The Ox Bindery Guaranteed Fracking Free

Fracking Matters Newsletter 29-12 (64) – 24 April 2012
Information letter for those to whom fracking matters and updates on the website FFI
Thanks to all for your contribution
contact: [email protected]
visit: www.frackingfreeeireland.org
The Ox Bindery Guaranteed Fracking Free
The Ox Bindery has adopted the green shamrock Guaranteed Fracking Free logo.
It stands for the purity of the beautiful, green Irish environment, which is at present
completely uncontaminated by the adverse effects of industrial onshore gas extraction by
means of hydraulic fracturing (“fracking”).
One of the adverse effects is the likely contamination of the water table and that’s where our
concern from a business perspective comes in.”
As a book and paper conservation studio we work mainly with historical paper documents. For
paper water is essential.
Paper is born out of water from a suspension of plant fibres cast on a paper makers mould and
even when dry water is essential: without it a sheet of paper would break, when you fold it,
tear when you write on it, snap when you print on it.
Old paper is revitalised by applications with or using water from repairing tears with water
based starch paste, washing out stains and discolourations to leafcasting: pulp infilling of
missing areas.
To ensure the future long term stability of the conserved documents, the quality of the water
we use is quintessential. Any compromise in water quality is a compromise in the quality of our
work and a compromise in the longevity of the document.
Our water is free from contamination and pollutants and that why we are proudly carrying the
logo Guranteed Fracking Free
Benjamin van de Wetering and Ineke Scholte
[email protected]
http://www.oxbindery.ie/
www.piggelmeebooks.com
Other businesses who have adopted the guaranteed fracking free logo are invited to
contribute to the newsletter. (full list of participants on the web FFI)
EVENTS and other small CAMPAIGN news
Ok after having a few small fundraisers and awareness events and an award winning
St. Patricks day parade we are now taking No Fracking Ireland on a world tour via
the www.
And while we got great reaction from so many of you, it's time to return to our roots with a noholds-barred trad music session, one which we're sure you'll enjoy!
So, on April 26th, forget about work, getting the kids' homework done or putting the dinner
on. Just pull up to your PC or get out the iPad and join us for a live session from the heart of
Leitrim and the famous Cryan's Pub in Carrick-on-Shannon.
The trad session will feature some really top trad talent, so do tune in for what is the first in a
series of great trad sessions taking place this Spring and Summer on LiveTrad.
Great music, song, dance and fun, and best of all, it's free!
We expect a huge crowed in Cryans on the night so please get in early and grab a seat and let
your friends and relatives abroad know that's its on and you will be there.
If you want to be added to our mailing list, and kept informed of all upcoming LiveTrad.com
traditional Irish music webcasts, just send a blank email to [email protected].
Check us out on www.livetrad.com for the music,
for the Fracking go our Facebook Group "NO FRACKING
IRELAND"
Newsletter go to
www.frackingfreeireland.org
For more details on this event phone or txt 087
This is going to be a great night, and those who can't be there
physically can tune in and turn on their laptops, Ipads and PC's and
join us in Cryans Bar, Carrick on Shannon. Great music, and wise
words, NO FRACKING IRELAND and live.trad.com go
global........................... please share!
No Fracking Ireland meets www.livetrad.com
Thursday, April 26 at 8:30pm at Cryans Bar & Restaurant
We are broadcasting a live trad music session from Cryans pub in
Carrick on Shannon on April 26th, from 8.30pm until late! Please
tune in on the night, if you cannot be there in person to
www.livetrad.com please log on
your pc on the night, and message us! trad music meets campaigners
against fracking, - showing what we have to lose.
slan
Meg
Call from a website visitor
Hello! My name's R. and I'm curious about tests and research being done by the EPA
concerning hydraulic fracturing. I understand that there is three companies involved and
mainly the Australian company Tamboran. I'm trying to find out how long these4 tests are
going to take and if there has been any other licenses granted in Ireland. Could you help me
out with some information?
Please if you could answer, reply to
details.
ineke@frackingfreeireland and I will fw. Contact
BREAKING NEWS
FRIENDS OF THE EARTH EUROPE, HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENT ALLIANCE, FOOD AND
WATER EUROPE
Press release
For Immediate Release – Tuesday April 24, 2012
***
SHALE GAS A DANGEROUS EXPERIMENT ON ENVIRONMENT AND HUMAN HEALTH
Civil society groups call on member states to suspend existing ‘fracking’ projects and ban new
ones
***
Brussels, April 24, 2012 –
A coalition of environmental and health NGOs warned the European Parliament today that
hydraulic fracturing (‘fracking’) of shale gas, shale oil, and coal bed methane represent an
dangerous experiment on the environment and human health [1].
The warning comes following a draft report on shale gas published on the 11th of April by MEP
Boguslaw Sonik for the parliamentary committee working on Environment, Public Health and
Food Safety [2]. The draft, which promotes the expansion of shale gas developments in
Europe, will be presented in front of the ENVI Committee tomorrow. It will influence Europe’s
position on shale gas, potentially steering Europe’s energy policy in completely the wrong
direction. The report ignores the risks and negative impacts of fracking, while presenting
overly optimistic industry interests.
