Fracking and the Environment: Exploration licenses granted to search for shale gas in Lough Allen area

[New Vision]

In Ireland, Moorman steps down as fracking company's chief executive (Anglo Celt, 23 September 2012)

Tamboran has also reportedly postponed its plans, both to employ 10 staff and to hold local training programme while they await the coalition government to decide its position regarding the use of hydraulic fracturing.

The technique for gas extraction from shale rock has vocal opponents worldwide. Locally, a number of groups have formed, particularly in counties Fermanagh and Leitrim, to oppose the use of fracking. Tamboran's determination to put forward their side of the fracking debate saw the media savvy Moorman give an endless stream of interviews, attend dozens of meetings and consultations, and even air his views on websites. He met every objection with his trademark grin while remaining unflustered in the face of relentless opposition to the contentious gas plans. While undoubtedly a key asset to the company, he has infuriated campaigners opposed to 'fracking' by dismissing them as "anti-development folk". Meanwhile the same campaigners point to Mr Moorman's apparent change of stance on fundamental issues such as on the use of chemicals in fracking fluid. In July 2011 Mr Moorman indicated to The Anglo-Celt that Tamboran intended to use chemicals in the frack fluid. When asked - 'Will you disclose the chemical make-up of the frack fluid?' he responded:

"Yes, absolutely. Now we unfortunately can't disclose what we don't know today... The exact chemical make-up that we use depends upon the exact chemical make-up of that rock."

Weeks later the company announced they would not use chemicals at all in their frack fluid. When pushed by The Anglo-Celt for a specific example where chemical free fracking has been used before, he failed to provide one.

At a public meeting in Ballyconnell in September 2011 Mr Moorman gave assurances that the company would submit a recommendation to the State's regulator over gas extraction, the Commission for Energy Regulation (CER), that chemicals should be banned from fracturing fluid. However the submission never materialised and Mr Moorman explained to The Anglo-Celt: "We have high respect for the energy regulators in Ireland and believe they are very capable of managing all the many challenges involved in all forms of energy development."

Previous to being employed by Tamboran, Mr Moorman was Strategic Analysis, Economic Planning and Acquisitions manager for major US shale gas explorer, developer and producer, Southwestern Energy.

Boom and bust...

[New Vision]

In Ireland, Moorman steps down as fracking company's chief executive (Anglo Celt, 23 September 2012)

Tamboran has also reportedly postponed its plans, both to employ 10 staff and to hold local training programme while they await the coalition government to decide its position regarding the use of hydraulic fracturing.

The technique for gas extraction from shale rock has vocal opponents worldwide. Locally, a number of groups have formed, particularly in counties Fermanagh and Leitrim, to oppose the use of fracking. Tamboran's determination to put forward their side of the fracking debate saw the media savvy Moorman give an endless stream of interviews, attend dozens of meetings and consultations, and even air his views on websites. He met every objection with his trademark grin while remaining unflustered in the face of relentless opposition to the contentious gas plans. While undoubtedly a key asset to the company, he has infuriated campaigners opposed to 'fracking' by dismissing them as "anti-development folk". Meanwhile the same campaigners point to Mr Moorman's apparent change of stance on fundamental issues such as on the use of chemicals in fracking fluid. In July 2011 Mr Moorman indicated to The Anglo-Celt that Tamboran intended to use chemicals in the frack fluid. When asked - 'Will you disclose the chemical make-up of the frack fluid?' he responded:

"Yes, absolutely. Now we unfortunately can't disclose what we don't know today... The exact chemical make-up that we use depends upon the exact chemical make-up of that rock."

Weeks later the company announced they would not use chemicals at all in their frack fluid. When pushed by The Anglo-Celt for a specific example where chemical free fracking has been used before, he failed to provide one.

At a public meeting in Ballyconnell in September 2011 Mr Moorman gave assurances that the company would submit a recommendation to the State's regulator over gas extraction, the Commission for Energy Regulation (CER), that chemicals should be banned from fracturing fluid. However the submission never materialised and Mr Moorman explained to The Anglo-Celt: "We have high respect for the energy regulators in Ireland and believe they are very capable of managing all the many challenges involved in all forms of energy development."

Previous to being employed by Tamboran, Mr Moorman was Strategic Analysis, Economic Planning and Acquisitions manager for major US shale gas explorer, developer and producer, Southwestern Energy.

Boom and bust...

