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There has been a lot of interest in the natural gas that lays underneath the Marchellus Shale of the northeastern region. Until now, the lack of technology and lower market prices have discouraged natural gas exploration. The recent exemptions by the Bush Administration in the Energy Policy Act of 2005 granted allowed the oil and gas industry with many exemptions to basic environmental protections that serve landowners and communities.
As a result, gas speculators are approaching landowners to sign leases, and petitioning the DEC for permits to draw water from our public resources. However, many questions have still not been addressed or answered and there is growing concern among community residents, landowners, municipal leaders and state officials that there is not enough protection and oversight in place to protect the public's health, well-being, safety and natural resources. There is also concern that landowners will not be fairly compensated for the value of the resources being removed and safeguarded from potential destruction.
Below you will find a compilation of available information from the Sierra Club Atlantic Chapter and other concerned organizations, along with media coverage. PDF versions also linked below when available.
Sierra Club Atlantic Chapter Resolution on Marcellus Shale
Sierra Club Atlantic Chapter Press Release Regarding S8160/A10526
Letter from Sierra Club Atlantic Chapter to NYS DEC Commissioner Alexander B. Grannis
Summary of Gas Drilling Issues
DEC Announces Public Process to Review Potential Impacts of Drilling the Marcellus Shale Formation [links to DEC website]
Letter from Senator Hillary Clinton to DEC [links to Senator Clinton's website]
Relevant Links to Other Websites
Relevant Links to Media Articles
Sierra Club Atlantic Chapter Resolution on Marcellus Shale
[PDF version]
Resolution Reads as Follows:
Be It Resolved that the Atlantic Chapter of the Sierra Club urges that the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation:
Prepare a Supplemental Generic Environmental Impact Statement to the 1992 GEIS On the Oil, Gas and Solution Mining Regulatory Program in accordance with the State Environmental Quality Review Act that would include but not be limited to:
A. A full build out model of the potential Marcellus gas field, including temporary roadways, pipelines, well pads and staging areas based upon spacing requirements and geographical constraints.
B. Mapping overlays of the potential Marcellus gas field that include: ground water resources, aquifers, wetlands, critical habitats, naturally occurring radioactive deposits, air quality attainment areas as well as waste water infrastructure, transportation infrastructure, community infrastructure and cultural resources.
C. An analysis based on these maps and overlays of how collective natural and community resources would be affected by the entirety of the full gas well build out, including the impact of increased water withdrawals, waste water disposal, habitat fragmentation, increased truck traffic, accidental spills or releases, air emissions, noise and secondary growth.
D. An evaluation of all chemicals and materials used in the Hydraulic fracing process with no exemptions to proprietary privilege as well as an assessment of all possible naturally occurring sources of contamination. In addition, an analysis of best available practices should be conducted for onsite operations to include banning of open waste pits, on site water remediation, independent water testing (pre and post drilling), non-toxic frac fluids, and emissions control including CO2.
E. An additional and emphasized analysis of gas well development within the New York City watershed.
In addition, the Atlantic Chapter of the Sierra Club opposes drilling on public lands and environmentally sensitive lands.
Passed by the Sierra Club Atlantic Chapter Executive Committee June 28, 2008.
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Sierra Club Atlantic Chapter Press Release Regarding S8160/A10526
[PDF Version]
July 24, 2008
The Sierra Club Atlantic Chapter applauds Governor David Paterson’s commitment to responsible gas drilling by directing the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) to prepare a new Generic Environmental Impact Statement updating the 1992 GEIS On the Oil, Gas and Solution Mining Regulatory Program.
While we appreciate that the gas spacing legislation (S8169-A/A10526-A) was designed to streamline permitting procedures, we urged the legislature to veto the bill as we were concerned that it could substantially accelerate the approval of new gas well permits without the necessary safeguards from the associated environmental impacts. The preparation of an updated GEIS gives the public and regulators a chance to prepare for the anticipated wave of gas well permits in a way that can protect natural and community resources.
