Anti-Drilling/Fossil Fuel

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    Antis Want FERC to Use Communism Instead of Capitalism

    Command and ControlA general warning and heads-up on the newest/latest attack in the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). Well, maybe it’s not all that new–it’s been going on for a few years–but the intensity and pace of the attacks have picked up. We’re talking about the argument being made by anti fossil-fuelers that FERC doesn’t, by law, consider all pipelines when it evaluates a single pipeline–i.e. “cumulative effects.” For example, if three different pipeline requests for the same region are filed with FERC, FERC does not have the authority to decide only one of the three is really “needed” and that building all three would be “overbuilding.” FERC evaluates them one by one and (properly so) and lets the free market (i.e. capitalism) decide which one(s) will get built. FERC is not in the business of Communistic command-and-control decisions over private companies. FERC’s concern is that a given, single pipeline project doesn’t harm the environment and shows a need. Period. Antis, detecting an opportunity, want to force FERC, either by social pressure or by the courts, to take into consideration larger regional concerns–and even mythical global warming concerns–before making decisions. Here’s the latest example, from Virginia…
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    Anti-Drillers Rush Stage at NY Power Event, Threaten FERC Chairman

    Norman Bay, Chairman of FERC
    Norman Bay, Chairman of FERC

    Once again anti-drillers have engaged in childish, petulant behavior in an attempt to call attention to themselves. Yesterday Norman Bay, chairman of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC)–the agency charged with reviewing and approving or denying pipeline projects–spoke at a conference organized by the Independent Power Producers of New York (IPPNY) near Albany, NY. As he was speaking, a half dozen radical “keep it in the ground” protesters “rushed the stage” hollering at Bay, who had to make a quick exit–concerned he would be assaulted by the out-of-control protesters. The conference organizer said the protesters were “aggressive” and “disruptive” and “out of line.” It was a private event. The group’s ring leader seems to have been Igor Vamos, a media professor at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. Vamos is the founder of “Yes Men,” a radical protest group that has staged fake press conferences on so-called climate change. Their display shows how precariously close these unbalanced people are. Watch the video below…
    Read More “Anti-Drillers Rush Stage at NY Power Event, Threaten FERC Chairman”

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    Partisan PA Anti Groups in Urge Support of Onerous New DEP Regs

    PA DEPTwo more partisan organizations in Pennsylvania are publicly supporting PA Gov. Tom Wolf’s proposed redo of drilling regulations–regulations that threaten conventional and unconventional drilling in the state. The fact that the radical PA Trout Unlimited and the League of [Liberal Democrat] Women Voters of Pennsylvania are supporting the Dept. of Environmental Protection’s update of Rule 78 and 78a is all you need to know about just how bad a proposal it is. These groups join other anti-drilling groups in supporting the new rules (see PennFuture “Lauds” PA Vote to Accept Onerous New Drilling Regs). Wolf hopes by having such groups publicly endorse the changes, he can force it through…
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    Dela. Riverkeeper Launches Lawsuit Against Atlantic Sunrise Project

    lawsuitIt’s time to sue THE Delaware Riverkeeper out of existence. The group is a litigious nuisance and anti-American. It is led by Maya van Rossum and fed by money from the Heinz Endowments and William Penn Foundation. Even with repeated calls the IRS has refused to investigate violations of the group’s non-profit status. The latest outrage from this group of virulent radicals is to launch a lawsuit to try and stop Williams’ Atlantic Sunrise Pipeline project through southeastern PA. Just last week Williams received a favorable Environmental Assessment (EA) from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (see Williams’ Atlantic Sunrise Pipeline Gets Positive EIS from FERC). That was all it took. The writing is on the wall that FERC will approve the project and Williams will build it. This is a last-ditch effort by van Rossum and other radicals to shut down the project…
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    Anti-Driller Wins Right to Nominate Candidates for CONSOL’s Board