Antoine Simon, shale gas campaigner for Friends of the Earth Europe said: “Europe
must not fall into the shale gas trap – it threatens the health of local communities, the
environment, locks Europe into fossil fuel dependency, and undermines renewable energy
developments.”
“European politicians must resist industry rhetoric and take account of the very real dangers of
shale gas. Member states must suspend ongoing activities, and ban new projects – we must
put a stop to this socially and environmentally damaging technology before it spreads across
Europe.”
Exploiting shale gas, shale oil and coal bed methane in Europe will increase greenhouse gas
emissions and ensure fossil fuel dependency at the expense of renewable energy or cheaper
and safer policies to save energy. Additionally, loopholes in European legislation allow
companies to remain secretive about chemicals used during fracking, making it impossible to
assess the environmental and health risks [3].
Lisette van Vliet, Senior policy officer for Health and Environment Alliance said:
“Getting natural gas from shale is a mark of desperate addiction to fossil fuels and threatens
our public health by polluting the environment. Toxic chemicals used in fracking can
contaminate groundwater, and subsequently drinking water, and fracking worsens our air
quality. We call on Parliament to take a strong stand, and not to feed this addiction!”
Geert De Cock, policy officer for Food and Water Europe said: “Detailed analysis of how
European water legislation covers, or fails to cover, the impacts of fracking on the water
quality, is dangerously absent.”
“Fracking for shale gas has led to thousands of water contamination cases in the US – leaks,
spills, blowouts, and improper treatment of wastewater – yet Europe is turning a blind eye. We
must take heed, and suspend all ongoing shale gas developments in Europe”.
Civil society calls on member states to suspend ongoing activities, to abrogate permits, and to
place a ban on any new projects, and urges the European Parliament not to promote further
development of shale gas.
***
For more information please contact:
Antoine Simon, shale gas campaigner for Friends of the Earth Europe,
Tel: +32 (0) 2 893 10 18, Mob: +32 (0) 486 685 664, email: [email protected]
Lisette van Vliet, Senior policy officer for Health and Environment Alliance,
Tel: +32 (0) 2 234 3645 Mob: +32 (0) 484 614 528, email: [email protected]
Geert De Cock, policy officer for Food and Water Europe,
Tel: +32 (0) 2 893 10 45, Mob: +32 (0) 484 629 491, email: [email protected]
***
NOTES:
[1]
http://www.foeeurope.org/sites/default/files/press_releases/foee_shale_gas_joint_position_24
0412.pdf
The joint statement was drafted by Friends of the Earth Europe, Health and Environment
Alliance, Food and Water Europe and Greenpeace and signed on by a group of European, North
American, South African and Australian NGOs and groups of active citizens including Climate
Action Network Europe, CEE Bankwatch Network, European Environmental Bureau, Health Care
Without Harm Europe, National Toxics Network, Global 2000, Weinviertel Statt Gasviertel,
Fracking free Bulgaria, Bulgarian anti-fracking group, Bulgarian greens (Zelenite), Les Amis de
la Terre France, Agir pour l'environnement, AITEC, ATTAC France, CNMSE, France Libertés,
Réseau Action Climat France, Réseau Environnement Santé, WECF France, Aktionsbündnis NoMoor-Fracking, Schönes Lünne, Fracking Free Ireland, Netherlands ShaleGas Free, Eko-Unia,
fractual.co.za, Ecologistas en Acción, Heaven or sHell, Friends of the Earth England, Wales and
Northern Ireland, Citizens' Environmental Coalition, Environmental Health Fund, IPEN, Science
corps
[2]
http://www.europarl.europa.eu/meetdocs/2009_2014/documents/envi/pr/892/892948/892948
en.pdf
[3] Toxic chemicals used whilst fracking, along with the hazardous and radioactive materials
naturally present underground, smog particulates and other pollutants released during the
process can contaminate surface and groundwater, and pollute the air and soil. Vast amounts
of water are required to extract shale gas, creating significant social and environmental
pressures at local and regional levels. Fracking also increases the risks of earthquakes, with
recorded cases across the US and UK.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------INTERNATIONAL JOINT STATEMENT ON SHALE GAS supported by international anti
fracking organisations.
www.foeeurope.org/sites/default/files/press_releases/foee_shale_gas_joint_position_240412_
0.pdf
Full text and an overview of all supporting logo's at the end of the newsletter
Dowload leaflet:
http://frackingfreeireland.org/wpcontent/uploads/2012/04/gff-dl1.pdf
GUARANTEED FRACKING FREE – updates
More Participants adopted the
“Guaranteed Fracking Free” Logo
Campaign!
