape in Alberta and the uphill battle facing leadership candidate Ted Morton, consider the case of 77-year-old Stanley Schumacher.
It was in 1953 that Mr. Schumacher first bought his Alberta Progressive Conservative party membership. Since then, he’s been as PC as they come – serving as an MLA and as Speaker of the House. In the party’s 2006 leadership race, Mr. Schumacher raised money for Mr. Morton’s failed bid.
But much has changed. Mr. Schumacher, like so many conservatives in Alberta, has given up on the PC party, frustrated by large deficits, a flip-flop on energy royalties and a draconian land use law personally championed by Mr. Morton.
Now, after a showdown this week between former finance minister Mr. Morton and Premier Ed Stelmach led to both men’s surprise departure from cabinet, the party is seeking a new leader. Mr. Morton is running.
This time, Mr. Schumacher won’t be behind him.
MORE
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/
ted-morton-and-his-phony-conservatives-look-to-rebuild/article1887305/
More related to this story (Links are on website above.)
Alberta vendetta averted
Ted Morton vows to merge Alberta Conservatives with upstart Wildrose
Stelmach the latest casualty of resignation-by-coup
=====================
12. Groups File Appeal Over State Department’s Refusal to Disclose Communications with Tar Sands Oil Lobbyist
http://www.desmogblog.com/
groups-file-appeal-over-state-department%E2%80%99s-refusal-disclose-communications-tar-sands-oil-lobbyist
31 January 11
Three watchdog groups filed an appeal today with the U.S. State Department over its refusal to release correspondence between the agency and a former high-ranking presidential campaign staffer for Hillary Clinton. In his role as oil lobbyist, Paul Elliott is seeking Secretary of State Clinton’s approval for the controversial Keystone XL tar sands oil pipeline that would bring 900,000 barrels of tar sands a day over 2,000 miles through Montana, South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma and Texas to refineries on the Gulf Coast.
The coalition, including Friends of the Earth, the Center for International Environmental Law, and Corporate Ethics International submitted a FOIA request in December [PDF] targeted at Elliott, now lead lobbyist for TransCanada, the company aiming to build the pipeline. The request was rejected by the State Department, and Marcie Keever, legal director for Friends of the Earth, believes that the State Department did not have legitimate legal grounds to do so.
For the groups, the failure of the State Department to comply with its responsibility under the Freedom of Information Act is worrying, and further calls into question Clinton’s capacity to remain impartial on the pipeline decision.
“By refusing to disclose any documents, we contend that the State Department is violating the Freedom of Information Act,” said Keever. “We are hopeful that with this appeal the State Department will release communications between the oil lobbyist and Secretary Clinton and her staffers. If the agency doesn’t, we will take it to court if necessary.”
The State Department’s rejection of the groups’ FOIA request was criticized by independent FOIA experts and, unless overturned, threatens to force the issue into the courts.
MORE:
http://www.desmogblog.com/
groups-file-appeal-over-state-department%E2%80%99s-refusal-disclose-communications-tar-sands-oil-lobbyist
===================
13. TCEQ Buckles On Oil & Gas Rules Under Pressure From Industry
http://blogs.edf.org/texasenergyexchange/2011/01/28/
tceq-buckles-on-oil-gas-rules-under-pressure-from-industry/comment-page-1/#comment-4658
January 28, 2011 | Posted by Ramon Alvarez, Ph.D. in Clean Air, Climate, Natural Gas, Oil
After a 10-month process, the TCEQ finally ended the suspense regarding what emissions safeguards the oil and gas industry will have to follow in order to protect the citizens of Texas. On Wednesday, the TCEQ adopted a much, much weaker rule than the one it proposed in July (see details at the bottom of this post). The rule was dramatically scaled back to apply only to those living near the Barnett Shale near Dallas-Fort Worth and, miraculously, the process will begin anew to decide what protections will apply elsewhere.
MORE:
http://blogs.edf.org/texasenergyexchange/
2011/01/28/tceq-buckles-on-oil-gas-rules-under-pressure-from-industry/comment-page-1/#comment-4658
==============
14. Crude tactics rile Texans
http://www.grandforksherald.com/event/article/id/
191851/group/News/
By: Kim Murphy, Los Angeles Times Published January 29 2011
PORT ARTHUR, Texas — Texas has rarely met an oil facility it didn’t like. Ever since Spindletop sent a gush of crude 150 feet into the air near here in 1901, Texans have been mostly willing to put up with the spills, smokestack belches and massive refinery vistas that go along with big, fat pots of “Texas tea.”
But that was before a Canadian company, TransCanada Corp., came forward with a plan to build a 1,700-mile pipeline to carry heavy, high-pollutant oil from the tar sands under the boreal forests of northern Alberta, across the American heartland, through scenic ranchlands in the piney woods of east Texas and on to refineries near Houston and Port Arthur.
For many in Texas — who are holding meetings, passing out leaflets and hosting neighborhood talks with, of all people, the Sierra Club — the Keystone XL pipeline is a barrel too far.
Warnings that the pipeline could worsen the state’s already potent refinery emissions and threaten water supplies have riled up people not normally inclined to cotton to environmentalists; TransCanada’s heavy-handed approach to obtaining easements through rural property — a mix of dickering and threats of eminent domain — has populated the Sierra Club’s recent meetings with rural residents in denim shirts and silver belt buckles whose political inclinations lean more toward the tea party movement than eco-activism.
“Basically, what you’re saying is they’re going to shove it down our throat, whether we want it or not?” Charles Crouch, a former refinery worker, said at a meeting on the pipeline last month in Lufkin.
“That’s hard to do in Texas, I’ll tell you. We get riled up, and we’re going to figure out a way to stop this thing.”
The State Department is expected to decide soon whether to require additional environmental studies before approving the Keystone XL project, which would run through an aquifer in Nebraska that provides up to 25 percent of the nation’s agricultural irrigation, en route to Texas, where the Environmental Protection Agency has said more documentation is needed on potential worsening of poisonous refinery emissions.
Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton promised a “meticulous environmental review,” a standard conservationists say can be met only by doing a substantial number of new studies.
A similar pipeline in the $12 billion Keystone system, from Alberta to Oklahoma and on to market hubs in the Midwest, began operating in June.
Keystone XL would run 1,660 miles southeast through the same region to Cushing, Okla., then jut south to Houston and the Texas Gulf Coast.
Already, 12 Oklahoma residents who were sued by TransCanada over access to their property are mounting a legal case to question the public benefit of the pipeline.
Nebraskans, who staged a protest at the state Capitol this month, have been even more vociferous in opposition.
Even in Texas, dozens of people showed up at each of the Sierra Club meetings across the state in December, and many stayed on afterward to organize letter-writing campaigns and community resistance councils.
“Going into this, we didn’t know how Texans would respond. And I’ve honestly been surprised at how receptive Texans have been,” said Ian Davis, senior field organizing manager for the Sierra Club in Houston.
“There’s just something that the folks down here don’t like about a foreign oil pipeline coming through and threatening people with eminent domain, and threatening our lands and our water.”
MORE:
http://www.grandforksherald.com/event/article/id/
191851/group/News/
===============
15. Shell’s actions ‘impact’ the right to water in the Niger Delta
http://www.canadians.org/campaignblog/?p=6146
The Australian Broadcasting Corporation reports that, “Dutch oil company Shell has been grilled over its operations in Africa’s Niger Delta amid claims of pollution and abuses. Shell’s executives have been called before a parliamentary inquiry (into Shell) in the Hague (where the company’s headquarters are based and) asked about oil spills and gas flaring causing atmospheric pollution.”
====================
16. WATCH: Status of the Land (11 min.)
http://whoweare.ca/videos/7117ea7847c1cb18
Enrique Rivera seeks refuge in Canada because a mining company is putting his life in danger. Ironically that mining company belongs to a Canadian corporation. This an overview of what a refuge seekers had to experience while facing an indifferent immigration system.
===================
17. Cooking with Sunshine - Saving More Than Energy
http://www.nextworldtv.com/videos/energ ... shine.html
Did you now that a solar oven can cost as little as $5 and last two years?
SCI stands for Solar Cookers International, a Sacramento, CA non- profit organization that with the help of other aid groups have trained more than 30,000 people in developing countries to cook with the sun. They are spotlighted in this National Geographic clip.
This amazing invention is a perfect solution to so many problems that transcend simply saving energy.
In developing countries, women have to walk 2- 3 miles to get firewood to cook with. Having this constant indoor pollution burns their eyes and chokes their lungs. The solar oven puts an end to these problems as well as deforestation.
Another truly life saving aspect of the solar oven: It can be used as a sustainable way to purify water. If you heat water to 65 degrees Celsius (149 degrees Fahrenheit) you can pasteurize it and make it safe to drink. See in the video how they created a simple way to measure if the water has reached this temperature.
One happy recipient says: "We are all amazed that a cardboard box can cook!" --Bibi Farber
===================
18. Hide Your Kids, Hide Your Wife: Not Even Canadians are Safe from the Kochs Anymore
http://www.desmogblog.com/hide-your-kids-hide-your-wife
By Emma Pullman Created 2011-01-27 05:00 charles_koch_david_koch.jpg [1]
From Koch Industries' roots as "the biggest company you've never heard of [2]", David and Charles Koch have become household names for funding climate change denial and efforts to steer the United States away from a clean energy future. They suffered a little hiccup when California voters failed to buy the arguments of the dirty oil interests bankrolling Prop 23 [3].
Then, when David Koch was booed at the Nutcracker ballet [4] just before Christmas, it started to look like the tides were shifting on public opinion around the billionaire brothers. Despite the headway made in holding the Koch Brothers to account, they've creeped their way into Canada.
Well, let me be clear. It's not as though Koch Industries is a totally foreign force in Canada. Koch and its subsidiaries currently operate in seven Canadian provinces [5], and according to a Greenpeace report [6], Koch has held multiple leases in Alberta's tar sands, and since the 1990s the Koch Pipeline Company [7] has operated the pipelines that carry tar sands crude from Canada into Minnesota and Wisconsin where Koch’s Flint Hill Resources owns oil refineries [8]. On the policy development front, they've busily bankrolled Canada's Fraser Institute [9] to the tune of $175,000 between 2005 and 2008 to ensure Canada remains in the Stone Ages when it comes to environmental policy.
This time though, it's gotten political. According to Chris Genovali's piece in the Huffington Post [10], renewable energy [11] in Ontario is under attack by the Kochtopus.
The Ontario Green Energy Act [12] has been heralded by Al Gore himself as the "single best green energy program on the North American continent." Environmental Defence [13] touts it as a monumental success, demonstrating that one year in, the law is steering the province into a prominent position as a global leader of economic and environmental renewal, on par with European standards.
After all the jobs the Green Energy Act has created and accolades it has received, it is curious that Tim Hudak [14], leader of Ontario's Conservative party, would try to scuttle it.
To make matters even worse, Hudak is confusing the public by using phoney astroturf research.
His fake green turf of choice is the now well-debunked [15] "Spanish study on renewable energy jobs". The 2009 study, the "Study of the effects on employment of public aid to renewable energy sources [16]," by Gabriel Calzada Alvarez, an economics professor at King Juan Carlos University in Madrid, was funded by the American Energy Alliance [17], a "free-market think tank" funded by the Kochtopus [18] and ExxonMobil.
According to Dr. Alvarez’s ginned-up study, Spain's policy on renewable energy caused the country to lose jobs. It erroneously implies that the cost of creating a renewable energy job is higher than the average cost of creating a job in Spain, and outrageously claims that Spain’s policy commitments to renewable energy development actually cost Spain 2.2 jobs lost for each clean energy job created. The study has made its rounds through the echo chamber, and was used to fight the Obama Administration's 2010 budget proposal to create tax incentives for clean energy programs, and to oppose efforts to promote growth in the renewable energy industry.
Though a favourite of renewable energy detractors, the study has been thoroughly debunked by the Spanish government [19], U.S. Department of Energy [20], and numerous others [18] (though apparently the Toronto Sun [21] didn't get the memo). And the American Wind Energy Association [22] notes that "The Spanish Ministry of Labor has found that... renewable energy industries have created 175,000 jobs and the European Commission found that aggressive renewable policy would create a net increase of over 400,000 in the European Union by 2020, giving a 'significant boost to the economy and the number of jobs in the EU.'"
MORE:
http://www.desmogblog.com/hide-your-kids-hide-your-wife
- Oscar
- Site Admin
- Posts: 9851
- Joined: Wed May 03, 2006 3:23 pm
FRACKING/ENERGY NEWS: February 7, 2011
by Oscar » Mon Feb 07, 2011 12:12 pm
FRACKING/ENERGY NEWS: February 7, 2011
1. Canadians being fracked by international energy producers, BC Tap Water Alliance warns
2. Oil and Gas Group Urges Oscar Judges to Steer Clear of 'Gasland'
3. The Hydraulic Fracturing Dilemma, and Danger
4. Have You Been Frac’d? What You Need to Know -A Practical Guide to Covering Your Ass
5. Hydraulic Fracturing 101
6. Mont. senators introduce bill to protect Flathead
7. FRACKING WITH DIESEL ( 4 articles)
8. Assessment of the Greenhouse Gas Footprint of Natural Gas from Shale Formations Obtained by High-Volume, Slick-Water Hydraulic Fracturing
9. Debate ensues over oilsand panel as member quits
10. Professor quits oil-sands panel over lack of aboriginal representation (plus ‘G&M ‘clarification’ )
11. NIKIFORUK: Alberta Still Wears Pollution Blinders: Report
12. Alberta’s one-party system is cracking up
13. Harper touts Canadian oil imports as best for America's security interest
14. Suncor profit nearly triples
15. Shell makes nearly £1.6m profits every hour
16. Shell Halts Plans to Drill in Heart of Polar Bear's Alaska Habitat/ Polar Bear Swims For 9 Days Before Finding Ice
17. BP Wins: EPA Will Agree to Cut Oil Spill Estimate
18. U.S. Probing BP For Gas Market Manipulation - Update 1
19. Egypt pipeline blast affects Jordan
20. LETTER: SHIELDS: The Effects of Egypt's uprising
21. Alberta Tory MLAs vote against online gift disclosure
22. Neste Oil’s response to the Public Eye Award
23. Liberal MP John McKay tells mining conference: Bill C-300 will see a "legislative resurrection"
24. Death Threats against Environmental Defenders in El Salvador -- Take Action Today!
25. ACTION: Petition of Support for Grassy Narrows and Surrounding Communities Affected by Mercury and Other Contamination in their call for a National Inquiry
26. Solar panels will turn rooftops into power plants (2 articles)
27. Global suicide: When will we react?
28. COMMENT: Larose: Re: Internet "control"
29. QUOTE FOR THE DAY
==============
1. Canadians being fracked by international energy producers, BC Tap Water Alliance warns
http://www.bctwa.org/FrackingBC.html
B. C. TAP WATER ALLIANCE
Caring for, Monitoring, and Protecting British Columbia’s Community Water Supply Sources Email – info@bctwa.org
Website – www.bctwa.org
(Stop Fracking British Columbia –
www.bctwa.org/FrackingBC.html ) February 3, 2011 Media Release
OTTAWA – A number of international energy producers are using a controversial extraction method to develop non-renewable, deep shale gas deposits in vast tracks of remote, public wilderness lands in northeast British Columbia, according to the coordinator of the B.C. Tap Water Alliance.
“The method is called fracking,” says Will Koop, who is scheduled to appear on the late afternoon of Thurs., Feb. 3, before Ottawa’s Standing Committee on Natural Resources studying Energy Security in Canada. “There are numerous, adverse environmental impacts caused by fracking which Canadians, particularly parliamentarians, need to be aware of.”
Koop says fracking refers to the use of large quantities of fresh water mixed with chemicals in order to fracture the earth and release valuable methane gas. “The companies are using this very controversial method because of a sympathetic, deregulatory-minded BC Liberal administration,” Koop says. “Our own provincial legislators have allowed environmental protection, regulations and governmental oversight to be disabled and removed.”
Koop says there has also been a failure to implement long term environmental planning, called “cumulative effects,” to regulate deep shale development proposals.
He says a number of corporations with long term land leases in northeast BC are already mining Alberta’s tar sands. “Those corporations are planning to export B.C.’s gas as a new form of energy to fuel their tar sands operations. The combined greenhouse gas emissions from deep shale and tar sands developments will continue to be a major issue for federal and provincial governments.”
One of the main environmental controversies surrounding the issue of hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, is the withdrawal, contamination and disposal of significantly large quantities of fresh water. This is already an issue in Alberta, Saskatchewan, Quebec and New Brunswick.
“The controversial practice of combining toxic additives with fresh water and specially-mined frack sand for this process have come under federal investigation by the Environmental Protection Agency in the United States since 2010. Deep shale energy companies there are under significant public scrutiny, particularly concerning the pollution of fresh water aquifers.” - 30 -
To contact Will Koop, email: info@bctwa.org (he will be regularly checking this email during February 3rd)
================
2. Oil and Gas Group Urges Oscar Judges to Steer Clear of 'Gasland'
http://www.nytimes.com/gwire/2011/02/01/
01greenwire-ioil-and-gas-group-urges-oscar-judges-to-steer-99256.html
NewYork Times By MIKE SORAGHAN of Greenwire Published: February 1, 2011
The oil and gas industry doesn't want a golden Oscar statuette to grace the mantel of "Gasland" filmmaker Josh Fox.
An industry group sent a letter today to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, saying that a litany of errors in the anti-drilling film should render it ineligible for best documentary feature.
"The filmmaker alternates between misstating and outright ignoring basic and verifiable facts related to the impact of these activities on the health and welfare of humans, wildlife and the environment," said Lee Fuller, executive director of Energy in Depth (EID), in a letter (pdf) today to the academy.
[ http://www.eenews.net/assets/2011/02/01 ... _gw_02.pdf ]
But Fox says his documentary is "backed up by facts 100 percent," and it is the industry that perpetuates falsehoods.
"Gasland exposes what they've been doing and they don't like it," Fox said in an interview today. "EID is a smear organization, a PR firm that has nothing to do with reality."
MORE:
http://www.nytimes.com/gwire/2011/02/01/
01greenwire-ioil-and-gas-group-urges-oscar-judges-to-steer-99256.html
=================
3. The Hydraulic Fracturing Dilemma, and Danger
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/robert-l-cavnar/
the-hydraulic-fracturing-_b_816987.html
Posted: February 1, 2011 01:22 PM
Hydraulic fracturing, known as frac'ing, of oil and gas wells has been a common practice for decades yet little is understood about this complex, and potentially very dangerous well treating practice. In the last 10 to 15 years, more and more questions have been raised by both the environmental community and regulatory agencies, and the industry has characteristically kept most information under wraps, citing proprietary technology as their reasons for concealing specific chemicals and concentrations they use. In the last several years, concerns of the environmental community have spilled over into the awareness of the general public, fueled by Gasland, a documentary about shale gas drilling and frac'ing produced by Josh Fox in 2010.
Here's a good illustration about how horizontal wells are frac'ed:
Video/More:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/robert-l-cavnar/
the-hydraulic-fracturing-_b_816987.html
==================
4. Have You Been Frac’d? What You Need to Know -A Practical Guide to Covering Your Ass
http://www.journeyoftheforsaken.com/
whatyouneedtoknow.htm
updated: June 18, 2009
First of all, my prayers are with you and you family. I hope you are treated fairly and with compassion by those in a position to help you successfully negotiate your crises. Keep your faith and courage and get thoroughly educated fast!
Second of all, since I'm a paralegal, I have to tell you that I'm not a lawyer and this isn't legal advice. I would recommend getting in touch with a qualified attorney, just to get your foot firmly in the starting block. You may or may not ever need to lean on them, but they certainly should be able to walk you through your situation.
This whole page is just common sense how-to's from someone who has lived through it and learned a few lessons that may be useful to you on your journey toward justice. Here's what the track looks like.
MORE:
http://www.journeyoftheforsaken.com/
whatyouneedtoknow.htm
=================
5. Hydraulic Fracturing 101
http://www.earthworksaction.org/
FracingDetails.cfm#BESTPRACTICES
Fracking chemicals (all Links are on website above)
Potential for groundwater contamination
Fracking chemical disposal
Hydraulic fracturing best practices
Tips for landowners
Often an oil- or gas-bearing formation may contain large quantities of oil or gas, but have a poor flow rate due to low permeability, or from damage or clogging of the formation during drilling.[1] This is particularly true for tight sands, oil shales and coalbed methane. Hydraulic fracturing (also known as fracking, which rhymes with cracking) is a technique used to create fractures that extend from the well bore into rock or coal formations. These fractures allow the oil or gas to travel more easily from the rock pores, where the oil or gas is trapped, to the production well. [2] Typically, in order to create fractures a mixture of water, proppants (sand or ceramic beads) and chemicals is pumped into the rock or coal formation.
MORE:
http://www.earthworksaction.org/FracingDetails.cfm#
===================
6. Mont. senators introduce bill to protect Flathead
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-02-01/
mont-senators-introduce-bill-to-protect-flathead.html
Baucus, Tester reintroduce bill to prevent mining, oil and gas development on North Fork
Feb 1, 2011 9:04 AM MT By The Associated Press
HELENA, Mont. (AP) — U.S. Sens. Max Baucus and Jon Tester have reintroduced a bill that would bar mining and new oil and gas development on the North Fork watershed of Montana's Flathead River.
Baucus said Monday in announcing the legislation that he hopes the bill will build on the success they've had in getting companies to retire oil and gas development leases in the area.
Companies such as ConocoPhillips, Chevron and Exxon subsidiary XTO Energy have voluntarily relinquished more than 200,000 acres, or about 80 percent of the total leased acreage. [ . . . ]
==================
7. FRACKING WITH DIESEL ( 4 articles)
Congress Confirms Drillers Fracked with Diesel
http://www.ewg.org/release/
congress-confirms-gas-drillers-fracked-diesel
CONTACT: EWG Public Affairs, 202-667-6982; leeann@ewg.org
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: For Immediate Release: January 31, 2011
Washington, DC -- The Environmental Working Group (EWG) commends the important investigation of hydraulic fracturing released today (Jan. 31) by U.S. Reps. Henry A. Waxman (D-Calif.), Edward J. Markey (D-Mass) and Diana DeGette (D-Colo.). Their disturbing findings show that 1) oil and natural gas drilling companies injected more than 32 million gallons of diesel fuel or fluids containing diesel fuel in hydraulically fractured wells in 19 states between 2005 and 2009; and 2) no state and federal regulators have issued the required permits for this use of diesel fuel, an apparent violation of the Safe Drinking Water Act.
“Drilling companies have won exemption from just about every piece of federal environmental law except the requirement to get permits if they use diesel in their fracking fluids,” said EWG Senior Counsel Dusty Horwitt. “This report shows they haven't even complied with this limited provision. How can communities trust these companies to drill responsibly?”
“Companies are increasingly drilling in populated areas and using ever more intensive hydraulic fracturing in shale formations,” Horwitt said. “Reps. Waxman, Markey and DeGette deserve credit for pursuing this important investigation and working to ensure that drilling is conducted carefully and in compliance with our laws.” [ . . . ]
###
The Environmental Working Group is a nonprofit research organization based in Washington, DC that uses the power of information to protect human health and the environment.
www.ewg.org.
