INVITATION TO MEET JESSICA ERNST
Monday, February 20, 2012
Jessica Ernst M.Sc. is a biologist and environmental consultant to the oil and gas industry, and long-time critic of the method of Fracking in use in Alberta, Canada. She has launched a multi-million dollar lawsuit against Encana Corporation, the Alberta Energy Resources Conservation Board, and the Alberta government for contamination of her property and drinking water due to Encana’s fracking program. Ms Ernst is visiting Ireland and giving a series of presentations on the potential impact of hydraulic fracturing in Dublin, Sligo, Fermanagh and Leitrim next week.
All Members of the Oireachtas are cordially invited to meet Jessica Ernst and to discuss the issues associated with fracking on:
Monday 20th February at 12 noon
Room A - LH2000
For your information, the following is a copy of a press release issued to all media this week:
PRESS RELEASE
“WOMAN OF COURAGE” award winner presents at anti-fracking events next week
A series of presentations on the potential impact of hydraulic fracturing, or ‘Fracking’ will take place in Dublin, Sligo, Fermanagh and Leitrim next week. Dr. John O’Connor will present “The Realities of Hydraulic Fracturing”; Jessica Ernst M.Sc.will present “Fracking Inhumanity”.
Dr. John O’Connor and Jessica Ernst, M.Sc., are travelling from Canada to address key issues in relation to the practice of Fracking and to address public concerns in relation to the proposed extraction of shale gas in the North West using this controversial method. Both speakers will reveal their first-hand experiences of hydraulic fracking in Canada, and will outline their concerns regarding the processes involved.
Ms. Ernst is a biologist and environmental consultant to the oil and gas industry, and long-time critic of the method of Fracking in use in Alberta, Canada. She has launched a multi-million dollar lawsuit against Encana Corporation, the Alberta Energy Resources Conservation Board, and the Alberta government for contamination of her property and drinking water due to Encana’s fracking program. In 2010, she was awarded the “Woman of Courage” award by UNANIMA International, a UN Economic and Social Council accredited NGO, for her efforts to hold companies accountable for environmental harm done by "fracking".
Dr. O’Connor is an Irish born physician who came to prominence for highlighting the increased cancer rates downstream from Canada’s largest Tar Sands operations. The Alberta Cancer Board confirmed the higher incidences, after Health Canada and the Alberta College of Physicians spent time, and resources, denying the facts, and attempting to discredit Dr. O’Connor’s observations. Dr. O’Connor was vindicated completely by the Alberta College of Physicians, but no study to date has yet been implemented, despite the Cancer Board’s recommendations.
With first-hand experiences of living in rural communities where Fracking and heavy drilling takes place, the insight of both speakers into industry practices promises to be both informative and timely. Members of the public are, therefore, encouraged to attend these presentations to inform themselves of the facts and to have any of their concerns addressed.
On Monday February 20t Jessica Ernst will be holding a Press Conference in the Sandymount Hotel, Dublin 4, at 10.30 am. She will also be meeting members of the Oireachtas in Leinster House at 12 noon.
The presentation schedule is as follows:
· Tuesday February 21st at 8pm. Jessica Ernst, Belcoo Community Hall, Belcoo, Co. Fermanagh
· Wednesday February 22nd at 8pm. Dr John O’Connor and Jessica Ernst, Clarion Hotel, Sligo
· Thursday February 23rd at 8pm. Jessica Ernst, Bush Hotel, Carrick on Shannon, Co. Leitrim
· Friday February 24th 8pm: Jessica Ernst, The Rainbow (Ballroom of Romance) Glenfarne, Co. Leitrim
NOTES TO EDITOR
Background piece on Dr. John O Connor
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xLHgUmNtj9g
Some background on Jessica Ernst
UNANIMA International, a UN Economic and Social Council accredited NGO working for international justice at the United Nations, celebrates its 10th Anniversary today (Oct. 1) by presenting its annual WOMAN OF COURAGE award to Jessica Ernst of Rosebud, Alberta, internationally known for her efforts to hold companies accountable for environmental harm done by "fracking".
http://www.ernstversusencana.ca/
Jessica Ernst is a biologist and environmental consultant to the oil and gas industry, and long time critic of the method of Fracking in use in Alberta, Canada.