Full overview of businesses:
http://frackingfreeireland.org/guaranteedfracking-free/
Galway Market Stallholders
Joachim Hees – Organic vegetables
Robin Sheen – Burren honey
Dirk Flake – Organic vegetables
Jacoba van Rijn – Homemade jams, chutneys,
pickles
Cait Curran – Organic vegetables
Layla O'Brien – Organic bread
The friendly farmer – Free range chicken
Donagh Healy Curries
Michael Browne – Seafood, eggs, honey
John Millane – Vegetables & herbs
Dave Holland – Bread
Moyglas Bakery – Bread
Brekish Dairies – Cheese
Mick Silke – Crepes
Carl Fahy – Bagels
Kinvara Farmers’ Market Stallholders
Alan Johnston & Tricia Kirby – Beagh Herbs
Rosaleen Tanham – An Chistin Bheag,
Parkmore, Doorus, Kinvara, Co. Galway
Here are some ideas of ways to use the
logo, for groups:
a. If your local county council has voted in
support of keeping Ireland
fracking free, invite them to formally adopt the
logo.
b. Print car window stickers to sell and to give
to shops to display in their windows.
c. Make badges/T-shirts etc. to sell. These can
be a good money-maker for a group, and they
also increase the visibility of the logo and thus
the effectiveness of the campaign.
"Jula (created by Regina O'Dea) cycled into Ennis to attend the "To
Frack or Not to Frack" event held at Glor on April 15, 2012. As you can
see, she wears her sentiments on her sleeve..."
WHAT YOU CAN/MUST DO
Hi everyone,
April 30.
http://www.environ.ie/en/Environment/Atmos
Check out the public consultations open on the phere/ClimateChange/ClimatePolicyDevelopme
EPA
ntConsultation/
website:http://www.epa.ie/downloads/consult
ation/
On the Environ.ie site there are also
It seems that these could have relevance to
regulations for the ECI process
fracking (groundwater and
we were talking about before:
surface water contamination, etc.) For all you http://www.environ.ie/en/PublicationsDocume
scientific types out
nts/FileDownLoad,29720,en.pdf
there... Comment by April 27.
Also, please don't forget the Climate Policy
consulation is open until
Sarah
Reporter Sarah
Here is some good news from the Guaranteed Fracking Free logo
campaign.
First, we have a beautiful new leaflet (see attached). Thanks to David T
of TM Printing for the lovely design. It is DL size, which means you can
fit three on an A4 sheet printed on both sides.
We handed these out at the panel discussion event held in Ennis on
Sunday, and they were very well-received. We plan on printing more when
we get the money and asking shops to put them on their counters. They're
so pretty!
We also sold our Keep Ireland Fracking Free car window stickers, which
are proving very popular.
As people went into the event, we gave them a sheet "Simple Things You
Can Do to Keep Ireland Fracking Free", with a note to Enda Kenny at the
bottom (see attached) in support of keeping Ireland "Guaranteed Fracking
Free". We asked people to detach the slips and give them to us at the
end of the night, and I now have a bucket full of them to send to the
Taoiseach in handfuls over the next week or so... :)
Everyone is free to print and use the logo leaflet as is, and you can
use the other doc too if you want (just don't forget to change the Clare
Fracking Concerned bit to a message from your local group!). I think it
would be cool if the Taoiseach started getting little notes in support
of a "Guaranteed Fracking Free" Ireland from all over the country, not
just from Clare, but I'll leave that up to you all...
That's it for now.
Sarah
-Sarah <[email protected]>
Simple Things You Can Do To Keep Ireland Fracking Free
1.
Join Clare Fracking Concerned at [email protected].
We would like to add you to our mailing list, and keep you informed of future events and
actions planned by Clare Fracking Concerned. Everyone can help in some way. Are you good
with a computer? We could really use people with IT skills. Maybe you would prefer to help
organize events? Do you have media expertise? Are you good at preparing written documents?
Do you like working with people? Please get in touch, we will definitely find a niche for you.We
need as much help as we can get.
2.
Write to Pat Rabbitte, Minister for Communications, Energy & Natural Resources,
whose department will decide whether full fracking licences will be granted in Ireland or
not.
3.
Support the “Guaranteed Fracking Free” logo campaign. This is a nationwide
campaign to highlight the fact that Ireland is at present “Guaranteed Fracking Free” and
should stay that way. (Contact the campaign at [email protected])
a.
Help us sell car stickers! Clare Fracking Concerned is selling “Keep Ireland
Fracking Free” car stickers as a fundraiser, for two euro each. As we run out, we
will be print more.
b.
Adopt the logo! It’s easy – all you have to do is download the logo from
frackingfreeclare.org and use it any way you like.
c.
Do you run a business? Please consider displaying the logo on your company
website, in your shop window, on your product labels, in your promotional
materials…
d.
Recommend it to others! Contact Sarah Akamine at [email protected] for
documents explaining the campaign. The campaign is also keeping a list of
businesses that use the logo, so if you have adopted the logo, please let the
campaign know your details.
e.
Let Taoiseach Enda Kenny know that you have adopted the logo as an individual
or as a business. Please find below a little note to the Taoiseach. Please detach it,
sign it, and drop it in the post to:
Taoiseach Enda Kenny, T.D.