= = = = = = =
State officials say use of diesel in frack jobs not a big problem
http://www.platts.com/RSSFeedDetailedNews/RSSFeed/
NaturalGas/6795228
Houston (Platts)--1Feb2011/630 pm EST/2330 GMT
The use of diesel fuel in hydraulic fracturing fluid does not represent a major problem in two oil- and gas-producing states cited in a congressional report this week, regulators who oversee drilling operations in those states said Tuesday.
On Monday, three US representatives claimed that a dozen well-servicing companies have injected more than 32 million gallons of diesel or diesel-based products into oil and natural gas wells between 2005 and 2009, in what they called "an apparent violation of the Safe Drinking Water Act." [ . . . ]
= = = = =
House Inquiry Reveals Continued Use of Diesel Fuel in Hydrofracking
http://shaledaily.com/news/sd20110201d.shtml
February 01, 2011
Leading House opponents of hydraulic fracturing (hydrofracking) said their nearly year-long investigation revealed that oil and natural gas service companies have continued to use diesel fuel to produce shale gas without receiving regulatory approval.
Oil and gas service companies injected more than 32 million gallons of diesel fuel or hydrofracking fluids containing diesel fuel in wells in 19 states between 2005 and 2009, said Reps. Henry A. Waxman (D-CA), Edward J. Markey (D-MA) and Diana DeGette (D-CO), who opened the inquiry last February into the potential health and environmental risks associated with hydrofracking of shale gas (see Daily GPI, Feb. 19, 2010 ) [ . . . ]
= = = = = =
Environmental groups sue Delaware River Basin Commission over exploratory gas drilling
http://www.recordonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/
article?AID=/20110202/NEWS/110209919
By Steve Israel Times Herald-Record Published: 1:01 PM - 02/02/11
Last updated: 1:05 PM - 02/02/11
The interstate commission overseeing gas drilling along the Delaware River is under fire from environmental groups and two federal lawmakers.
Two regional environmental groups, Delaware Riverkeeper and Damascus Citizens for Sustainability, on Tuesday filed a federal lawsuit against the Delaware River Basin Commission. The groups claim the commission should not have allowed gas companies to drill exploratory wells on the Pennsylvania side of the Delaware without its approval and despite its moratorium against drilling. The groups want the wells gone.
The commission had allowed these exploratory wells — and only those wells — to be drilled before it issued its regulations because they received state permits. They were allowed under a DRBC loophole that was eventually tightened.
In an example of the hurdles to be overcome for any drilling to occur along the Delaware, the environmental groups say the commission shouldn't have allowed any wells to be drilled.
“The drilling of a gas well, whether exploratory or production, has serious environmental impacts. Since the DRBC is supposed to protect the river and the clean drinking water for over 15 million people, they shouldn't have allowed these wells to proceed without DRBC oversight,” said Maya van Rossum of Delaware Riverkeeper. ”These wells threaten pollution and may have already caused pollution. We want these wells removed and the land restored.”
Meanwhile, Reps. Maurice Hinchey, D-Hurley, and Rush Holt, D-N.J,, on Wednesday asked the commission to suspend its rule-making process for drilling after Congressional investigators found diesel fluid in the liquids used for the horizontal drilling method of hydraulic fracturing, or “fracking.” That would be the drilling method used in the Delaware basin, which borders Sullivan County.
MORE:
http://www.recordonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/
article?AID=/20110202/NEWS/110209919
===================
8. Assessment of the Greenhouse Gas Footprint of Natural Gas from Shale Formations Obtained by High-Volume, Slick-Water Hydraulic Fracturing
http://www.eeb.cornell.edu/
howarth/GHG%20update%20for%20web%20--%20Jan%202011%20(2).pdf
Robert W. Howarth David R. Atkinson Professor of Ecology & Environmental Biology, Cornell University (Revised January 26, 2011)
Download the updated JANUARY 2011 GHG emissions assessment summary
http://www.eeb.cornell.edu/howarth/
GHG%20update%20for%20web%20--%20Jan%202011%20(2).pdf
Natural gas is widely advertised and promoted as a clean burning fuel that produces less greenhouse gas emissions than coal when burned. While it is true that less carbon dioxide is emitted from burning natural gas than from burning coal per unit of energy generated, the combustion emissions are only part of story and the comparison is quite misleading. With funding from the Park Foundation, my colleagues Renee Santoro, Tony Ingraffea, and I have assessed the likely footprint from natural gas in comparison to coal.
We submitted a draft of our work to a peer-reviewed journal in November, and now have a revised manuscript under consideration by the journal. The revision is improved with input from reviewers and also uses new information from a November 2010 report from the EPA. The EPA report is the first significant update by the agency on natural gas
emission factors since 1996, and concludes that emissions – particularly for shale gas – are larger than previously believed. Our research further supports this conclusion.
A summary figure from our revised submission is shown here. The figure compares shale gas with two estimates of methane emissions to the atmosphere (low and high, two bars to the left), conventional natural gas with two estimates of methane emissions (high and low estimates, next two bars), coal from surface mines (3rd bar from right), coal from deep mines (2nd bar from right) and diesel oil. Please note this should be treated tentatively, as further changes or refinements in response to reviewer comments are possible. We nonetheless post the update now due to the tremendous interest in the topic, and its importance in deciding the wisdom of viewing natural gas as a transitional fuel over the coming decades.
MORE:
http://www.eeb.cornell.edu/howarth/
GHG%20update%20for%20web%20--%20Jan%202011%20(2).pdf
International SCOPE Biofuels Project:
http://www.eeb.cornell.edu/howarth/SCOP ... _home.html
==================
9. Debate ensues over oilsand panel as member quits
http://www.calgaryherald.com/health/
Debate+ensues+over+oilsand+panel+member+quits/4207023/story.html
BY KELLY CRYDERMAN, CALGARY HERALD FEBRUARY 2, 2011 6:46 AM
CALGARY - Just days after the makeup of a provincial panel meant to revamp oilsands monitoring was announced, an American member has quit saying there's not enough scientists in the group and the Alberta government wants to muzzle free discussion.
"I'm concerned that First Nations may think this is yet another snow job by a bunch of experts who speak a lot of technical speak," said Helen Ingram, a University of California-Irvine professor emeritus who specializes in public policy on water resources.
- - - SNIP - - -
Her three main concerns were that the panel schedule set doesn't allow for her to attend key meetings, there are too few physical scientists - such as hydrologists - on the panel, and early instructions suggested she and other members would not be able to discuss oilsands issues with scientific colleagues or others without first getting the permission of the minister.
Ingram said she's used to some level of confidentiality while sitting on panels, but this seemed a step too far.
"You have to have pretty clear access to people," she said. "You have to refer to things that you're already talking about. You can't act like all the panel deliberations are absolutely secret."
The scheduling that left her out, she added, was a sign that her opinion didn't actually have much value. Ingram was also concerned there is no native panel member, and the whole thing "seemed rushed."
===================
10. Professor quits oil-sands panel over lack of aboriginal representation (plus ‘G&M ‘clarification’ )
http://dirtyoilsands.org/news/article/
professor_quits_oil-sands_panel_over_lack_of_aboriginal_representation/
JOSH WINGROVE Edmonton— Globe and Mail Update
Published Wednesday, Feb. 02, 2011 2:39PM EST
Last updated Wednesday, Feb. 02, 2011 3:20PM EST
Five days after Alberta Environment announced a controversial panel to overhaul monitoring of the oil sands, one of its members quit citing concerns over a lack of aboriginal representation and confidentiality requirements.
Helen Ingram, a professor emeritus at the University of California – Irvine, submitted her resignation to Environment Minister Rob Renner on Tuesday.
= = = =
SEE ‘clarification’: (….change of heading?!)
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/prairies/
professor-quits-oil-sands-panel-over-lack-of-aboriginal-representation/article1891910/?cmpid=rss1&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+TheGlobeAndMail-Front+%28The+Globe+and+Mail+-+Latest+News%29
=================
11. NIKIFORUK: Alberta Still Wears Pollution Blinders: Report
http://thetyee.ca/Opinion/2011/02/01/PollutionBlinders/
Yet another study finds oil sands environmental monitoring isn't remotely up to the job.
By Andrew Nikiforuk, 1 Feb 2011, TheTyee.ca
"In science you need to understand the world; in business you need others to misunderstand it." Nassim Nicholas Taleb
Denial is a river that runs deep in the petro state of Alberta, and a new scientific report on oil sands environmental monitoring shows how deep these corrupt currents have become in the province's psyche.
For more than a decade now, industry and government have claimed that the world's largest energy project and one of Canada's largest sources of cancer makers, such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, have had no impact on the Athabasca River.
The deniers all based their claims on industry reporting provided by the Regional Aquatic Monitoring Program (RAMP).
But as a new scientific review makes clear, it's a bogus claim based on a lie, built on a fantasy, originally designed by incompetence.
The 160-page report simply concluded that RAMP is incompetent. Moreover, it has failed to meet seven out of nine basic scientific objectives.
MORE:
http://thetyee.ca/Opinion/2011/02/01/PollutionBlinders/
==================
12. Alberta’s one-party system is cracking up
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/opinions/opinion/
albertas-one-party-system-is-cracking-up/article1890728/
JEFFREY SIMPSON | Columnist profile | E-mail From Wednesday's Globe and Mail
Published Wednesday, Feb. 02, 2011 5:00AM EST
Alberta’s politics began cracking during the last economic boom, and will keep on cracking until there’s a fundamental realignment of parties. The province is simply far too sophisticated and diverse for all of its ambitions, frustrations and fissures to be accommodated in one big, sprawling party.
By fundamental realignment, we mean two large parties – one on the conservative right, the other in the centre – and a small one, the NDP, on the left.
The conservative party will either be the Wildrose Alliance or a merger of it and elements of today’s Conservative Party. The centrist party will be something like the fledgling Alberta Party, attracting moderate Peter Lougheed-type Conservatives, Liberals and people previously not involved in politics (such as those who worked for Calgary Mayor Naheed Nenshi).
The Conservatives began cracking up under Ralph Klein, who, for all his folksy popularity, turned out to be an aimless premier after his first term, when Alberta was seeking a vision. Mr. Klein was eventually forced out by his party when the folksiness wore thin. At the subsequent leadership convention, the cracks widened between the right-winger, Ted Morton, and the Calgary candidate, former treasurer Jim Dinning.
[ . . . ]
=====================
13. Harper touts Canadian oil imports as best for America's security interest
http://thehill.com/blogs/e2-wire/677-e2-wire/
142245-harper-touts-canadian-oil-imports-as-in-us-security-interest
By Andrew Restuccia - 02/04/11 04:42 PM ET
Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper argued Friday that it’s in the United States’ national security interest to import oil from Canada.
Harper’s comments came in response to a direct question from a reporter about whether he and President Obama discussed a major Canadian pipeline project that would stretch from Alberta to Texas during a bilateral meeting Friday. The project, known as Keystone XL, is currently undergoing a multi-agency review headed by the State Department.
- - - -SNIP - - -
Environmental groups were quick to criticize Harper for touting Canadian oil imports. “What Prime Minister Harper failed to acknowledge is that tar sands oil is highly polluting,” Alex Moore, of Friends of the Earth, said in a statement. “There are cleaner, safer ways to meet U.S. energy needs than to import this dirty oil from Canada via a dangerous pipeline through America's heartland.”
Moore called on Obama to block the pipeline project. “If the president is serious about making America a leader in clean energy, he has no choice but to stop this project.”
===================
14. Suncor profit nearly triples
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/globe-investor/
suncor-profit-nearly-triples/article1891194/
CALGARY— The Canadian Press Published Wednesday, Feb. 02, 2011 6:49AM EST
Last updated Wednesday, Feb. 02, 2011 7:16AM EST
Suncor Energy Inc. (SU-T41.610.150.36%) reports fourth-quarter net earnings of $1.353-billion, or 87 cents per common share.
That compares with net earnings of $457-million, or 29 cents per common share, in the fourth quarter of 2009.
The Calgary-based energy giant credits the increase to improved margins, increased refined product sales and increased oil sands production.
"Operational results were strong across the business in the fourth quarter," said Rick George, president and CEO.
"In our oil sands business, steady and reliable production from both mining and in situ assets drove record quarterly production volumes, while our international and offshore assets continued to perform well. "
Analysts polled by Thomson Reuters were on average expecting quarterly earnings of 50 cents per share and revenue of $9.6 billion. [ . . . ]
= = = = =
Suncor's quarterly profit hits $1.35 billion
http://www.calgaryherald.com/business/
Suncor+quarterly+profit+hits+billion/4209861/story.html?cid=megadrop_story
BY SHAUN POLCZER, CALGARY HERALD FEBRUARY 2, 2011 9:01 AM
Suncor, known for its dominant position in the Alberta oil sands, benefited from oil prices that averaged $85.24 in the quarter, up 12 per cent from a year ago.
CALGARY - Calgary-based Suncor Energy Inc. (TSX:SU) Wednesday said its fourth quarter profits tripled as it reaped the benefits of higher oil prices and stronger refining margins.
The Calgary-based company made $1.35 billion or 87 cents per share in the final three months of last year compared to $457 million or 29 per share in the fourth quarter of 2009.
Excluding one time items, operating earnings of $946 million or 60 cents per share compared to $342 million or 22 cents per share in the prior year quarter. [ . . . ]
=====================
15. Shell makes nearly £1.6m profits every hour
http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2011/feb/03/
shell-profits-nearly-one-point-six-million-an-hour
Full-year profits hit $18.6bn --Drivers are the losers, road lobby says --Chief exec says: don't complain to us - -
• Government under pressure to delay rise in fuel duty
• Poll: time for a supertax on the oil giants?
03 Feb 2011
Shell stoked up the heated debate about the high cost of fuel on the forecourt today after reporting it made profits of nearly £1.6m an hour over the last three months. A leading member of the road lobby said motorists would be "sick to the stomach" and declared that Shell - and a tax-taking Treasury - were "laughing all the way to the bank". Full year profits reached $18.6bn – almost double the figure for 2009 – and chief executive, Peter Voser, boasted "there is more to come from Shell." [ . . . ]
=================
16. Shell Halts Plans to Drill in Heart of Polar Bear's Alaska Habitat
http://www.biologicaldiversity.org/news ... ases/2011/
shell-02-03-2011.html
Interior Needs to Make Short-term Reprieve Permanent, Safeguard Arctic (Center for Biological Diversity)
03 Feb 2011
Polar bears and other imperiled Arctic species got a reprieve today with Royal Dutch Shell's announcement that it will not go forward with plans this summer to drill in critical habitat for the polar bear in Alaska. Shell's drilling plans off the coast of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge have long been opposed by conservationists and native communities along the Alaska coast... Shell also has plans to drill in the adjacent Chukchi Sea next year. The Chukchi is also critical habitat for polar bears, as well as home to the Pacific walrus.
= = = = =
Polar Bear Swims For 9 Days Before Finding Ice
http://www.care2.com/causes/environment/blog/
polar-bear-must-swim-for-9-days-to-find-sea-ice/
January 26, 2011
Climate change forced a single polar bear to swim continuously for over nine days in search of stable sea ice, a new study has revealed.
The bear's epic journey came at a great cost: scientists note that she lost her yearling cub when the small bear couldn't keep up with the long-distance swim and low temperatures. Scientists report the bear also lost 22 percent of her body fat as well.
A study recently published in Polar Biology found that melting sea ice is threatening the health and safety of future polar bear generations by requiring the bears to swim exhaustive distances in freezing cold water.
"This bear swam continuously for 232 hours and 687 km and through waters that were 2-6 degrees C," research zoologist George M. Durner told BBC News.
"We are in awe that an animal that spends most of its time on the surface of sea ice could swim constantly for so long in water so cold," Durner continued, "It is truly an amazing feat."
The scientists were able to track the movements of a single female polar bear over 2 months by fitting her with a GPS collar.
===================
17. BP Wins: EPA Will Agree to Cut Oil Spill Estimate
http://dailyhurricane.com/2011/02/
source-epa-will-agree-to-cut-bp-oil-spill-estimate.html
Robert L. CavnarFounder, DailyHurricane.com Posted: February 2, 2011 09:07 AM
I know I keep saying it, but I told you so. The Observer is reporting that, according to its sources, the EPA is likely to agree to cut its current estimate of oil spilled into the Gulf of Mexico by BP's Macondo well that blew out on April 20. BP has officially disputed the government's estimate, saying that it could be half of the official estimate, citing multiple estimates and lack of actual measurement of the flow. The Observer is reporting that the EPA agrees that estimates are not 100% accurate, signalling the weakness of the government's position. [ . . . ]
==================
18. U.S. Probing BP For Gas Market Manipulation - Update 1
http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/02/02/
bp-marketmanipulation-idUSLDE71104Z20110202
First Posted: 02/ 2/11 08:19 AM Updated: 02/ 2/11 08:22 AM
BP said U.S. regulators were considering filing charges against it related to alleged manipulation of the gas market.
"The U.S. Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) and the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) are currently investigating several BP entities regarding trading in the next-day natural gas market at Houston Ship Channel during October and November 2008," BP said on Wednesday.
The FERC's enforcing body is now mulling whether to pursue charges against BP, which was prosecuted on propane market manipulation charges in 2006. BP paid around $300 million to settle those charges. [ . . . ]
================
19. Egypt pipeline blast affects Jordan
http://english.aljazeera.net/news/middleeast/2011/02/
20112514224368313.html
Investigation into explosion at a North Sinai pipeline that has crippled gas supplies to Jordan.
Last Modified: 05 Feb 2011 14:46 GMT
An explosion at a pipeline in Egypt that supplies gas to Jordan and Israel has been blamed on a gas leak, according to the country's natural gas company.
Earlier reports suggested that sabotage had been behind the blast on Saturday.
Magdy Toufik, the head of Egypt's natural gas company, said in a statement that the fire broke out "as a result of a small amount of gas leaking'' in the terminal at the pipeline that runs through the El-Arish area of Egypt's north Sinai.
However, a local security official said an explosive device was detonated inside the terminal, and the regional governor, Abdel Wahab Mabrouk, said he suspected sabotage.
Jordanian officials are scrambling to rearrange power supplies after the Jordanian route, that runs from El-Arish to Aqaba and then up to Amman, was damaged by the explosion.
MORE:
http://english.aljazeera.net/news/middleeast/2011/02/
20112514224368313.html
=================
20. LETTER: SHIELDS: The Effects of Egypt's uprising
From: lagran
To: Prime Minister/Premier ministre ; Layton, Jack - M.P. ; iggy
Cc: Rae.B@parl.gc.ca ; Minister, EMPR EMPR:EX ; mccallum ; brian mason ; goodale ; flaherty ; bill boyd ; Jerry Bellikka ; T Banks ; jmorales@neb-one.gc.ca ; acameron@neb-one.gc.ca
Sent: Saturday, January 29, 2011 5:57 PM
Subject: The Effects of Egypt's uprising
Canada, along with their buddies in Israel and United States, should be very careful with events going on in the Mid-East. These Israel- and United States-supported puppet governments all over the Mid-East are in danger as are those who supported the Israeli terrorist who brought great harm to Arab cultures. I expect Netanyahu will sit very quietly during these uprisings concerned they may indeed be coming for him. Harper's over-the-top relations with Netanyahu should have him watch out for his safety while traveling in Mid-East locations. Harper would be wise to sit as silently as buddy Netanyahu during these uprisings.
From a business point of view, if Canada indeed did have a national energy body, it would be a perfect time to seek Upgrader funding at source for much of the exported bitumen now heading to United States destinations. With 50% of the world’s crude production reaching markets through the Suez Cannel, China may feel like investing in Canada--especially if they felt Harper was on his way out! How frustrating to have a leader who is dead weight with the leading economy in the world! The Egypt problem will not change the huge dollar spread between West Texas crude and Brent North Sea crude that sells on the open world market; indeed, this could increase the spread and make another market ever more important. Without any form of export controls in place for NAFTA exports, the spread will surely increase when full pipeline capacity is available to the greedy industry exporter. Canada has not been in a position to make swift changes with respect to energy since Mulroney turned control of our energy resources over to American interest. The Effects of Egypt's uprising.
Stewart Shields
Lacombe, Alberta
= = = = = = =
Canada no longer leads recovery standings
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/
report-on-business/economy/jobs/canada-no-longer-leads-recovery-standings/article1886140/
BARRIE McKENNA OTTAWA— From Saturday's Globe and Mail
Published Friday, Jan. 28, 2011 10:08AM EST
Last updated Friday, Jan. 28, 2011 5:54PM EST
It’s been badge of honour for Canada on the world stage: the only major economy to recoup all the jobs lost in the recession.
Prime Minister Stephen Harper, Finance Minister Jim Flaherty and scores of economists all trumpeted the rapid jobs recovery as evidence that Canada beat the world in getting back on its feet after the worst global slump in more than a generation.
Unfortunately, it’s not true.
Revisions released Friday by Statistics Canada show that the country is still roughly 30,000 jobs shy of getting back all the jobs destroyed, based on updated population data from the 2006 census. The revisions underscore the reality that the Canadian economy is still facing a lot of turbulence, and that it’s no longer outperforming the rest of the world.
[ . . . . ]
===================
21. Alberta Tory MLAs vote against online gift disclosure
http://www.edmontonjournal.com/
story_print.html?id=4199078&sponsor=
NDP’s Notley calls on gov’t to apologize for ‘thumbing their noses at democracy’
By Karen Kleiss, edmontonjournal.com January 31, 2011 1:02 PM
Alberta NDP MLA Rachel Notley has called on the government to apologize to Albertans after Tory MLAs voted against making information about the gifts they accept more accessible to citizens.
EDMONTON - Tory MLAs on Monday voted against making information about the freebies they receive easily available to the public online.
The gifts made headlines last year when The Journal revealed that Tory MLAs accepted west coast fishing trips, concert tickets, rounds of golf and other gifts from lobbyists, oil companies and a billionaire businessman.
“The Tories are the most secretive government in Canada,” NDP MLA Rachel Notley said in a statement released Monday morning after the vote.
“The Tories have once again thumbed their noses at democracy and the rights of Albertans to have easy access to information about their MLAs’ financial interests.”
MORE:
http://www.edmontonjournal.com/
story_print.html?id=4199078&sponsor=
==================
22. Neste Oil’s response to the Public Eye Award
http://www.iewy.com/
15538-neste-oils-response-to-the-public-eye-award.html
Kim Chapman 1 February 2011
Neste Oil is disappointed in the outcome of the Public Eye Award announced today and believes that it does not reflect the true nature of the situation. [ . . . ]
= = = = =
Public Eye Awards 2011!
Within sight of the World Economic Forum (WEF), the Berne Declaration (BD) and Greenpeace today denounced the particularly flagrant human rights abuses and environmental sins committed by corporations. The jury-selected Global Award was presented to the South African mining company AngloGold Ashanti. The People’s Award, determined by internet voting, went to the Finnish agrofuel concern Neste Oil. Over 50,000 people took part in the online voting.
For the web-based Public Eye People’s Award, mobilizing more than twice as many voters this year as in 2010, Neste Oil cleaned up with 17'385 votes, thus relegating BP (13'000) and Philip Morris (8'052) to runners-up. The Finnish biofuel producer – and soon the world’s largest palm oil purchaser – sells bio-diesel Europe-wide under the shameless name “Green Diesel.” The huge jump in demand for palm oil fuels rain forest destruction in Indonesia and Malaysia, threatening the remaining refuges of the already endangered orangutan.