We believe that by calling the old GEIS into question the governor has essentially established a moratorium for new gas well permits until the new GEIS is finalized, unless individual applicants wish to conduct environmental impact statements of their own.
The Sierra Club Atlantic Chapter is concerned that the method of extraction for the Marcellus shale formation, horizontal hydraulic fracturing, has been insufficiently examined by the DEC’s Division of Mineral Resources. At the forefront of our concern is the excessive water withdrawals and insufficient wastewater remediation plans. Without proper planning the region could face severe environmental consequences, as has occurred in other states that have used hydraulic fracturing.
While the focus of this Supplemental Generic Environmental Impact Statement will be on the critical issues surrounding gas development in Marcellus Shale, the Sierra Club Atlantic Chapter sees this as an opportunity to also revisit other glairing deficiencies in the 1992 GEIS. Absent from consideration were the effects of methane leakage on global climate change, cumulative impact analysis upon natural resources, and impacts upon community infrastructure.
Because the oil and gas industry is exempt from all local ordinances, this heavily industrialized land use can be sited anywhere, without community oversight, regardless of how incompatible it is with established zoning. We are heartened that the Governor and his staff have acknowledged this imposition upon communities and have directed the DEC to look at ways to enhance the role of local governments in the regulatory process and compliance.
The Sierra Club Atlantic Chapter believes this call for a new GEIS creates a meaningful balance between New York’s gas development needs and the protection of our communities and natural environment. We further emphasize that in the absence of an updated GEIS that a moratorium should be issued for gas drilling permits using hydraulic fracturing in the Marcellus Shale formation
Roger Downs
Sierra Club Atlantic Chapter
353 Hamilton Street
Albany, NY 12210
(518) 426-9144
roger.downs@sierraclub.org
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Letter from Sierra Club Atlantic Chapter to NYS DEC Commissioner Alexander B. Grannis
[PDF Version]
July 7, 2008
Alexander B. Grannis
Commissioner, NYS Department of Environmental Conservation
625 Broadway
Albany, NY 12233
Dear Commissioner Grannis:
The Sierra Club Atlantic Chapter urges your attention to the pressing issue of natural gas development in New York State. As you may know, the Southern Tier of New York sits on top of Marcellus Shale, one of the largest natural gas formations in the United States, and is now poised to reap the profits of a multi-billion dollar gas “play” over the coming decades.
Marcellus Shale is a methane rich sheet formation that lies 6,000 to 8,000 feet below the Catskill Mountains, the Delaware River Valley, the Allegany Plateau, to beyond the shores of Lake Erie. Geologists have known of this natural gas deposit since the turn of the twentieth century but limited technology and market forces have severely limited its extraction. Recent advances in horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing combined with soaring energy prices have brought much industry focus to New York State as tens of thousands of acres of gas leases have been purchased with the potential to transform much of rural New York into a profitable grid work of gas fields and pipelines.
The Sierra Club Atlantic Chapter is concerned that the method of extraction for this formation, horizontal hydraulic fracturing, has been insufficiently examined by the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Division of Mineral Resources and without proper planning the region could face severe, and unnecessary environmental consequences.
Hydraulic fracturing or “fracing” involves injecting water, sand, and chemical additives into shale at extremely high pressure, separating rock fissures and allowing the gas to flow out the drill bore while the sand holds the cracks open. Because these shale formations are so deep, millions of gallons of water are required and subsequently millions of gallons of contaminated water are produced.
While much of the contamination comes from naturally occurring chlorides, heavy metals and radioactivity, tens of thousands of gallons of industrial chemicals that make up the frac fluids also need remediation, but their exact composition is unknown for proprietary reasons. Under DEC regulation, this contaminated production water is stored in lined open pits, where it can remain for up to 45 days before being trucked away to local wastewater treatment facilities. Tailings and solids are land filled on site. We do not believe that most wastewater treatment facilities are up to the task of remediating these contaminates especially as many of the contaminants remain unknown.