Department of the Taoiseach,
Government Buildings,
Upper Merrion Street,
Dublin 2
Dear Taoiseach,
I have adopted the “Guaranteed Fracking Free”
logo because I believe that Ireland’s
fracking-free status is something to be
celebrated,
protected, and promoted. I will be displaying
the logo with pride.I would like to continue
to take pride in Ireland as a fracking-free zone.
I urge you therefore to enact a permanent ban
on hydraulic fracking in Ireland.
Kind regards,
STOP THE LOBBY TO UNDERMINE THE
and Gas
MORATORIA AND BAN IN BULGARIA AND http://og.decc.gov.uk/en/olgs/cms/explorationpro/onshore/c
uadrilla_decc/cuadrilla_decc.aspx
FRANCE!
Report:
Invitation for comments on the report
http://og.decc.gov.uk/assets/og/ep/onshore/5075“PREESE HALL SHALE GAS FRACTURING
preese-hall-shale-gas-fracturing-review.pdf
Cuadrilla Geomechanical and DECC report - Oil
WHAT YOU MUST KNOW
County Development Plan
Posted in the Leitrim Observer
Hydraulic fracturing - Amending Leitrim County
Development Plan
Deirdre McCaffrey, BL
A number of local authorities, including Leitrim County Council, are considering amending
their development plans to include a ban on hydraulic shale gas drilling (fracking) due to their
concerns that this process can adversely effect human health, animal health and the
environment, principally by the contamination of water resources. There has been widespread
debate as to whether such an inclusion is beneficial, necessary, futile or indeed even possible.
As provided for in the relevant Acts, a development plan sets out the overall strategy for the
proper planning and sustainable development of the area. Judicial statements have
emphasised that its use is to control and regulate the user and the development of property.
John Gore Grimes, leading expert in Irish planning and environmental law, describes it as the
lynchpin in the planning process.
Can a Development Plan be amended to include a ban on hydraulic fracturing?
A development plan can be amended by local elected representatives as a reserved function
following a protracted process set out in the Planning and Development Acts 2000-2010.
However, the inclusion of a prohibition such as a mining ban was deemed invalid in the case of
Glencar Exploration v Mayo County Council (1993).
The case concerned a company who, having being granted prospecting licences by the
Minister for Energy in 1986, carried out mineral exploration for a number of years at
considerable cost (about two million) and formed the view that commercial quantities of gold
existed in the Westport region. Their next step was to extract the minerals. However, at this
juncture, the Co Mayo development plan was amended to include a mining ban. The plaintiff
company, Glencar Explorations initiated judicial review proceedings against the County Council
on the grounds that the mining ban was illegal. The High Court agreed. The trial judge stated
that development objectives must be positive in character – a ban is totally negative as its
purpose is to prevent development not to have it as an objective. Consequently, the ban was
ruled to be ultra vires the County Council.
This issue may well be litigated in the future and a different decision reached but that is an
unknown. Under current law, an amendment to ban fracking would be deemed invalid and
hence futile in a planning permission context. It would be prudent, therefore, to amend the
plan in a manner consistent and meaningful to the decision-making process, leveraging impact
on the regulation/control of the fracking industry within the meaning of proper planning and
sustainable development.
Can the Minister overrule a proposed amendment?
Government policy prescribes that natural resources should be exploited if environmentally
acceptable. As a general rule development plans must in so far as is practicable be consistent
with government policy. In addition, a local authority wishing to vary a plan, such as to take
cognisance of the heavy-duty fracking process, is required to consider government or
ministerial policy and objectives.
If the authority ignores or does not take sufficient account of same, the Minister has power to
direct the authority to take certain specified action. It is important to note that these statutory
provisions do not compel a planning authority to slavishly adhere to government policy but
nonetheless such policies cannot be disregarded either.
Will a planning permission application for hydraulic fracturing be decided by Leitrim
County Council?
No, applications for energy infrastructure, such as onshore extraction of natural gas, must be
made direct to An Bord Pleanala. Under the Planning and Development (Strategic
Infrastructure ) Act 2006, the Board must consider, inter alia, the development plan for the
area when deciding such applications. Consequently, any amendment made to the plan
providing for the effects of the shale gas industry will impact on a fracking application but only
in so far as the Board must consider the plan in the overall decision process. Significantly the
2006 Act provides that An Bord Pleanala may grant permission for strategic infrastructure even
though the proposed development contravenes the development plan.
The information above is for information purposes only.
Deirdre McCaffrey is a barrister. She lectures in IT Sligo.
---------------------------------Comments:
1. The councillors should press on and that the county development plan should be amended
without delay, as the process itself takes time.
2. councillors from all parties need to be contacted by as many people as possible to
emphasise the importance of amending the Dev plan. This is to ensure that when/if the
Board are considering the plan, pursuant to a fracking application, that plan has taken account
of the heretofore unconsidered risks associated with fracking.
-------------------------------------------------------The Albany Common Council passed a ban on hydrofracking. It’s the 95th New
York municipality to independently pass a ban.
In relation to the news from the UK in relation to earthquakes, they need to see what has been
happening in Arkansas:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5V6Kuv5Qt1Y
- time lapse of the location and frequency of earthquakes in Arkansas in relation to shale gas
activity - the gas wells are grey, the injection wells white.