Read more about the award ceremony here:
www.publiceye.ch/en/news/
Check the final ranking:
www.publiceye.ch/en/ranking/
«Congratulate» the winner of the People's Award on Neste Oil's feedback page:
www.nesteoil.com/default.asp?path=1,42,801
Keep in touch:
www.facebook.com/PublicEyeAwards
Thanks and keep the fire!
The Public Eye Team
===================
23. Liberal MP John McKay tells mining conference: Bill C-300 will see a "legislative resurrection"
http://www.canadians.org/waterblog/
By Emma Lui | January 31, 2011
Liberal MP John McKay was one of nine speakers at Friday's conference, the Political Economy of Mining and Resource Extraction, at Carleton University. McKay, who is the MP for Scarborough-Guildwood, spoke to a jam-packed room of close to 100 people. He talked broadly about the bill, called the Corporate Accountability of Mining, Oil or Gas in Developing Countries Act, which would have held Canadian mining companies accountable for human rights abuses and environmental destruction while operating abroad. He expressed his surprise at the reactions to his bill. He received reactions from countries around the world including Bulgaria and the Philippines. Al-Jazeera and the Globe and Mail approached him. Over 80 NGOs wrote a letter in support of the bill. McKay revealed that "some progressive companies dipped their toes in it." It's not uncommon for MPs to be absent for votes on private members' bills. However, for Bill C-300, all the Conservatives showed up to vote against it. Twenty-four MPs were absent from the vote and the Bill was defeated by a mere six votes. McKay then spoke about a "legislative resurrection," or re-introducing the bill after more research and working with industry. The audience was heartened to hear that the bill's defeat was not the death of the bill.
Emma Lui, Water Campaign, Council of Canadians
==================
24. Death Threats against Environmental Defenders in El Salvador -- Take Action Today!
http://www.cispes.org/
index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=800&Itemid=1
January 31, 2011
Our allies in the Cabañas environmental movement as well as the National Roundtable Against Metallic Mining (the Mesa) are very concerned about a recent wave of death threats and crimes against members of El Salvador’s anti-mining movement as well as other violent crimes recently committed in Cabañas. Similar crimes in 2009 that went uninvestigated, including robberies, kidnappings, and death threats against members of Radio Victoria, ADES, ASIC, and the CAC – all active organizations in Cabañas’ mining resistance –were a prelude to the murders of three activists, Marcelo Rivera, Ramiro Rivera and Dora Alicia Sorto Recinos.
Please read more in-depth reports here:
Pacific Rim Mining Company: The Kraken of Cabanas
http://www.envio.org.ni/articulo/4143
and here:
Gold, Bodies and Justice:
http://ajws.org/who_we_are/news/archives/features/
julia_kaminsky_gold_bodies_justice.pdf
Therefore, our allies are extremely concerned that the on-going state of impunity not only encourages the recent threats and crimes but could lead to more violence and murders in the near future
==================
25. ACTION: Petition of Support for Grassy Narrows and Surrounding Communities Affected by Mercury and Other Contamination in their call for a National Inquiry
http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/grassynarrows/
Please sign this important petition in support of Grassy Narrows First Nation. Also, please share this email far and wide with all your family, friends and colleagues. Thanks for any help on this. All the best to you.
For Land and Life,
John H.W. Hummel
Pollution/Health Researcher
Nelson, B.C.
Link to Petition:
http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/grassynarrows/
Some Background on the pollution situation at Grassy Narrows and Wabaseemoong First Nations in Northern Ontario, Canada:
http://freegrassy.org/2010/01/06/
mercury-still-killing-in-grassy-narr...
Grassy Narrows Health Study:
http://freegrassy.org/wp-content/uploads/
Harada_report_2004_FINAL.pdf
Canada's Mercury Pollution on Indigenous Lands:
http://intercontinentalcry.org/
canadas-mercury-pollution-on-indigenou...
====================
26. Solar panels will turn rooftops into power plants (2 articles)
http://www.ottawacitizen.com/business/
Solar+panels+will+turn+rooftops+into+power+plants/4200539/story.html
Byline: Tom Spears, Ottawa Citizen, Tue Feb 1 2011, Page D1, Business & Technology
A Toronto company with roots in Germany will oversee the installation of the first major solar installation in urban Ottawa under the province's feed-in tariff program.
The eight sets of rooftop panels will supply a maximum of 2.7 megawatts (2.7 million watts) on a hot summer day -- enough to supply nearly 1,000 homes.
Most of the panels will be on rooftops of Dymon Self-Storage buildings, while some will be on the Duke of Devonshire, a seniors' residence on Carling Avenue owned by Dymon.
The project manager is Ontario Solar Provider Inc. (OSP) of Toronto. OSP chief executive Christian Wentzel says the company has been installing big solar projects for seven years, first in Germany and now in Ontario, where the feed-in tariff pays a premium for power from wind, and a bigger premium for solar power.
- - - SNIP - - -
Under its new Green Energy Act, Ontario is offering 20-year contracts for electricity from photovoltaic (PV) solar cells. The price varies with the size of the installation, but for projects this size it is generally from 53.9 to 63 cents per kilowatt hour.
"Many people say that solar power is expensive," Wentzel said. "Yes, it's expensive, but it's emission-free, and generating extra power from fossil fuel during peak demand is also expensive."
Dymon isn't telling what this project costs, but Wentzel says that a typical 250-kilowatt solar project covers about 40,000 square feet and costs about $1.2 million. The Dymon rooftop installations range from 100 to 500 kilowatts each.
Dymon plans to build more in Ottawa -- up to 10 megawatts of capacity -- but hasn't finalized the contracts yet, said Steve Creighton, the senior vice-president.
"It's an exciting thing for us," he said. The company's self-storage buildings "all have very large, flat roofs, so they're ideally suited for solar installation." He expects installation to begin in late March.
= = = =
SCE Buys 20 Years of Solar Power for Less than Natural Gas
http://cleantechnica.com/2011/02/01/
sce-buys-20-years-of-solar-power-for-less-than-natural-gas/
February 1, 2011 in Solar Energy
Southern California Edison has selected 250 MW worth of solar bids from companies able to produce solar electricity for 20 years for less money annually than the 20 year levelized cost of energy of a combined-cycle natural gas turbine power plant.
SCE’s bidding process for smaller renewable projects is smart. These small projects do not face the multi-year bureaucratic delays for extensive reviews, like most utility-scale solar, so each small unit can be built as quickly as normal commercial rooftop solar projects. They are made up of multiple distributed solar installations of under 20 MW, which in combination total a power plant-sized 250 MW. [ . . . ]
================
27. Global suicide: When will we react?
http://english.pravda.ru/opinion/columnists/
01-02-2011/116741-global_suicide-0/
February 1, 2011
At the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, the UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon stated that the world is committing collective global suicide by consuming resources without replenishing them and warned that we are running out of the most important resource of all: Time.
Declaring that "the one resource that is scarcest of all: Time", Ban Ki-Moon left a stark message in Davos, which raises the questions when are we (collectively) going to do something, and if not, what is going to happen? For the Secretary-General, it is imperative that Mankind faces the collective challenges of tackling climate change, ensuring the delivery of sustainable and climate-resilient green growth and to implement what he terms a "clean energy revolution".
While we lurch from one conference to another (and the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro was back in 1992, almost two decades ago) without substantive changes being implemented, all we are doing is putting off decisions we should have had the courage to take - decisions which run at the supra-national level and should be above selfish national interests.
For this, the haves must help the have-nots to develop sustainable green economies, specially because in many cases the richer nations developed at the expense of pilfering the resources of the less developed countries - less developed because they were colonized, held down, divided, their social and ethnic structures wholly and totally turned upside down, to the benefit of the invader: Divide and rule.
Calling for "Revolutionary thinking. Revolutionary action. A free market revolution for global sustainability" Ban Ki-Moon called the old model to approach climate change "obsolete" and worse "a recipe for national disaster. It is a suicide pact". Complaining that our global approach is based upon the times when "we mined our way to growth, we burned our way to prosperity", Ban Ki-Moon calls upon the international community to innovate, to survive.
MORE:
http://english.pravda.ru/opinion/columnists/
01-02-2011/116741-global_suicide-0/
=================
28. COMMENT: Larose: Re: Internet "control"
From: Paul-André Larose
Sent: Friday, February 04, 2011 8:36 AM
I am not even sure that the masses are even aware of the truth. They are being led, as a happy bunch of zombies, to their destruction, by "leaders" who betray them - for the profit of a few. Not much has changed from thousand of years ago. Remember the "Sheep of Panurge"? Give them "Bread and Games".
Below is the best short summary that I have seen...
WATCH: Mouseland:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gqpFm7zAK90
Paul-Andre Larose
Durham Action, Oshawa (Durham Region), Ontario.
=======================
29. QUOTE FOR THE DAY
We have not inherited this land from our ancestors; rather, we have borrowed it from our children. - Kenyan Proverb
1. Canadians being fracked by international energy producers, BC Tap Water Alliance warns
2. Oil and Gas Group Urges Oscar Judges to Steer Clear of 'Gasland'
3. The Hydraulic Fracturing Dilemma, and Danger
4. Have You Been Frac’d? What You Need to Know -A Practical Guide to Covering Your Ass
5. Hydraulic Fracturing 101
6. Mont. senators introduce bill to protect Flathead
7. FRACKING WITH DIESEL ( 4 articles)
8. Assessment of the Greenhouse Gas Footprint of Natural Gas from Shale Formations Obtained by High-Volume, Slick-Water Hydraulic Fracturing
9. Debate ensues over oilsand panel as member quits
10. Professor quits oil-sands panel over lack of aboriginal representation (plus ‘G&M ‘clarification’ )
11. NIKIFORUK: Alberta Still Wears Pollution Blinders: Report
12. Alberta’s one-party system is cracking up
13. Harper touts Canadian oil imports as best for America's security interest
14. Suncor profit nearly triples
15. Shell makes nearly £1.6m profits every hour
16. Shell Halts Plans to Drill in Heart of Polar Bear's Alaska Habitat/ Polar Bear Swims For 9 Days Before Finding Ice
17. BP Wins: EPA Will Agree to Cut Oil Spill Estimate
18. U.S. Probing BP For Gas Market Manipulation - Update 1
19. Egypt pipeline blast affects Jordan
20. LETTER: SHIELDS: The Effects of Egypt's uprising
21. Alberta Tory MLAs vote against online gift disclosure
22. Neste Oil’s response to the Public Eye Award
23. Liberal MP John McKay tells mining conference: Bill C-300 will see a "legislative resurrection"
24. Death Threats against Environmental Defenders in El Salvador -- Take Action Today!
25. ACTION: Petition of Support for Grassy Narrows and Surrounding Communities Affected by Mercury and Other Contamination in their call for a National Inquiry
26. Solar panels will turn rooftops into power plants (2 articles)
27. Global suicide: When will we react?
28. COMMENT: Larose: Re: Internet "control"
29. QUOTE FOR THE DAY
==============
1. Canadians being fracked by international energy producers, BC Tap Water Alliance warns
http://www.bctwa.org/FrackingBC.html
B. C. TAP WATER ALLIANCE
Caring for, Monitoring, and Protecting British Columbia’s Community Water Supply Sources Email – info@bctwa.org
Website – www.bctwa.org
(Stop Fracking British Columbia –
www.bctwa.org/FrackingBC.html ) February 3, 2011 Media Release
OTTAWA – A number of international energy producers are using a controversial extraction method to develop non-renewable, deep shale gas deposits in vast tracks of remote, public wilderness lands in northeast British Columbia, according to the coordinator of the B.C. Tap Water Alliance.
“The method is called fracking,” says Will Koop, who is scheduled to appear on the late afternoon of Thurs., Feb. 3, before Ottawa’s Standing Committee on Natural Resources studying Energy Security in Canada. “There are numerous, adverse environmental impacts caused by fracking which Canadians, particularly parliamentarians, need to be aware of.”
Koop says fracking refers to the use of large quantities of fresh water mixed with chemicals in order to fracture the earth and release valuable methane gas. “The companies are using this very controversial method because of a sympathetic, deregulatory-minded BC Liberal administration,” Koop says. “Our own provincial legislators have allowed environmental protection, regulations and governmental oversight to be disabled and removed.”
Koop says there has also been a failure to implement long term environmental planning, called “cumulative effects,” to regulate deep shale development proposals.
He says a number of corporations with long term land leases in northeast BC are already mining Alberta’s tar sands. “Those corporations are planning to export B.C.’s gas as a new form of energy to fuel their tar sands operations. The combined greenhouse gas emissions from deep shale and tar sands developments will continue to be a major issue for federal and provincial governments.”
One of the main environmental controversies surrounding the issue of hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, is the withdrawal, contamination and disposal of significantly large quantities of fresh water. This is already an issue in Alberta, Saskatchewan, Quebec and New Brunswick.
“The controversial practice of combining toxic additives with fresh water and specially-mined frack sand for this process have come under federal investigation by the Environmental Protection Agency in the United States since 2010. Deep shale energy companies there are under significant public scrutiny, particularly concerning the pollution of fresh water aquifers.” - 30 -
To contact Will Koop, email: info@bctwa.org (he will be regularly checking this email during February 3rd)
================
2. Oil and Gas Group Urges Oscar Judges to Steer Clear of 'Gasland'
http://www.nytimes.com/gwire/2011/02/01/
01greenwire-ioil-and-gas-group-urges-oscar-judges-to-steer-99256.html
NewYork Times By MIKE SORAGHAN of Greenwire Published: February 1, 2011
The oil and gas industry doesn't want a golden Oscar statuette to grace the mantel of "Gasland" filmmaker Josh Fox.
An industry group sent a letter today to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, saying that a litany of errors in the anti-drilling film should render it ineligible for best documentary feature.
"The filmmaker alternates between misstating and outright ignoring basic and verifiable facts related to the impact of these activities on the health and welfare of humans, wildlife and the environment," said Lee Fuller, executive director of Energy in Depth (EID), in a letter (pdf) today to the academy.
[ http://www.eenews.net/assets/2011/02/01 ... _gw_02.pdf ]
But Fox says his documentary is "backed up by facts 100 percent," and it is the industry that perpetuates falsehoods.
"Gasland exposes what they've been doing and they don't like it," Fox said in an interview today. "EID is a smear organization, a PR firm that has nothing to do with reality."
MORE:
http://www.nytimes.com/gwire/2011/02/01/
01greenwire-ioil-and-gas-group-urges-oscar-judges-to-steer-99256.html
=================
3. The Hydraulic Fracturing Dilemma, and Danger
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/robert-l-cavnar/
the-hydraulic-fracturing-_b_816987.html
Posted: February 1, 2011 01:22 PM
Hydraulic fracturing, known as frac'ing, of oil and gas wells has been a common practice for decades yet little is understood about this complex, and potentially very dangerous well treating practice. In the last 10 to 15 years, more and more questions have been raised by both the environmental community and regulatory agencies, and the industry has characteristically kept most information under wraps, citing proprietary technology as their reasons for concealing specific chemicals and concentrations they use. In the last several years, concerns of the environmental community have spilled over into the awareness of the general public, fueled by Gasland, a documentary about shale gas drilling and frac'ing produced by Josh Fox in 2010.
Here's a good illustration about how horizontal wells are frac'ed:
Video/More:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/robert-l-cavnar/
the-hydraulic-fracturing-_b_816987.html
==================
4. Have You Been Frac’d? What You Need to Know -A Practical Guide to Covering Your Ass
http://www.journeyoftheforsaken.com/
whatyouneedtoknow.htm
updated: June 18, 2009
First of all, my prayers are with you and you family. I hope you are treated fairly and with compassion by those in a position to help you successfully negotiate your crises. Keep your faith and courage and get thoroughly educated fast!
Second of all, since I'm a paralegal, I have to tell you that I'm not a lawyer and this isn't legal advice. I would recommend getting in touch with a qualified attorney, just to get your foot firmly in the starting block. You may or may not ever need to lean on them, but they certainly should be able to walk you through your situation.
This whole page is just common sense how-to's from someone who has lived through it and learned a few lessons that may be useful to you on your journey toward justice. Here's what the track looks like.
MORE:
http://www.journeyoftheforsaken.com/
whatyouneedtoknow.htm
=================
5. Hydraulic Fracturing 101
http://www.earthworksaction.org/
FracingDetails.cfm#BESTPRACTICES
Fracking chemicals (all Links are on website above)
Potential for groundwater contamination
Fracking chemical disposal
Hydraulic fracturing best practices
Tips for landowners
Often an oil- or gas-bearing formation may contain large quantities of oil or gas, but have a poor flow rate due to low permeability, or from damage or clogging of the formation during drilling.[1] This is particularly true for tight sands, oil shales and coalbed methane. Hydraulic fracturing (also known as fracking, which rhymes with cracking) is a technique used to create fractures that extend from the well bore into rock or coal formations. These fractures allow the oil or gas to travel more easily from the rock pores, where the oil or gas is trapped, to the production well. [2] Typically, in order to create fractures a mixture of water, proppants (sand or ceramic beads) and chemicals is pumped into the rock or coal formation.
MORE:
http://www.earthworksaction.org/FracingDetails.cfm#
===================
6. Mont. senators introduce bill to protect Flathead
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-02-01/
mont-senators-introduce-bill-to-protect-flathead.html
Baucus, Tester reintroduce bill to prevent mining, oil and gas development on North Fork
Feb 1, 2011 9:04 AM MT By The Associated Press
HELENA, Mont. (AP) — U.S. Sens. Max Baucus and Jon Tester have reintroduced a bill that would bar mining and new oil and gas development on the North Fork watershed of Montana's Flathead River.
Baucus said Monday in announcing the legislation that he hopes the bill will build on the success they've had in getting companies to retire oil and gas development leases in the area.
Companies such as ConocoPhillips, Chevron and Exxon subsidiary XTO Energy have voluntarily relinquished more than 200,000 acres, or about 80 percent of the total leased acreage. [ . . . ]
==================
7. FRACKING WITH DIESEL ( 4 articles)
Congress Confirms Drillers Fracked with Diesel
http://www.ewg.org/release/
congress-confirms-gas-drillers-fracked-diesel
CONTACT: EWG Public Affairs, 202-667-6982; leeann@ewg.org
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: For Immediate Release: January 31, 2011
Washington, DC -- The Environmental Working Group (EWG) commends the important investigation of hydraulic fracturing released today (Jan. 31) by U.S. Reps. Henry A. Waxman (D-Calif.), Edward J. Markey (D-Mass) and Diana DeGette (D-Colo.). Their disturbing findings show that 1) oil and natural gas drilling companies injected more than 32 million gallons of diesel fuel or fluids containing diesel fuel in hydraulically fractured wells in 19 states between 2005 and 2009; and 2) no state and federal regulators have issued the required permits for this use of diesel fuel, an apparent violation of the Safe Drinking Water Act.
“Drilling companies have won exemption from just about every piece of federal environmental law except the requirement to get permits if they use diesel in their fracking fluids,” said EWG Senior Counsel Dusty Horwitt. “This report shows they haven't even complied with this limited provision. How can communities trust these companies to drill responsibly?”
“Companies are increasingly drilling in populated areas and using ever more intensive hydraulic fracturing in shale formations,” Horwitt said. “Reps. Waxman, Markey and DeGette deserve credit for pursuing this important investigation and working to ensure that drilling is conducted carefully and in compliance with our laws.” [ . . . ]
###
The Environmental Working Group is a nonprofit research organization based in Washington, DC that uses the power of information to protect human health and the environment.
www.ewg.org.
= = = = = = =
State officials say use of diesel in frack jobs not a big problem
http://www.platts.com/RSSFeedDetailedNews/RSSFeed/
NaturalGas/6795228
Houston (Platts)--1Feb2011/630 pm EST/2330 GMT
The use of diesel fuel in hydraulic fracturing fluid does not represent a major problem in two oil- and gas-producing states cited in a congressional report this week, regulators who oversee drilling operations in those states said Tuesday.
On Monday, three US representatives claimed that a dozen well-servicing companies have injected more than 32 million gallons of diesel or diesel-based products into oil and natural gas wells between 2005 and 2009, in what they called "an apparent violation of the Safe Drinking Water Act." [ . . . ]
= = = = =
House Inquiry Reveals Continued Use of Diesel Fuel in Hydrofracking
http://shaledaily.com/news/sd20110201d.shtml
February 01, 2011
Leading House opponents of hydraulic fracturing (hydrofracking) said their nearly year-long investigation revealed that oil and natural gas service companies have continued to use diesel fuel to produce shale gas without receiving regulatory approval.
Oil and gas service companies injected more than 32 million gallons of diesel fuel or hydrofracking fluids containing diesel fuel in wells in 19 states between 2005 and 2009, said Reps. Henry A. Waxman (D-CA), Edward J. Markey (D-MA) and Diana DeGette (D-CO), who opened the inquiry last February into the potential health and environmental risks associated with hydrofracking of shale gas (see Daily GPI, Feb. 19, 2010 ) [ . . . ]
= = = = = =
Environmental groups sue Delaware River Basin Commission over exploratory gas drilling
http://www.recordonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/
article?AID=/20110202/NEWS/110209919
By Steve Israel Times Herald-Record Published: 1:01 PM - 02/02/11
Last updated: 1:05 PM - 02/02/11
The interstate commission overseeing gas drilling along the Delaware River is under fire from environmental groups and two federal lawmakers.
Two regional environmental groups, Delaware Riverkeeper and Damascus Citizens for Sustainability, on Tuesday filed a federal lawsuit against the Delaware River Basin Commission. The groups claim the commission should not have allowed gas companies to drill exploratory wells on the Pennsylvania side of the Delaware without its approval and despite its moratorium against drilling. The groups want the wells gone.
The commission had allowed these exploratory wells — and only those wells — to be drilled before it issued its regulations because they received state permits. They were allowed under a DRBC loophole that was eventually tightened.
In an example of the hurdles to be overcome for any drilling to occur along the Delaware, the environmental groups say the commission shouldn't have allowed any wells to be drilled.
“The drilling of a gas well, whether exploratory or production, has serious environmental impacts. Since the DRBC is supposed to protect the river and the clean drinking water for over 15 million people, they shouldn't have allowed these wells to proceed without DRBC oversight,” said Maya van Rossum of Delaware Riverkeeper. ”These wells threaten pollution and may have already caused pollution. We want these wells removed and the land restored.”
Meanwhile, Reps. Maurice Hinchey, D-Hurley, and Rush Holt, D-N.J,, on Wednesday asked the commission to suspend its rule-making process for drilling after Congressional investigators found diesel fluid in the liquids used for the horizontal drilling method of hydraulic fracturing, or “fracking.” That would be the drilling method used in the Delaware basin, which borders Sullivan County.