More about the company's statement not to use any chemicals for the fracking process => Open letter to the members of the 31st Dáil Éireann. Hydraulic Shale Gas Fracturing - Tamborans claims - Chemicals involved in the fracking procedure

[New Vision]

Let’s make sure ‘frackademia’ has no place in Ireland

Calls to exclude fossil fuel industry from all fracking research

There is a possible way to do this. German officials are dubious about fracking, and in North-Rhine Westphalia, officials have commissioned a study into fracking and are making researchers sign an affirmation (link in German) that they do not have any ties to the fossil fuel industry. The Irish EPA should do the same. Let’s make sure science is truthful.

[Count Bobulescu]

New Vision, I owe you a sincere apology. I confused who it was that changed the title of the RMI piece. I can only put that down to reading too fast. I knew the title had been changed because I read the original which is dated Sept. 6, about a week before you posted the Peter Sinclair Climate Crock version. You are correct that my displeasure should not be directed at you but rather at Peter Sinclair. I’ll certainly take anything I read from Peter Sinclair in future with a grain of salt. Just to confirm, here is the original RMI piece dated September 6, with the original headline.

Again, sincere apologies.

http://blog.rmi.org/blog_hot_air_abo...ap_natural_gas

[New Vision]

New Vision, I owe you a sincere apology. I confused who it was that changed the title of the RMI piece. I can only put that down to reading too fast. I knew the title had been changed because I read the original which is dated Sept. 6, about a week before you posted the Peter Sinclair Climate Crock version. You are correct that my displeasure should not be directed at you but rather at Peter Sinclair. I’ll certainly take anything I read from Peter Sinclair in future with a grain of salt. Just to confirm, here is the original RMI piece dated September 6, with the original headline.

Again, sincere apologies.

http://blog.rmi.org/blog_hot_air_abo...ap_natural_gas

Alright, CB. I took you a while to realise.

But remember. Peter Sinclair is the "sharpest climate denier debunker on YouTube."

[New Vision]

More for your salt shaker, CB...

=> Gas-Topians May be in for a Shock

[New Vision]

[New Vision]

The Time Magazine on May, 30th:

Why the Shale Gas Industry Needs Regulations for Fracking

Also watch the Time video => The Fuss Over Fracking: The Dilemma of a New Gas Boom


Business Insider on September 27: Government Study Shows Evidence Of Fracking Contaminating Groundwater

EPA’s analysis of samples taken from the Agency’s deep monitoring wells in the aquifer indicates detection of synthetic chemicals, like glycols and alcohols consistent with gas production and hydraulic fracturing fluids, benzene concentrations well above Safe Drinking Water Act standards and high methane levels.

[New Vision]

US: Government Study Shows Evidence Of Fracking Contaminating Groundwater

Business Insider, 27 September 2012

The EPA has confirmed a new USGS report published today supports an earlier study that groundwater near a Wyoming town may contain chemicals associated with fracking.
It would be the first time a government report directly linked fracking to groundwater contamination.

EPA representative Alisha Johnson said the new findings are consistent with results that agency published in December that found contamination:

EPA’s analysis of samples taken from the Agency’s deep monitoring wells in the aquifer indicates detection of synthetic chemicals, like glycols and alcohols consistent with gas production and hydraulic fracturing fluids, benzene concentrations well above Safe Drinking Water Act standards and high methane levels.

Quite consistent with Josh Fox' findings as well.

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GInzvqCpO2U"]Obama's Call for Natural Gas Drilling "A Painful Moment" for Communities Exposed to Fracking - YouTube[/ame]

Also => THE SKY IS PINK

[New Vision]

Meanwhile, 2 out of 3 Frackers Still Keeping Chemicals a Secret.

[New Vision]

Frack-Off UK Newsletter: October 2012

[New Vision]

Fracking Matters Newsletter 45-12 (80)

[New Vision]

Climate Change This Week: Whacking Fracking, Wind Keeps Farms Aloft, and More

[Dr. FIVE]

"it's a bit like having a urinating and non-urinating section in a swimming pool"

- Ming on fracking north of the border

[PaddyJoe]

"it's a bit like having a urinating and non-urinating section in a swimming pool"

- Ming on fracking north of the border

He has a way with the quotable quotes, does Ming
The Transport and Communications Committee had a session on fracking today but I didn't hear any reports.

9 October 2012

The Committee will engage separately with:

Senior officials from the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources;
The Director General of the Environmental Protection Agency, which has recently published a report on the matter, and
The Good Energies Alliance Ireland, an independent organisation campaigning against shale gas extraction using fracking.

http://www.oireachtas.ie/parliament/...e-9462-en.html