Chancellor seems to contradict Cameron http://bbc.in/1c19sql
‘Fracking safeguards not fit for purpose’ http://bit.ly/1fZiOp4
The Angling Trust’s position on Fracking can be found here http://bit.ly/1aVydt7
Latest issue out now FFW Feb Newsletter
Kindly passed on to us from one of the Balcombe team:
I am a concerned resident of Balcombe who, like many others does not wish to see the government investing in an industry that is so detrimental to communities. Given that the government’s plan is to expand greatly the number of drilling operations across our countryside, it would seem very likely that the Balcombe drilling will not be the only one planned for our area. I thought you may be interested in the health research papers into the health effects of living close to drilling operations. Some of the effects found in children living near drilling operations (bleeding noses, running eyes, headaches etc) have lead legislation to be passed in Australia and the US that limits proximity of these operations to residents and schools. I have heard that a standard of not within 2km has been set in Australia. This leads many of us to be extremely concerned, particularly as most of our village of Balcombe, including the school, is within 1.5 k of Cuadrilla’s operations and I hope you will consider the following carefully.
Below are some salient points I picked out of the various research papers attached:
Research of Dr Theo Colborn an Endocrine Specialist of Florida University:
This exploratory study was designed to assess air quality in a rural western Colorado area
where residences and gas wells co-exist
Sampling was conducted before, during, and after
drilling and hydraulic fracturing of a new natural gas well pad. Weekly air sampling for 1 year
revealed that the number of non-methane hydrocarbons (NMHCs) and their concentrations were
highest during the initial drilling phase and did not increase during hydraulic fracturing in this
closed-loop system. Methylene chloride, a toxic solvent not reported in products used in drilling
or hydraulic fracturing, was detected 73% of the time; several times in high concentrations. A
literature search of the health effects of the NMHCs revealed that many had multiple health
effects, including 30 that affect the endocrine system, which is susceptible to chemical impacts at
very low concentrations, far less than government safety standards. Selected polycyclic aromatic
hydrocarbons (PAHs) were at concentrations greater than those at which prenatally exposed
children in urban studies had lower developmental and IQ scores. The human and environmental
health impacts of the NMHCs, which are ozone precursors, should be examined further given
that the natural gas industry is now operating in close proximity to human residences and public.
Bamberger and Oswald (Cornell University):
Communities living near hydrocarbon gas drilling operations have become
de facto laboratories for the study of environmental toxicology. The close
proximity of these operations to small communities has created a variety of
potential hazards to humans, companion animals, livestock and wildlife
Animals, especially livestock, are sensitive to the contaminants released into
the environment by drilling and by its cumulative impacts. Documentation of
cases in six states strongly implicates exposure to gas drilling operations in
serious health effects on humans, companion animals, livestock, horses, and
wildlife.
Without complete
studies, given the many apparent adverse impacts on human and animal health, a ban on shale gas drilling is essential for the protection of public health)
Conclusion of an independent health study commissioned by a GP in Australia in TARA region
McCarron report 2013
Health impact assessments must be an integral part of any and every unconventional gas development. No new permit should be issued without one, and health impact assessments should be carried out for every development already in place.
A fully funded comprehensive medical assessment of residents currently living in proximity to unconventional gas development should be carried out as a matter of urgency.
Here is the abstract for a piece of work quoted in McCarron, The reference is McKenzie, L. M., Witter, R. Z., Newman, L. S., & Adgate, J. L. (2012). Human health risk assessment of air emissions from development of unconventional natural gas resources. Science of The Total Environment, 424(0), 79-87:
Background Technological advances (e.g. directional drilling, hydraulic fracturing), have led to increases in unconventional natural gas development (NGD), raising questions about health impacts.
Objectives: We estimated health risks for exposures to air emissions from a NGD project in Garfield County, Colorado with the objective of supporting risk prevention recommendations in a health impact assessment (HIA).