MORE:
http://www.recordonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/
article?AID=/20110202/NEWS/110209919
===================
8. Assessment of the Greenhouse Gas Footprint of Natural Gas from Shale Formations Obtained by High-Volume, Slick-Water Hydraulic Fracturing
http://www.eeb.cornell.edu/
howarth/GHG%20update%20for%20web%20--%20Jan%202011%20(2).pdf
Robert W. Howarth David R. Atkinson Professor of Ecology & Environmental Biology, Cornell University (Revised January 26, 2011)
Download the updated JANUARY 2011 GHG emissions assessment summary
http://www.eeb.cornell.edu/howarth/
GHG%20update%20for%20web%20--%20Jan%202011%20(2).pdf
Natural gas is widely advertised and promoted as a clean burning fuel that produces less greenhouse gas emissions than coal when burned. While it is true that less carbon dioxide is emitted from burning natural gas than from burning coal per unit of energy generated, the combustion emissions are only part of story and the comparison is quite misleading. With funding from the Park Foundation, my colleagues Renee Santoro, Tony Ingraffea, and I have assessed the likely footprint from natural gas in comparison to coal.
We submitted a draft of our work to a peer-reviewed journal in November, and now have a revised manuscript under consideration by the journal. The revision is improved with input from reviewers and also uses new information from a November 2010 report from the EPA. The EPA report is the first significant update by the agency on natural gas
emission factors since 1996, and concludes that emissions – particularly for shale gas – are larger than previously believed. Our research further supports this conclusion.
A summary figure from our revised submission is shown here. The figure compares shale gas with two estimates of methane emissions to the atmosphere (low and high, two bars to the left), conventional natural gas with two estimates of methane emissions (high and low estimates, next two bars), coal from surface mines (3rd bar from right), coal from deep mines (2nd bar from right) and diesel oil. Please note this should be treated tentatively, as further changes or refinements in response to reviewer comments are possible. We nonetheless post the update now due to the tremendous interest in the topic, and its importance in deciding the wisdom of viewing natural gas as a transitional fuel over the coming decades.
MORE:
http://www.eeb.cornell.edu/howarth/
GHG%20update%20for%20web%20--%20Jan%202011%20(2).pdf
International SCOPE Biofuels Project:
http://www.eeb.cornell.edu/howarth/SCOP ... _home.html
==================
9. Debate ensues over oilsand panel as member quits
http://www.calgaryherald.com/health/
Debate+ensues+over+oilsand+panel+member+quits/4207023/story.html
BY KELLY CRYDERMAN, CALGARY HERALD FEBRUARY 2, 2011 6:46 AM
CALGARY - Just days after the makeup of a provincial panel meant to revamp oilsands monitoring was announced, an American member has quit saying there's not enough scientists in the group and the Alberta government wants to muzzle free discussion.
"I'm concerned that First Nations may think this is yet another snow job by a bunch of experts who speak a lot of technical speak," said Helen Ingram, a University of California-Irvine professor emeritus who specializes in public policy on water resources.
- - - SNIP - - -
Her three main concerns were that the panel schedule set doesn't allow for her to attend key meetings, there are too few physical scientists - such as hydrologists - on the panel, and early instructions suggested she and other members would not be able to discuss oilsands issues with scientific colleagues or others without first getting the permission of the minister.
Ingram said she's used to some level of confidentiality while sitting on panels, but this seemed a step too far.
"You have to have pretty clear access to people," she said. "You have to refer to things that you're already talking about. You can't act like all the panel deliberations are absolutely secret."
The scheduling that left her out, she added, was a sign that her opinion didn't actually have much value. Ingram was also concerned there is no native panel member, and the whole thing "seemed rushed."
===================
10. Professor quits oil-sands panel over lack of aboriginal representation (plus ‘G&M ‘clarification’ )
http://dirtyoilsands.org/news/article/
professor_quits_oil-sands_panel_over_lack_of_aboriginal_representation/
JOSH WINGROVE Edmonton— Globe and Mail Update
Published Wednesday, Feb. 02, 2011 2:39PM EST
Last updated Wednesday, Feb. 02, 2011 3:20PM EST
Five days after Alberta Environment announced a controversial panel to overhaul monitoring of the oil sands, one of its members quit citing concerns over a lack of aboriginal representation and confidentiality requirements.
Helen Ingram, a professor emeritus at the University of California – Irvine, submitted her resignation to Environment Minister Rob Renner on Tuesday.
= = = =
SEE ‘clarification’: (….change of heading?!)
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/prairies/
professor-quits-oil-sands-panel-over-lack-of-aboriginal-representation/article1891910/?cmpid=rss1&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+TheGlobeAndMail-Front+%28The+Globe+and+Mail+-+Latest+News%29
=================
11. NIKIFORUK: Alberta Still Wears Pollution Blinders: Report
http://thetyee.ca/Opinion/2011/02/01/PollutionBlinders/
Yet another study finds oil sands environmental monitoring isn't remotely up to the job.
By Andrew Nikiforuk, 1 Feb 2011, TheTyee.ca
"In science you need to understand the world; in business you need others to misunderstand it." Nassim Nicholas Taleb
Denial is a river that runs deep in the petro state of Alberta, and a new scientific report on oil sands environmental monitoring shows how deep these corrupt currents have become in the province's psyche.
For more than a decade now, industry and government have claimed that the world's largest energy project and one of Canada's largest sources of cancer makers, such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, have had no impact on the Athabasca River.
The deniers all based their claims on industry reporting provided by the Regional Aquatic Monitoring Program (RAMP).
But as a new scientific review makes clear, it's a bogus claim based on a lie, built on a fantasy, originally designed by incompetence.
The 160-page report simply concluded that RAMP is incompetent. Moreover, it has failed to meet seven out of nine basic scientific objectives.
MORE:
http://thetyee.ca/Opinion/2011/02/01/PollutionBlinders/
==================
12. Alberta’s one-party system is cracking up
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/opinions/opinion/
albertas-one-party-system-is-cracking-up/article1890728/
JEFFREY SIMPSON | Columnist profile | E-mail From Wednesday's Globe and Mail
Published Wednesday, Feb. 02, 2011 5:00AM EST
Alberta’s politics began cracking during the last economic boom, and will keep on cracking until there’s a fundamental realignment of parties. The province is simply far too sophisticated and diverse for all of its ambitions, frustrations and fissures to be accommodated in one big, sprawling party.
By fundamental realignment, we mean two large parties – one on the conservative right, the other in the centre – and a small one, the NDP, on the left.
The conservative party will either be the Wildrose Alliance or a merger of it and elements of today’s Conservative Party. The centrist party will be something like the fledgling Alberta Party, attracting moderate Peter Lougheed-type Conservatives, Liberals and people previously not involved in politics (such as those who worked for Calgary Mayor Naheed Nenshi).
The Conservatives began cracking up under Ralph Klein, who, for all his folksy popularity, turned out to be an aimless premier after his first term, when Alberta was seeking a vision. Mr. Klein was eventually forced out by his party when the folksiness wore thin. At the subsequent leadership convention, the cracks widened between the right-winger, Ted Morton, and the Calgary candidate, former treasurer Jim Dinning.
[ . . . ]
=====================
13. Harper touts Canadian oil imports as best for America's security interest
http://thehill.com/blogs/e2-wire/677-e2-wire/
142245-harper-touts-canadian-oil-imports-as-in-us-security-interest
By Andrew Restuccia - 02/04/11 04:42 PM ET
Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper argued Friday that it’s in the United States’ national security interest to import oil from Canada.
Harper’s comments came in response to a direct question from a reporter about whether he and President Obama discussed a major Canadian pipeline project that would stretch from Alberta to Texas during a bilateral meeting Friday. The project, known as Keystone XL, is currently undergoing a multi-agency review headed by the State Department.
- - - -SNIP - - -
Environmental groups were quick to criticize Harper for touting Canadian oil imports. “What Prime Minister Harper failed to acknowledge is that tar sands oil is highly polluting,” Alex Moore, of Friends of the Earth, said in a statement. “There are cleaner, safer ways to meet U.S. energy needs than to import this dirty oil from Canada via a dangerous pipeline through America's heartland.”
Moore called on Obama to block the pipeline project. “If the president is serious about making America a leader in clean energy, he has no choice but to stop this project.”
===================
14. Suncor profit nearly triples
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/globe-investor/
suncor-profit-nearly-triples/article1891194/
CALGARY— The Canadian Press Published Wednesday, Feb. 02, 2011 6:49AM EST
Last updated Wednesday, Feb. 02, 2011 7:16AM EST
Suncor Energy Inc. (SU-T41.610.150.36%) reports fourth-quarter net earnings of $1.353-billion, or 87 cents per common share.
That compares with net earnings of $457-million, or 29 cents per common share, in the fourth quarter of 2009.
The Calgary-based energy giant credits the increase to improved margins, increased refined product sales and increased oil sands production.
"Operational results were strong across the business in the fourth quarter," said Rick George, president and CEO.
"In our oil sands business, steady and reliable production from both mining and in situ assets drove record quarterly production volumes, while our international and offshore assets continued to perform well. "
Analysts polled by Thomson Reuters were on average expecting quarterly earnings of 50 cents per share and revenue of $9.6 billion. [ . . . ]
= = = = =
Suncor's quarterly profit hits $1.35 billion
http://www.calgaryherald.com/business/
Suncor+quarterly+profit+hits+billion/4209861/story.html?cid=megadrop_story
BY SHAUN POLCZER, CALGARY HERALD FEBRUARY 2, 2011 9:01 AM
Suncor, known for its dominant position in the Alberta oil sands, benefited from oil prices that averaged $85.24 in the quarter, up 12 per cent from a year ago.
CALGARY - Calgary-based Suncor Energy Inc. (TSX:SU) Wednesday said its fourth quarter profits tripled as it reaped the benefits of higher oil prices and stronger refining margins.
The Calgary-based company made $1.35 billion or 87 cents per share in the final three months of last year compared to $457 million or 29 per share in the fourth quarter of 2009.
Excluding one time items, operating earnings of $946 million or 60 cents per share compared to $342 million or 22 cents per share in the prior year quarter. [ . . . ]
=====================
15. Shell makes nearly £1.6m profits every hour
http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2011/feb/03/
shell-profits-nearly-one-point-six-million-an-hour
Full-year profits hit $18.6bn --Drivers are the losers, road lobby says --Chief exec says: don't complain to us - -
• Government under pressure to delay rise in fuel duty
• Poll: time for a supertax on the oil giants?
03 Feb 2011
Shell stoked up the heated debate about the high cost of fuel on the forecourt today after reporting it made profits of nearly £1.6m an hour over the last three months. A leading member of the road lobby said motorists would be "sick to the stomach" and declared that Shell - and a tax-taking Treasury - were "laughing all the way to the bank". Full year profits reached $18.6bn – almost double the figure for 2009 – and chief executive, Peter Voser, boasted "there is more to come from Shell." [ . . . ]
=================
16. Shell Halts Plans to Drill in Heart of Polar Bear's Alaska Habitat
http://www.biologicaldiversity.org/news ... ases/2011/
shell-02-03-2011.html
Interior Needs to Make Short-term Reprieve Permanent, Safeguard Arctic (Center for Biological Diversity)
03 Feb 2011
Polar bears and other imperiled Arctic species got a reprieve today with Royal Dutch Shell's announcement that it will not go forward with plans this summer to drill in critical habitat for the polar bear in Alaska. Shell's drilling plans off the coast of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge have long been opposed by conservationists and native communities along the Alaska coast... Shell also has plans to drill in the adjacent Chukchi Sea next year. The Chukchi is also critical habitat for polar bears, as well as home to the Pacific walrus.
= = = = =
Polar Bear Swims For 9 Days Before Finding Ice
http://www.care2.com/causes/environment/blog/
polar-bear-must-swim-for-9-days-to-find-sea-ice/
January 26, 2011
Climate change forced a single polar bear to swim continuously for over nine days in search of stable sea ice, a new study has revealed.
The bear's epic journey came at a great cost: scientists note that she lost her yearling cub when the small bear couldn't keep up with the long-distance swim and low temperatures. Scientists report the bear also lost 22 percent of her body fat as well.
A study recently published in Polar Biology found that melting sea ice is threatening the health and safety of future polar bear generations by requiring the bears to swim exhaustive distances in freezing cold water.
"This bear swam continuously for 232 hours and 687 km and through waters that were 2-6 degrees C," research zoologist George M. Durner told BBC News.
"We are in awe that an animal that spends most of its time on the surface of sea ice could swim constantly for so long in water so cold," Durner continued, "It is truly an amazing feat."
The scientists were able to track the movements of a single female polar bear over 2 months by fitting her with a GPS collar.
===================
17. BP Wins: EPA Will Agree to Cut Oil Spill Estimate
http://dailyhurricane.com/2011/02/
source-epa-will-agree-to-cut-bp-oil-spill-estimate.html
Robert L. CavnarFounder, DailyHurricane.com Posted: February 2, 2011 09:07 AM
I know I keep saying it, but I told you so. The Observer is reporting that, according to its sources, the EPA is likely to agree to cut its current estimate of oil spilled into the Gulf of Mexico by BP's Macondo well that blew out on April 20. BP has officially disputed the government's estimate, saying that it could be half of the official estimate, citing multiple estimates and lack of actual measurement of the flow. The Observer is reporting that the EPA agrees that estimates are not 100% accurate, signalling the weakness of the government's position. [ . . . ]
==================
18. U.S. Probing BP For Gas Market Manipulation - Update 1
http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/02/02/
bp-marketmanipulation-idUSLDE71104Z20110202
First Posted: 02/ 2/11 08:19 AM Updated: 02/ 2/11 08:22 AM
BP said U.S. regulators were considering filing charges against it related to alleged manipulation of the gas market.
"The U.S. Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) and the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) are currently investigating several BP entities regarding trading in the next-day natural gas market at Houston Ship Channel during October and November 2008," BP said on Wednesday.
The FERC's enforcing body is now mulling whether to pursue charges against BP, which was prosecuted on propane market manipulation charges in 2006. BP paid around $300 million to settle those charges. [ . . . ]
================
19. Egypt pipeline blast affects Jordan
http://english.aljazeera.net/news/middleeast/2011/02/
20112514224368313.html
Investigation into explosion at a North Sinai pipeline that has crippled gas supplies to Jordan.
Last Modified: 05 Feb 2011 14:46 GMT
An explosion at a pipeline in Egypt that supplies gas to Jordan and Israel has been blamed on a gas leak, according to the country's natural gas company.
Earlier reports suggested that sabotage had been behind the blast on Saturday.
Magdy Toufik, the head of Egypt's natural gas company, said in a statement that the fire broke out "as a result of a small amount of gas leaking'' in the terminal at the pipeline that runs through the El-Arish area of Egypt's north Sinai.
However, a local security official said an explosive device was detonated inside the terminal, and the regional governor, Abdel Wahab Mabrouk, said he suspected sabotage.
Jordanian officials are scrambling to rearrange power supplies after the Jordanian route, that runs from El-Arish to Aqaba and then up to Amman, was damaged by the explosion.
MORE:
http://english.aljazeera.net/news/middleeast/2011/02/
20112514224368313.html
=================
20. LETTER: SHIELDS: The Effects of Egypt's uprising
From: lagran
To: Prime Minister/Premier ministre ; Layton, Jack - M.P. ; iggy
Cc: Rae.B@parl.gc.ca ; Minister, EMPR EMPR:EX ; mccallum ; brian mason ; goodale ; flaherty ; bill boyd ; Jerry Bellikka ; T Banks ; jmorales@neb-one.gc.ca ; acameron@neb-one.gc.ca
Sent: Saturday, January 29, 2011 5:57 PM
Subject: The Effects of Egypt's uprising
Canada, along with their buddies in Israel and United States, should be very careful with events going on in the Mid-East. These Israel- and United States-supported puppet governments all over the Mid-East are in danger as are those who supported the Israeli terrorist who brought great harm to Arab cultures. I expect Netanyahu will sit very quietly during these uprisings concerned they may indeed be coming for him. Harper's over-the-top relations with Netanyahu should have him watch out for his safety while traveling in Mid-East locations. Harper would be wise to sit as silently as buddy Netanyahu during these uprisings.
From a business point of view, if Canada indeed did have a national energy body, it would be a perfect time to seek Upgrader funding at source for much of the exported bitumen now heading to United States destinations. With 50% of the world’s crude production reaching markets through the Suez Cannel, China may feel like investing in Canada--especially if they felt Harper was on his way out! How frustrating to have a leader who is dead weight with the leading economy in the world! The Egypt problem will not change the huge dollar spread between West Texas crude and Brent North Sea crude that sells on the open world market; indeed, this could increase the spread and make another market ever more important. Without any form of export controls in place for NAFTA exports, the spread will surely increase when full pipeline capacity is available to the greedy industry exporter. Canada has not been in a position to make swift changes with respect to energy since Mulroney turned control of our energy resources over to American interest. The Effects of Egypt's uprising.
Stewart Shields
Lacombe, Alberta
= = = = = = =
Canada no longer leads recovery standings
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/
report-on-business/economy/jobs/canada-no-longer-leads-recovery-standings/article1886140/
BARRIE McKENNA OTTAWA— From Saturday's Globe and Mail
Published Friday, Jan. 28, 2011 10:08AM EST
Last updated Friday, Jan. 28, 2011 5:54PM EST
It’s been badge of honour for Canada on the world stage: the only major economy to recoup all the jobs lost in the recession.
Prime Minister Stephen Harper, Finance Minister Jim Flaherty and scores of economists all trumpeted the rapid jobs recovery as evidence that Canada beat the world in getting back on its feet after the worst global slump in more than a generation.
Unfortunately, it’s not true.
Revisions released Friday by Statistics Canada show that the country is still roughly 30,000 jobs shy of getting back all the jobs destroyed, based on updated population data from the 2006 census. The revisions underscore the reality that the Canadian economy is still facing a lot of turbulence, and that it’s no longer outperforming the rest of the world.
[ . . . . ]
===================
21. Alberta Tory MLAs vote against online gift disclosure
http://www.edmontonjournal.com/
story_print.html?id=4199078&sponsor=
NDP’s Notley calls on gov’t to apologize for ‘thumbing their noses at democracy’
By Karen Kleiss, edmontonjournal.com January 31, 2011 1:02 PM
Alberta NDP MLA Rachel Notley has called on the government to apologize to Albertans after Tory MLAs voted against making information about the gifts they accept more accessible to citizens.
EDMONTON - Tory MLAs on Monday voted against making information about the freebies they receive easily available to the public online.
The gifts made headlines last year when The Journal revealed that Tory MLAs accepted west coast fishing trips, concert tickets, rounds of golf and other gifts from lobbyists, oil companies and a billionaire businessman.
“The Tories are the most secretive government in Canada,” NDP MLA Rachel Notley said in a statement released Monday morning after the vote.
“The Tories have once again thumbed their noses at democracy and the rights of Albertans to have easy access to information about their MLAs’ financial interests.”
MORE:
http://www.edmontonjournal.com/
story_print.html?id=4199078&sponsor=
==================
22. Neste Oil’s response to the Public Eye Award
http://www.iewy.com/
15538-neste-oils-response-to-the-public-eye-award.html
Kim Chapman 1 February 2011
Neste Oil is disappointed in the outcome of the Public Eye Award announced today and believes that it does not reflect the true nature of the situation. [ . . . ]
= = = = =
Public Eye Awards 2011!
Within sight of the World Economic Forum (WEF), the Berne Declaration (BD) and Greenpeace today denounced the particularly flagrant human rights abuses and environmental sins committed by corporations. The jury-selected Global Award was presented to the South African mining company AngloGold Ashanti. The People’s Award, determined by internet voting, went to the Finnish agrofuel concern Neste Oil. Over 50,000 people took part in the online voting.
For the web-based Public Eye People’s Award, mobilizing more than twice as many voters this year as in 2010, Neste Oil cleaned up with 17'385 votes, thus relegating BP (13'000) and Philip Morris (8'052) to runners-up. The Finnish biofuel producer – and soon the world’s largest palm oil purchaser – sells bio-diesel Europe-wide under the shameless name “Green Diesel.” The huge jump in demand for palm oil fuels rain forest destruction in Indonesia and Malaysia, threatening the remaining refuges of the already endangered orangutan.
Read more about the award ceremony here:
www.publiceye.ch/en/news/
Check the final ranking:
www.publiceye.ch/en/ranking/
«Congratulate» the winner of the People's Award on Neste Oil's feedback page:
www.nesteoil.com/default.asp?path=1,42,801
Keep in touch:
www.facebook.com/PublicEyeAwards
Thanks and keep the fire!
The Public Eye Team
===================
23. Liberal MP John McKay tells mining conference: Bill C-300 will see a "legislative resurrection"
http://www.canadians.org/waterblog/
By Emma Lui | January 31, 2011
Liberal MP John McKay was one of nine speakers at Friday's conference, the Political Economy of Mining and Resource Extraction, at Carleton University. McKay, who is the MP for Scarborough-Guildwood, spoke to a jam-packed room of close to 100 people. He talked broadly about the bill, called the Corporate Accountability of Mining, Oil or Gas in Developing Countries Act, which would have held Canadian mining companies accountable for human rights abuses and environmental destruction while operating abroad. He expressed his surprise at the reactions to his bill. He received reactions from countries around the world including Bulgaria and the Philippines. Al-Jazeera and the Globe and Mail approached him. Over 80 NGOs wrote a letter in support of the bill. McKay revealed that "some progressive companies dipped their toes in it." It's not uncommon for MPs to be absent for votes on private members' bills. However, for Bill C-300, all the Conservatives showed up to vote against it. Twenty-four MPs were absent from the vote and the Bill was defeated by a mere six votes. McKay then spoke about a "legislative resurrection," or re-introducing the bill after more research and working with industry. The audience was heartened to hear that the bill's defeat was not the death of the bill.
Emma Lui, Water Campaign, Council of Canadians
==================
24. Death Threats against Environmental Defenders in El Salvador -- Take Action Today!
http://www.cispes.org/
index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=800&Itemid=1
January 31, 2011
Our allies in the Cabañas environmental movement as well as the National Roundtable Against Metallic Mining (the Mesa) are very concerned about a recent wave of death threats and crimes against members of El Salvador’s anti-mining movement as well as other violent crimes recently committed in Cabañas. Similar crimes in 2009 that went uninvestigated, including robberies, kidnappings, and death threats against members of Radio Victoria, ADES, ASIC, and the CAC – all active organizations in Cabañas’ mining resistance –were a prelude to the murders of three activists, Marcelo Rivera, Ramiro Rivera and Dora Alicia Sorto Recinos.
Please read more in-depth reports here:
Pacific Rim Mining Company: The Kraken of Cabanas
http://www.envio.org.ni/articulo/4143
and here:
Gold, Bodies and Justice:
http://ajws.org/who_we_are/news/archives/features/
julia_kaminsky_gold_bodies_justice.pdf
Therefore, our allies are extremely concerned that the on-going state of impunity not only encourages the recent threats and crimes but could lead to more violence and murders in the near future
==================
25. ACTION: Petition of Support for Grassy Narrows and Surrounding Communities Affected by Mercury and Other Contamination in their call for a National Inquiry
http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/grassynarrows/
Please sign this important petition in support of Grassy Narrows First Nation. Also, please share this email far and wide with all your family, friends and colleagues. Thanks for any help on this. All the best to you.
For Land and Life,
John H.W. Hummel
Pollution/Health Researcher
Nelson, B.C.
Link to Petition:
http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/grassynarrows/
Some Background on the pollution situation at Grassy Narrows and Wabaseemoong First Nations in Northern Ontario, Canada:
http://freegrassy.org/2010/01/06/
mercury-still-killing-in-grassy-narr...
Grassy Narrows Health Study:
http://freegrassy.org/wp-content/uploads/
Harada_report_2004_FINAL.pdf
Canada's Mercury Pollution on Indigenous Lands:
http://intercontinentalcry.org/
canadas-mercury-pollution-on-indigenou...