Jessica Ernst has launched a multi million dollar lawsuit against Encana Corporation, the Alberta Energy Resources Conservation Board, and the Alberta government for contamination of her property and drinking water due to Encana’s fracking program. In March, after a public hearing, Quebec put a moratorium on shale gas exploration pending a full environmental assessment of the potential damage from fracking.
According to the Statement of Claim, many Albertans depend on drinking water from coal bed aquifers, but Ms. Ernst’s water is now so contaminated that it can be lit on fire.
She is also suing Alberta’s oil and gas regulator, alleging that it not only tolerated illegal behaviour by Encana and failed to protect her, but actively attempted to silence her complaints, and that Alberta Environment showed bad faith in “investigating” those complaints.
The lawsuit, together with the Quebec moratorium, signals the likelihood of stronger environmental regulations of fracking in the pursuit of shale gas or coalbed methane.
For further information or to arrange an interview, please contact
Meg Rybicki – McAuley Tel: 086 3840254.
Email: youthmardingo@gmail.com
PRESS RELEASE
16TH FEBRUARY 2012
ANTI-FRACKING CAMPAIGN LAUNCHES NEW CHAMPION - GEAI
The battle against hydraulic fracturing (or fracking) in Ireland goes to a new level today as Good Energies Alliance Ireland (GEAI) launches its website (goodenergiesalliance.com) and national awareness-raising and information campaign. GEAI brings together competent people involved in the campaign against shale gas extraction and the promotion of renewable energy sources and is backed by advisors in the areas of economics, law, science, public health and policy development. Its plan is to use information and creative, arts-based communication to raise awareness about shale gas extraction using hydraulic fracturing, and to promote sustainable energy sources and jobs.
Good Energies Alliance Ireland is adopting a balanced and professional approach to the anti-fracking campaign. Its aim is to reach all sectors of the population of Ireland, North and South, urban as well as rural, and to make the whole population aware of the implications of fracking for all of Ireland. .
“GEAI is pitted against a huge industry with an enormous PR budget and few scruples”, said Dr Aedín McLoughlin, a spokesperson for GEAI. “This is truly a “David vs Goliath” battle and we must use every weapon at our disposal. If the campaign is to succeed in preventing this dirty industry from wrecking our land, it must capture the minds and hearts of the ordinary people of Ireland as well as influence policy-makers and legislators. GEAI will be able to provide a counterbalance to the inaccurate claims of the oil and gas industry who are using such claims to gain a foothold on Irish soil.
An example of such is the industry’s claim of thousands of jobs from fracking, with no basis in fact. Statements that include wildly exaggerated numbers of jobs cannot be allowed to go unchallenged. New figures from the States indicate that the number of local full-time jobs that could be created over 30 years, even if the volume of recoverable gas is as stated (which is unlikely), could be as low as 10% of the figures quoted. And the accompanying loss of jobs in tourism and agriculture must also be taken into account. Sustainable and clean energy generation and job creation must remain the priority for this country.”
Good Energies Alliance Ireland can be contacted at goodenergiesalliance@gmail.com
or through its website:
http://www.goodenergiesalliance.com
Notes to Editors
GEAI is a non-profit, constituted organisation whose members are all volunteers. GEAI is attracting members from all branches of the campaign, in Northern Ireland as well as ROI. Its spokespersons are:
Miriam Hennessy, Chairperson, Co.Roscommon
Email: miriamhennessy@eircom.net
Dr Aedín McLoughlin, Co.Leitrim
Email: glenwood.research@gmail.com
Eddie Mitchell, Co.Leitrim
Email: eddiejmitchell@gmail.com
Meg Rybicki, Co.Sligo
Email: youthmardingo@gmail.com
For further information or to arrange an interview, email GEAI at goodenergiesalliance@gmail.com or any of the above.