Methods: We used EPA guidance to estimate chronic and subchronic non-cancer hazard indices and cancer risks from exposure to hydrocarbons for two populations: (1) residents living >½ mile from wells and (2) residents living ≤½ mile from wells.
Results: Residents living ≤½ mile from wells are at greater risk for health effects from NGD than are residents living >½ mile from wells. Subchronic exposures to air pollutants during well completion activities present the greatest potential for health effects. The subchronic non-cancer hazard index (HI) of 5 for residents ≤½ mile from wells was driven primarily by exposure to trimethylbenzenes, xylenes, and aliphatic hydrocarbons. Chronic HIs were 1 and 0.4. for residents ≤½ mile from wells and >½ mile from wells, respectively. Cumulative cancer risks were 10 in a million and 6 in a million for residents living ≤½ mile and >½ mile from wells, respectively, with benzene as the major contributor to the risk.
Conclusions: Risk assessment can be used in HIAs to direct health risk prevention strategies. Risk management approaches should focus on reducing exposures to emissions during well completions. These preliminary results indicate that health effects resulting from air emissions during unconventional NGD warrant further study. Prospective studies should focus on health effects associated with air pollution.
I would also like to quote my worrying answer to questions about flaring received by the EA:
When determining the mining waste permit we were satisfied that the combustion of natural gas would not result in pollution or harm to human health. In determining the permit we consulted public health England and our own air quality experts can draw on a wealth of experience related to landfill gas flare emissions.
I feel concerned that this does not appear to take into account the fact that this drilling goes extremely deep into the ground and will be a combination of gases and chemicals related to drilling for hydrocarbons and what the cumulative effects of those might be? As the studies above suggest, there will be many more harmful substances released than just natural gas. Not, I believe the same as on waste dumps? There are no studies to show this is safe in this country and all the one’s from abroad say it is not. Where is the precautionary principal here? I am highly concerned that the EA told me our health is not their concern, in which case, whose concern is it?
The EA also sent me this:
Protection of people’s health falls to a huge range of organisations, from the local authority to the water companies, the HSE, PHE and ourselves. The way we do it is through regulating releases to the local environment and the level of emissions allowed is based in part on the effects on people and the environment of exposure to different pollutants at different levels. We consult with PHE to make sure that any application is assessed appropriately and seek comments from them.
What we have found is an industry that splits responsibility aspects of the drilling operation between the HSE, EA, PHE, WSCC and the DECC. When we raise questions they often seem to pass responsibility for a particular issue onto another agency to the extent that it is extremely difficult to get clear answers from any of them. The DECC and the EA for instance often seem to bounce queries about the flaring back to each other and have, in fact, contradicted each other in their answers to me. The DECC in particular have send out standardised letters to all of us, which in my case did not answer my question at all and belied the fact they had not read my original query. I’m afraid to say I feel Mr Maud my MP has done the same. There appears to be a worrying lack of overview being taken by anybody and an extremely worrying tendency to allow the industry to self-regulate. As with the sound levels in the drilling operations, we found that Cuadrilla did not self-regulate, exceeded noise levels and were only moved to do something after residents had taken action of buying their own noise monitoring equipment. I live well into the village and yet had to keep my windows shut to stop hearing the drone of noise.
I have also raised concerns with Donald Dobson of the HSE, who I gather used to work in this industry. He replied to me that he was aware of no mal-practices on the part of Cuadrilla. This is surprising since it has been well publicised that Cuadrilla were rebuked by government ministers for failing to report a cracked well, and also given that we know they continued to drill for 3 months beyond their allowed time in Lancashire. We also found that Cuadrilla resources sent tankers of dangerous chemicals through our village during school pick-up time despite a written agreement that they would not do so, this continued for days despite no specific protestor action obstructing their way and amid continual complaints from residents. I’m afraid I found Donald Dobson all too brief in his replies to me.
I hope you will take the time to seriously consider the health implications of living close to these rigs and the fact that this should not be happening in built up areas. Please bear in mind just how close our village is to this, less than 600 m down-wind in many cases. Indeed I think the risks are too high for it to be happening at all.