====================
26. Solar panels will turn rooftops into power plants (2 articles)
http://www.ottawacitizen.com/business/
Solar+panels+will+turn+rooftops+into+power+plants/4200539/story.html
Byline: Tom Spears, Ottawa Citizen, Tue Feb 1 2011, Page D1, Business & Technology
A Toronto company with roots in Germany will oversee the installation of the first major solar installation in urban Ottawa under the province's feed-in tariff program.
The eight sets of rooftop panels will supply a maximum of 2.7 megawatts (2.7 million watts) on a hot summer day -- enough to supply nearly 1,000 homes.
Most of the panels will be on rooftops of Dymon Self-Storage buildings, while some will be on the Duke of Devonshire, a seniors' residence on Carling Avenue owned by Dymon.
The project manager is Ontario Solar Provider Inc. (OSP) of Toronto. OSP chief executive Christian Wentzel says the company has been installing big solar projects for seven years, first in Germany and now in Ontario, where the feed-in tariff pays a premium for power from wind, and a bigger premium for solar power.
- - - SNIP - - -
Under its new Green Energy Act, Ontario is offering 20-year contracts for electricity from photovoltaic (PV) solar cells. The price varies with the size of the installation, but for projects this size it is generally from 53.9 to 63 cents per kilowatt hour.
"Many people say that solar power is expensive," Wentzel said. "Yes, it's expensive, but it's emission-free, and generating extra power from fossil fuel during peak demand is also expensive."
Dymon isn't telling what this project costs, but Wentzel says that a typical 250-kilowatt solar project covers about 40,000 square feet and costs about $1.2 million. The Dymon rooftop installations range from 100 to 500 kilowatts each.
Dymon plans to build more in Ottawa -- up to 10 megawatts of capacity -- but hasn't finalized the contracts yet, said Steve Creighton, the senior vice-president.
"It's an exciting thing for us," he said. The company's self-storage buildings "all have very large, flat roofs, so they're ideally suited for solar installation." He expects installation to begin in late March.
= = = =
SCE Buys 20 Years of Solar Power for Less than Natural Gas
http://cleantechnica.com/2011/02/01/
sce-buys-20-years-of-solar-power-for-less-than-natural-gas/
February 1, 2011 in Solar Energy
Southern California Edison has selected 250 MW worth of solar bids from companies able to produce solar electricity for 20 years for less money annually than the 20 year levelized cost of energy of a combined-cycle natural gas turbine power plant.
SCE’s bidding process for smaller renewable projects is smart. These small projects do not face the multi-year bureaucratic delays for extensive reviews, like most utility-scale solar, so each small unit can be built as quickly as normal commercial rooftop solar projects. They are made up of multiple distributed solar installations of under 20 MW, which in combination total a power plant-sized 250 MW. [ . . . ]
================
27. Global suicide: When will we react?
http://english.pravda.ru/opinion/columnists/
01-02-2011/116741-global_suicide-0/
February 1, 2011
At the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, the UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon stated that the world is committing collective global suicide by consuming resources without replenishing them and warned that we are running out of the most important resource of all: Time.
Declaring that "the one resource that is scarcest of all: Time", Ban Ki-Moon left a stark message in Davos, which raises the questions when are we (collectively) going to do something, and if not, what is going to happen? For the Secretary-General, it is imperative that Mankind faces the collective challenges of tackling climate change, ensuring the delivery of sustainable and climate-resilient green growth and to implement what he terms a "clean energy revolution".
While we lurch from one conference to another (and the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro was back in 1992, almost two decades ago) without substantive changes being implemented, all we are doing is putting off decisions we should have had the courage to take - decisions which run at the supra-national level and should be above selfish national interests.
For this, the haves must help the have-nots to develop sustainable green economies, specially because in many cases the richer nations developed at the expense of pilfering the resources of the less developed countries - less developed because they were colonized, held down, divided, their social and ethnic structures wholly and totally turned upside down, to the benefit of the invader: Divide and rule.
Calling for "Revolutionary thinking. Revolutionary action. A free market revolution for global sustainability" Ban Ki-Moon called the old model to approach climate change "obsolete" and worse "a recipe for national disaster. It is a suicide pact". Complaining that our global approach is based upon the times when "we mined our way to growth, we burned our way to prosperity", Ban Ki-Moon calls upon the international community to innovate, to survive.
MORE:
http://english.pravda.ru/opinion/columnists/
01-02-2011/116741-global_suicide-0/
=================
28. COMMENT: Larose: Re: Internet "control"
From: Paul-André Larose
Sent: Friday, February 04, 2011 8:36 AM
I am not even sure that the masses are even aware of the truth. They are being led, as a happy bunch of zombies, to their destruction, by "leaders" who betray them - for the profit of a few. Not much has changed from thousand of years ago. Remember the "Sheep of Panurge"? Give them "Bread and Games".
Below is the best short summary that I have seen...
WATCH: Mouseland:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gqpFm7zAK90
Paul-Andre Larose
Durham Action, Oshawa (Durham Region), Ontario.
=======================
29. QUOTE FOR THE DAY
We have not inherited this land from our ancestors; rather, we have borrowed it from our children. - Kenyan Proverb
- Oscar
- Site Admin
- Posts: 9851
- Joined: Wed May 03, 2006 3:23 pm
FRACKING/ENERGY NEWS: February 13, 2011
by Oscar » Sun Feb 13, 2011 1:06 pm
FRACKING/ENERGY NEWS: February 13, 2011
1. EVENT: Saskatoon - SMALL-SCALE AND MUNICIPAL WIND POWER
2. Playing Dirty: Gasland vs Big Oil and Gas
3. Baseline water testing: what is it and why is it important?
4. Fracking bill dead in committee
5. Agriculture changing as Marcellus Shale drilling gains ground
6. FRACKIN’ with PetroBakken
7. Encana’s deal shouldn’t surprise anyone
8. Watch Out America, China Is Coming For Your Oil And Gas!
9. Natural Gas Industry Shills Use the Media to Mislead the Public - Here's How to Spot Them (2010)
10. Just How Dangerous is Fracking? We May Be About to Find Out
11. New Drilling Method Opens Vast Oil Fields in US
12. Buffalo City Council Votes to Ban Gas Drilling and Fracking
13. Public Comment: Carluccio - Re: Marcellus Shale Report and Recommendations – Resolution No. 100864
14. TransCanada, critics differ on need for state oversight of pipelines
15. South Africa: 'Fracking' may cloud Karoo stars
16. Conference: Shale Gas World Europe 2011 - The Shale Gas Revolution Has Hit Europe
17. Sask. family demands answers on carbon capture and storage risks
18. STEVIE CAMERON’s reply to Globe & Mail Question (below): Are the oil sands ethical?
19. Charges laid against oil sands company for water diversions
20. Canada’s High Commissioner to the UK backs CETA, tar sands, austerity measures
21. WikiLeaks cables: Saudi Arabia cannot pump enough oil to keep a lid on prices
22. New green technology could offset SaskEnergy’s electrical use within four years
23. MANITOBA AND SASKATCHEWAN HOLD SECOND JOINT CABINET MEETING IN BRANDON
================
1. EVENT: SASKATOON - SMALL-SCALE AND MUNICIPAL WIND POWER
Canada Green Building Council: Saskatchewan chapter
SASKATOON: Lunch and Learn event - Friday February 25, 2010Tim Weis - Director, Renewable Energy Policy, Pembina Institute and research engineer
Kelly Winder - Research engineer, Saskatchewan Research Council
Kevin Hudson - Alternative energy engineer, Saskatoon Light and Power
WHERE: University of Saskatchewan School of Education: Basement studios - SASKATOON AND
University of Regina School of Education: Room 158 (connected by videoconference)
Lunch and learn: 12h00 - 13h00: no charge - but please bring your own lunch
Afternoon teaching session: 13h00-16h00: Non-members $100, Chapter members $75, Student members & EGBs $25
SaskPower's announcement 3 years ago of a net metering scheme created a new market in the province for farm-scale and homescale wind power. When is it appropriate to install this technology, what are the benefits and drawbacks, and how can it be integrated with environmentally responsible design?
Tim Weis and Kelly Winder will speak to these questions.
Kevin Hudson will speak about Saskatoon Light and Power's plans for a single large turbine on the edge of the city.
Register at: http://www.picatic.com/ticket/event359978 (or at the door)
====================
2. Playing Dirty: Gasland vs Big Oil and Gas
http://frack.mixplex.com/content/gaslan ... il-and-gas
Publication Type: Web Article Authors:Ardakani,Azita
Source: Lovesocial Communications: Social Media Marketing for Causes & Corporations (2011/02/08)
Playing Dirty
If you have not seen Gasland, take some time to watch it. You can view it on HBO, or purchase from Amazon.
The trailer can be seen here: Gasland Trailer.http://frack.mixplex.com/content/gasland-trailer-2010
Now this movie has made its way to the Oscars and as exciting as that is, the Natural Gas Industry is now in full attack form doing whatever it takes to tear this nomination apart.
This works because people that see this movie and are touched. They are touched because they have been directly affected by hydraulic fracturing or they want to be a voice for those that have been and don’t want to become a silent statistic as well.
Energy In Depth, a group sponsored by a coalition of natural gas companies, sent a letter to the Academy asking that Gasland — a film about a controversial mining technique called hydro-fracking — be removed from the Documentary Feature category.
It is a good thing that they are reacting so publicly, as they are bringing far more attention to the film and the issue at hand. Josh issued an open letter to the media today, responding to the natural gas industries attempt to slam Gasland.
You can read Josh’s letter here on in our Facebook Notes “An Open Letter from Josh Fox.”
http://www.facebook.com/notes/lovesocial/
open-letter-from-josh-fox-of-gasland-in-response-to-attacks-by-gas-industry/192993240720356
Join our communities on Twitter & Facebook and become apart of this conversation, it is one of the most important that you will have.
Azita Ardakani {Founder of Lovesocial}
Edit-Neil Zusman, 2011-02-10
See: Energy in Depth | Mixplex
See: Gasland - The Debate
See: Onshore Drilling Disasters Waiting to Happen: An Interview With 'Gasland' Director Josh Fox | The Nation
URL:
http://www.lovesocial.org/blog/action/playingdirty/
========================
3. Baseline water testing: what is it and why is it important?
http://switchboard.nrdc.org/blogs/amall/
baseline_water_testing_what_is.html
Posted February 9, 2011 in Health and the Environment
Mora County, New Mexico recently completed a baseline water well sampling and testing protocol on a number of private and community drinking water wells on land that has either been leased for natural gas drilling or is near leased land. This means that County residents now know exactly how clean their water is, so that if water appears contaminated in the future, they can test it and compare the results to the baseline results.
The testing was conducted by a state-certified lab and looked for known hydraulic fracturing chemicals, methane, heavy metals, and radioactive substances. The good news is that Mora County water is currently very clean. By conducting baseline testing, residents can prove changes in their water in the future. The burden of proof of contamination often falls on residents, and only if they can find and afford a lawyer to represent them, Needless to say, many residents do not have the resources to go up against big oil and gas companies and their lawyers. Credible baseline data would help them if they think their water has been contaminated.
Fortunately for Mora County, money was raised from private sources for this testing. In Pennsylvania, Trout Unlimited is organizing the training of local volunteers around the state to be water monitors and collect baseline data from local streams. Also in Pennsylvania, the local chapter of the Izaak Walton League of America is initiating a program to test water quality in streams and looking for additional funding.
Baseline data are essential to properly monitor water quality. Yet so far we are only seeing a few instances in our entire country where it is being done, and local citizens and volunteers are struggling to come up with the cash. Collection of independent baseline data needs to be a required part of the process that oil and gas companies must complete before being permitted to drill.
=================
4. Fracking bill dead in committee
http://www.bozemandailychronicle.com/news/
article_ffdf5c3c-2ff8-11e0-89ae-001cc4c002e0.html
Posted: Friday, February 4, 2011 12:15 am | Updated: 11:57 pm, Thu Feb 3, 2011.
By DANIEL PERSON, Chronicle Staff Writer The Bozeman Daily Chronicle
The Montana Legislature will not require oil and gas companies to disclose what chemicals they use for hydraulic fracturing.
Republican senators lined up against Sen. Bob Hawks's bill to require disclosure, saying the federal government already requires the chemicals to be posted at a job site that further disclosure laws could hurt efforts to ramp up energy development in Montana.
In hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, drillers pump water, sand and chemicals thousands of feet under ground. The solution creates fractures in the ground and unleashes trapped fossil fuels.
Hawks, D-Bozeman, argued before the Senate Natural Resources Committee that physicians, especially, should know what chemicals are being used in case there is a spill that winds up making people seriously ill.
His bill, Senate Bill 86, would have required companies to submit a list of the chemicals they are using to the Montana Department of Environmental Quality for posting on a state-run website.
The bill originally called for a 20-day notice to landowners when fracking was planned for neighboring property, but that provision was amended out of the bill before the committee vote.
The committee voted 8-6 against the bill on Wednesday, with all Republicans voting no and all Democrats voting yes.
Republicans on the committee noted that federal law requires a list of the chemicals be kept at a drilling site in case of an accident, and said Hawks' requirements could be redundant and burdensome.
"This just adds another layer of bureaucracy on the whole process," said Sen. John Brenden, R-Scobey.
There has been a national push to get companies to disclose fracking chemicals after water contamination cropped up around heavy drilling areas. The industry has maintained that the chemicals are safe, and are pumped thousands of feet below the water table.
Daniel Person can be reached at dperson@dailychronicle.com or 582-2665.
- - - - - -
COMMENT: geocipher posted at 10:58 pm on Fri, Feb 4, 2011.
In response to oj-I am currently working on an oil rig and there are no MSDS sheets on fracking chemicals that will be used. I do know that one of the common chemicals used is benzene-EPA limits benzene in drinking water to 5 parts per billion. Safe, not.
Another issue to be considered is setting a baseline for groundwater in potentially affected aquifers. Without knowing what to sample for, how can a baseline be determined. A common industry rebuttal to escape responsibility for their contamination is to be able to say that these chemicals already existed in your water before their activities started. It's impossible for you to prove anything without a baseline.
Finally, thanks to previous Republican efforts in Montana legislature, it is your responsibility to prove environmental damage from an industry activity. Industry used your position that it would be too costly to provide this protection and to require measures that would prevent a problem before it happened. For example, this is why we have no cyanide leachpit gold mining in Montana. History has shown that every one leaked cyanide into the groundwater.
Yes, every one.
Now this cost has been passed onto the citizen.
Remember, once you get sick it's a little . . . . .
===================
5. Agriculture changing as Marcellus Shale drilling gains ground
http://www.farmanddairy.com/news/
agriculture-changing-as-marcellus-shale-drilling-gains-ground/20922.html
Thursday, February 3, 2011 by Kristy Foster
Tom Murphy, Penn State University extension educator for Lycoming County, sat down Jan. 26 for a one-on-one interview with the Farm and Dairy.
Murphy is co-director of the Penn State Marcellus Center for Outreach and Research. He has 25 years of field experience and educational consultation with landowners, government agencies, and public officials. His recent focus has been on natural gas exploration.
He has lectured throughout Pennsylvania on Marcellus Shale and topics associated with its development including landowner leasing issues, environmental impacts, the drilling process, infrastructure development, and financial considerations.
In addition, Murphy lives on a farm with his wife and children. The farm utilizes a spring and Marcellus Shale drilling is occurring on his neighbor’s property.
“Yes, these things are concerns to me, too,” Murphy said. He added that everything has to be taken into consideration when it comes to Marcellus Shale drilling.
Q. What is the most dangerous part of drilling through the Marcellus Shale for gas? Is it the fracking process?
A. Murphy said it is not the fracking that should cause the most concern, it is actually the truck traffic associated with the drilling process.
MORE:
http://www.farmanddairy.com/news/
agriculture-changing-as-marcellus-shale-drilling-gains-ground/20922.html
================
6. FRACKIN’ with PetroBakken
http://www.canadianbusinessjournal.ca/brochures/
Jan_10/PetroBakken/file.pdf
JANUARY 2010 • The Canadian Business Journal 33
www.petrobakken.com
How PetroBakken took a chance with an upstart technology and unlocked the Bakken By Anna Guy
The Bakken formation in south-eastern Saskatchewan, Canada, is fast becoming a major hotspot for onshore oil. Lesser known than the celebrated oilsands, the Bakken formation is a 350 million-year-old underground layer of rock that spans Montana and North Dakota to the south, and southeast Saskatchewan to the north. Discovered in the 1950’s, its vast reserves of petroleum were only recently accessible through technology.
As early as 1974, it was postulated that the Bakken could contain vast amounts of oil, but it was a 1995 field assessment for the U.S.
Geological Survey (USGS) that said there may be as many as 503 billion barrels of oil in the Bakken Formation. Compare this with the 125 billion barrels at the Ghawar field in Saudi Arabia and 7.8 billion barrels at Alberta’s Pembina Cardium, and the significance of the Bakken becomes clearer.
“We see a great expansion of our oil industry in areas that we have previously had limited production,” says Dancsok.
“The Bakken is the key which may unlock the entire province.”
MORE:
http://www.canadianbusinessjournal.ca/brochures/
Jan_10/PetroBakken/file.pdf
================
7. Encana’s deal shouldn’t surprise anyone
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/globe-investor/
investment-ideas/streetwise/encanas-deal-shouldnt-surprise-anyone/article1902730/
TIM KILADZE Globe and Mail Blog
Posted on Thursday, February 10, 2011 6:01PM EST
Executives at Encana Corp. (ECA-T32.021.374.47%) know they can’t wait for natural gas prices to rebound before getting serious about creating value, so they readily concede that their company must develop its assets at a much faster growth rate.
For that very reason, the deal with PetroChina International Investment Co. Ltd. shouldn’t surprise anyone, Encana president and chief executive officer Randy Eresman said on a conference call Thursday. He quickly points out that last March he told investors he was looking to strike partnership deals worth $1-billion to $2-billion per year for the next five years.
The new joint venture simply accelerates that plan.
MORE:
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/globe-investor/
investment-ideas/streetwise/encanas-deal-shouldnt-surprise-anyone/article1902730/
More related to this story - Links are at URL above
Encana gas deal puts China market on radar
China pays $5.4-billion for B.C. gas play
==================
8. Watch Out America, China Is Coming For Your Oil And Gas!
http://blogs.forbes.com/christopherhelman/2011/02/10/
watch-out-america-china-is-coming-for-your-oil-and-gas/
Feb. 10 2011 - 12:11 am | By CHRISTOPHER HELMAN
On Wednesday afternoon, Canada’s Encana Corp. agreed to sell half of its prolific Cutbank Ridge shale gas field in British Columbia to PetroChina for $5.4 billion. This is a big deal, outpacing Sinopec’s $4.7 billion takeover of ConocoPhillips’ stake in the Syncrude oil sands project last year.
What’s more, on Wednesday night came the news that Chinese hackers had been actively penetrating the computer networks of Western oil companies in an attempt to steal confidential information. [ . . . ]
=======================
9. Natural Gas Industry Shills Use the Media to Mislead the Public - Here's How to Spot Them (2010)
http://www.google.ca/
search?q=Natural+Gas+Industry+Shills+Use+the+Media+to+Mislead+the+Public+-+Here's+How+to+Spot+Them&rls=com.microsoft:en-ca:IE-Address&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&sourceid=ie7&rlz=1I7RNWE_en&redir_esc=&ei=pAJYTamjEcnPgAfTleTmDA
Stephens, Maura , t r u t h o u t, (2010)
Truthout is a source of independent journalism focusing on under-covered issues and uncoventional thinking.
In papers everywhere we hear arguments such as the one that appeared recently in the Rochester (NY) Business Journal, in an article by economist Raymond J. Keating, under the heading "N.Y. is missing out on economic opportunity."
Keating wrote, "Environmentalists are claiming that hydraulic fracturing threatens groundwater supplies and are using anecdotal evidence to support their claims. Yet years of evidence have demonstrated that the fracking process is safe."
This is not just misleading; it's artful misuse of the language. Or, as my mother would have put it in her habitually blunt way, it's a lie...
...If they have nothing to hide, and there is no danger, why do they keep the ingredients of their toxic fracking stews a secret? Why does the public not know what's in them? How can Keating or anyone else claim it's "safe" if we don't know what they're using? Do we want New York to be the next Gulf? Do we want to just trust the drilling companies to do the right thing, as we seemed to trust BP to manage a spill without adverse consequences?
Furthermore, do New Yorkers want their beautiful state turned into an industrial zone, a la eastern Colorado, huge swaths of Wyoming, much of Texas and Louisiana, and West Virginia? Take a drive to Northeastern Pennsylvania and see what the countryside looks like just a few years after horizontal fracking began there.
Well over half of these United States are in peril from fracking. This is simply nuts. It's not a local or regional, but a national issue (international now, as big gas deposits have been located, and in some cases are already being developed, in Poland, Austria, Hungary, Sweden, Ukraine, the United Kingdom, in Canada, China, and India. (Japan and other countries are buying into gas-drilling rights in the USA and elsewhere.)
See: Global Gas Flaring Identification in Google Earth
See: World of Shale
See: France to Unlock “Dirty” Oil Under Paris With Texan Help
====================
10. Just How Dangerous is Fracking? We May Be About to Find Out
http://www.alternet.org/story/149894/
just_how_dangerous_is_fracking_we_may_be_about_to_find_out
The EPA has proposed examining every aspect of hydraulic fracturing, from water withdrawals to waste disposal, according to a draft plan the agency.
February 11, 2011 | ProPublica / By Nicholas Kusnetz
The EPA has proposed examining every aspect of hydraulic fracturing, from water withdrawals to waste disposal, according to a draft plan the agency released Tuesday. If the study goes forward as planned, it would be the most comprehensive investigation of whether the drilling technique risks polluting drinking water near oil and gas wells across the nation.
The agency wants to look at the potential impacts on drinking water of each stage involved in hydraulic fracturing, where drillers mix water with chemicals and sand and inject the fluid into wells to release oil or natural gas. In addition to examining the actual injection, the study would look at withdrawals, the mixing of the chemicals, and wastewater management and disposal. The agency, under a mandate from Congress, will only look at the impact of these practices on drinking water.
The agency’s scientific advisory board [1] will review the draft plan on March 7-8 and will allow for public comments then. The EPA will consider any recommendations from the board and then begin the study promptly, it said in a news release [2]. A preliminary report should be ready by the end of next year, the release said, with a full report expected in 2014.
A statement from the oil and gas industry group Energy in Depth gave a lukewarm assessment of the draft.
“Our guys are and will continue to be supportive of a study approach that’s based on the science, true to its original intent and scope,” the statement read. “But at first blush, this document doesn’t appear to definitively say whether it’s an approach EPA will ultimately take.”
The study, announced in March [3], comes amid rising public concern about the safety of fracking, as ProPublica has been reporting [4] for years. While it remains unclear whether the actual fracturing process has contaminated drinking water, there have been more than 1,000 reports [5] around the country of contamination related to drilling, as we reported in 2008. In September 2010, the EPA warned residents of a Wyoming town [6] not to drink their well water and to use fans while showering to avoid the risk of explosion. Investigators found methane and other chemicals associated with drilling in the water, but they had not determined the cause of the contamination.
