NATURAL GAS: EPA begins study of fracturing's effects on water supplies

Katie Howell, E&E reporter (03/18/2010) U.S. EPA announced the start today of a study examining the effects of a controversial oil and gas production technique known as hydraulic fracturing on water supplies.

"Our research will be designed to answer questions about the potential impact of hydraulic fracturing on human health and the environment," EPA Assistant Administrator Paul Anastas said in a statement. "The study will be conducted through a transparent, peer-reviewed process, with significant stakeholder input."

Hydraulic fracturing is a decades-old technology used by the petroleum industry to improve production at aging wells by blasting water, chemicals and sand or plastic beads into a wellbore at high pressure. The technique has grabbed public attention as the industry has used it to tap vast stores of domestic natural gas, and drillers have poured into Pennsylvania and New York to tap the potentially vast Marcellus Shale formation.

"Understanding the risks that hydraulic fracturing poses to drinking water supplies is critical to guiding future policies and regulations that will safeguard the public," Rep. Maurice Hinchey (D-N.Y.) said in a statement heralding the study's launch.

Hinchey pushed for the congressionally authorized EPA study and has also been a key player on a bill (H.R. 2766) that would mandate federal regulation of fracturing under the Safe Drinking Water Act.....continued.....

NATURAL GAS: EPA begins study of fracturing's effects on water supplies

Katie Howell, E&E reporter (03/18/2010)

U.S. EPA announced the start today of a study examining the effects of a controversial oil and gas production technique known as hydraulic fracturing on water supplies.

"Our research will be designed to answer questions about the potential impact of hydraulic fracturing on human health and the environment," EPA Assistant Administrator Paul Anastas said in a statement. "The study will be conducted through a transparent, peer-reviewed process, with significant stakeholder input."

Hydraulic fracturing is a decades-old technology used by the petroleum industry to improve production at aging wells by blasting water, chemicals and sand or plastic beads into a wellbore at high pressure. The technique has grabbed public attention as the industry has used it to tap vast stores of domestic natural gas, and drillers have poured into Pennsylvania and New York to tap the potentially vast Marcellus Shale formation.

"Understanding the risks that hydraulic fracturing poses to drinking water supplies is critical to guiding future policies and regulations that will safeguard the public," Rep. Maurice Hinchey (D-N.Y.) said in a statement heralding the study's launch.

Hinchey pushed for the congressionally authorized EPA study and has also been a key player on a bill (H.R. 2766) that would mandate federal regulation of fracturing under the Safe Drinking Water Act.....continued.....

Sound File

Transition Radio interview w/ DMC-part 1-- 3/3/2010

Sound File

KRZA Radio interview Drilling Mora County-Geology 2-11-10
88.7 FM Alamosa & Taos & 100.9 FM South Fork and Del Norte
KRZA: http://www.krza.org/

MORA WAKE UP BEFORE IT’S TOO LATE

Remember, LA GENTE DE MORA, that the oil and gas that lies beneath your land is worth hundreds of billions of dollars to the greedy oil companies. The oil representatives will come to you with their mentiras about how much good they are going to do for you. You must understand que por los poquito centavos you receive you will be giving away tu salud, la amistad, y sus tierras. When all the money you have received is gone, your kids, your grandkids, and possibly yourselves van andar por las calles. Remember CITIZENS DE MORA que las companies de la aceite are not your friends and will never be your friends. Don’t let the destruction que le paso al condado de San Juan que le suceder a Mora. Unirse for your own protection.

PEOPLE OF MORA the land that you now possess has been handed down for many generations. It has been placed in your trust to be a good steward. And when you are gone these lands will pass on to your future generations. The earth will give you subsistence and provide for your needs. Take care of the land that has been entrusted to you so that all that come after you will remember you as a caring and devoted good steward of the land.

The oil and gas companies will come with their heavy equipment and dejaran una cicatriz en la tierra and this scar will be left forever.

Gilbert Armenta de Largo, Nuevo Mexico
March 2 2010

Drilling Mora County’s educational meeting February 11th, 2010, with Chris Velasquez and Gilbert Armenta, San Juan County ranchers, filled Tapetes with over 85 people listening solemnly to the words of what life is about ranching with natural gas development day-to-day.

An agricultural county prior to oil and gas development, San Juan County now has the highest rate of cancer in New Mexico. Unemployment eclipses the national rate at 12%. Not counting out-of-state and oil and gas field employees, the rate of employment for the county is a staggering 35%. The boom and bust economy associated with energy-dependent counties has flung the citizens of San Juan County into a rock wall. Today fewer than 8% of the land is owned by Hispanic families. Prior to oil and gas, 43% of the land represented Hispanic land stewardship and ownership. A collapse of of a contributing culture has taken place in our northern county.

What will it take to stop the day-to-day devastation industry reeks on the water, on the animal’s and human’s health and quality of life that plagues the people on the land in San Juan County? According to Mr. Velasquez and Mr. Armenta, keeping the oil industry out is the most important effort Mora County citizens could achieve. While they were unable to to this in their own county, they have graciously taken the time to speak to the citizens of Mora County in hopes that their stories will encourage people to protect their counties by saying "no" to the oil industry.