    Scott_Stringer
    NYC Comptroller Scott Stringer

    The anti-drilling nutjobs who run the finances for New York City have been (potentially) successful in interfering with the operation of CONSOL Energy, a coal company rapidly transforming itself into a Marcellus/Utica driller. The Comptroller for New York City is Scott Stringer, a hardened leftist and anti-fossil fuel nutjob. He apparently likes to invest in fossil fuel companies with OPM (other people’s money) in order to try and shut them down. At least that’s the way it appears. He uses the pension funds of NYC residents to try and force the companies he invests in out of business. And somehow he gets elected and re-elected–go figure. Stringer sponsored a proxy resolution that passed at CONSOL’s annual meeting yesterday–a resolution that will allow any single investor owning 3% (or more) of the CONSOL’s stock for three consecutive years the ability to nominate a candidate to the board of directors. The board, of course, hires and fires top management and essentially guides the company on the path it wants the company to go. The proposed candidate must still pass a vote by all shareholders. If Stringer can motivate enough other investors, over time he may be able to get anti-fossil fuel candidates elected, which would be a disaster for the company. Needless to say, CONSOL’s management was not happy…
    Read More “Anti-Driller Wins Right to Nominate Candidates for CONSOL’s Board”

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    PA-Based CELDF Looks for New Dupes in Meigs County, OH

    CELDF logoWe’ve written plenty in the past about the PA-based radical anti-drilling group called CELDF–Community Environmental Legal Defense Fund (see our CELDF stories here). CELDF seems to have a lot of success in tricking people in Ohio into believing they can pass a so-called Community Bill of Rights to ban fracking, injection wells, etc.–illegal under Ohio state law. When such legislation is passed and then gets challenged, it loses in court. Every time. And when private companies sue for damages, taxpayers end up footing the bill and the CELDF is nowhere to be found (see Anti Group CELDF Won’t Help Grant Twp Pay $1M Judgement). The CELDF is trying their trickery again–this time in Meigs County, OH and in the City of Waterville (in Meigs County). As Forrest Gump said: Stupid is as stupid does…
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    Latest Case of Duke U Bought & Paid “Research” by Park Foundation

    Duke logoIt’s good to know that “research” can still be purchased at the once-great Duke University. For years now the radical Park Park Foundation has been buying its research from a few select professors at a few select universities. One of the scientists for sale is Avner Vengosh, professor of geochemistry and water quality at Duke University’s Nicholas School of the Environment (see Duke Hit Piece on Shale Water Usage from Same Park-Sponsored Prof). Here’s how it works: Park funds Dr. Vengosh’s “research,” and he conveniently “discovers” all sorts of nasty things about shale fracking, publishing his “research” in obscure, peer reviewed journals. Mainstream media picks it up and runs it. Readers who only scan headlines get the impression fracking is evil. Mission accomplished for Park (another hit on fracking) and for Vengosh (another buck in his pocket). That’s how it works in the world of bought-and-paid-for fractivism. The latest is Vengosh’s claim that he found evidence of shale wastewater contamination downstream from a wastewater injection well in Fayette County, WV…
    Read More “Latest Case of Duke U Bought & Paid “Research” by Park Foundation”

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    Radical NJ Democrats Want to “Constitution” the PennEast Pipeline

    PennEast in NJ
    Click map for larger version

    Anti-drillers (most of them liberal Democrats) haven’t wasted any time in adopting Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s tactic of delay, deny and death. Antis in New Jersey took notice of how Cuomo first delayed, then denied the Constitution Pipeline stream crossing permits, effectively killing the project (see NY Gov. Cuomo Refuses to Grant Permits for Constitution Pipeline). The leaders of radical Big Green groups in NJ, including the New Jersey Conservation Foundation and the New Jersey Sierra Club, along with several Democrat members of the NJ legislature, want the state Department of Environmental Protection to deny permits for a different pipeline project–the PennEast Pipeline. Hey, if it worked in NY, why wouldn’t it work in NJ? Problem is, NJ has a Republican governor and the DEP is an executive agency. That won’t stop the antis from trying…
    Read More “Radical NJ Democrats Want to “Constitution” the PennEast Pipeline”

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    Sec. of Interior Calls “Keep it in the Ground” Protesters “Naïve”