MORE:
http://www.alternet.org/story/149894/
just_how_dangerous_is_fracking_we_may_be_about_to_find_out
= = = = = = = =
EPA's study into oil industry's fracking process includes North Dakota
http://www.grandforksherald.com/event/a ... id/193066/
By: Chuck Haga, Grand Forks Herald Published February 10 2011
Federal authorities plan to continue taking a hard look at the oil industry practice of hydraulic fracturing, a technology that is key to North Dakota’s booming oil development.
The Environmental Protection Agency has proposed a study of all aspects of fracking, including potential impacts on drinking water.
The EPA said it would use case studies to follow the drilling and fracking of a few wells from start to finish. The agency also proposes to look at “three to five places where drilling has reportedly contaminated water,” including one site in the Bakken oil shale formation in North Dakota.
At the site, near Killdeer in Dunn county, an undated well failure during hydraulic fracturing led to “suspected drinking water aquifer contamination,” and effects on soil and surface water when more than 2,000 barrels of oil and fracturing fluids leaked from the well.
The EPA proposes to work with the North Dakota Department of Mineral Resources and the Fort Berthold Indian Reservation to determine why the well failed and the extent of the contamination.
According to a draft plan released Tuesday, the study also would examine the implications of the industry’s substantial and growing use of water, which the EPA estimates now at 70 billion to 140 billion gallons annually. Those are the equivalents of the water used by one or two cities of 2.5 million people, according to the agency.
The draft plan has been submitted to the EPA’s scientific advisory board, which will review it — and receive public comments — next month. The study would begin soon after the agency considers reactions to the plan, with a full report to be completed in 2014.
MORE:
http://www.grandforksherald.com/event/a ... id/193066/
================
11. New Drilling Method Opens Vast Oil Fields in US
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110210/ap_ ... _shale_oil
February 10, 2011 By Jonathen Fahey
A new drilling technique is opening up vast fields of previously out-of-reach oil in the western United States, helping reverse a two-decade decline in domestic production of crude.
Companies are investing billions of dollars to get at oil deposits scattered across North Dakota, Colorado, Texas and California. By 2015, oil executives and analysts say, the new fields could yield as much as 2 million barrels of oil a day - more than the entire Gulf of Mexico produces now.
This new drilling is expected to raise U.S. production by at least 20 percent over the next five years. And within 10 years, it could help reduce oil imports by more than half, advancing a goal that has long eluded policymakers.
"That's a significant contribution to energy security," says Ed Morse, head of commodities research at Credit Suisse.
Oil engineers are applying what critics say is an environmentally questionable method developed in recent years to tap natural gas trapped in underground shale. They drill down and horizontally into the rock, then pump water, sand and chemicals into the hole to crack the shale and allow gas to flow up.
MORE:
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110210/ap_ ... _shale_oil
====================
12. Buffalo City Council Votes to Ban Gas Drilling and Fracking
http://www.alternet.org/newsandviews/article/467336/
buffalo_city_council_votes_to_ban_gas_drilling_and_fracking/
By Tara Lohan | Sourced from AlterNet Posted at February 8, 2011, 1:14 pm
Pittsburgh made headlines not too long ago by approving a measure to ban corporate personhood and the controversial natural gas drilling practice of "fracking" which can contaminate water sources. And now, Buffalo is rocking the boat too. Buffalo News reports:
The Common Council has voted to ban any form of natural gas extraction in Buffalo, including a controversial mining technique known as hydrofracking.
Ban supporters admit this afternoon's unanimous vote is largely symbolic, given the fact that no "fracking" projects have been proposed in Buffalo. But they insist the ban could be a catalyst in spurring similar actions in municipalities in New York, Pennsylvania and other states where gas-rich Marcellus Shale is located.
What's also interesting is that although the city doesn't have any current plans for gas drilling, the community is worried that the sewer department has been accepting fracking wastewater for treatment, which has undisclosed toxic chemicals in it and they're hoping to get to the bottom of that issue as well. High fives, Buffalo.
===================
13. Public Comment: Carluccio - Re: Marcellus Shale Report and Recommendations – Resolution No. 100864
Philadelphia City Council Jan 27, 2011 from Tracy Carluccio; Deputy Director Delaware Riverkeeper Network
http://protectingourwaters.wordpress.com/2011/01/28/
public-comment-philadelphia-city-council-jan-27-2011-from-tracy-carluccio-deputy-director-delaware-riverkeeper-network/
January 28, 2011 by Kristian Boose
January 24, 2011
Philadelphia City Council Voting Members
Philadelphia City Council, Room 402 Philadelphia, PA 19107
Re: Marcellus Shale Report and Recommendations – Resolution No. 100864
Dear Councilman Jones, Councilwoman Reynolds-Brown, and District Council Members,
Thank you for your continued leadership and past actions related to the impacts to the Philadelphia community surrounding the issue of hydraulic fracturing in the Marcellus shale and the potential threat this industry brings to the 17 million people who rely on the Delaware and Schuylkill Rivers for their drinking water. Maya van Rossum, the Delaware Riverkeeper, was delighted to share testimony as one of the nineteen panelists at the September 28, 2010 hearing conducted by the Joint Committees on Transportation and Public Utilities and the Environment.
The expert concerns shared at the hearing clearly indicate the continued need for your leadership on this issue. Your action and ability to pass this resolution and the report and recommendations on January 27th is ever more critical with the events that have transpired since the hearing on September 28th. DRN wanted to be sure to share recent events with Council members in writing for your consideration that raise the urgency of this issue for the Delaware River Watershed which serves as drinking water for the residents of Philadelphia.
Despite a storm of protest and requests from thousands to wait for the science to be completed, including Philadelphia City Council, New York Governor David Paterson, Congressman Maurice Hinchey (NY), Congressman Rush Holt (NJ), New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, and NYC Council, the Delaware River Basin Commission (DRBC) prematurely issued draft natural gas development regulations for the Delaware River Watershed at the December 8, 2010 meeting.
With these regulations, the Delaware River Basin Commission (DRBC) began an inadequate 90-day comment period and the promise of only three public hearings on the regulations. This is in direct conflict with Philadelphia Council’s recommendations, past resolution and letters, and the current resolution being considered. It is also in direct conflict to the over 10,000 citizens who called on DRBC to wait until the science and a cumulative impact study for the Delaware River Watershed has been conducted and important studies like the EPA study on the effects of hydraulic fracturing on drinking water is complete.
MORE:
http://protectingourwaters.wordpress.com/2011/01/28/
public-comment-philadelphia-city-council-jan-27-2011-from-tracy-carluccio-deputy-director-delaware-riverkeeper-network/
=================
14. TransCanada, critics differ on need for state oversight of pipelines
http://journalstar.com/news/unicameral/
article_c349b7c9-c19c-597a-8280-87fba48063fe.html
by ART HOVEY / Lincoln Journal Star JournalStar.com | Posted: Wednesday, February 9, 2011 7:40 pm |
QUOTE: “Teri Taylor, part of a five-generation ranching family, said opponents found nowhere to turn with their worries about erosion of sandy soil, contamination of the Ogallala Aquifer, eminent domain and other effects and potential effects on their property.”
Paul Fuhrer of TransCanada's Omaha office was right in more ways than one Wednesday when he used the fourth quarter of a football game as a frame of reference for a legislative hearing on proposed restrictions for petroleum pipelines.
First, by the time Fuhrer got his chance to testify in front of the Natural Resources Committee at 5 p.m., opponents of TransCanada's plans to build its Keystone XL project through the Nebraska Sandhills already had weighed in with almost two hours of criticism.
Second, as Fuhrer himself said of three bills aimed at state oversight and financial accountability for oil spills, "this is akin to a drastic change in the rules late in the fourth quarter."
Finally, the hearing conveyed a kind of fourth-quarter drama for a project outcome that is still up in the air three years after it first was unveiled.
As the waiting continues for federal approval on the $7 billion, 1,980-mile link that TransCanada wants to make between the oil-rich tar sands of Alberta and refineries along the U.S. Gulf Coast, there's no sign of anybody throwing in the towel.
MORE:
http://journalstar.com/news/unicameral/
article_c349b7c9-c19c-597a-8280-87fba48063fe.html
===================
15. South Africa: 'Fracking' may cloud Karoo stars
http://www.timeslive.co.za/sundaytimes/ ... 95173.ece/
Fracking-may-cloud-Karoo-stars
Feb 5, 2011 11:42 PM | By BOBBY JORDAN
Rupert, a royal and astronomers take on Shell amid fears of pollution and loss of giant radio telescope
Related Article
Dutch princess opposes exploration plan http://www.timeslive.co.za/sundaytimes/article895172.ece/
Dutch-princess-opposes-exploration-plan
South Africa's top scientists are fuming over plans to extract gas from the proposed site of the world's largest telescope - a R15-billion astronomy project in the Karoo.
If petroleum giant Shell has its way, it could also be exploring for gas next to the country's famous Sutherland observatory, in an area declared an astronomy reserve three years ago.
Shell's proposed prospecting area includes about 100000km² of South Africa's arid heartland, one of the quietest places on earth and an astronomy hot spot because of its clear skies.
And outraged local residents - including billionaire businessman Johann Rupert and Princess Irene of the Netherlands - have joined forces to fight the company's plan to explore for shale gas in the region.
Documents submitted to the Petroleum Agency SA show Shell's prospecting area would include both Sutherland and Carnarvon, the country's two most sensitive astronomical sites. Mining operations could threaten the country's bid to host the Square Kilometre Array radio telescope outside Carnarvon. South Africa and Australia are competing to host the facility.
Shell this week said it was looking at pumping sea water deep into the ground in the Karoo, to tap large underground gas reserves. Environmentalists have slammed the drilling technique, known as "fracking", claiming it could pollute the Karoo's scarce underground water supplies.
MORE:
http://www.timeslive.co.za/sundaytimes/ ... 95173.ece/
Fracking-may-cloud-Karoo-stars
=================
16. Conference: Shale Gas World Europe 2011 - The Shale Gas Revolution Has Hit Europe
http://www.terrapinn.com/2011/shale-gas/
Warsaw, Poland Nov. 28 - Dec. 1, 2011
The Shale Gas World Europe Conference was born out of extensive research with the key players in the industry, who have expressed an urgent need to formulate strategies, understand technologies and foster the relationships that will result in development of this new sector.
MORE:
http://www.terrapinn.com/2011/shale-gas/
=================
17. Sask. family demands answers on carbon capture and storage risks
http://www.ecojustice.ca/media-centre/press-releases/
sask.-family-demands-answers-on-carbon-capture-and-storage-risks
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Jan 11, 2011 08:51 AM
Independent research links bubbling, foaming water and animal carcasses to CO2 leakage
Jan 11, 2011
REGINA — A Saskatchewan family has demanded a full public investigation of documented problems on its Weyburn property, located on top of a Cenovus Energy carbon capture and storage site, in light of independent research that indicates unnaturally high levels of CO2 in the area’s soil.
Cameron and Jane Kerr first noticed changes in surface water and well water on their property in 2004, one year after CO2 injections in the area began, and reported these incidents to the Saskatchewan Ministry of Energy and Resources.
Disturbances included bubbling and foaming water, unusual algae growths in ponds and animal carcasses found strewn around the ponds.
“Cenovus Energy and the Saskatchewan Ministry of Energy and Resources failed to properly monitor and investigate the possibility of a CO2 leak during the last six years,” said Ecojustice staff lawyer Barry Robinson, who is advising the Kerrs. “Furthermore, they left the Kerrs in the position of having to prove there was a problem when it was the ministry’s duty to investigate releases from oil and gas activities.”
Cenovus, the ministry and the Kerrs agreed in the fall 2007 that the ministry would conduct a year-long investigation into soil, water and air quality on the Kerrs’ property. The ministry took water and air samples on a single day in July 2008. They did not test for CO2.
Since then, both Cenovus and the ministry have refused to conduct further studies on the property. A petroleum geologist assisting the Kerrs suggested that CO2 leakage could be occurring through faults and fractures or through abandoned oil and gas wells.
In July 2010, the Kerrs retained Petro-Find GeoChem, a Saskatoon-based consulting company, to conduct soil gas studies on their property.
Petro-Find Geochem found unusually high CO2 and methane levels in the soil on the property. An analysis of the measured CO2 done by a research laboratory at the University of Saskatchewan clearly indicated that the leaking CO2 is not naturally occurring and is similar in composition to the CO2 injected in the Weyburn field.
Should Cenovus and the ministry refuse to conduct a full investigation in the face of credible evidence linking the disturbances on the Kerr property to the carbon capture site, the Kerrs will seek legal action.
“It’s clear something is amiss here, and it’s clear that the ministry must take responsibility and conduct a full-scale investigation of the impacts carbon capture and storage has on the surrounding environment,” Robinson said.
“Carbon capture and storage — especially as carried out on the Cenovus site — is not a risk-free silver bullet solution to combating greenhouse gas emissions.” -30-
Video slideshow
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pMWpeTACAgo
Contacts:
Barry Robinson, staff lawyer | Ecojustice
403-830-2032
For other inquiries, please contact:
Kimberly Shearon, communications associate | Ecojustice
604-685-5618 x242
Related content
Case Cenovus carbon capture and storage investigation http://www.ecojustice.ca/cases/
cenovus-carbon-capture-and-storage-investigation
File Kerr Site History
http://www.ecojustice.ca/media-centre/m ... ase-files/
kerr-site-history/at_download/file
File Petro-Find Geochem Ltd. report http://www.ecojustice.ca/media-centre/media-release-files/
petro-find-geochem-ltd.-report/at_download/file
Jumping down the rabbit hole: Carbon trading is not a solutionhttp://www.canadians.org/energyblog/?p=433
So much for the temporary reprieve in the wake of the failed U.S. climate bill.
====================
18. STEVIE CAMERON’s reply to Globe & Mail Question (below): Are the oil sands ethical?
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/opinions/
charles-taylor-prize/in-a-word-no/article1902707/
Special to Globe and Mail Update Published Thursday, Feb. 10, 2011 5:29PM EST
Stevie Cameron - In a word: No
Every time I read another story about Alberta’s tar sands, with its dead ducks, deformed fish, contaminated rivers and steam extraction of dirty oil from bitumen, I think of Cape Breton’s toxic tar ponds in the heart of Sydney. This is where sludge and nearly four metric tonnes of polychlorinated biphenyls from Sydney Steel’s coke ovens raised local cancer rates, contaminated the city’s harbour, destroyed a lobster fishery and is still years away from being cleaned up and capped. And capped means just that: not removed, just mixed with cement and covered and fingers crossed. Although Sydney’s 77-hectare area is tiny compared with Alberta’s vast tar sands, it offered a grave warning to all Canadians. It seems to have been in vain.
Are the tar sands ethical? No. Just ask the native bands worried about future pipelines running through their lands. Aside from the greenhouse-gas emissions that are growing steadily, six billion barrels of mining waste fill 170 square kilometres of tailing ponds, shored up with earth dams and dykes. No one knows how long the ecological damage can last. Anyway, that’s the next generation’s problem, right?
Prime Minister Stephen Harper is a climate-change skeptic and, so far, Canada has no plan to deal with this environmental time bomb. Nor has there been any discussion about three key issues: what to do with the money from the tar sands; what to do with the waste; and what to do with the “dirty oil.”
If you’re skeptical about the grim forecasts for the oil sands, read Bill Marsden’s scalding account, Stupid to the Last Drop. (The book’s original title, wisely set aside, was Albertans Are Stupid.) Or go online to Vancouver’s The Tyee (www.thetyee.com) and read Calgary journalist Andrew Nikiforuk’s brilliant reporting on the subject. To whet your appetite, he tells us that, in July of 2010, “a parliamentary standing committee abruptly stopped looking into tar sands contamination of water, killed the final report and shredded all drafts.”
Maybe we should be looking at Norway’s oil strategy as a role model for Canada, Mr. Nikiforuk suggests. “It’s not perfect but at least it is fiscally conservative and protects future generations and keeps oil from totally contaminating government behaviour. The Norwegians had a national debate about their oil and all political parties agreed to take the money off the table. Ninety per cent of oil-related revenues go into a pension fund. The government must run on other taxes. The largest of these is a hefty carbon tax. In contrast, here in Canada, where we have none of Norway’s wisdom, our politicians have become spin-doctors and salesmen for bitumen. And that’s outrageous. In so doing we diminish our selves as a country.” I couldn’t agree more.
= = = =
Friday's question: Are the oil sands ethical?
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/opinions/
charles-taylor-prize/
In the fifth of a five-part series, The Globe asks the five Charles Taylor Prize finalists to debate that question
Feb 10, 2011 7:23PM EST
Links are on URL above:
Stevie Cameron: In a word: No
George Sipos: The very question entrenches us
Merrily Weisbord: It’s a matter of ought or not
Charles Foran: Get clean, then we'll talk
Vote on Friday's essays
Exclusive excerpt: Mordecai Richler’s struggles with his greatest novel
==================
19. Charges laid against oil sands company for water diversions
http://www.canadaviews.ca/2011/02/10/
charges-laid-against-oil-sands-company-for-water-diversions/
February 10, 2011
Edmonton... Alberta Environment has laid charges against Statoil Canada Ltd. for allegedly contravening parts of its water licence and providing false or misleading information regarding water withdrawals at its in situ facility near Conklin, Alberta.
Statoil is facing charges under the Water Act. The charges relate to separate incidents in 2008 through 2010 in which water was improperly diverted from various water bodies for use in plant operations.
The first court appearance is set for April 6 in Edmonton.
Alberta Environment focuses on education, prevention and enforcement to ensure all Albertans continue to enjoy a clean and healthy environment. When individuals or companies fail to comply with our legislation, Alberta Environment has a range of options depending on the offence to ensure compliance with our environmental regulations. -30-
Media inquiries may be directed to:
Jessica Potter, Communications, Alberta Environment
780-427-6267
To call toll free within Alberta dial 310-0000.
=====================
20. Canada’s High Commissioner to the UK backs CETA, tar sands, austerity measures
http://www.canadians.org/campaignblog/?p=6291
The Scotsman reports today that, “James Wright (Canada’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom) robustly defended his country’s environmental record over the exploitation of ‘oil sands’ in Northern Alberta, and argued that Scottish energy firms were set to benefit from increased involvement in the sector once a free trade agreement with Europe (the Canada-European Union Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement) was signed this year.”
====================
21. WikiLeaks cables: Saudi Arabia cannot pump enough oil to keep a lid on prices
http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2011/feb/08/
saudi-oil-reserves-overstated-wikileaks
US diplomat convinced by Saudi expert that reserves of world's biggest oil exporter have been overstated by nearly 40%
• John Vidal, environment editor
• guardian.co.uk, Tuesday 8 February 2011 22.00 GMT
• Peak oil alarm revealed by secret official talks
• Datablog: Are we running out of oil?
The US fears that Saudi Arabia, the world's largest crude oil exporter, may not have eough reserves to prevent oil prices escalating, confidential cables from its embassy in Riyadh show.
The cables, released by WikiLeaks, urge Washington to take seriously a warning from a senior Saudi government oil executive that the kingdom's crude oil reserves may have been overstated by as much as 300bn barrels – nearly 40%.
The revelation comes as the oil price has soared in recent weeks to more than $100 a barrel on global demand and tensions in the Middle East. Many analysts expect that the Saudis and their Opec cartel partners would pump more oil if rising prices threatened to choke off demand.
However, Sadad al-Husseini, a geologist and former head of exploration at the Saudi oil monopoly Aramco, met the US consul general in Riyadh in November 2007 and told the US diplomat that Aramco's 12.5m barrel-a-day capacity needed to keep a lid on prices could not be reached.
MORE:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2011/feb/08/
saudi-oil-reserves-overstated-wikileaks
==================
22. New green technology could offset SaskEnergy’s electrical use within four years
http://www.saskenergy.com/About_SaskEnergy/News/
news_releases/2011/WHR%20News%20Release.pdf
Media Release For Immediate Release February 4, 2011
SaskEnergy pipeline subsidiary TransGas, together with partner companies Found Energy and Innovative Steam Technologies (IST) will use an innovative technology designed to capture the waste heat of compressor station engines and convert it to useable electricity. If successful, the corporation could be producing more renewable electricity than it consumes by 2015, thanks to this new green technology. The project will also help develop Waste Heat Recovery technology for applications with other energy industry markets in Western Canada.
TransGas uses compressors to move natural gas through its 14,000 kilometres of high pressure transmission pipeline across Saskatchewan, as well as to inject gas into its 27 underground storage caverns and two storage fields.
“SaskEnergy and TransGas have set a goal to become net zero in electricity consumption by 2015 and Waste Heat Recovery will be one of the key factors in pursuing this goal,” said Minister Responsible for SaskEnergy Dustin Duncan. “Recovering waste heat from compressor engines will reduce the corporation’s carbon footprint and our province’s reliance on traditional, electrical generation sources. Through this project, SaskEnergy is supporting Saskatchewan’s “ “Go Green” initiative by investing in an environmental solution to an every day business process.”
The $5.7M Waste Heat Recovery project at TransGas’ Rosetown and Coleville Compressor Stations will capture heat normally vented to the atmosphere through the compressor engines’ exhaust, and converts it to electricity utilizing a process called the Organic Rankine Cycle. The electricity will then be sold back to the SaskPower grid.
Construction is currently underway at Rosetown Compressor Station, with commissioning, testing, and start-up planned for March 2011, with the Coleville project soon to follow. The Coleville Waste Heat Recovery project will be the first of its kind in North America to utilize new technology for small compressor engines, which is why SaskEnergy and Found Energy are optimistic about its future use in the energy industry. Similar projects are in the planning stages for some of TransGas‟ other compressor facilities.
"Found Energy brings together the best minds and technology available and with our collective in-house resources, are well positioned to be a single-source provider that can handle jobs from start to finish," says Bob Dautovich, President, IST. "We have the unique ability to partner with forward-thinking industry leaders to develop such clean energy facilities. We are extremely pleased to have this first order from TransGas and look forward to being their partner in improving their energy efficiency and helping to reduce their carbon footprint.”
The Rosetown Waste Heat Recovery unit is expected to produce roughly seven million kWh per year – enough to power nearly 800 Saskatchewan homes. This is equivalent to approximately 25 per cent of SaskEnergy and TransGas‟ total annual electrical consumption. The Rosetown project will offset approximately 5,000 tonnes of Carbon Dioxide Equivalent (CO2e) per year – comparable to that which would be achieved by planting approximately 78 square kilometres of carbon absorbing forest. -30-
For further information, please call:
Dave Burdeniuk, Manager, Communications, SaskEnergy
Phone: (306) 777-9842
Email: dburdeniuk@saskenergy.com
Tom Thomson, Manager, Found Energy, a division of IST
Phone: (519) 620-3387
Email: tthomson@foundenergy.ca
- - - - - -
Found Energy
www.foundenergy.ca is a clean energy company operating out of Cambridge, Ontario, that makes it easier for forward-thinking industry leaders to strengthen their commitment to the environment while fueling the bottom line.
Found Energy is a vertically integrated company that will develop, build, own, operate and maintain power plants that generate clean energy from waste heat.
Found Energy brings together the best minds and technology available. Our sister company IST has been in the heat recovery business since 1992. They are a global leader in their field, with 174 units sold in 19 countries and 6 continents. IST has developed a suite of advanced products and design tools that ensure the main heat exchanger that captures the waste heat is the best available.