Even if there are no leaks of fluid into the water-table, local fields or crashes involving lorries (which has caused terrible fires abroad) fracking just doesn’t add up. 5-10 olympic swimming pools worth of water per frack, per well, 8-15 wells per square mile…where does all the water come form and where does the contaminated water safely go? Incidentally one of the main concerns where water is concerned near Balcombe is that, according to geologists there are indeed fault lines in this area and that is known to be a source of migration of frack fluids.
This is why so many residents of Balcombe, over 200 residents by our estimates, were at the protest site in Balcombe across the summer. Remember we have had the luxury of a couple of years now to research and find out about this industry. The early BPC poll concluded that 82% of correspondents were anti-fracking, while the door to door survey revealed 85%. ‘Fracking’ itself is a very small part in the life of a well, the drilling, exploratory, well-testing and well completion phases, are just as dangerous, as can be seen from the evidence cited.
I gather there is some suggestion that this will somehow create local jobs? As far as I’m aware all the security guards and drivers were specialists from out of town as are the drill workers. I wonder if you are taking into consideration the numbers of jobs that will be lost as a result of this? Particularly in the tourism industry. Who will want to visit a landscape of 8-15 wells per square mile and all the associated compressor stations, pipe-line, roads and traffic? The government’s recent AMEC report detailing 50 truck movements per day, actually means 100 in layman’s terms, as we found to our detriment, a movement consists of an inward and outward journey, and these were huge tankers of chemicals. What about farmers whose fields and animals are threatened? I have had my house on the market for months now and have been told that estate agents have said we have fracking ‘hanging over us’, we have had to drop price and have not had the interest in our property we would hope. Indeed it appears that Balcombe properties are not performing in line with national trends . I hope you will consider carefully the impact this has already had on our once peaceful community and the further negative impact it will have on ours and others like it.
If none of these things causes you concern then I feel the fact that climate change is occurring, and that it is linked to human activity should do. All wells have been shown to leak and fugitive emissions of methane (more concerning than carbon dioxide) when added to the high levels of HGV traffic this industry involve, make this a very destructive practice.* This is not the industry of the future. If all countries try to go for fracking in the same way that America has, the earth simply will not be able to support it without it being a major contributor to climate change and pollution incidents. I’m sorry to say that this government seems to be blighted by short term thinking. Please research very carefully this industry and look to the university professionals that are studying it, rather than the oil and gas industry to give you a balanced viewpoint before you decide whether to support it or not. I look forward to hearing your response to the health research papers I attach.
West Sussex residents threatening to use trespass laws to stop oil and gas company Celtique Energie from drilling under their properties.
http://bit.ly/1eLNNmF
Good video exploring the issue of fracking
http://bit.ly/1fEucbA
Hi there,
Did you hear? Not only does David Cameron want to bribe our councils to permit fracking, but he’s also trying to change laws which are hundreds of years old in order to drill under our homes – without our permission.
After hitting our local councils with endless budget cuts, Cameron’s now tempting them into dirty fracking deals by offering financial incentives that could be worth millions. He’s also trying to undermine the tens of thousands who’ve said no to fracking under their homes by overhauling ancient trespass laws.
>>Tell Cameron the UK is not for fracking
Planning applications from fracking companies go to local councils for approval. In a move that reeks of desperation, Cameron’s announced they can keep 100% of business taxes from fracking operations rather than 50% as before. If fracking is as great as Cameron claims, why does he need to offer bribes?
Before you despair, there is some good news. There are calls for these dodgy deals to be investigated by the EU. Also, some councils have made public announcements saying they won’t be bribed, including Hampshire, Bath, Somerset, North East Somerset, Herefordshire, the London Borough of Waltham Forest, and Cheshire East in George Osborne’s constituency.
