(Diagram of Hydraulic Fracturing (see full) (from New York State DEP))
Abrahm Lustgarten, ProPublica reporter (and author of the newly published book China’s Great Train) returns to discuss the draft environmental review of natural gas drilling upstate and its impact on New York City’s water.
after the HBO DOCUMENTORY on NATURAL GAS DRILLING how can MAYOR BLOOMBERG be so depthless regarding the drilling 1000 ft from the NYC WATER SHED! What about the eastern coast from NY,PA NJ. THIS IS WORST THAN THE TOWERS, VIETNAM OR THE 2 WARS WE ARE FIGHTING. HELL ,WE ARE OUR WORST ENEMY! OJ'S HAD IT RIGHT--MONEY MONEY MONNNNNEY, MONEY!
Anyone who thinks this process of getting Natural Gas is a good idea, had better listen to the folks in Wyoming, who had it done close to thier land. Result; lives ruined, land ruined, by toxic chemicals. Bad Idea, fight it! Shame on the politician who support it.
I and others are living on a fixed budget we are in our 50's and have enough of a hard time trying to be able to live in peace without having to worry about getting cancer from our well water. I am surrounded by an local idiot that insists on drilling and his comments to me was tough he was going to do it anyway and the hell with me! Who is going to pay my propety taxes when my water becomes so flamable that local fireman order me out? Who will compensate me for my loss which here is all we have our property? This is out and out greed!! I will get nothing out of this but and early grave because some inbred idiots who own 90 acres or more will destroy my water, health, and financial future!! I will not vote for any one who is pushing drilling! and I hope we can have anouther Revolution like in france and off with thier heads all who push drilling!!
As a resident of Callicoon and New York City I am writing to express my strong opposition to water withdrawal, hydrofracking and gas drilling in rural areas of New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania.
These states contain great natural resources and provide recreation areas for the millions of people living in downstate New York. More than that, the region’s economy is becoming more and more dependent on tourism and summer travel. Furthermore, the area has seen an increase in small farms and diaries, which must survive for the long-term sustainability of our state’s residents. There is no doubt that the lakes of “fracking” fluid will not only endanger our drinking water, but also reek havoc on the recreational and agricultural activities associated with the region.
We need to protect our drinking water, but also the very way of life in New York and neighboring states. In the tradition of the Clean Air and Clean Water Acts, we need to have federal leadership that regulates the oil and gas industries destructive projects.
I DO NOT Support Natural Gas Harvesting in Wayne County Pennsylvania or in any other neighboring counties.
As a resident of New York City I am writing to express my strong opposition to water withdrawal, hydrofracking and gas drilling in rural areas of New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania.
These states contain great natural resources and provide recreation areas for the millions of people living in downstate New York. More than that, the region’s economy is becoming more and more dependent on tourism and summer travel. Furthermore, the area has seen an increase in small farms and diaries, which must survive for the long-term sustainability of our state’s residents. There is no doubt that the lakes of “fracking” fluid will not only endanger our drinking water, but also reek havoc on the recreational and agricultural activities associated with the region.
We need to protect our drinking water, but also the very way of life in New York and neighboring states. In the tradition of the Clean Air and Clean Water Acts, we need to have federal leadership that regulates the oil and gas industries destructive projects.
I DO NOT Support Natural Gas Harvesting in Wayne County Pennsylvania or in any other neighboring counties.
Thank you for finally covering this incredibly important issue. Watch www.WaterUnderAttack.com (the film should be out soon! Catch some preview clips online and then share with concerned friends). Visit www.DamascusCitizens.org for lots of documented facts and articles. Catch a viewing of Deb Anderson's Split Estate. It will be on Planet Green, a network of Discovery Communications on October 17th. Then decide if you think it should be legal to inject toxic chemicals into the earth and put the health of our nation's water, air and land at risk. Pollution prevention is a lot easier than pollution clean-up. These chemicals are poisonous and should not be permitted into the ecosystem. Turn down the thermostat everyone. We need to invent our way out of this crisis, not create a new one. Stay informed. Join NYH2O and Damascus Citizens for Sustainability and demand this issue get TOP priority over the next 30 days before the election.