Moorman has said the Arkansas Fayetteville Shale is the closest to the make up of the shale
we have here - does not bode well.
Leitrim County Council need to enforce a ban here immediately.
MAKE-YOU-CRY-NEWS
UK
Fracking: green groups denounce report
approving further exploration
The BBC is reporting that the panel of
experts the appointed to look at fracking
has recommended that it should be
allowed to continue - with checks.
Campaigners say the recommendation
by government advisers casts 'grave
They have a great quote from the author:
doubt' on commitment to cut
Report author Prof Peter Styles says any
emissions
earthquakes [caused by fracking] are
http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2012 "not likely to cause significant damage"
/apr/17/fracking-green-groups-denouncehttp://www.bbc.co.uk/news/sciencereport
environment-17726538
Gas fracking gets green light
----------------------------------------------http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2012
Preese hall report/apr/17/gas-fracking-gets-green-light
Go-ahead for fracking is not the start of a
golden age for gas
New report by lobby groups in UK trying
to cut the ban in Bulgaria and France and
the moratorium in UK
http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/dami
http://og.decc.gov.uk/assets/og/ep/onshore/5
an-carrington-blog/2012/apr/17/gas-gas
075-preese-hall-shale-gas-fracturingreview.pdf
IRISH NEWS
HELMUT FEHR – answer to inguiries
Some people inquired about the access
to information concerning the
environment.
In fact there is an EU directive, which must
have been transposed into Irish national law:
http://foi.gov.ie/legislation
Review of Implementation of EU Directive
2003/4/EC on Public Access to
Information on the Environment report
by Ireland
http://frackingfreeireland.org/wpcontent/uploads/2011/07/Microsoft-WordFileDownLoad22174en.pdf
EU DIRECTIVE – public access to
environmental information
http://frackingfreeireland.org/wpcontent/uploads/2011/07/public-access-toenvironmental-information1.pdf
North not affected by UK fracking goahead
(23 April 2012)
http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/ Providence resources Sline Basin licence
demonstrates exciting gas potential
2012/0418/1224314875362.html
http://frackingfreeireland.org/wpcontent/uploads/2011/08/ProactiveinvestorsUK-Providence-Resources-Slyne-Basin-licenceReporter Sarah
demonstrates-%C3%A2%E2%82%AC
%C5%93exciting-gas-potential
This in the Irish Times Finance section today.
%C3%A2%E2%82%AC-.pdf
The article itself is not
bad, but you wonder about the sub-editor that
decided on the title...
Dangers of gas fracking overstated
http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/finance
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/20
/2012/0423/1224315050196.html
12/apr/17/fracking-aquifers-tap-water
Call from Michael Mc Evoy [email protected]
Time to reply to Terri Jackson!
Get writing!
http://frackingfreeireland.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/IrishNewsArt184-2012Part1.jpg
http://frackingfreeireland.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/IrishNewsArticle14-4-2012.jpg
Reporter: Michael Cairns
Tourism is a main bread winner in Fermanagh....
lets invest in good industry and jobs, .. some good news after other related reports
MOVIES- SONGS
Central Arkansas earthquakes 1982-2011 Fracking in Leitrim
http://www.youtube.com/watch?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=5V6Kuv5Qt1Y
v=JtPm056YdkA fracking in Leitrim video
EU -NEWS
UK
Fracking: green groups denounce report approving further exploration
Campaigners say the recommendation by government advisers casts 'grave doubt' on
commitment to cut emissions
http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2012/apr/17/fracking-green-groups-denounce-report
---------------------Gas fracking gets green light
http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2012/apr/17/gas-fracking-gets-green-light
http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/damian-carrington-blog/2012/apr/17/gas-gas
------------------------This is the fracking truth
Even if the shale-gas men don't rupture aquifers or pollute our tap water, no
politician will be safe
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2012/apr/17/fracking-aquifers-tap-water
-----------------
BULGARIA - ROMANIA
The Bulgarian fracking free group had a regular meeting tonight.
We are working now to save the ban in Bulgaria, because some political and lobby groups are
trying to change the text and though that changes to make the ban unreal. I'll send more
information on our case latter this week.
Because of our mobilization we are collecting more arguments and information about the
global map of fracking free zones (countries, states, regions, municipalities).
Another question is about some events in the next weeks. On 28.04-01.05 in Vama Veche (on
the Romanian - Bulgarian seacoast border) there will be a international meeting on shale gas
issue. Romanian anti-fracking groups has been organized that event and as far as I know there
will be international conference on 28th and 29th, and a cross-border action on 1st
of May.
But my question is about a serious common action day. We thought 20th of June is so far. We
need an international action sooner.
We think about 20th of May? It can be a prepare action for 20th of June. The action in May
can be focused on shale gas extraction and the action in June can be on every toxics
extraction processes.
Please, share your opinion!
Cheers!