Currently, there is no clear plan for where the millions of gallons of water will come from to support this industry. It is our understanding, based on interviews with drillers and water haulers that the majority of the water used in gas well production comes from local streams, ponds and wetlands. This strategy will not be sustainable as the demand for deep formation wells increases. It is of special concern since thousands of gas leases have already been purchased for development within the New York City Watershed.
While water quality and quantity issues are of primary importance, we ask that the Department not overlook equally significant land use issues. In our conversations and meetings with local municipal leaders and land planners of the Southern Tier we have learned of the extraordinary work that many communities have undertaken to adopt comprehensive plans that embrace smart growth principles as well as aggressive zoning to control and shape harmonious development. It is these same leaders that express dismay at the notion that the Environmental Conservation Law supersedes all zoning and that this heavily industrialized land use can be sited anywhere, without local oversight, regardless of how incompatible it is with established zoning. ECL 23-303 (2) The provisions of this article shall supersede all local laws or ordinances relating to the regulation of the oil, gas and solution mining industries; but shall not supersede local government jurisdiction over local roads or the rights of local governments under the real property tax law.
The Sierra Club Atlantic Chapter is concerned not only with the effect that Marcellus shale gas production has upon community health and planning but also the impact upon wildlife. The Catskills and adjacent lands in the Southern Tier contain some of the largest contiguous blocks of open space east of the Mississippi River. This area acts as an important wildlife corridor between the Allegany State forest, the Catskill Park, the Shawangunk Ridge, and the Hudson Highlands. Multiple rare and endangered species depend upon this unique matrix of habitat and the potentially vast grid work of roads and pipelines needed to support the industry will fragment and diminish the viability of this natural corridor.
Ultimately, the Sierra Club is asking for region wide planning for Marcellus shale development in lieu of its exemption from local land planning that takes all these issues into account in a comprehensive manner. The technology and environmental considerations involving natural gas extraction of the Marcellus shale formation are significantly different from what was covered in the 1992 Generic Environmental Impact Statement (GEIS) On the Oil, Gas and Solution Mining Regulatory Program. We believe a Supplemental GEIS should be required, as current drilling permits are exempt from environmental impact statements because of the previous “hard look” conducted in 1992. It is time for the DEC to update its findings.
Last week the Sierra Club Atlantic Chapter’s Executive Committee approved a resolution that outlines the study we strongly urge the DEC to conduct in conjunction with its obligations under the State Environmental Quality Review Act. Attached is our resolution.
While Sierra Club acknowledges the importance of natural gas as a fuel that can transition New York State from coal and oil to renewable energy resources, we do not believe that its extraction should take priority over clean drinking water, community planning and general environmental health. We look forward to working with your Department to help bring balance into this process for the best economic and environmental out come.
Sincerely,
Susan Lawrence
Chair
Sierra Club Atlantic Chapter
For more information please contact:
Roger Downs
Sierra Club Atlantic Chapter
353 Hamilton Street
Albany, NY 12210
(518) 426-9144
roger.downs@sierraclub.org
Copy to:
Val Washington
James Tierney
Christopher Amato
Jack McKeon
Jared Snyder
Henry Hamilton
Judith Enck
Bradley Field
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Summmary of Gas Drilling Issues
[PDF Version]
We Need to Plan before Drilling
by Laura Seltz
Our area is blessed to sit over billions of dollars worth of natural gas in the Marcellus Shale formation. This can become a boon if we unite to use this resource wisely.
A headlong rush into drilling without becoming informed and planning carefully could result in irrevocable damage to our communities. We need to impose a moratorium on drilling until a comprehensive plan is in place to address the salient questions surrounding gas drilling.