Please go to www.WaterUnderAttack.com to find video clips of what has already happened out West and in PA. You'll find kitchen faucet water from which you can light a match, well water that creates plastic when blow-torched, and people and animals getting very sick.
Also, the FRAC ACT (S1215 in the Senate and HR2766 in the House) are two important bills making their way through Congress. Their aim is to rescind the 2005 environmental exemptions that Cheney got Congress to pass. Called the Halliburton Loophole (because Halliburton is one of the main creators of the technology use in Hydraulic Fracturing for natural gas), these exemptions exempt oil and gas companies from ALL federal environmental regulation. Oil and gas companies are the only companies with these exemptions.
The gas drilling companies are international corporations, there is no reason to think the gas will be used locally or even in this country, in fact Statoil (a Norwegian company) bought a substantial sum of the interest from Chesapeake Energy the biggest 'player' in NYS, a few landowners will profit but the majority of New Yorkers will pay dearly with their health property values and new taxes for water filtration (if that's even possible) new roads for the mega trucks etc...
The vast majority of upstate New Yorkers will not derive any financial gain from gas drilling - they will probably incur higher taxes to repair the roads and other local infrastructures damaged by drilling companies.
Currently ProPublica is the only journalism focused on this entire topic. They are selling their stories to all the local newspapers effected by this drilling in PA, NY, Ohio, etc. What a wide open opportunity for any enterprising reporters out there, if there are any left.
A lot of people upstate depend on home wells for their water supply. These wells often tap water in shale deposits deep underground. Wouldn't these wells be at risk?
governor paterson has said that "the people" will decide his fate at the polls--they certainly will when they find out he's sold out their health and safety on the matter of "natural" gas drilling.
see nyh2o.org and damascuscitizens.org for more information
A lot of people upstate depend on home wells for their water supply. These wells often tap water in shale deposits deep underground. Wouldn't these wells be at risk?
Besides the serious implications for the NYC-Catskill watershed (supplies 9 million people their drinking water), there is a serious upstate - downstate divide (again).
Many of the rural upstate people are very interested in gaining income from Marcellus Shale drilling on their land, especially because their economies have been depressed for some time. The problem is that the cost to the environment and drinking water outweigh moving forward on hydraulic fracturing without real safeguards.
Susquehanna County PA, near the NY drinking water borders, just suspended gas drilling by one of the biggest drillers, Cabot, due to recent release of the thousands of gallons of frag water into drinking water. The public is not allowed to know what chemicals are contained in this frag water.
http://www.wbng.com/news/local/61467692.html
A quick search on monster.com and other job sites put out by the drilling companies for their local drilling workers shows that no experience is necessary to meet their standards.
I was on the fence about Paterson until I heard he was in favor of this - what a disaster in the making. I will vote against him in a heartbeat. What a jerk.
If Governor Paterson, or any other governor for that matter, permits this scheme to go forward he should be IMPEACHED.
New York City, through foresight, is blessed with the best urban water system in the country. Mayor Bloomberg, to his credit, has worked to protect it. We cannot be the generation that allows this precious resource to be jeopardized.
Water is the most valuable resource we have in our state - and we the north east are sitting on top of the largest potable water supply on earth. Why be so hasty to extract ALL of the earth's fossil fuels during our generation? Shouldn't we be conserving these resources for the generations who will follow us.
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Comments [25]
after the HBO DOCUMENTORY on NATURAL GAS DRILLING how can MAYOR BLOOMBERG be so depthless regarding the drilling 1000 ft from the NYC WATER SHED! What about the eastern coast from NY,PA NJ. THIS IS WORST THAN THE TOWERS, VIETNAM OR THE 2 WARS WE ARE FIGHTING. HELL ,WE ARE OUR WORST ENEMY! OJ'S HAD IT RIGHT--MONEY MONEY MONNNNNEY, MONEY!