Borislav Sandov
Member of the Coordination team, Climate Action Coalition Bulgaria
www.climatebg.org | [email protected]
Executive secretary, Bulgarian Organic Products Association
www.bgbio.org | [email protected]
C-chair, Political Party 'Zelenite' (The Greens)
www.zelenite.bg | [email protected]
Campaign coordinator, Foundation for Environment and Agriculture
www.feabg.org | [email protected]
Sofia, Bulgaria
+359-887-096-757 | +359-879-096-757 | +359-895-693-679
facebook: Borislav Sandov | skype: Borislav Sandov | twitter: BobbySandov
Reply
Hi Borislav, hi all
Thanks a lot for your message.
I don't think that a global map of fracking free zones is already existing. I know
that south african activists had said during the Durban conference in december that
more than 90 places in the world were free fracking places. In Marseille, during the
FAME, the president of Food and Water Watch told us that 90 is underestimted
because hundreds of municipalities in the US are saying No to fracking. Working on
such a map would be very useful, I think, even if it may be quite difficult to be sure
not to forget ones !!!!
On your second question, let me share with all of you what will happen in France
during the next months, and the dates of mobilisation we have planned :
- some people / organisations will be involved on activities on the 5th of may,
international day of action against tar sands ; but it is a very bad date for us,
because French people are voting on the 6th for the next president...
- local groups have decided to organise decentralised actions and activities on the
13th and following days to put pressure on local candidates to the representatives
House (elections in June) ;
- the date of 20th of June, coming from brasilian and international organisations /
networks calling for a global day of action during the opening day of the UN
conference of Rio+20 (and with the idea to target extractive companies), is on the
table ; let's see if people are willing to mobilise on this day ;
I think that we definitely need a common day of action at the European level. But
we need to get a success with such a mobilisation. For example, I'm not sure that
we could get a big mobilisation in France on the 20th of may as we are in a very
particular context with these several months of general elections. But we may think
about it if other people in Europe are willing to have a common day of action on the
20th of may.
Hope we could share more about this idea of a common day of action...
Best
Maxime Combes, Attac France
GLOBAL NEWS
VICTORY FOR JESSICA ERNST!
April 16, 2012
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Alberta Innovates - Technology Futures
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processing an access request.
-----------------------------------------------Frackers reveal new PR charm offensive
strategy.
The new PR strategy of the fracking industry.
Lisa Rollins, Manager of Corporate
Communications and Stakeholder Relations at
Tamboran Resources will be giving a
presentation at this event. It's all very well
packaged and presented. People need to be
aware of this new PR offensive.
CI Energy Group’s
Stakeholder & Public Relations in Energy
Communications Solutions for Managing
Opposition & Maintaining a Social License
Wednesday, May 30 to Thursday, May 31,
2012
http://www.canadianinstitute.com/
http://www.canadianinstitute.com/
%202012/%20367/%20stakeholder--publicrelations-in-energy/%20agenda
http://www.canadianinstitute.com/
%202012/%20367/%20stakeholder--publicrelations-in-energy/%20speakers
Galgary
Nova Scotia issues two-year moratorium
on fracking
http://www.calgaryherald.com/touch/technolo
gy/story.html?id=6481080
-------------------Natural Gas Fracking: The Fossil Fuel
Industry’s New Low
In 2010, two oil field companies recently
acknowledged that they are using diesel fuel in
their injection fluids, prompting a U.S. House
of Representatives investigation into the
matter.
http://www.care2.com/causes/natural-gasfracking-the-fossil-fuel-industrys-new-low.html
REPORTS - RESEARCH
Human Health risk assessment of air
emissions ( Nov. 2011)
Preese hall reportNew report by lobby groups in UK trying
to undermine the ban in Bulgaria and
France and the moratorium in UK
http://frackingfreeireland.org/wpcontent/uploads/2011/08/Human_health_risk_ http://og.decc.gov.uk/assets/og/ep/onshore/5
assessment_of_air_emissions1.pdf
075-preese-hall-shale-gas-fracturingreview.pdf
EPA Issues Updated, Achievable Air Pollution Standards for Oil and Natural Gas /
Half of fractured wells already deploy technologies in line with final standards, which
slash harmful emissions while reducing cost of compliance
Release Date: 04/18/2012
Contact Information: Enesta Jones (News Media Inquiries Only), [email protected], 202564-4355, 202-564-7873 / Scott Fraser (Public Inquiries Only), [email protected], 202566-2126 / En español: Lina Younes, [email protected], 202-564-4355, 202-564-9924
WASHINGTON – In response to a court deadline, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
(EPA) has finalized standards to reduce harmful air pollution associated with oil and natural gas
production. The updated standards, required by the Clean Air Act, were informed by the
important feedback from a range of stakeholders including the public, public health groups,
states and industry. As a result, the final standards reduce implementation costs while also
ensuring they are achievable and can be met by relying on proven, cost-effective technologies
as well as processes already in use at approximately half of the fractured natural gas wells in
the United States. These technologies will not only reduce 95 percent of the harmful emissions
from these wells that contribute to smog and lead to health impacts, they will also enable
companies to collect additional natural gas that can be sold. Natural gas is a key component of
the nation’s clean energy future and the standards released today make sure that we can
continue to expand production of this important domestic resource while reducing impacts to
public health, and most importantly builds on steps already being taken by industry leaders.