The considerable construction and financial resources of Aecon back Found Energy and IST. Aecon is the largest publicly traded infrastructure and construction company in Canada. The Aecon Industrial Group, with their background in power plant construction is uniquely suited to provide coordinated engineering and construction services for Found Energy.
With our collective in-house resources we are well positioned to be a single-source provider that can handle the job from start to finish. This minimizes risk to our customers and ensures a successful project.
When you put it all together, you get a clean power producer that has the expertise, attitude and solid backing to deliver an easy, environmentally responsible and profitable experience for all involved.
www.foundenergy.ca
www.otsg.com (IST)
==================
23. MANITOBA AND SASKATCHEWAN HOLD SECOND JOINT CABINET MEETING IN BRANDON
http://www.gov.sk.ca/
news?newsId=844a1609-d0b3-4ddc-8056-5c7e20f0d947
News Release - February 7, 2011
Flood Prevention, Harmonizing Transportation Regulations And Improving Inter-Provincial Electrical Capacity Focus of Meeting
The city of Brandon, Manitoba, will play host to the second in a series of joint cabinet meetings between the governments of Manitoba and Saskatchewan. Premiers Greg Selinger and Brad Wall, along with members of their respective cabinets, will meet on February 10 and 11.
"This meeting will be a chance to report on the progress that has been made on the opportunities outlined at our first joint cabinet meeting, last February in Yorkton," Wall said. "At that time, we agreed to work toward streamlining transportation regulations and coordinating highways enforcement and trucking inspection. We also agreed to look at ways to expand trade in electricity by expanding transmission capacity between our provinces. There has been substantial progress on all these issues, and the Brandon meeting will be a chance to highlight how far we have come." Also on the agenda will be innovation in health care. (Emphais Added. Ed.)
"I welcome the opportunity to host Premier Wall and members of his cabinet in the beautiful community of Brandon," Selinger said. "I'm looking forward to discussions on issues like flood prevention. This spring looks like it has the potential to be a challenge, and it's important to be able share ideas with our neighbours. I agree with Premier Wall that a great deal of progress has been made on several other fronts since our last meeting, and Brandon is an excellent venue to showcase that progress."
Saskatchewan and Manitoba held their first ever joint cabinet meeting last February in Yorkton, Saskatchewan. -30-
For more information, contact:
Rebecca Rogoschewsky, Executive Council, Regina
Phone: 306-787-0980
Email: rebecca.rogoschewsky@gov.sk.ca
Cell: 306-529-1601
Jay Branch, Executive Council, Manitoba
Phone: 204-945-1494
Email: Jay.Branch@leg.gov.mb.ca
1. EVENT: Saskatoon - SMALL-SCALE AND MUNICIPAL WIND POWER
2. Playing Dirty: Gasland vs Big Oil and Gas
3. Baseline water testing: what is it and why is it important?
4. Fracking bill dead in committee
5. Agriculture changing as Marcellus Shale drilling gains ground
6. FRACKIN’ with PetroBakken
7. Encana’s deal shouldn’t surprise anyone
8. Watch Out America, China Is Coming For Your Oil And Gas!
9. Natural Gas Industry Shills Use the Media to Mislead the Public - Here's How to Spot Them (2010)
10. Just How Dangerous is Fracking? We May Be About to Find Out
11. New Drilling Method Opens Vast Oil Fields in US
12. Buffalo City Council Votes to Ban Gas Drilling and Fracking
13. Public Comment: Carluccio - Re: Marcellus Shale Report and Recommendations – Resolution No. 100864
14. TransCanada, critics differ on need for state oversight of pipelines
15. South Africa: 'Fracking' may cloud Karoo stars
16. Conference: Shale Gas World Europe 2011 - The Shale Gas Revolution Has Hit Europe
17. Sask. family demands answers on carbon capture and storage risks
18. STEVIE CAMERON’s reply to Globe & Mail Question (below): Are the oil sands ethical?
19. Charges laid against oil sands company for water diversions
20. Canada’s High Commissioner to the UK backs CETA, tar sands, austerity measures
21. WikiLeaks cables: Saudi Arabia cannot pump enough oil to keep a lid on prices
22. New green technology could offset SaskEnergy’s electrical use within four years
23. MANITOBA AND SASKATCHEWAN HOLD SECOND JOINT CABINET MEETING IN BRANDON
================
1. EVENT: SASKATOON - SMALL-SCALE AND MUNICIPAL WIND POWER
Canada Green Building Council: Saskatchewan chapter
SASKATOON: Lunch and Learn event - Friday February 25, 2010Tim Weis - Director, Renewable Energy Policy, Pembina Institute and research engineer
Kelly Winder - Research engineer, Saskatchewan Research Council
Kevin Hudson - Alternative energy engineer, Saskatoon Light and Power
WHERE: University of Saskatchewan School of Education: Basement studios - SASKATOON AND
University of Regina School of Education: Room 158 (connected by videoconference)
Lunch and learn: 12h00 - 13h00: no charge - but please bring your own lunch
Afternoon teaching session: 13h00-16h00: Non-members $100, Chapter members $75, Student members & EGBs $25
SaskPower's announcement 3 years ago of a net metering scheme created a new market in the province for farm-scale and homescale wind power. When is it appropriate to install this technology, what are the benefits and drawbacks, and how can it be integrated with environmentally responsible design?
Tim Weis and Kelly Winder will speak to these questions.
Kevin Hudson will speak about Saskatoon Light and Power's plans for a single large turbine on the edge of the city.
Register at: http://www.picatic.com/ticket/event359978 (or at the door)
====================
2. Playing Dirty: Gasland vs Big Oil and Gas
http://frack.mixplex.com/content/gaslan ... il-and-gas
Publication Type: Web Article Authors:Ardakani,Azita
Source: Lovesocial Communications: Social Media Marketing for Causes & Corporations (2011/02/08)
Playing Dirty
If you have not seen Gasland, take some time to watch it. You can view it on HBO, or purchase from Amazon.
The trailer can be seen here: Gasland Trailer.http://frack.mixplex.com/content/gasland-trailer-2010
Now this movie has made its way to the Oscars and as exciting as that is, the Natural Gas Industry is now in full attack form doing whatever it takes to tear this nomination apart.
This works because people that see this movie and are touched. They are touched because they have been directly affected by hydraulic fracturing or they want to be a voice for those that have been and don’t want to become a silent statistic as well.
Energy In Depth, a group sponsored by a coalition of natural gas companies, sent a letter to the Academy asking that Gasland — a film about a controversial mining technique called hydro-fracking — be removed from the Documentary Feature category.
It is a good thing that they are reacting so publicly, as they are bringing far more attention to the film and the issue at hand. Josh issued an open letter to the media today, responding to the natural gas industries attempt to slam Gasland.
You can read Josh’s letter here on in our Facebook Notes “An Open Letter from Josh Fox.”
http://www.facebook.com/notes/lovesocial/
open-letter-from-josh-fox-of-gasland-in-response-to-attacks-by-gas-industry/192993240720356
Join our communities on Twitter & Facebook and become apart of this conversation, it is one of the most important that you will have.
Azita Ardakani {Founder of Lovesocial}
Edit-Neil Zusman, 2011-02-10
See: Energy in Depth | Mixplex
See: Gasland - The Debate
See: Onshore Drilling Disasters Waiting to Happen: An Interview With 'Gasland' Director Josh Fox | The Nation
URL:
http://www.lovesocial.org/blog/action/playingdirty/
========================
3. Baseline water testing: what is it and why is it important?
http://switchboard.nrdc.org/blogs/amall/
baseline_water_testing_what_is.html
Posted February 9, 2011 in Health and the Environment
Mora County, New Mexico recently completed a baseline water well sampling and testing protocol on a number of private and community drinking water wells on land that has either been leased for natural gas drilling or is near leased land. This means that County residents now know exactly how clean their water is, so that if water appears contaminated in the future, they can test it and compare the results to the baseline results.
The testing was conducted by a state-certified lab and looked for known hydraulic fracturing chemicals, methane, heavy metals, and radioactive substances. The good news is that Mora County water is currently very clean. By conducting baseline testing, residents can prove changes in their water in the future. The burden of proof of contamination often falls on residents, and only if they can find and afford a lawyer to represent them, Needless to say, many residents do not have the resources to go up against big oil and gas companies and their lawyers. Credible baseline data would help them if they think their water has been contaminated.
Fortunately for Mora County, money was raised from private sources for this testing. In Pennsylvania, Trout Unlimited is organizing the training of local volunteers around the state to be water monitors and collect baseline data from local streams. Also in Pennsylvania, the local chapter of the Izaak Walton League of America is initiating a program to test water quality in streams and looking for additional funding.
Baseline data are essential to properly monitor water quality. Yet so far we are only seeing a few instances in our entire country where it is being done, and local citizens and volunteers are struggling to come up with the cash. Collection of independent baseline data needs to be a required part of the process that oil and gas companies must complete before being permitted to drill.
=================
4. Fracking bill dead in committee
http://www.bozemandailychronicle.com/news/
article_ffdf5c3c-2ff8-11e0-89ae-001cc4c002e0.html
Posted: Friday, February 4, 2011 12:15 am | Updated: 11:57 pm, Thu Feb 3, 2011.
By DANIEL PERSON, Chronicle Staff Writer The Bozeman Daily Chronicle
The Montana Legislature will not require oil and gas companies to disclose what chemicals they use for hydraulic fracturing.
Republican senators lined up against Sen. Bob Hawks's bill to require disclosure, saying the federal government already requires the chemicals to be posted at a job site that further disclosure laws could hurt efforts to ramp up energy development in Montana.
In hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, drillers pump water, sand and chemicals thousands of feet under ground. The solution creates fractures in the ground and unleashes trapped fossil fuels.
Hawks, D-Bozeman, argued before the Senate Natural Resources Committee that physicians, especially, should know what chemicals are being used in case there is a spill that winds up making people seriously ill.
His bill, Senate Bill 86, would have required companies to submit a list of the chemicals they are using to the Montana Department of Environmental Quality for posting on a state-run website.
The bill originally called for a 20-day notice to landowners when fracking was planned for neighboring property, but that provision was amended out of the bill before the committee vote.
The committee voted 8-6 against the bill on Wednesday, with all Republicans voting no and all Democrats voting yes.
Republicans on the committee noted that federal law requires a list of the chemicals be kept at a drilling site in case of an accident, and said Hawks' requirements could be redundant and burdensome.
"This just adds another layer of bureaucracy on the whole process," said Sen. John Brenden, R-Scobey.
There has been a national push to get companies to disclose fracking chemicals after water contamination cropped up around heavy drilling areas. The industry has maintained that the chemicals are safe, and are pumped thousands of feet below the water table.
Daniel Person can be reached at dperson@dailychronicle.com or 582-2665.
- - - - - -
COMMENT: geocipher posted at 10:58 pm on Fri, Feb 4, 2011.
In response to oj-I am currently working on an oil rig and there are no MSDS sheets on fracking chemicals that will be used. I do know that one of the common chemicals used is benzene-EPA limits benzene in drinking water to 5 parts per billion. Safe, not.
Another issue to be considered is setting a baseline for groundwater in potentially affected aquifers. Without knowing what to sample for, how can a baseline be determined. A common industry rebuttal to escape responsibility for their contamination is to be able to say that these chemicals already existed in your water before their activities started. It's impossible for you to prove anything without a baseline.
Finally, thanks to previous Republican efforts in Montana legislature, it is your responsibility to prove environmental damage from an industry activity. Industry used your position that it would be too costly to provide this protection and to require measures that would prevent a problem before it happened. For example, this is why we have no cyanide leachpit gold mining in Montana. History has shown that every one leaked cyanide into the groundwater.
Yes, every one.
Now this cost has been passed onto the citizen.
Remember, once you get sick it's a little . . . . .
===================
5. Agriculture changing as Marcellus Shale drilling gains ground
http://www.farmanddairy.com/news/
agriculture-changing-as-marcellus-shale-drilling-gains-ground/20922.html
Thursday, February 3, 2011 by Kristy Foster
Tom Murphy, Penn State University extension educator for Lycoming County, sat down Jan. 26 for a one-on-one interview with the Farm and Dairy.
Murphy is co-director of the Penn State Marcellus Center for Outreach and Research. He has 25 years of field experience and educational consultation with landowners, government agencies, and public officials. His recent focus has been on natural gas exploration.
He has lectured throughout Pennsylvania on Marcellus Shale and topics associated with its development including landowner leasing issues, environmental impacts, the drilling process, infrastructure development, and financial considerations.
In addition, Murphy lives on a farm with his wife and children. The farm utilizes a spring and Marcellus Shale drilling is occurring on his neighbor’s property.
“Yes, these things are concerns to me, too,” Murphy said. He added that everything has to be taken into consideration when it comes to Marcellus Shale drilling.
Q. What is the most dangerous part of drilling through the Marcellus Shale for gas? Is it the fracking process?
A. Murphy said it is not the fracking that should cause the most concern, it is actually the truck traffic associated with the drilling process.
MORE:
http://www.farmanddairy.com/news/
agriculture-changing-as-marcellus-shale-drilling-gains-ground/20922.html
================
6. FRACKIN’ with PetroBakken
http://www.canadianbusinessjournal.ca/brochures/
Jan_10/PetroBakken/file.pdf
JANUARY 2010 • The Canadian Business Journal 33
www.petrobakken.com
How PetroBakken took a chance with an upstart technology and unlocked the Bakken By Anna Guy
The Bakken formation in south-eastern Saskatchewan, Canada, is fast becoming a major hotspot for onshore oil. Lesser known than the celebrated oilsands, the Bakken formation is a 350 million-year-old underground layer of rock that spans Montana and North Dakota to the south, and southeast Saskatchewan to the north. Discovered in the 1950’s, its vast reserves of petroleum were only recently accessible through technology.
As early as 1974, it was postulated that the Bakken could contain vast amounts of oil, but it was a 1995 field assessment for the U.S.
Geological Survey (USGS) that said there may be as many as 503 billion barrels of oil in the Bakken Formation. Compare this with the 125 billion barrels at the Ghawar field in Saudi Arabia and 7.8 billion barrels at Alberta’s Pembina Cardium, and the significance of the Bakken becomes clearer.
“We see a great expansion of our oil industry in areas that we have previously had limited production,” says Dancsok.
“The Bakken is the key which may unlock the entire province.”
MORE:
http://www.canadianbusinessjournal.ca/brochures/
Jan_10/PetroBakken/file.pdf
================
7. Encana’s deal shouldn’t surprise anyone
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/globe-investor/
investment-ideas/streetwise/encanas-deal-shouldnt-surprise-anyone/article1902730/
TIM KILADZE Globe and Mail Blog
Posted on Thursday, February 10, 2011 6:01PM EST
Executives at Encana Corp. (ECA-T32.021.374.47%) know they can’t wait for natural gas prices to rebound before getting serious about creating value, so they readily concede that their company must develop its assets at a much faster growth rate.
For that very reason, the deal with PetroChina International Investment Co. Ltd. shouldn’t surprise anyone, Encana president and chief executive officer Randy Eresman said on a conference call Thursday. He quickly points out that last March he told investors he was looking to strike partnership deals worth $1-billion to $2-billion per year for the next five years.
The new joint venture simply accelerates that plan.
MORE:
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/globe-investor/
investment-ideas/streetwise/encanas-deal-shouldnt-surprise-anyone/article1902730/
More related to this story - Links are at URL above
Encana gas deal puts China market on radar
China pays $5.4-billion for B.C. gas play
==================
8. Watch Out America, China Is Coming For Your Oil And Gas!
http://blogs.forbes.com/christopherhelman/2011/02/10/
watch-out-america-china-is-coming-for-your-oil-and-gas/
Feb. 10 2011 - 12:11 am | By CHRISTOPHER HELMAN
On Wednesday afternoon, Canada’s Encana Corp. agreed to sell half of its prolific Cutbank Ridge shale gas field in British Columbia to PetroChina for $5.4 billion. This is a big deal, outpacing Sinopec’s $4.7 billion takeover of ConocoPhillips’ stake in the Syncrude oil sands project last year.
What’s more, on Wednesday night came the news that Chinese hackers had been actively penetrating the computer networks of Western oil companies in an attempt to steal confidential information. [ . . . ]
=======================
9. Natural Gas Industry Shills Use the Media to Mislead the Public - Here's How to Spot Them (2010)
http://www.google.ca/
search?q=Natural+Gas+Industry+Shills+Use+the+Media+to+Mislead+the+Public+-+Here's+How+to+Spot+Them&rls=com.microsoft:en-ca:IE-Address&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&sourceid=ie7&rlz=1I7RNWE_en&redir_esc=&ei=pAJYTamjEcnPgAfTleTmDA
Stephens, Maura , t r u t h o u t, (2010)
Truthout is a source of independent journalism focusing on under-covered issues and uncoventional thinking.
In papers everywhere we hear arguments such as the one that appeared recently in the Rochester (NY) Business Journal, in an article by economist Raymond J. Keating, under the heading "N.Y. is missing out on economic opportunity."
Keating wrote, "Environmentalists are claiming that hydraulic fracturing threatens groundwater supplies and are using anecdotal evidence to support their claims. Yet years of evidence have demonstrated that the fracking process is safe."
This is not just misleading; it's artful misuse of the language. Or, as my mother would have put it in her habitually blunt way, it's a lie...
...If they have nothing to hide, and there is no danger, why do they keep the ingredients of their toxic fracking stews a secret? Why does the public not know what's in them? How can Keating or anyone else claim it's "safe" if we don't know what they're using? Do we want New York to be the next Gulf? Do we want to just trust the drilling companies to do the right thing, as we seemed to trust BP to manage a spill without adverse consequences?
Furthermore, do New Yorkers want their beautiful state turned into an industrial zone, a la eastern Colorado, huge swaths of Wyoming, much of Texas and Louisiana, and West Virginia? Take a drive to Northeastern Pennsylvania and see what the countryside looks like just a few years after horizontal fracking began there.
Well over half of these United States are in peril from fracking. This is simply nuts. It's not a local or regional, but a national issue (international now, as big gas deposits have been located, and in some cases are already being developed, in Poland, Austria, Hungary, Sweden, Ukraine, the United Kingdom, in Canada, China, and India. (Japan and other countries are buying into gas-drilling rights in the USA and elsewhere.)
See: Global Gas Flaring Identification in Google Earth
See: World of Shale
See: France to Unlock “Dirty” Oil Under Paris With Texan Help
====================
10. Just How Dangerous is Fracking? We May Be About to Find Out
http://www.alternet.org/story/149894/
just_how_dangerous_is_fracking_we_may_be_about_to_find_out
The EPA has proposed examining every aspect of hydraulic fracturing, from water withdrawals to waste disposal, according to a draft plan the agency.
February 11, 2011 | ProPublica / By Nicholas Kusnetz
The EPA has proposed examining every aspect of hydraulic fracturing, from water withdrawals to waste disposal, according to a draft plan the agency released Tuesday. If the study goes forward as planned, it would be the most comprehensive investigation of whether the drilling technique risks polluting drinking water near oil and gas wells across the nation.
The agency wants to look at the potential impacts on drinking water of each stage involved in hydraulic fracturing, where drillers mix water with chemicals and sand and inject the fluid into wells to release oil or natural gas. In addition to examining the actual injection, the study would look at withdrawals, the mixing of the chemicals, and wastewater management and disposal. The agency, under a mandate from Congress, will only look at the impact of these practices on drinking water.
The agency’s scientific advisory board [1] will review the draft plan on March 7-8 and will allow for public comments then. The EPA will consider any recommendations from the board and then begin the study promptly, it said in a news release [2]. A preliminary report should be ready by the end of next year, the release said, with a full report expected in 2014.
A statement from the oil and gas industry group Energy in Depth gave a lukewarm assessment of the draft.
“Our guys are and will continue to be supportive of a study approach that’s based on the science, true to its original intent and scope,” the statement read. “But at first blush, this document doesn’t appear to definitively say whether it’s an approach EPA will ultimately take.”
The study, announced in March [3], comes amid rising public concern about the safety of fracking, as ProPublica has been reporting [4] for years. While it remains unclear whether the actual fracturing process has contaminated drinking water, there have been more than 1,000 reports [5] around the country of contamination related to drilling, as we reported in 2008. In September 2010, the EPA warned residents of a Wyoming town [6] not to drink their well water and to use fans while showering to avoid the risk of explosion. Investigators found methane and other chemicals associated with drilling in the water, but they had not determined the cause of the contamination.
MORE:
http://www.alternet.org/story/149894/
just_how_dangerous_is_fracking_we_may_be_about_to_find_out
= = = = = = = =
EPA's study into oil industry's fracking process includes North Dakota
http://www.grandforksherald.com/event/a ... id/193066/
By: Chuck Haga, Grand Forks Herald Published February 10 2011
Federal authorities plan to continue taking a hard look at the oil industry practice of hydraulic fracturing, a technology that is key to North Dakota’s booming oil development.
The Environmental Protection Agency has proposed a study of all aspects of fracking, including potential impacts on drinking water.
The EPA said it would use case studies to follow the drilling and fracking of a few wells from start to finish. The agency also proposes to look at “three to five places where drilling has reportedly contaminated water,” including one site in the Bakken oil shale formation in North Dakota.
At the site, near Killdeer in Dunn county, an undated well failure during hydraulic fracturing led to “suspected drinking water aquifer contamination,” and effects on soil and surface water when more than 2,000 barrels of oil and fracturing fluids leaked from the well.
The EPA proposes to work with the North Dakota Department of Mineral Resources and the Fort Berthold Indian Reservation to determine why the well failed and the extent of the contamination.
According to a draft plan released Tuesday, the study also would examine the implications of the industry’s substantial and growing use of water, which the EPA estimates now at 70 billion to 140 billion gallons annually. Those are the equivalents of the water used by one or two cities of 2.5 million people, according to the agency.
The draft plan has been submitted to the EPA’s scientific advisory board, which will review it — and receive public comments — next month. The study would begin soon after the agency considers reactions to the plan, with a full report to be completed in 2014.
MORE:
http://www.grandforksherald.com/event/a ... id/193066/
================
11. New Drilling Method Opens Vast Oil Fields in US
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110210/ap_ ... _shale_oil
February 10, 2011 By Jonathen Fahey
A new drilling technique is opening up vast fields of previously out-of-reach oil in the western United States, helping reverse a two-decade decline in domestic production of crude.
Companies are investing billions of dollars to get at oil deposits scattered across North Dakota, Colorado, Texas and California. By 2015, oil executives and analysts say, the new fields could yield as much as 2 million barrels of oil a day - more than the entire Gulf of Mexico produces now.
This new drilling is expected to raise U.S. production by at least 20 percent over the next five years. And within 10 years, it could help reduce oil imports by more than half, advancing a goal that has long eluded policymakers.
"That's a significant contribution to energy security," says Ed Morse, head of commodities research at Credit Suisse.
Oil engineers are applying what critics say is an environmentally questionable method developed in recent years to tap natural gas trapped in underground shale. They drill down and horizontally into the rock, then pump water, sand and chemicals into the hole to crack the shale and allow gas to flow up.
