Saturday, June 25, 2011

Well, where are all those 'jobs' the industry was supposed to create in PA?

Marcellus Shale Boom Adds Less Than 10,000 Pa. Jobs
HARRISBURG, PA (June 21, 2011) - Keystone Research Center
http://keystoneresearch.org/media-center/press-releases/marcellus-shale-boom-adds-less-10000-pa-jobs

Suspected Illegal Immigrants Worked for Gas Company (June 24, 2011) - WNEP News 16
http://www.wnep.com/wnep-lyc-suspected-illegal-immigrants-worked-for-gas-company-20110624,0,2956971.story

The Actual Contribution of Marcellus Shale to Pennsylvania Job Growth (June 20, 2011)
http://keystoneresearch.org/sites/keystoneresearch.org/files/Drilling-Deeper-into-Jobs-Claims-6-20-2011_0.pdf

Let's see...
-There's no documented case of ground water contamination from gas drilling.
(Thanks to the arbitration clause in the leases and the non-disclosure people have to sign to get anything. Also, learn the difference between the legal definition of contamination and the practical definition. They're not the same thing.)

- The drilling process is completely safe. We only use water and sand (and maybe a few chemicals... only because you asked), and you'll never even know we're here. It's just a little green 'firehydrant' in the field.
(A 'few chemicals' is 50,000 to 90,000 gallons of toxic chemicals used for each frack job, you will know they're here even if you never venture out of the house because you'll notice the noise and the smell, and that little 'firehydrant' will be surrounded by more wells, condensate tanks, water containment, possible compressor stations, pipeline infrastructure, and methane vents/flares.)

- People who lease their land will become wealthy and it will increase your property value!
(Some people who have 100+ acres may actually get some real money. Statistically 3 to 5% of people who lease thier land for this type of development make some money. The rest usually lose in the long run. For most people, the signing 'bonus' is the most they'll ever see, and their property will become worthless because: a) banks and mortgage companies don't want to approve a mortgage on, or near an industrial site, b) no one in their right mind would want to live anywhere near an industrial zone of this magnitude if they didn't have to. c) if your property was a recreational investment property... you might as well turn off the utilities, walk away, and let it go for taxes.)

-Natural gas is a 'clean' alternative to coal and oil.
(It just spews methane into the atmosphere which is a more potent greenhouse gas then CO2, and it's a 'dirtier' fuel source when examined in it's entire life-cycle)

-It will get us off foreign oil and make us energy independent.
(It will make us dependent on natural gas that is predominantly owned by foreign countries, and we'll be exporting it through companies like Cheniere because it's more profitable for company shareholders)

*Now we can add this to the list of misinformation and industry lies.
-The natural gas industry will create hundreds of thousands of jobs in PA and transform our economy!
(It will transform the economy indeed by destroying tourism, forestry, agriculture, and the hardwood industry costing PA more permanent jobs than the gas industry could ever create)

Tuesday, June 14, 2011

Do You Love The Endless Mountains?

click here: Bradford, Sullivan & Lycoming Counties: sign the petition NOW!

As a resident of the Endless Mountains region, you know better than just about everyone how special your home is. For generations, visitors have flocked to the area from all over to enjoy the region's river gateways, rolling hills, family farms, river towns, historic districts and quaint rural villages.

But the Central New York Oil and Gas Company wants to install an industrial gas pipeline that would slice through the region and tear up almost 600 acres of land. It would replace wooded mountains and pastoral landscapes with 39 miles of pipeline and massive pieces of industrial machinery. Worse, it will pave the way for thousands of new gas wells -- and all the pollution that comes along with them.

What's more, the project could devastate the local tourist economy and trample over landowner rights by granting the company powers of eminent domain.

The oil and gas industry has been given subsidies and special treatment. In return, they've polluted our air and water and delayed our transition to a clean energy economy. Now they want to ruin one of the most special places on earth: your home.

So far local officials have turned a blind eye to the serious impacts of this project. But if their constituents stand up and say "enough is enough," they might be persuaded to step in and oppose the project, at least until a full environmental review is prepared. Add your name to the petition asking them to do just that.

Our goal is to have signatures from 3,315 residents from Bradford County, 300 residents from Sullivan County, and 710 residents from Lycoming County -- representing the largest margin of victory in each county's most recent county commissioner election. Those are the kind of numbers that matter to your elected officials, so spread the word!

Sunday, June 12, 2011

More Methane Leaking in Lairdsville, Lycoming County, PA

This video was taken on June 11, 2011 at 3pm. Methane has also been reported to be in the private well water of approximately 12 homes.... so far. The water buffalos are stampeding down PA 118. XTO  (aka: Exxon/Mobile) is the company drilling closest to the leaks.
Methane leak in Little Muncy Creek, Lairdsville, PA

Wednesday, June 8, 2011

PA Citizens Rally Against Gas Drilling -Harrisburg, PA June 7, 2011

Hundreds of Pennsylvania citizens turned out to protest gas drilling and the public health and safety, environmental, social, and negative economic impact it is having in Pennsylvania.

PA Citizen Rally Against Gas Drilling -Harrisburg, PA June 7, 2011

Thursday, June 2, 2011

National Grassroots Coalition against fracking for gas and in favor of renewable energy

We the following organizations and individuals reject the practice of hydrofracking and rebut shale gas as America’s energy future.
Together, the grassroots organizations opposing fracking across the country make up a powerful lobby – it’s time we got together and flexed our muscles! Join Us!