Chemical Hazards
Hydraulic fracturing penetrates and creates fractures in hard shale to get trapped gas flowing. This process involves the high-pressure injection of chemical laden fluids into the formation, which generally lies 6000 to 8000 feet down. The extraction process may also involve horizontal drilling that can go up to a mile underground.
As the Press reported on July 6, Under the 2005 Energy Bill, companies are exempt from the Safe Drinking Water Act, the Clean Water Act, the Clean Air Act, the Superfund law, the Right-to-Know Act, and other regulations.
Gas companies are not required to disclose the chemical content of the fluids used in the drilling process. World renowned endocrinologist Dr. Theo Colburn, in sworn testimony before Congress, stated that she was able to access a list of chemicals in one such formula. The list contained 171 chemicals, 92 percent linked to health problems including skin and lung irritations, nervous system disorders, cancers, and reproductive organ damage.
We do not know if these chemicals will enter our aquifer or the watershed that supplies New York City drinking water. State regulators in New Mexico have reported hundreds of occurrences of groundwater contamination linked to gas drilling. The Environmental Protection Agency has reported concern at finding Benzene and other compounds in over one third of the ground water samples tested on a major site in Wyoming. Who will pay to clean up the contamination?
Hydraulic fracturing produces millions of gallons of contaminated waste water. Chemical laden water from drilling is stored on-site in open pits. What will happen to this water in the event of heavy rains or a flood? According to a recent article in The Press and Sun Bulletin, Broome County has no plan for handling such waste water.
Water Use
Each individual horizontal well requires about three million gallons of water – an outlay of billions of gallons of water just to open the projected thousands of wells - and each well may be “refractured” as many as ten times. There is no cohesive plan in place addressing the source of this water. Currently, some is to be drawn from the Susquehanna and its tributary creeks. Companies can drain smaller wetlands and streams at will.
Accidents
Even the most careful drilling operation can result in accidents causing chemical spills or injuries. A truck overturns; a worker forgets to close a spigot. Gas and oil companies, including Meridian, Gastar and Chesapeake list accidents, including fires, explosions and pipe failures, as “inherent risks” of drilling.
The Durango Herald recently reported that a nurse fell “gravely ill” with “heart, lung and liver failure, plus kidney damage and blurred vision.” It was determined that she had breathed fumes from a hydraulic drilling worker’s chemical laden clothing after treating him in the ER.
Do we have any plan in place to deal with medical emergencies? Do rural areas have sufficient medical personnel, including EMTs, trained in responding to chemical accidents? Currently, doctors cannot even be informed of the chemicals used.
Do we have a plan in place for training our fire departments in extinguishing chemical fires? Will our fire departments receive additional funding to deal with these issues?
Radioactivity
The Marcellus shale may contain low levels of radioactive materials including uranium, thorium, radium 226 and radium 228, which can be brought to the surface through drilling. According to the Texas Department of State Health Services, 140 hydraulic fracture drill sites with unacceptable levels of radiation required decontamination between January 2005 and November 2007.
Drill cuttings, possibly contaminated with radiation, mercury and lead, will require disposal. Will this disposal be carefully regulated?
Landowners, Leases and Liability
Leases pose other problems. Company contracts may not protect landowners in case of liability. Some contracts may contain indemnity language, but still may not protect the landowner or the injured party seeking redress.
Have landowners had the opportunity to investigate how hydraulic fracturing might affect their short and long-term property values or their overall quality of life? And who is considering the affects on metropolitan and small landowners who may not see a dime from leasing?
Hunting, Fishing and Our Great Outdoors
An industry-funded study found that the deer population in a heavily-drilled section of Wyoming declined by 46%. Trout Unlimited has expressed concern that poorly planned drilling may affect fishing. Are there plans to protect deer and trout populations? How will water usage affect our world-famous trout?
Bruce Baizel of the Oil and Gas Accountability Project stated at a recent meeting in Walton that hydraulic fracturing on the proposed level will turn this area into an industrial zone. Can we develop plans to mitigate noise pollution and preserve our scenic landscape?