MORE:
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110210/ap_ ... _shale_oil
====================
12. Buffalo City Council Votes to Ban Gas Drilling and Fracking
http://www.alternet.org/newsandviews/article/467336/
buffalo_city_council_votes_to_ban_gas_drilling_and_fracking/
By Tara Lohan | Sourced from AlterNet Posted at February 8, 2011, 1:14 pm
Pittsburgh made headlines not too long ago by approving a measure to ban corporate personhood and the controversial natural gas drilling practice of "fracking" which can contaminate water sources. And now, Buffalo is rocking the boat too. Buffalo News reports:
The Common Council has voted to ban any form of natural gas extraction in Buffalo, including a controversial mining technique known as hydrofracking.
Ban supporters admit this afternoon's unanimous vote is largely symbolic, given the fact that no "fracking" projects have been proposed in Buffalo. But they insist the ban could be a catalyst in spurring similar actions in municipalities in New York, Pennsylvania and other states where gas-rich Marcellus Shale is located.
What's also interesting is that although the city doesn't have any current plans for gas drilling, the community is worried that the sewer department has been accepting fracking wastewater for treatment, which has undisclosed toxic chemicals in it and they're hoping to get to the bottom of that issue as well. High fives, Buffalo.
===================
13. Public Comment: Carluccio - Re: Marcellus Shale Report and Recommendations – Resolution No. 100864
Philadelphia City Council Jan 27, 2011 from Tracy Carluccio; Deputy Director Delaware Riverkeeper Network
http://protectingourwaters.wordpress.com/2011/01/28/
public-comment-philadelphia-city-council-jan-27-2011-from-tracy-carluccio-deputy-director-delaware-riverkeeper-network/
January 28, 2011 by Kristian Boose
January 24, 2011
Philadelphia City Council Voting Members
Philadelphia City Council, Room 402 Philadelphia, PA 19107
Re: Marcellus Shale Report and Recommendations – Resolution No. 100864
Dear Councilman Jones, Councilwoman Reynolds-Brown, and District Council Members,
Thank you for your continued leadership and past actions related to the impacts to the Philadelphia community surrounding the issue of hydraulic fracturing in the Marcellus shale and the potential threat this industry brings to the 17 million people who rely on the Delaware and Schuylkill Rivers for their drinking water. Maya van Rossum, the Delaware Riverkeeper, was delighted to share testimony as one of the nineteen panelists at the September 28, 2010 hearing conducted by the Joint Committees on Transportation and Public Utilities and the Environment.
The expert concerns shared at the hearing clearly indicate the continued need for your leadership on this issue. Your action and ability to pass this resolution and the report and recommendations on January 27th is ever more critical with the events that have transpired since the hearing on September 28th. DRN wanted to be sure to share recent events with Council members in writing for your consideration that raise the urgency of this issue for the Delaware River Watershed which serves as drinking water for the residents of Philadelphia.
Despite a storm of protest and requests from thousands to wait for the science to be completed, including Philadelphia City Council, New York Governor David Paterson, Congressman Maurice Hinchey (NY), Congressman Rush Holt (NJ), New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, and NYC Council, the Delaware River Basin Commission (DRBC) prematurely issued draft natural gas development regulations for the Delaware River Watershed at the December 8, 2010 meeting.
With these regulations, the Delaware River Basin Commission (DRBC) began an inadequate 90-day comment period and the promise of only three public hearings on the regulations. This is in direct conflict with Philadelphia Council’s recommendations, past resolution and letters, and the current resolution being considered. It is also in direct conflict to the over 10,000 citizens who called on DRBC to wait until the science and a cumulative impact study for the Delaware River Watershed has been conducted and important studies like the EPA study on the effects of hydraulic fracturing on drinking water is complete.
MORE:
http://protectingourwaters.wordpress.com/2011/01/28/
public-comment-philadelphia-city-council-jan-27-2011-from-tracy-carluccio-deputy-director-delaware-riverkeeper-network/
=================
14. TransCanada, critics differ on need for state oversight of pipelines
http://journalstar.com/news/unicameral/
article_c349b7c9-c19c-597a-8280-87fba48063fe.html
by ART HOVEY / Lincoln Journal Star JournalStar.com | Posted: Wednesday, February 9, 2011 7:40 pm |
QUOTE: “Teri Taylor, part of a five-generation ranching family, said opponents found nowhere to turn with their worries about erosion of sandy soil, contamination of the Ogallala Aquifer, eminent domain and other effects and potential effects on their property.”
Paul Fuhrer of TransCanada's Omaha office was right in more ways than one Wednesday when he used the fourth quarter of a football game as a frame of reference for a legislative hearing on proposed restrictions for petroleum pipelines.
First, by the time Fuhrer got his chance to testify in front of the Natural Resources Committee at 5 p.m., opponents of TransCanada's plans to build its Keystone XL project through the Nebraska Sandhills already had weighed in with almost two hours of criticism.
Second, as Fuhrer himself said of three bills aimed at state oversight and financial accountability for oil spills, "this is akin to a drastic change in the rules late in the fourth quarter."
Finally, the hearing conveyed a kind of fourth-quarter drama for a project outcome that is still up in the air three years after it first was unveiled.
As the waiting continues for federal approval on the $7 billion, 1,980-mile link that TransCanada wants to make between the oil-rich tar sands of Alberta and refineries along the U.S. Gulf Coast, there's no sign of anybody throwing in the towel.
MORE:
http://journalstar.com/news/unicameral/
article_c349b7c9-c19c-597a-8280-87fba48063fe.html
===================
15. South Africa: 'Fracking' may cloud Karoo stars
http://www.timeslive.co.za/sundaytimes/ ... 95173.ece/
Fracking-may-cloud-Karoo-stars
Feb 5, 2011 11:42 PM | By BOBBY JORDAN
Rupert, a royal and astronomers take on Shell amid fears of pollution and loss of giant radio telescope
Related Article
Dutch princess opposes exploration plan http://www.timeslive.co.za/sundaytimes/article895172.ece/
Dutch-princess-opposes-exploration-plan
South Africa's top scientists are fuming over plans to extract gas from the proposed site of the world's largest telescope - a R15-billion astronomy project in the Karoo.
If petroleum giant Shell has its way, it could also be exploring for gas next to the country's famous Sutherland observatory, in an area declared an astronomy reserve three years ago.
Shell's proposed prospecting area includes about 100000km² of South Africa's arid heartland, one of the quietest places on earth and an astronomy hot spot because of its clear skies.
And outraged local residents - including billionaire businessman Johann Rupert and Princess Irene of the Netherlands - have joined forces to fight the company's plan to explore for shale gas in the region.
Documents submitted to the Petroleum Agency SA show Shell's prospecting area would include both Sutherland and Carnarvon, the country's two most sensitive astronomical sites. Mining operations could threaten the country's bid to host the Square Kilometre Array radio telescope outside Carnarvon. South Africa and Australia are competing to host the facility.
Shell this week said it was looking at pumping sea water deep into the ground in the Karoo, to tap large underground gas reserves. Environmentalists have slammed the drilling technique, known as "fracking", claiming it could pollute the Karoo's scarce underground water supplies.
MORE:
http://www.timeslive.co.za/sundaytimes/ ... 95173.ece/
Fracking-may-cloud-Karoo-stars
=================
16. Conference: Shale Gas World Europe 2011 - The Shale Gas Revolution Has Hit Europe
http://www.terrapinn.com/2011/shale-gas/
Warsaw, Poland Nov. 28 - Dec. 1, 2011
The Shale Gas World Europe Conference was born out of extensive research with the key players in the industry, who have expressed an urgent need to formulate strategies, understand technologies and foster the relationships that will result in development of this new sector.
MORE:
http://www.terrapinn.com/2011/shale-gas/
=================
17. Sask. family demands answers on carbon capture and storage risks
http://www.ecojustice.ca/media-centre/press-releases/
sask.-family-demands-answers-on-carbon-capture-and-storage-risks
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Jan 11, 2011 08:51 AM
Independent research links bubbling, foaming water and animal carcasses to CO2 leakage
Jan 11, 2011
REGINA — A Saskatchewan family has demanded a full public investigation of documented problems on its Weyburn property, located on top of a Cenovus Energy carbon capture and storage site, in light of independent research that indicates unnaturally high levels of CO2 in the area’s soil.
Cameron and Jane Kerr first noticed changes in surface water and well water on their property in 2004, one year after CO2 injections in the area began, and reported these incidents to the Saskatchewan Ministry of Energy and Resources.
Disturbances included bubbling and foaming water, unusual algae growths in ponds and animal carcasses found strewn around the ponds.
“Cenovus Energy and the Saskatchewan Ministry of Energy and Resources failed to properly monitor and investigate the possibility of a CO2 leak during the last six years,” said Ecojustice staff lawyer Barry Robinson, who is advising the Kerrs. “Furthermore, they left the Kerrs in the position of having to prove there was a problem when it was the ministry’s duty to investigate releases from oil and gas activities.”
Cenovus, the ministry and the Kerrs agreed in the fall 2007 that the ministry would conduct a year-long investigation into soil, water and air quality on the Kerrs’ property. The ministry took water and air samples on a single day in July 2008. They did not test for CO2.
Since then, both Cenovus and the ministry have refused to conduct further studies on the property. A petroleum geologist assisting the Kerrs suggested that CO2 leakage could be occurring through faults and fractures or through abandoned oil and gas wells.
In July 2010, the Kerrs retained Petro-Find GeoChem, a Saskatoon-based consulting company, to conduct soil gas studies on their property.
Petro-Find Geochem found unusually high CO2 and methane levels in the soil on the property. An analysis of the measured CO2 done by a research laboratory at the University of Saskatchewan clearly indicated that the leaking CO2 is not naturally occurring and is similar in composition to the CO2 injected in the Weyburn field.
Should Cenovus and the ministry refuse to conduct a full investigation in the face of credible evidence linking the disturbances on the Kerr property to the carbon capture site, the Kerrs will seek legal action.
“It’s clear something is amiss here, and it’s clear that the ministry must take responsibility and conduct a full-scale investigation of the impacts carbon capture and storage has on the surrounding environment,” Robinson said.
“Carbon capture and storage — especially as carried out on the Cenovus site — is not a risk-free silver bullet solution to combating greenhouse gas emissions.” -30-
Video slideshow
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pMWpeTACAgo
Contacts:
Barry Robinson, staff lawyer | Ecojustice
403-830-2032
For other inquiries, please contact:
Kimberly Shearon, communications associate | Ecojustice
604-685-5618 x242
Related content
Case Cenovus carbon capture and storage investigation http://www.ecojustice.ca/cases/
cenovus-carbon-capture-and-storage-investigation
File Kerr Site History
http://www.ecojustice.ca/media-centre/m ... ase-files/
kerr-site-history/at_download/file
File Petro-Find Geochem Ltd. report http://www.ecojustice.ca/media-centre/media-release-files/
petro-find-geochem-ltd.-report/at_download/file
Jumping down the rabbit hole: Carbon trading is not a solutionhttp://www.canadians.org/energyblog/?p=433
So much for the temporary reprieve in the wake of the failed U.S. climate bill.
====================
18. STEVIE CAMERON’s reply to Globe & Mail Question (below): Are the oil sands ethical?
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/opinions/
charles-taylor-prize/in-a-word-no/article1902707/
Special to Globe and Mail Update Published Thursday, Feb. 10, 2011 5:29PM EST
Stevie Cameron - In a word: No
Every time I read another story about Alberta’s tar sands, with its dead ducks, deformed fish, contaminated rivers and steam extraction of dirty oil from bitumen, I think of Cape Breton’s toxic tar ponds in the heart of Sydney. This is where sludge and nearly four metric tonnes of polychlorinated biphenyls from Sydney Steel’s coke ovens raised local cancer rates, contaminated the city’s harbour, destroyed a lobster fishery and is still years away from being cleaned up and capped. And capped means just that: not removed, just mixed with cement and covered and fingers crossed. Although Sydney’s 77-hectare area is tiny compared with Alberta’s vast tar sands, it offered a grave warning to all Canadians. It seems to have been in vain.
Are the tar sands ethical? No. Just ask the native bands worried about future pipelines running through their lands. Aside from the greenhouse-gas emissions that are growing steadily, six billion barrels of mining waste fill 170 square kilometres of tailing ponds, shored up with earth dams and dykes. No one knows how long the ecological damage can last. Anyway, that’s the next generation’s problem, right?
Prime Minister Stephen Harper is a climate-change skeptic and, so far, Canada has no plan to deal with this environmental time bomb. Nor has there been any discussion about three key issues: what to do with the money from the tar sands; what to do with the waste; and what to do with the “dirty oil.”
If you’re skeptical about the grim forecasts for the oil sands, read Bill Marsden’s scalding account, Stupid to the Last Drop. (The book’s original title, wisely set aside, was Albertans Are Stupid.) Or go online to Vancouver’s The Tyee (www.thetyee.com) and read Calgary journalist Andrew Nikiforuk’s brilliant reporting on the subject. To whet your appetite, he tells us that, in July of 2010, “a parliamentary standing committee abruptly stopped looking into tar sands contamination of water, killed the final report and shredded all drafts.”
Maybe we should be looking at Norway’s oil strategy as a role model for Canada, Mr. Nikiforuk suggests. “It’s not perfect but at least it is fiscally conservative and protects future generations and keeps oil from totally contaminating government behaviour. The Norwegians had a national debate about their oil and all political parties agreed to take the money off the table. Ninety per cent of oil-related revenues go into a pension fund. The government must run on other taxes. The largest of these is a hefty carbon tax. In contrast, here in Canada, where we have none of Norway’s wisdom, our politicians have become spin-doctors and salesmen for bitumen. And that’s outrageous. In so doing we diminish our selves as a country.” I couldn’t agree more.
= = = =
Friday's question: Are the oil sands ethical?
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/opinions/
charles-taylor-prize/
In the fifth of a five-part series, The Globe asks the five Charles Taylor Prize finalists to debate that question
Feb 10, 2011 7:23PM EST
Links are on URL above:
Stevie Cameron: In a word: No
George Sipos: The very question entrenches us
Merrily Weisbord: It’s a matter of ought or not
Charles Foran: Get clean, then we'll talk
Vote on Friday's essays
Exclusive excerpt: Mordecai Richler’s struggles with his greatest novel
==================
19. Charges laid against oil sands company for water diversions
http://www.canadaviews.ca/2011/02/10/
charges-laid-against-oil-sands-company-for-water-diversions/
February 10, 2011
Edmonton... Alberta Environment has laid charges against Statoil Canada Ltd. for allegedly contravening parts of its water licence and providing false or misleading information regarding water withdrawals at its in situ facility near Conklin, Alberta.
Statoil is facing charges under the Water Act. The charges relate to separate incidents in 2008 through 2010 in which water was improperly diverted from various water bodies for use in plant operations.
The first court appearance is set for April 6 in Edmonton.
Alberta Environment focuses on education, prevention and enforcement to ensure all Albertans continue to enjoy a clean and healthy environment. When individuals or companies fail to comply with our legislation, Alberta Environment has a range of options depending on the offence to ensure compliance with our environmental regulations. -30-
Media inquiries may be directed to:
Jessica Potter, Communications, Alberta Environment
780-427-6267
To call toll free within Alberta dial 310-0000.
=====================
20. Canada’s High Commissioner to the UK backs CETA, tar sands, austerity measures
http://www.canadians.org/campaignblog/?p=6291
The Scotsman reports today that, “James Wright (Canada’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom) robustly defended his country’s environmental record over the exploitation of ‘oil sands’ in Northern Alberta, and argued that Scottish energy firms were set to benefit from increased involvement in the sector once a free trade agreement with Europe (the Canada-European Union Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement) was signed this year.”
====================
21. WikiLeaks cables: Saudi Arabia cannot pump enough oil to keep a lid on prices
http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2011/feb/08/
saudi-oil-reserves-overstated-wikileaks
US diplomat convinced by Saudi expert that reserves of world's biggest oil exporter have been overstated by nearly 40%
• John Vidal, environment editor
• guardian.co.uk, Tuesday 8 February 2011 22.00 GMT
• Peak oil alarm revealed by secret official talks
• Datablog: Are we running out of oil?
The US fears that Saudi Arabia, the world's largest crude oil exporter, may not have eough reserves to prevent oil prices escalating, confidential cables from its embassy in Riyadh show.
The cables, released by WikiLeaks, urge Washington to take seriously a warning from a senior Saudi government oil executive that the kingdom's crude oil reserves may have been overstated by as much as 300bn barrels – nearly 40%.
The revelation comes as the oil price has soared in recent weeks to more than $100 a barrel on global demand and tensions in the Middle East. Many analysts expect that the Saudis and their Opec cartel partners would pump more oil if rising prices threatened to choke off demand.
However, Sadad al-Husseini, a geologist and former head of exploration at the Saudi oil monopoly Aramco, met the US consul general in Riyadh in November 2007 and told the US diplomat that Aramco's 12.5m barrel-a-day capacity needed to keep a lid on prices could not be reached.
MORE:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2011/feb/08/
saudi-oil-reserves-overstated-wikileaks
==================
22. New green technology could offset SaskEnergy’s electrical use within four years
http://www.saskenergy.com/About_SaskEnergy/News/
news_releases/2011/WHR%20News%20Release.pdf
Media Release For Immediate Release February 4, 2011
SaskEnergy pipeline subsidiary TransGas, together with partner companies Found Energy and Innovative Steam Technologies (IST) will use an innovative technology designed to capture the waste heat of compressor station engines and convert it to useable electricity. If successful, the corporation could be producing more renewable electricity than it consumes by 2015, thanks to this new green technology. The project will also help develop Waste Heat Recovery technology for applications with other energy industry markets in Western Canada.
TransGas uses compressors to move natural gas through its 14,000 kilometres of high pressure transmission pipeline across Saskatchewan, as well as to inject gas into its 27 underground storage caverns and two storage fields.
“SaskEnergy and TransGas have set a goal to become net zero in electricity consumption by 2015 and Waste Heat Recovery will be one of the key factors in pursuing this goal,” said Minister Responsible for SaskEnergy Dustin Duncan. “Recovering waste heat from compressor engines will reduce the corporation’s carbon footprint and our province’s reliance on traditional, electrical generation sources. Through this project, SaskEnergy is supporting Saskatchewan’s “ “Go Green” initiative by investing in an environmental solution to an every day business process.”
The $5.7M Waste Heat Recovery project at TransGas’ Rosetown and Coleville Compressor Stations will capture heat normally vented to the atmosphere through the compressor engines’ exhaust, and converts it to electricity utilizing a process called the Organic Rankine Cycle. The electricity will then be sold back to the SaskPower grid.
Construction is currently underway at Rosetown Compressor Station, with commissioning, testing, and start-up planned for March 2011, with the Coleville project soon to follow. The Coleville Waste Heat Recovery project will be the first of its kind in North America to utilize new technology for small compressor engines, which is why SaskEnergy and Found Energy are optimistic about its future use in the energy industry. Similar projects are in the planning stages for some of TransGas‟ other compressor facilities.
"Found Energy brings together the best minds and technology available and with our collective in-house resources, are well positioned to be a single-source provider that can handle jobs from start to finish," says Bob Dautovich, President, IST. "We have the unique ability to partner with forward-thinking industry leaders to develop such clean energy facilities. We are extremely pleased to have this first order from TransGas and look forward to being their partner in improving their energy efficiency and helping to reduce their carbon footprint.”
The Rosetown Waste Heat Recovery unit is expected to produce roughly seven million kWh per year – enough to power nearly 800 Saskatchewan homes. This is equivalent to approximately 25 per cent of SaskEnergy and TransGas‟ total annual electrical consumption. The Rosetown project will offset approximately 5,000 tonnes of Carbon Dioxide Equivalent (CO2e) per year – comparable to that which would be achieved by planting approximately 78 square kilometres of carbon absorbing forest. -30-
For further information, please call:
Dave Burdeniuk, Manager, Communications, SaskEnergy
Phone: (306) 777-9842
Email: dburdeniuk@saskenergy.com
Tom Thomson, Manager, Found Energy, a division of IST
Phone: (519) 620-3387
Email: tthomson@foundenergy.ca
- - - - - -
Found Energy
www.foundenergy.ca is a clean energy company operating out of Cambridge, Ontario, that makes it easier for forward-thinking industry leaders to strengthen their commitment to the environment while fueling the bottom line.
Found Energy is a vertically integrated company that will develop, build, own, operate and maintain power plants that generate clean energy from waste heat.
Found Energy brings together the best minds and technology available. Our sister company IST has been in the heat recovery business since 1992. They are a global leader in their field, with 174 units sold in 19 countries and 6 continents. IST has developed a suite of advanced products and design tools that ensure the main heat exchanger that captures the waste heat is the best available.
The considerable construction and financial resources of Aecon back Found Energy and IST. Aecon is the largest publicly traded infrastructure and construction company in Canada. The Aecon Industrial Group, with their background in power plant construction is uniquely suited to provide coordinated engineering and construction services for Found Energy.
With our collective in-house resources we are well positioned to be a single-source provider that can handle the job from start to finish. This minimizes risk to our customers and ensures a successful project.
When you put it all together, you get a clean power producer that has the expertise, attitude and solid backing to deliver an easy, environmentally responsible and profitable experience for all involved.
www.foundenergy.ca
www.otsg.com (IST)
==================
23. MANITOBA AND SASKATCHEWAN HOLD SECOND JOINT CABINET MEETING IN BRANDON
http://www.gov.sk.ca/
news?newsId=844a1609-d0b3-4ddc-8056-5c7e20f0d947
News Release - February 7, 2011
Flood Prevention, Harmonizing Transportation Regulations And Improving Inter-Provincial Electrical Capacity Focus of Meeting
The city of Brandon, Manitoba, will play host to the second in a series of joint cabinet meetings between the governments of Manitoba and Saskatchewan. Premiers Greg Selinger and Brad Wall, along with members of their respective cabinets, will meet on February 10 and 11.
"This meeting will be a chance to report on the progress that has been made on the opportunities outlined at our first joint cabinet meeting, last February in Yorkton," Wall said. "At that time, we agreed to work toward streamlining transportation regulations and coordinating highways enforcement and trucking inspection. We also agreed to look at ways to expand trade in electricity by expanding transmission capacity between our provinces. There has been substantial progress on all these issues, and the Brandon meeting will be a chance to highlight how far we have come." Also on the agenda will be innovation in health care. (Emphais Added. Ed.)
"I welcome the opportunity to host Premier Wall and members of his cabinet in the beautiful community of Brandon," Selinger said. "I'm looking forward to discussions on issues like flood prevention. This spring looks like it has the potential to be a challenge, and it's important to be able share ideas with our neighbours. I agree with Premier Wall that a great deal of progress has been made on several other fronts since our last meeting, and Brandon is an excellent venue to showcase that progress."
Saskatchewan and Manitoba held their first ever joint cabinet meeting last February in Yorkton, Saskatchewan. -30-
For more information, contact:
Rebecca Rogoschewsky, Executive Council, Regina
Phone: 306-787-0980
Email: rebecca.rogoschewsky@gov.sk.ca
Cell: 306-529-1601
Jay Branch, Executive Council, Manitoba
Phone: 204-945-1494
Email: Jay.Branch@leg.gov.mb.ca
- Oscar
- Site Admin
- Posts: 9851
- Joined: Wed May 03, 2006 3:23 pm
45 posts
• Page 2 of 3 • 1, 2, 3
Who is online
Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 2 guests