WIN!!! FRACKING BANNED IN IRELAND - July 6, 2017

WIN!!! FRACKING BANNED IN IRELAND - July 6, 2017

Postby Oscar » Sun Feb 19, 2012 5:19 pm

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.
Oscar
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Warning issued over fracking

Postby Oscar » Tue Mar 06, 2012 9:01 am

Warning issued over fracking

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2012/0220/
breaking30.html

By CHARLIE TAYLOR, www.irishtimes.com, Updated: 20/02/2012

PHOTO: Campaigners pictured protesting outside the Dail recently against the use of 'fracking'. Photograph: Cyril Byrne/Irish Times

Companies involved in the controversial process of fracking have a bad record in removing toxic waste associated with drilling operations, according to a leading opponent.

Jessica Ernst, a biologist and environmental consultant to the oil and gas industry, warned today that there is currently no safe way to conduct fracking and advised communities in Ireland to oppose attempts to allow the process to go ahead here.

Ms Ernst, who has launched a multi-million dollar lawsuit against the exploration firm Encana for contamination of her property and drinking water from its fracking programme in Alberta, Canada, is in the country to speak at a number of events organised by the umbrella group Good Energies Alliance Ireland.

Speaking at a press conference in Dublin yesterday, Ms Ernst said the impact of fracking on the community outweighted any benefits.

"Communities need to look at what they stand to lose rather than at what companies are promising," she said.

Ms Ernst highlighted her own experienced of being 'fracked,' saying that as a result of water pollution, she had been unable to take showers due to her skin burning. She now also has to trek over an hour away to access clean water.

Ms Ernst said that in addition to concerns over water contamination, fracking was also associated with a number of other environmental issues including air and noise pollution.

The Australian-owned oil and gas exploration firm Tamboran Resources has estimated there could be over two trillion cubic feet of natural gas locked in shale beneath the surface of north Leitrim and adjoining counties.

Tamboran has said initial indications from exploration drilling in the northwest show there could hold be enough gas to supply Irish needs for a number of years and create some 3,000 jobs.

Hydraulic fracturing, more commonly known as fracking, has proved controversial over the past few years with widespread claims that the process, which includes pumping down thousands of gallons of chemicals into the wells, has contaminated groundwater supplies in some areas.

The process has been suspended in France, South Africa, North Rhine Westphalia, parts of Australia and in a number of US states pending more detailed investigations.

In January, Clare County Council became the first local authority in Ireland to agree to put in place a ban on fracking in its county development plan.

Ms Ernst said that while Tamboran has stressed that it can conduct fracking here without using chemicals, there would still be environmental issues resulting from drilling such as disposal of waste.

"When you're fracked there's no after-care and tax payers are the ones who are pick up the bill for the environmental and social problems resulting from the process," she warned.

Also speaking at the press conference, Dr Aedin McLoughlin of Good Energy Alliance Ireland said fracking was unsafe and should not be allowed here.

"Agri-food and tourism are the cornerstones of the Irish economy, not the false promises of a dirty industry that doesn't keep its promises and doesn't heed regulations," she said.
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WATCH: Jessica Ernst Glenfarne Ireland

Postby Oscar » Tue Mar 06, 2012 10:04 am

WATCH: Jessica Ernst Glenfarne Ireland Ballroom of romance Fracking talk 24/2/12 (2 hours)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=viml9RWIzYo

Jessica Ernst talk on fracking- This woman is a modern day Rachel Carson. And a freedom fighter of the highest calibre!

Welcome to Ireland! :-)

RESPECT and LOVE to her for this being made possible

PEACE
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“The EPA can’t assess fracking in Leitrim” - Jessica Ernst

Postby Oscar » Wed Mar 07, 2012 1:14 pm

“The EPA can’t assess fracking in Leitrim” - Jessica Ernst

http://www.leitrimobserver.ie/news/
the-epa-can-t-assess-fracking-in-leitrim-jessica-ernst-1-3573171

PHOTO: Jessica Ernst addressing the meeting in the Bush Hotel where she gave a talk on Life inside a Frac Experiment

Published on Tuesday 6 March 2012 09:00

Can the EPA assess the effects of fracking in Co Leitrim? Not according to scientist Jessica Ernst who visited the area targeted by Tamboran Resources last week and held presentations locally.

If you had not heard of Jessica Ernst before last week, you most certainly know who she is this week!

Ms Ernst travelled from Alberta, Canada to Ireland last week to attend a number of meetings around the country, partake in interviews and press conferences and in simple terms to tell her personal account of “Life inside a Frac experiment.”

Despite her scientific background, her experience within the industry and her current multi million dollar lawsuit against gas company Encana Corp and Alberta Government, Ms Ernst pointed out that this is “my personal story.”