Enforcement
Presently, the Department of Environmental Conservation’s Division of Mineral Resources has nineteen inspectors. Judith Enck, New York State Deputy Secretary for the Environment stated that budgetary issues may impede the hiring of additional staff. Is the current inspection team large enough to handle hundreds of drilling operations? Will the state budget additional money for training and hiring?
We Need Information; We Need Planning; We Need Time
The Marcellus Shale can become a source of great prosperity. However, the potential for immediate and long-term critical health issues, wear on our infrastructure, accidents, and pollution of our air and aquifer, must be addressed, planned for and prevented.
We need to work together to protect our communities. A moratorium on drilling permits will allow the necessary time for thoughtful planning. We should contact our representatives and ask for their help in approaching this issue, keeping a careful eye on our future.
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Links to Related Websites
City of Binghamton's Informational Clearhinghouse
Catskill Mountainkeeper
Oil and Gas Accountability Project
Oil and Gas Discovery News (industry website on Marcellus Shale)
Earthworks's Hyrdaulic Fracturing 101
Pictures of Oil and Gas Drilling in Allegheny National Forest, Pennsylvania
NYS DEC Page on Marcellus Shale
From Oil and Gas Accountability Project (OGAP):
Oil and Gas at Your Door?
A Landowner's Guide to Oil and Gas Development [PDF]
Earthworks:
The Long Road - Lessons Learned From More Than Two Decades of Dealing with the Oil and Gas Industry
by Terry Fitzgerald
Chenango County Farm Bureau webpage on information for landowners
Letter from various organizations to NYS Sen Carl Marcellino and NYS Assemblyman Robert Sweeney [PDF]
West Virginia Surface Owners' Rights Organization
How a gas well is drilled down into the ground, and what can go wrong
NY Marcellus Shale - An Information Clearinghouse For Upstate Residents
Resource Website set up by concerned activist
Shale Gas: Focus on the Marcellus Shale [PDF]
by Lisa Sumi
For the Oil & Gas Accountability Project/Earthworks
June 2008
Family's water well was contaminated after hydraulic fracturing near their home
Garfield County, CO
by Laura Amos
EarthWorks
A White Paper Describing Produced Water from Production of Crude Oil, Natural Gas, and Coal Bed Methane [PDF]
Prepared for: U.S. Department of Energy, National Energy Technology Laboratory
Prepared by: Argonne National Laboratory, John A. Veil, Markus G. Puder, Deborah Elcock, Robert J. Redweik, Jr.
January 2004
Produced Water Facts: Just What is Produced Water Anyway?
Produced Water Society
SkyTruth
SkyTruth uses pictures taken from orbiting satellites and aircraft to show people the impacts of our activities on the planet. These images reveal the landscape disruption and habitat degradation caused by mining, oil and gas drilling, deforestation and urban sprawl.
Video of Landowner's Rights Forum
Broome Community College
September 16, 2008
Documentary "A Land Out of Time"
Oil and gas drilling in the Rocky Mountain West
Video of the Landowner's "Rights" Forum
Organized by NYS Assemblywoman Donna Lupardo
Broome Community College
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
"Development of the Marcellus Shale- Water Resource Challenges" [PDF]
Kirkpatrick & Lockhart Preston Gates Ellis LLP
R. Timoty Weston
(hosted by the website of the West Virginia Surface Owners' Rights Organization)
The Rage of Nature
A film by Josh Fox
http://waterunderattack.com
An in-progress film project by Josh Fox about the severe environmental/water/air crisis that is in store for New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania if the extensive Natural Gas drilling that is proposed is not stopped or highly regulated.
Radioactive Residue Photo Gallery
Photogallery of NORM (normally occuring radioactive materials) associated with production, storage, processing and transport facilities for oil and gas drilling.