"The president has been clear that he wants to continue to expand production of important
domestic resources like natural gas, and today’s standard supports that goal while making sure
these fuels are produced without threatening the health of the American people," said EPA
Administrator Lisa P. Jackson. "By ensuring the capture of gases that were previously released
to pollute our air and threaten our climate, these updated standards will not only protect our
health, but also lead to more product for fuel suppliers to bring to market. They're an
important step toward tapping future energy supplies without exposing American families and
children to dangerous health threats in the air they breathe.”
When natural gas is produced, some of the gas escapes the well and may not be captured by
the producing company. These gases can pollute the air and as a result threaten public health.
Consistent with states that have already put in place similar requirements, the updated EPA
standards released today include the first federal air rules for natural gas wells that are
hydraulically fractured, specifically requiring operators of new fractured natural gas wells to
use cost-effective technologies and practices to capture natural gas that might otherwise
escape the well, which can subsequently be sold. EPA’s analysis of the final rules shows that
they are highly cost-effective, relying on widely available technologies and practices already
deployed at approximately half of all fractured wells, and consistent with steps industry is
already taking in many cases to capture additional natural gas for sale, offsetting the cost of
compliance. Together these rules will result in $11 to $19 million in savings for industry each
year. In addition to cutting pollution at the wellhead, EPA’s final standards also address
emissions from storage tanks and other equipment.
Also in line with the executive order released by the president last week on natural gas
development, the rule released today received important interagency feedback and provides
industry flexibilities. Based on new data provided during the public comment period, the final
rule establishes a phase-in period that will ensure emissions reduction technology is broadly
available. During the first phase, until January 2015, owners and operators must either flare
their emissions or use emissions reduction technology called “green completions,” technologies
that are already widely deployed at wells. In 2015, all new fractured wells will be required to
use green completions. The final rule does not require new federal permits. Instead, it sets
clear standards and uses enhanced reporting to strengthen transparency and accountability,
and ensure compliance, while establishing a consistent set of national standards to safeguard
public health and the environment.
An estimated 13,000 new and existing natural gas wells are fractured or re-fractured each
year. As those wells are being prepared for production, they emit volatile organic compounds
(VOCs), which contribute to smog formation, and air toxics, including benzene and hexane,
which can cause cancer and other serious health effects. In addition, the rule is expected to
yield a significant environmental co-benefit by reducing methane, the primary constituent of
natural gas. Methane, when released directly to the atmosphere, is a potent greenhouse gas—
more than 20 times more potent than carbon dioxide.
During the nearly 100-day public comment period, the agency received more than 150,000
comments on the proposed rules from the public, industry, environmental groups and states.
The agency also held three public hearings. The updated standards were informed by the
important feedback received through the public comment period, reducing implementation cost
and ensuring the achievable standard can be met by relying on proven, cost-effective
technologies and processes already in use.
http://www.epa.gov/airquality/oilandgas/
JOINT STATEMENT
Lisette Van Vliet April 24, 2012
Position statement on shale gas, shale oil, coal bed methane and ‘fracking’
We, a coalition of environment and health NGOs, have grave concerns about hydraulic
fracturing (fracking) of shale gas, shale oil, and coal bed methane (CBM) in Europe. In
particular, because of its impacts in the following areas:
 Climate: there is no scientific agreement that unconventional gas (such as shale and CBM)
will have significantly lower total greenhouse gas emissions compared to other conventional
fossil fuels (e.g. coal);
 Energy: development of shale gas and CBM will be at the expense of cheaper and safer
policies to save energy and speed up the transition to renewable energy and the reduction of
greenhouse gas emissions;
 Water pollution: fracking could cause the contamination of surface and groundwater
(including drinking water) with toxic chemicals used in fracking fluids,* and increasing the
concentration in such water of methane and hazardous and radioactive materials that naturally
occur in shale and coal;
 Water use: fracking involves pumping vast amounts of freshwater underground, much of
which becomes irretrievable and / or contaminated; because vast quantities of fresh water are
required in fracking operations, this will create significant social and environmental pressures
at least at a local and regional level, and particularly in regions suffering from water scarcity;
 Air pollution: Unconventional gas drilling/operations produces soot and smog
precursors,1particulate matter, methane and natural gas;
 Soil pollution: fracking carries the risk of leakages from polluted tailing ponds, wastewater
and well blowouts;
 Land use: fracking disrupts the landscape and impacts upon rural and conservation areas;
 Noise: shale gas development generates noise pollution from equipment and transport that
affects local residents, agricultural livestock and wildlife;
 Seismic activity: fracking increases the risks of earthquakes, which in turn increases the
risk of damage to, and leakages from, gas wells;
 Cumulative and combined health and environmental impacts on communities and
workers in the unconventional gas industry: for example, fracking causes additional
exposure to toxic chemicals;
 Socio-economic impacts on communities: fracking can drive “boom and bust” cycles in
local economies, undermining more sustainable agricultural and tourism economies.