    Sally Jewell
    Sally Jewell

    Sally Jewell, Obama’s Secretary for the Dept. of the Interior, has not endeared herself with anti-drilling zealots who inhabit (infest?) her own Democrat Party. Last week Jewell told a reporter that the “keep it [i.e. fossil fuels] in the ground” movement is “naïve” and there is NO WAY we will transition to 100% renewables any time soon. Oooo, harsh words! From an Obamadroid! One of the key issues, according to Jewell, is transportation. She said we don’t yet have solar-powered automobiles. And before someone embarrasses themselves to ask “What about electric cars?”…we’ll remind you that more than 70% of all electricity produced in the U.S. comes from burning fossil fuels. The electric in the battery of an electric car got there by burning coal and/or natural gas. If we “leave it in the ground” it won’t be long before you’re walking or riding horseback to get from point A to point B. You’d also have to give up television, radio and a host of other things powered by electricity. Unless you want to watch and listen when the sun is out. Here’s some tough words from Sec. Jewell for the crazies in her own party…
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    PA Democrat Senator Calls for Frack Ban in Lake Erie Watershed

    Sean_Wiley
    PA State Sen. Sean Wiley

    Yet another Pennsylvania Democrat in the state legislature is calling for a frack ban. What is it about PA Dems and their allergies to fossil fuels? This time the pandering Dem is State Sen. Sean Wiley–and he’s calling for a ban on fracking in the Lake Erie watershed of western PA. His reasoning for illegally seizing the property rights of his constituents is really kind of funny. He says there should be a ban until we “see what are the risks associated with unconventional drilling.” Even though PA has been using unconventional drilling (i.e. horizontal drilling with hydraulic fracturing) in the Marcellus Shale since 2004. Apparently 13 years of intense drilling in the Keystone State is still not enough for Sen. Wiley to know what the risks associated with such drilling are. Either Wiley is lying, or he’s a dope. We doubt he’s a dope…
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    Dissertation on How Big Green Manipulates People, Secret til 2018

    secret-meeting.jpgMDN noticed an announcement for the publication of a new dissertation by a student in the masters degree program at the University of Vermont. The title of the student’s dissertation is, “Influence of Mission, Audience, and Policy Context on Issue Framing: A Case Study of Mobilization Against Hydraulic Fracturing in the Marcellus Shale.” When you dig into the abstract (i.e. summary) of the dissertation, it appears the student did research on a number of anti-drilling Big Green groups in the Marcellus/Utica and the techniques they use to manipulate public opinion. Sort of a look at how the Joseph Goebbels of our day do propaganda. We thought, “Hey, this is great! Somebody will finally lay bare how these incestuously-funded Big Green groups lie to and manipulate public opinion!” We tried to download the paper and promptly found that it won’t be available to the public for download until April 2018–two years from now. What’s up with that?…
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    Enviro Nazis File Lawsuit to “Force” EPA to End Injection Wells

    lawsuitA group of radical/leftist environmental groups have just launched their latest “sue and settle” case against the federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). For a description of the despicable practice of sue and settle, where our own government colludes with these groups in a faux lawsuit which “forces” an agency to do what it wanted to do but couldn’t otherwise under existing laws, see this MDN story: Environmentalists & Government Collude in “Sue and Settle” Cases. The National Resources Defense Council (NRDC), one of the worst of the worst, is working with Environmental Integrity Project, Earthworks, Responsible Drilling Alliance, San Juan Citizens Alliance, West Virginia Surface Owners’ Rights Organization, and the Center for Health, Environment and Justice in filing a lawsuit against the EPA to “force” the EPA to stop the practice of disposing of frack wastewater via injection wells. If you can’t get rid of the wastewater, you can’t drill–which is the purpose of this latest assault on freedom and free enterprise in the U.S. These commie dirtbag pinkos (yes, we’ll tell you what we REALLY think!) are working WITH the EPA to grant the EPA sweeping new powers, via judicial decree, to shut down the oil and gas industry. This must stop…
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    PennEast Responds to Sham NJ Lawsuit Re Surveying w/o Permission

    PennEast Pipeline Route Map
    PennEast Pipeline Route Map – click image for larger version