Anyone who thinks this process of getting Natural Gas is a good idea, had better listen to the folks in Wyoming, who had it done close to thier land. Result; lives ruined, land ruined, by toxic chemicals.
Bad Idea, fight it!
Shame on the politician who support it.
I and others are living on a fixed budget we are in our 50's and have enough of a hard time trying to be able to live in peace without having to worry about getting cancer from our well water. I am surrounded by an local idiot that insists on drilling and his comments to me was tough he was going to do it anyway and the hell with me! Who is going to pay my propety taxes when my water becomes so flamable that local fireman order me out?
Who will compensate me for my loss which here is all we have our property? This is out and out greed!! I will get nothing out of this but and early grave because some inbred idiots who own 90 acres or more will destroy my water, health, and financial future!! I will not vote for any one who is pushing drilling! and I hope we can have anouther Revolution like in france and off with thier heads all who push drilling!!
As a resident of Callicoon and New York City I am writing to express my strong opposition to water withdrawal, hydrofracking and gas drilling in rural areas of New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania.
These states contain great natural resources and provide recreation areas for the millions of people living in downstate New York. More than that, the region’s economy is becoming more and more dependent on tourism and summer travel. Furthermore, the area has seen an increase in small farms and diaries, which must survive for the long-term sustainability of our state’s residents. There is no doubt that the lakes of “fracking” fluid will not only endanger our drinking water, but also reek havoc on the recreational and agricultural activities associated with the region.
We need to protect our drinking water, but also the very way of life in New York and neighboring states. In the tradition of the Clean Air and Clean Water Acts, we need to have federal leadership that regulates the oil and gas industries destructive projects.
I DO NOT Support Natural Gas Harvesting in Wayne County Pennsylvania or in any other neighboring counties.
As a resident of New York City I am writing to express my strong opposition to water withdrawal, hydrofracking and gas drilling in rural areas of New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania.
These states contain great natural resources and provide recreation areas for the millions of people living in downstate New York. More than that, the region’s economy is becoming more and more dependent on tourism and summer travel. Furthermore, the area has seen an increase in small farms and diaries, which must survive for the long-term sustainability of our state’s residents. There is no doubt that the lakes of “fracking” fluid will not only endanger our drinking water, but also reek havoc on the recreational and agricultural activities associated with the region.
We need to protect our drinking water, but also the very way of life in New York and neighboring states. In the tradition of the Clean Air and Clean Water Acts, we need to have federal leadership that regulates the oil and gas industries destructive projects.
I DO NOT Support Natural Gas Harvesting in Wayne County Pennsylvania or in any other neighboring counties.
Thanks in advance for your time.
Most cordially,
Photios Giovanis
Thank you for finally covering this incredibly important issue. Watch www.WaterUnderAttack.com (the film should be out soon! Catch some preview clips online and then share with concerned friends). Visit www.DamascusCitizens.org for lots of documented facts and articles. Catch a viewing of Deb Anderson's Split Estate. It will be on Planet Green, a network of Discovery Communications on October 17th. Then decide if you think it should be legal to inject toxic chemicals into the earth and put the health of our nation's water, air and land at risk. Pollution prevention is a lot easier than pollution clean-up. These chemicals are poisonous and should not be permitted into the ecosystem. Turn down the thermostat everyone. We need to invent our way out of this crisis, not create a new one. Stay informed. Join NYH2O and Damascus Citizens for Sustainability and demand this issue get TOP priority over the next 30 days before the election.
Please go to www.WaterUnderAttack.com to find video clips of what has already happened out West and in PA. You'll find kitchen faucet water from which you can light a match, well water that creates plastic when blow-torched, and people and animals getting very sick.