1* Volatile Organic Compounds; Carcinogens, Mutagens, Toxic to Reproduction Chemicals;
Persistent, Bioaccumulative and Toxic Chemicals; Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals.
All of these effects have direct and indirect impacts on individual and public health. Many of
these impacts are not only local, but can be felt regionally and even globally. Without a
comprehensive scientific assessment of the impacts of fracking, an unconventional gas boom
would be an enormous experiment on the environment and human health. April 24, 2012
We further note the following:
1. In order to limit global warming below 1,5 degrees Celsius, and thereby prevent dangerous
climate change, fossil fuels must be phased out as quickly as possible. We believe renewable
energy, energy savings and a significant reduction of CO2 emissions provide the only viable
path to an environmentally sustainable and healthy future. Exploiting unconventional fossil
fuels such as shale gas, shale oil and coal bed methane will increase total greenhouse gas
emissions since further development of these fuels will increase the world’s dependency on
fossil fuels and consequently slow down the large-scale deployment of clean energy
renewables and energy savings.
2. Fracking is a high-risk activity that impacts human health and the wider environment.
Fracking for unconventional fuels runs counter to the EU’s commitment to achieving a high
level of environmental protection, as enshrined in Article 37 of the Charter on Fundamental
Rights. Also article 35 of the Treaty commits the EU to ensuring a high level of human health
protection in all of the Union’s policies and activities. The EU is tasked with developing
environmental policies based on “the precautionary principle and on the principles that
preventive action should be taken, that environmental damage should as a priority be rectified
at source and that the polluter should pay” (Article 191, Treaty on the Functioning of the
European Union). We therefore believe that the development of unconventional gas within the
EU runs counter to EU Treaty obligations.
3. We believe the above mentioned principles are violated due to the absence of:
- A comprehensive and detailed analysis by an independent entity of the EU regulatory
framework, as it applies to both exploration and exploitation phases;
- Sections in the Water Framework Directive or any relevant subsidiary laws (e.g.
groundwater, EQS) covering fracking specificities;
- A scientific study of fracking-related air pollution and the long term health impacts;
- A scientific study of fracking-related water contamination and the long term health impacts
(both from contamination by the naturally occurring hazardous and radioactive materials
released in the fracking process, and from methane and other fracking fluid contaminants
interacting with water disinfectant products, etc.);
- A full assessment of the capacity of all relevant water treatment plants, in all affected
countries, to handle flow back waste water, and of water treatment costs, based on the polluter
pays principle;
- A full assessment of the monitoring and enforcement capacities of Member State
authorities across all the different impact areas;
- A scientific assessment of cross-border risks of water contamination and air pollution, with
public input;
- A European Commission Green paper with full public participation of all relevant
stakeholders, on the areas pertaining to the impacts of fracking activities that are not covered
by existing EU regulations;
- A clear and binding set of European Best Available Technology Reference Standards
(Brefs) for fracking operators.
4. To date, there is no consistent process in Europe that properly includes citizens and
communities in decision-making related to shale gas, shale oil or coal bed methane. Free and
fully-informed consent of local communities is not applied for most fracking projects prior to
both exploration and exploitation phases, while they should be placed at the heart of the
discussions.
April 24, 2012
5. Companies involved in fracking are not disclosing an exhaustive and detailed list of the
chemicals used for each project, thus making it impossible to assess the environmental and
health risks from exploitation and exploration (including full life cycle impacts). Currently the
different deadlines and requirements in the REACH legislation mean that the information about
chemicals is not automatically available to the public, and REACH controls on fracking may not
come into force for a long time.
Until all these problems are adequately addressed, we believe that no further shale
gas, shale oil and coal bed methane activities should proceed. We call on all Member
States to suspend all ongoing activities, to abrogate permits, and to place a ban on
any new projects, whether exploration or exploitation.
The Commission, as guardian of the treaties, should ensure timely and full legal compliance of
Member States with all EU laws that pertain to shale gas, shale oil and coal bed methane, and
bring forward legal proposals to cover those aspects not yet effectively addressed in EU law.
We also call on the EU, its Member States and European Financial Institutions to cease
providing financial or political support to shale gas, oil and coal bed methane development
projects. Any financial and political assistance provided to shale gas projects in countries of the
Global South should be redirected towards the production and promotion of renewable energy
sources and energy savings, in line with the Millennium Development Goals.
For more information please contact:
Antoine Simon, Friends of the Earth Europe
Tel: +32 (0) 2 893 10 18, Mob: +32 (0) 486 685 664, email: [email protected]
Geert De Cock, Food and Water Europe
Tel: +32 (0) 2 893 10 45, Mob: +32 (0) 484 629 491, email: [email protected]
Lisette van Vliet, Health and Environment Alliance
Tel: +32 (0) 2 234 36 45, Mob: +32 (0) 484 614 528, email: [email protected] Tara
Connolly, Greenpeace Tel: +32 (0) 2 274 19 21, Mob: +32 (0) 477 790 416, email:
[email protected] April 24, 2012
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