Dallas Morning News
photos from 2002-2003
"Drilling the West"
National Geographic Magazine photo essay about gas drilling. It's a powerful and informative 4-minute audio/visual presentation.
"Gas Drilling in the Upper Delaware River Watershed" [PDF]
With the support of experts from across the U.S., a 7-page white paper from Damascus Citizens for Sustainability. This is a comprehensive regional summary - with references and active links to the most recent facts.
Chris Burger- "Marcellus Shale Play" (video)
September 24, 2008
Binghamton University, Binghamton, NY
Making Sure We Get It Right: Health, Land, Law and Natural Gas Production
Video Recording of Forum held in Binghamton, New York, on Wednesday, October 29, 2008
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Links to Related News Articles
Natural Gas Company's Want Ithaca To Treat Water From Drilling (VIDEO)
by Emma Wright
WENY-TV Newschannel 36 (Horseheads)
November 25, 2008
Gas venting out of control at GarCo well
Some Silt-area residents notified they may have to evacuate homes
by Dennis Webb
GJSSentinel.com / The Daily Sentinel (Western Colorado)
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
New Mexico Battles Feds to Stop Gas Drilling Near an Aquifer
by Abrahm Lustgarten, ProPublica (NYC)
November 20, 2008
Drill for Natural Gas, Pollute Water
The natural gas industry refuses to reveal what is in the mixture of chemicals used to drill for the fossil fuel
by Abrahm Lustgarten and ProPublica (NYC)
November 17, 2008
Western Pa. Streams Emptied By Natural Gas Drilling
WTAE-TV Channel 4 News
Pittsburgh, PA
November 13, 2008
Oil, gas wells face waste hurdle
Sewage plants ordered by DEP to curb
cessing wastewater from drilling
by Anya Litvak
Pittsburgh Business Times
Friday, October 31, 2008
DEP on drilling
Inadequate staffing, protecting wells, treating wastewater
by Sandy Long
The River Reporter (Narrowsburg, NY)
October 30 - November 5, 2008
Will gas drilling spoil our water?
by Anne Thompson
NBC Nightly News with Brian Williams
October 12, 2008
Gas well emissions drawing scrutiny
By Mike Lee
Star-Telegram (Fort Worth, TX)
October 12, 2008
Chesapeake rescinds natural gas lease offers
A consulting firm has informed Northeast Pennsylvania landowners Chesapeake Appalachia has revoked and rescinded offers for natural gas leases.
By Josh Mrozinski
Susquehanna Independent Weekender
October 8, 2008
“Drill, Baby, Drill” Already Debunked by Bush Administration, Says Sierra Club NYC
October 3, 2008
by Dan Miner, Chair Sierra Club NYC
Gas drilling waste hauler rejected
by Melissa deCordova
The Evening Sun (Chenango County)
October 3rd, 2008
Tier gets $23B gas-drilling preview
Wells in Dimock, Pa., show promise of riches
By Tom Wilber
Press & Sun-Bulletin
September 21, 2008
Officials to address impact of gas rush
Road damage, noise among top concerns
by Tom Wilber
Press & Sun-Bulletin
September 14, 2008
DRBC to find out: What’s in frack fluid?
UDC stance sought
by Sandy Long
The River Reporter (Narrowsburg, NY)
September 11, 2008
Limit gas drilling in Catskills, NYC says
Council wants rules to protect water supply
by Adam Bosch
Times Herald-Record
September 11, 2008
Landowners cry foul over seismic searches
Trespassing claims stir debate
By Tom Wilber
Press & Sun-Bulletin
September 7, 2008
Company offers Bradford County $2.4 million to lease its gas rights
by James Loewenstein
The Daily Review (Towanda, PA)
September 6, 2008
NYC Council to Hold Hearing on Gas Drilling Near City Water Supply
by Allison Battey
ProPublica (NYC)
September 3, 2008
County moves to protect water from gas drilling
by Melissa deCordova
The Evening Sun (Chenango County)
September 2, 2008
Milanville man goes to gas land for first-hand look
‘The Rage of Nature’ film to document experience
by Sandy Long
The River Reporter (Narrowsburg, NY)
Natural gas well burns near Rulison
by Phillip Yates
Vail Daily (Vail, Colorado)
August 28, 2008
Clinton Concerned About New York Drilling
by Allison Battey
ProPublica (NYC)
August 28, 2008
Gas drillers face ocean-size problem
by Laura Legere
Susquehanna Independent Weekender
August 27, 2008
Drilling Boom Revives Hopes for Natural Gas
by Clifford Krauss
New York Times
August 24, 2008
A Toxic Spew?