    A couple of radical anti-fossil fuel groups, aided and abetted by a few landowners (members of said groups) have filed a frivolous lawsuit on Monday in New Jersey Superior Court against PennEast Pipeline claiming surveyors have illegally trespassed on private property to conduct surveys–against the wishes of said radicals, some of whom happen to be landowners in the path of the proposed pipeline. PennEast Pipeline is a $1 billion, 118-mile pipeline project that will run from near Wilkes-Barre, PA to near Trenton, NJ. The two groups behind this latest sleazy lawsuit are Homeowners Against Land Taking – PennEast Inc. (HALT PennEast) and the New Jersey Conservation Foundation. There’s nothing like a good lawsuit to drive more donations. “Help! We’re David and we’re suing Goliath. We need YOUR money.” Pathetic. PennEast has responded that the claims of trespassing to survey are (our words) horse manure. PennEast checks carefully before entering a property to survey. The pipeline company said when they get a copy of the frivolous lawsuit they will mount a vigorous defense. The radicals just may have bitten off more than they can chew this time…
    Read More “PennEast Responds to Sham NJ Lawsuit Re Surveying w/o Permission”

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    Anti Fossil Fuel Fanatics Kick Off 12 Days of Lawless Acts

    anarchyIt seems that anarchy is all the rage these days. In vogue. Popular. At least among the non-thinking radical left. Witness Crazy Bernie Sanders and his mind-numbed robot followers. Also witness the radical environmental movement, which whips up emotions among the enviro faithful like a Pentecostal preacher from the back hills. Many of these environmental Nazis are young and haven’t grown a brain yet. But there’s a fair number who are old hippies, burned out from drug use in the 60s and 70s. A group of these dangerous fanatics have begun what they call 12 days of “breaking free” from fossil fuels–a campaign to force law-abiding companies to abandon certain pipeline and drilling projects. The radicals are calling it “peaceful” and “civil disobedience.” However, going by previous such protests, we expect there will be violence associated with this movement–far from the peaceful veneer they hope to project. A number of the most radical, law-breaking groups are behind the effort: 350.org, Greenpeace, Climate Action Network and others. Here’s some of the lawbreaking they have planned for 12 days beginning yesterday…
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    NY Antis Hope Gov. Cuomo Will Halt Pilgrim Pipeline’s Progress

    Pilgrim Pipeline logoIn November, MDN told you about Pilgrim Pipeline Holdings, developing an East Coast pipeline to carry refined petroleum products such as gasoline, diesel, heating oil, and jet and aviation fuel northbound from Linden, New Jersey to Albany, New York (178 miles). In addition, a second Pilgrim pipeline will carry crude oil from Albany south to NJ and other locations. Two pipelines, side by side, liquids flowing through them in different directions (see Will Pilgrim Pipeline be Allowed to Settle in the NY World?). Earlier this month we told you about a strategy by New York anti-fossil fuel freakers to stop Pilgrim’s progress by using local town bans (see NY Antis Attempt to Stop Pilgrim Pipelines with Local Bans). But maybe such a town by town strategy won’t be necessary after all. The freakers are now buoyed by NY Gov. Cuomo’s decision to stop the Constitution Pipeline–a natural gas pipeline. The freakers think maybe Cuomo will halt Pilgrim’s progress too…
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    MDN Calls on Mamma Teresa Heinz Kerry to Divest from Fossil Fuels

    Teresa Heinz KerryTeresa Heinz-Kerry, affectionately known on MDN as Mamma Teresa, is a well-known anti-fracker. In 2013 Mamma Teresa fired the head of the Heinz Endowments, Bobby Vagt, after he had the temerity to support the Center for Sustainable Shale (see Bobby Vagt Out as Pres of Heinz Endowments – Fracking Connection? and She Speaks! Teresa Heinz Kerry Talks re Endowments Firings, CSSD). Working with evil, vile, filthy carbon polluters like oil and gas drillers is a no-no for Mamma Teresa. And yet, according to an analysis of the Heinz Family Trust, Mamma Teresa and the Heinz kids are invested in some of the biggest fossil fuel companies on the planet–invested up to their eyeballs. We have the full list below–you won’t believe how long it is! Mamma Teresa even invests in Cabot Oil & Gas, of Dimock fame. (Don’t tell Josh Fox!) You already know what rank hypocrites liberals like Heinz-Kerry are. But still, MDN is today officially calling on Mamma Teresa (and her husband John Kerry, currently Obama’s Secretary of State) to act responsibly and immediately divest all of their holdings from fossil fuel companies–the same companies she vilifies every chance she gets…
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