Also, the FRAC ACT (S1215 in the Senate and HR2766 in the House) are two important bills making their way through Congress. Their aim is to rescind the 2005 environmental exemptions that Cheney got Congress to pass. Called the Halliburton Loophole (because Halliburton is one of the main creators of the technology use in Hydraulic Fracturing for natural gas), these exemptions exempt oil and gas companies from ALL federal environmental regulation. Oil and gas companies are the only companies with these exemptions.
Of course Guiliani is scarier yet drill baby drill
The gas drilling companies are international corporations,
there is no reason to think the gas will be used locally or even in this country, in fact Statoil (a Norwegian company) bought a substantial sum of the interest from Chesapeake Energy the biggest 'player' in NYS, a few landowners will profit but the majority of New Yorkers will pay dearly with their health property values and new taxes for water filtration (if that's even possible) new roads for the mega trucks etc...
The vast majority of upstate New Yorkers will not derive any financial gain from gas drilling - they will probably incur higher taxes to repair the roads and other local infrastructures damaged by drilling companies.
Currently ProPublica is the only journalism focused on this entire topic. They are selling their stories to all the local newspapers effected by this drilling in PA, NY, Ohio, etc. What a wide open opportunity for any enterprising reporters out there, if there are any left.
A lot of people upstate depend on home wells for their water supply. These wells often tap water in shale deposits deep underground. Wouldn't these wells be at risk?
"mistake that the public isn't allowed to know what is in the frag/frak water, it's just business law..."
That's Haliburton's argument.
Abe, dude, don't you WANT to know what's in that brew? Let's not get confused by the effluvium of smart old rich lawyers.
governor paterson has said that "the people" will decide his fate at the polls--they certainly will when they find out he's sold out their health and safety on the matter of "natural" gas drilling.
see nyh2o.org and damascuscitizens.org for more information
A lot of people upstate depend on home wells for their water supply. These wells often tap water in shale deposits deep underground. Wouldn't these wells be at risk?
Besides the serious implications for the NYC-Catskill watershed (supplies 9 million people their drinking water), there is a serious upstate - downstate divide (again).
Many of the rural upstate people are very interested in gaining income from Marcellus Shale drilling on their land, especially because their economies have been depressed for some time. The problem is that the cost to the environment and drinking water outweigh moving forward on hydraulic fracturing without real safeguards.
Thompson has issued a statement you can see on the comptroller's website http://www.comptroller.nyc.gov/press/2009_releases/st09-10-104.shtm:
He expressed serious concerns about the DEC statement and is urging people to come out and testify about the proposal.
must view:
damascuscitizens.org
What about the cost of shipping the gas to refineries. This area is not connected to the pipelines.
Susquehanna County PA, near the NY drinking water borders, just suspended gas drilling by one of the biggest drillers, Cabot, due to recent release of the thousands of gallons of frag water into drinking water. The public is not allowed to know what chemicals are contained in this frag water.
http://www.wbng.com/news/local/61467692.html
A quick search on monster.com and other job sites put out by the drilling companies for their local drilling workers shows that no experience is necessary to meet their standards.
I was on the fence about Paterson until I heard he was in favor of this - what a disaster in the making. I will vote against him in a heartbeat. What a jerk.
If Governor Paterson, or any other governor for that matter, permits this scheme to go forward he should be IMPEACHED.
New York City, through foresight, is blessed with the best urban water system in the country. Mayor Bloomberg, to his credit, has worked to protect it. We cannot be the generation that allows this precious resource to be jeopardized.
Water is the most valuable resource we have in our state - and we the north east are sitting on top of the largest potable water supply on earth. Why be so hasty to extract ALL of the earth's fossil fuels during our generation? Shouldn't we be conserving these resources for the generations who will follow us.
drill, baby, drill??
The diagram on your site looks informative, but it is difficult to read - can it be made any bigger?
Thanks
[[BL Show Writes: Mike, we've added a link below the picture to the full diagram. Thanks for listening!]]
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