Other councils are likely to follow if we come together to make our voices heard. Nearly 75,000 of us have already signed the petition calling on Cameron to keep the UK frack-free. It’s the biggest anti-fracking petition in the UK, supported by a coalition of environmental groups. But with an election coming up we must make sure this grows even bigger so it becomes impossible to ignore how deeply unpopular this is.
>> Demand Cameron keeps the UK frack free
Work continues at a local level to block individual applications. If you include your postcode in the petition we can let you know about anything planned in your area. In the meantime, we must also pile pressure on at the top, so please sign and share the petition today.
Thanks,
Lawrence
PS France has banned fracking so Cameron has invited French owned energy company, Total, to frack over here. Tell him what’s not ok in France, is not ok here either.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b03sqyk7 – available to 3rd Feb 2014
Four local anti-fracking groups are teaming up to put on a big music event in the heart of the Vale of Glamorgan.
The Vale Says No, Llantrithyd Villagers Against Drilling, Frack Free Wales and Friends of the Earth Barry & the Vale, are hosting the event to voice their strong opposition to current plans for test drilling and, eventually, fracking for shale gas in the Vale of Glamorgan.
A Bridgend-based company, Coastal Oil and Gas Ltd, has planning permission for four drilling sites in the Vale of Glamorgan and Rhondda Cynon Taf. They are planning to commence test drilling in 2014.
Concert organiser, Donal Whelan, said, “Once shale gas reserves are proven, Coastal Oil and Gas will sell on their exploration and development licenses (PEDLs) to the highest bidder. If that happens we can expect two to four multi-well drill pads per square mile in the Vale, many in unspoilt rural locations.
“Every well will need thousands of truck movements and millions of gallons of water. Each drill pad will create noise, light and air pollution. Every well operation also carries the proven risks of potential land and water contamination. This must not be allowed to happen.”
The concert is part of the campaign to raise public awareness of the dangers of fracking. It will also serve to build public support for the Balcombe-like protests that will happen when the drilling rigs arrive later this year.
Concert line-up so far includes Cian Ciaran of the Super Furries, electro-pop duo Trwbador and local legend Colum Regan, with more acts to be announced.
Tickets £10
Keep checking our website for more details.
http://
Contact Donal Whelan – donal@hafodmastering.co.uk
07977 001770
Mae pedwar grŵp gwrth-ffracio’n cydweithio i gynnal digwyddiad cerddorol mawr ym Mro Morgannwg nos Sadwrn 22 Chwefror 2014.
Mae The Vale Says No, Llantrithyd Villagers Against Drilling, Frack Free Wales a Chyfeillion y Ddaear Bro Morgannwg yn cynnal y digwyddiad i fynegi eu gwrthwynebiad cryf i gynlluniau cyfredol ar gyfer drilio arbrofol ac, yn y pen draw, ffracio am nwy carreg glai ym Mro Morgannwg.
Mae cwmni o Ben-y-bont ar Ogwr, Coastal Oil and Gas Ltd, wedi derbyn caniatâd ar gyfer pedwar safle drilio ym Mro Morgannwg a Rhondda Cynon Taf. Maen nhw’n bwriadu dechrau drilio arbrofol yn ystod 2014.
Dywedodd Donal Whelan, trefnydd y gyngerdd: ‘Unwaith bydd tystiolaeth fod cronfeydd nwy carreg glai yma, bydd Coastal Oil and Gas yn gwerthu eu trwyddedau archwilio a datblygu am y pris gorau. Os bydd hyn yn digwydd, gallwn ni ddisgwyl gweld pedwar pad drilio aml-bwll i bob milltir sgwâr ym Mro Morgannwg, ar gyfartaledd.
‘Bydd pob pwll yn gofyn gwneud miloedd o deithiau cerbydau trymion ac yn defnyddio miliynau o alwyni o ddŵr. Bydd pob pad drilio’n achosi llygredd sŵn, golau ac aer. Bydd gweithredu pob pwll yn achosi risg a brofwyd o’r posibilrwydd o halogi tir a dŵr. Ni ddylai hyn fod yn cael digwydd.’
