Showing posts with label fracking. Show all posts
Showing posts with label fracking. Show all posts

Monday, June 24, 2013

Deer Lake Fracking Awareness Seminar Raises Difficult Questions for Black Spruce


From the 4 O'clock Whistle
     Thirty five people showed up to a fracking awareness seminar in Deer Lake on the 19th of June at the Hodder Memorial Stadium. Entitled “Facts on Fracking” the seminar presented a wide array of information on the history of the process and what is known about its potential effects. As those present learned, while some of the basic technology of fracking has been around for quite some time, slick water horizontal hydraulic fracturing is a relatively new phenomenon. 
       For example when companies assert that they have been conducting hydraulic fracturing since the 1940’s they are referring to vertical hydraulic fracturing. Horizontal slickwater “fracking,” by contrast, can be traced back to as early as 2002. Since much of the fracking fluid, which contains a complex mixture of chemicals (some of which are known to be carcinogenic or to have other health effects) remains underground after the process, the potential area affected by seepage into aquifers and towards the surface is greatly increased during horizontal fracturing. The fracturing could extend out as much as three kilometers, if not more, horizontally from each drill site in multiple directions, and one key problem is trying to control the fractures during the process. Several countries and states currently have moratoriums on fracking awaiting more information, as does the province of Quebec, and in many others there are growing demands for the institution of moratoriums.

Chicken Little?

Sunday, April 28, 2013

MAY 1ST -- Public Information Meeting on Fracking to be Held in St. John's


The goal of this meeting is to inform people about the plans for fracking in this province, with the intent of forming a Fracking Awareness Group for the East Coast.  A Fracking Awareness Group has been established on the West Coast and have been very effective in getting the word out and mobilizing people.

Learn more about what has already been done from allies reporting at the 4 O'Clock Whistle and other posts on fracking published on this blog.

Saturday, April 27, 2013

Questions for Black Spruce on the possibility of Hydraulic Fracturing on the West Coast of Newfoundland


Based on the article “Municipal leaders express concerns about fracking” by Christopher Vaughan, The Western Star April 20, 2013

Since there have been no public consultations thus far by Black Spruce Exploration Corp. on their (and Shoal Point Energy’s) plans to conduct hydraulic fracturing on the West Coast of Newfoundland, there has thus been little opportunity to question the company on the health and environmental impacts which may result from such an undertaking. However some information from the company has been presented to municipal leaders at a consultation they were invited to, and thankfully reporter Christopher Vaughan was on site to record what had been said by Black Spruce representative David Murray. Vaughan’s article (subsequently published in The Western Star) has thus brought to West Coast some snippets of Murray’s presentation - a presentation which it appears raises far more questions than it answers. The following is a list of quotes from the before mentioned article, paired with responses that highlight a need for greater information.

Thursday, April 25, 2013

COMPANY FAILS TO EASE FRACKING CONCERNS: Important questions remain unanswered, say concerned citizens

The Port au Port /Bay St George Fracking Awareness Group April 23, 2013 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

COMPANY FAILS TO EASE FRACKING CONCERNS
Important questions remain unanswered, say concerned citizens

Port au Port East, NL: Black Spruce Exploration’s David Murray is failing to address local concerns about fracking even as he makes the media rounds, says the Port au Port/Bay St. George Fracking Awareness Group.

Mr. Murray is the head of the newly-formed company which plans to use horizontal slickwater hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, to drill for oil/gas at Shoal Point on Port au Port Bay as soon as September or October of this year.

Mr. Murray has been in damage control for the last couple of weeks after hundreds of concerned citizens turned out for an information session in Port au Port on April 7 to ask hard questions about the effects of fracking on their communities, their health, the environment, as well as on other industries in the area such as fishing and tourism.

So far Mr. Murray’s statements to the media and to the local municipalities have been evasive, unclear, and at times, even by his own admission, exaggerated. More answers are needed, says Bill O’Gorman of West Bay, before our government decides if this is something we will allow in our province.

Here are the top questions that remain unanswered:

Friday, April 12, 2013

Information Session on Hydraulic Fracturing - Tuesday April 23rd in Lark Harbour

Information Session on Hydraulic Fracturing - Tuesday April 23rd in Lark Harbour

7:30 PM - Lark Harbour Town Hall



Monday, April 8, 2013

A Special Report on the “Public Forum on Horizontal Slickwater Fracturing” (April 7) at Port au Port East

Reposted from the blog of the 4 O'clock Whistle

     At 2pm on April 7th about 400 hundred people showed up to take part in a public forum on Shoal Point Energy’s proposal to conduct horizontal slickwater fracturing (fracking) on the West Coast of Newfoundland. Several presentations were given on the subject ranging from an overview of the Province’s existing and environmental assessment process (which appears to contain the potential of producing a biased assessment), to the threat of environmental damage from fracking. Several representatives of government were present, including Tom Marshall, as well as representatives of the Department of Natural Resources and the Canada Newfoundland and Labrador Offshore Petroleum Board. However no representatives of Shoal Point Energy appeared to be in attendance.

Tuesday, March 19, 2013

Fracking Awareness Group Media Release



Port au Port/Bay St. George Fracking Awareness Group



Media Release
March 19, 2013


Re: Port au Port /Bay St. George Fracking Awareness Group is asking Government to take a Precautionary Approach  in the Regulation of Fracking for Oil and Gas.

Monday, March 11, 2013

A Letter from MP Gerry Byrne Regarding Proposals for Hydraulic Fracturing on the West Coast of Newfoundland

Dear Dr. Simpson:

Thank you for your email regarding the process of hydrocarbon extraction
through the process of hydraulic fracturing or ‘fracking’. While most oil
exploration and commercial production activity in Canada occurs exclusively
under provincial management and regulation, the federal government does
regulate offshore activity and that which takes place in the Canadian North.
Toxic chemicals, however, are under federal jurisdiction and the process of
fracking is understood to involve the introduction of various chemicals
including various acids and abrasives into the targeted rock formations and
is, therefore, very much under federal oversight.

Thursday, January 31, 2013

What the frack is happening on the West Coast!?!

Hydraulic fracturing (fracking) projects are set to begin on the west coast of Newfoundland. For background information and public documents on the (mis-ad)venture, please see C-NLOPB environmental assessment resources.

In other news, the Corner Brook city council has approved in principle a plan to drill for minerals in the community's watershed. It's an altogether rosy outlook for the environment on the West Coast.

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