Officials worry about impact of 'fracking' of oil and gas.
By Jim Moscou
Newsweek Web Exclusive
August 20, 2008
Deep-Well Natural Gas Drilling Concern for State's Water Quality
Pennsylvania Ag Connection
August 19, 2008
DEP Responds to Major Oil Spill in Northwest Pa.
Meadville, PA
August 18, 2008
Gas-drilling rules tighten
Restrictions added for water usage
Press & Sun-Bulletin
By Tom Wilber
August 16, 2008
SRBC To Require All Natural Gas Well Development Projects in Susquehanna Basin to Obtain Prior Approval Regardless of Amount of Water Used
Susquehanna River Basic Commission Press Release (PDF)
Harrisburg, PA
August 15, 2008
Three-state commission to impose rules on drilling
Controversial technique used to extract natural gas from rock
Times-Union (Albany)
By Brian Nearing
August 15, 2008
Traditional Energy's Modern Boom
High Prices Are Driving Increased Extraction of Oil and Other Fossil Fuels
Washington Post
By Joel Achenbach
August 15, 2008
Gas Drilling Raises Water Well Concerns
American Agriculturist
By John Vogel
August 14, 2008
Moratorium on drilling is needed
The Daily Star (Oneonta)
Editorial by Mary Jo Long
August 14, 2008
County leaders surprised by gas well head 'explosion' in Preston
By Melissa deCordova
The Evening Sun (Norwich, NY)
August 13, 2008
State promises strict oversight for gas drilling
By Steve Israel
Times Herald-Record
August 13, 2008
Officials expect 1,500 natural gas wells to be drilled annually
By Tom Wilber
Press & Sun-Bulletin (Binghamton)
August 12, 2008
Gas Wells a Mixed Blessing on Property (subscription required)
The Times Leader (Wilkes Barre, PA)
By Rory Sweeney
July 14, 2008
New York towns share drilling information
Three towns eye moratoriums
The River Reporter (Narrowsburg, NY)
By Fritz Mayer
June 12, 2008
Pipeline project draws noise complaints from residents
Press & Sun-Bulletin
By Tom Wilber
June 27, 2008
Western PA landowners regret deep gas wells deals
Gasses bubbling out of the ground and into drinking wells and ponds
The River Reporter (Narrowsburg, NY)
By Tom Kane
April 10, 2008
Protesters call for gas drilling moratorium at Fort Worth City Council session
By Erin Rice
Pegasus News (Dallas, TX)
Thursday, August 7, 2008
Radioactive waste surfaces at Texas gas sites
Since '05, 140 Texas cleanups; experts uncertain of risks
By Peggy Heinkel-Wolfe
Denton Record-Chronicle
November 11, 2007
Disposable Workers of the Oil and Gas Fields
High Country News, Paonia, CO
by Ray Ring
April 2, 2007
How Halliburton Technology is Wrecking the Rockies
OnEarth Magazine, Natural Resources Defense Council
by Michelle Nijhuis
Summer 2006
EPA Watchdog to Investigate Drilling Method
By Tom Hamburger and Alan C. Miller
Los Angeles Times
March 17, 2005
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This page last updated September 29, 2008
Webmaster: erin.riddle@sierraclub.org