Mae’r gyngerdd sy’n cael ei chynnal nos Sadwrn 22 Chwefror yn un o nifer o ddigwyddiadau i gynyddu ymwybyddiaeth o beryglon ffracio. Bydd hefyd yn fodd o ennyn cefnogaeth y cyhoedd i brotestiadau gwrth-ffracio fel sydd wedi digwydd yn Balcombe yn ddiweddar pan fydd y llwyfannau drilio’n cyrraedd.
Hyd yma, cyhoeddwyd y bydd Cian Ciaran o’r Super Furries, y ddeuawd electro-bop Trwbador a’r cerddor digymar lleol Colum Regan yn perfformio. Caiff perfformwyr eraill eu cadarnhau yn y man.
Tocynnau £10
Ewch i’n gwefan am y manylion diweddaraf:
www.llantrithyd.com
Cysylltwch â Donal Whelan trwy e-bost donal@hafodmastering.co.uk
Emails show collaboration between Government and Energy Industry to manage fracking opposition according to the Guardian
http://bit.ly/1j8EWjq
Scottish Government rejects Cameron’s shale gas incentive
http://bit.ly/1fa6zrH
Cracking the Fracking Debate
http://bit.ly/1ffUdMH
Four local campaign groups are teaming up to put on a big music event in the heart of the Vale of Glamorgan.
Coastal Oil and Gas have planning permission for four test drilling sites in the Vale of Glamorgan and Rhondda Cynon Taf and they could be planning to commence drilling in 2014.
This is one of a series of events to raise public awareness, build support for the protests when the drillers do come, and infuse the campaign with some positive, creative energy.
Line-up TBC but will include some notable names from the Welsh music scene.
Keep checking our website for more details.
New incentives for Councils to back fracking, draw criticism.
http://bit.ly/1fpPJYh
The latest FFW Newsletter is out with details of events across the country.
FrackFreeWales Newsletter January 2014
An illuminating article covered by BBC North West Tonight.
http://bit.ly/1bpmht3
Frack Free Balcombe Residents Association Committee have responded to a PHE Health Review on the health impacts of shale gas extraction.
Balcombe RAC Response to PHE Review
Lord Cowdray takes legal action to prevent drilling for gas under his land in Sussex
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-25094586
Lord Browne of Cuadrilla admits that fracking is unlikely to reduce UK gas prices
http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2013/nov/29/browne-fracking-not-reduce-uk-gas-prices-shale-energy-bills?CMP=twt_gu
Coastal Oil and Gas Ltd claim that South Wales could hold 6 years supply of gas
http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/fracking-companies-claim-south-wales-6351720
Coastal Oil and Gas Ltd have had their planning application rejected in Kent because the Environment Agency was not convinced that the drilling would not pose a threat to the environment, particularly in regards to groundwater contamination. See weblink at
http://kent.gov.uk/environment_and_planning/planning_in_kent/planning_applications/latest_news.aspx
Anyone else find this amazing that these points weren’t picked up in Wales? READ ON!!!
The letter from the EA can be downloaded here see attached – EA_Letter_20131014. This letter calls for Coastal Oil and Gas to provide 17 further items of information to allow for an assessment to be made;-
Details of the drilling methodology
Of the 17 requests for further information issued to Coastal Oil and Gas by the Environment Agency in England, 12 of these items of information (those are in BOLD above) were also not submitted by Coastal Oil and Gas Ltd in relation to their proposal to test drill for gas here in Llantrithyd. If you would like to know the reasons for this, please write to the Minister for Natural Resources in Wales, Mr. Alun Davies at ;-
Correspondence.Alun.Davies@Wales.gsi.gov.uk
and demand that he uses his authority to conduct an urgent review of the NRW position as issued in their letter dated 1st July 2013 to the Vale of Glamorgan Council and put into effect a moratorium on the test drilling project in Llantrithyd while that review is ongoing.