She took time out of her busy schedule to speak to this paper on an issue that has recently taken over life, turned her against her neighbours, marked her as an “enemy of the state” “a security risk” and she has even been publicly called “insane,” but despite the local media ban on her in Canada and the personal agony she has endured, she continues her fight against fracking - and more and more international campaigns want to hear her story

Jessica told the paper the area she speaks of is a rural one, with “beautiful high plains” and crop fields, an area once known for it’s agriculture output and tourism, before fracking commenced.

Canada is not new in the oil and gas game, they have over 100 years experience with it but it was 2001 when the extraction came to her home area of Alberta. She said, “We were promised what happened in North America would not happen here - we have the best - world class regulators.”

So what happened? According to Jessica the water got contaminated. But the Government says “It was just natural.”

“It is not what you know you should be concerned about, it is what you don’t know” she warned.

This is coming from a woman who worked for Encanna Corporation. “I worked in the industry, worked for them and they were nasty to me, didn’t care about my community.”

She said aside from the water, the noise of the fracking kept her awake for nights, and the lorries destroyed the roads.

“I saw your roads - they will destroy them,” she warned. Jessica was brought on a tour of the Glenfarne/ Kiltyclogher area where Tamboran Resources are seeking to frack.

She said the company will “divide and conquer the community” by giving money to one half but not the other.

“The EPA can’t assess fracking in Leitrim.” Jessica visited the land, she walked it. She has never felt wetter land. She said “the land here is different to anything in Canada, Australia or South Africa.” She said the amount of water present here has never been fracked before. “How can the EPA assess something that we are being told is brand new?”

More importantly Ms Ernst said we need to look at the importance of our national water supply. She said clean water is becoming an expensive resource. “What is it worth to you?” she asked. She suggested that in a few years a small bottle of clean water could be worth more than a small bottle of gas. “What is more valuable?”
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Re: JESSICA ERNST - SPEAKING TOUR IN IRELAND

Postby Oscar » Sun Jul 09, 2017 11:48 am

President has signed onshore Fracking ban into law

[ http://www.leitrimobserver.ie/news/home ... o-law.html ]

by Leonie McKiernan 6 Jul 2017

In a short statement issued to http://www.leitrimobserver.ie this afternoon the President's press office noted: "Having considered the Petroleum and Other Minerals Development (Prohibition of Onshore Hydraulic Fracturing) Bill 2016, the President has signed the Bill and it has accordingly become law.

(Tar éis dó a mhachnamh a dhéanamh ar an mBille um Fhorbairt Peitriliam agus Mianraí Eile (Toirmeasc ar Scoilteadh Hiodrálach i dTír Mór), 2016 tá an tUachtarán tar éis a lámh a chur leis an mBille agus dá réir sin tá sé ina dhlí.")

This is the culmination of six years of campaigning by anti-fracking lobby groups.
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Re: WIN!!! FRACKING BANNED IN IRELAND - July 6, 2017

Postby Oscar » Sun Jul 09, 2017 11:53 am

'We've Made History': Ireland Joins France, Germany and Bulgaria in Banning Fracking​

[ https://www.ecowatch.com/ireland-ban-fr ... 8-86079629 ]

June 29, 2017

Ireland is set to ban onshore fracking after its Senate passed legislation on Wednesday that outlawed the controversial drilling technique.

The Petroleum and Other Minerals Development (Prohibition of Onshore Hydraulic Fracturing) Bill 2016 now awaits Irish President Michael D. Higgins' signature. The president is expected to sign it into law "in the coming days."

The Emerald Isle will join three other European Union member states, France, Germany and Bulgaria that have banned the practice on land.

Fine Gael TD Tony McLoughlin introduced the private member's bill—meaning it was not introduced by the government—last year. The bill passed Ireland's Parliament in May.

'We've made history," McLoughlin tweeted after the vote and called it one of the "proudest moments in my political career."

McLoughlin also issued a statement that mentioned the impact of fracking in the U.S.:

This law will mean communities in the West and North West of Ireland will be safeguarded from the negative effects of hydraulic fracking. Counties such as Sligo, Leitrim, Roscommon, Donegal, Cavan, Monaghan and Clare will no longer face negative effects like those seen in cities and towns in the United States, where many areas have now decided to implement similar bans to the one before us.

If fracking was allowed to take place in Ireland and Northern Ireland it would pose significant threats to the air, water and the health and safety of individuals and communities here.

Fracking must be seen as a serious public health and environmental concern for Ireland.

Environmental group Friends of the Earth Ireland celebrated the bill's passage.

"A day to celebrate. A day for #ClimatePride. The Irish parliament has passed a law to #BanFracking. Here's to a #FossilFree future," the group tweeted:
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