Anti-Drilling/Fossil Fuel

Allegheny County | Anti-Drilling/Fossil Fuel | Industrywide Issues | Pennsylvania | Statewide PA

She Speaks! Teresa Heinz Kerry Talks re Endowments Firings, CSSD
October 28, 2013October 28, 2013

The autocratic tendencies of liberals are amusing (and scary) to watch. Case in point: Teresa Heinz Kerry, chairwoman of the Heinz Endowments. Kerry finally addressed the issue of the Heinz Endowments firing three high profile employees, including the Endowments’ president Bobby Vagt (see Bobby Vagt Out as Pres of Heinz Endowments – Fracking Connection?).

While refusing to be completely forthcoming, Kerry was forthcoming enough to confirm what we already suspected: the Heinz boys and mommy dearest didn’t like the Endowments getting into bed with the Center for Sustainable Shale Development (CSSD). Pay close attention to what Kerry does and does not say in the following article. MDN snarky commentary included [in brackets]…
Read More “She Speaks! Teresa Heinz Kerry Talks re Endowments Firings, CSSD”
Anti-Drilling/Fossil Fuel | Coterra Energy (Cabot O&G) | Crime | Energy Companies | Industrywide Issues | Pennsylvania | Susquehanna County

NE PA Anti-Driller Slapped with Trespassing Injunction
October 28, 2013October 28, 2013

Vera Scroggins is a minor celebrity in Susquehanna County, PA–perhaps even beyond. Josh Fox of Gasland fame knows her and loves her. She certainly knows how to harass people she disagrees with (see “The Final Ploy of the Desperate” Natural Gas Opponents for one shining example of her charm). Scroggins has, until now, created a cottage industry of taking “tour groups” around to fracking sites in Susquehanna County–trespassing and pushing her ever-present camera into the face of private landowners (who have asked her to leave) and into the face of gas workers.

Cabot Oil & Gas, the company leasing many of the sites targeted by Scroggins, finally went to court to keep her from harassing private landowners and their workers. That is, Cabot asked the court to stop Scroggins from breaking the law. And the court has now done so by issuing a temporary injunction against Scroggins which will remain in force until a hearing for a permanent injunction is held…
Read More “NE PA Anti-Driller Slapped with Trespassing Injunction”
Anti-Drilling/Fossil Fuel | Industrywide Issues | Ohio | Stark County | Utica Shale

FWW Anti-Drillers Protest an Empty Building in Canton, OH
October 25, 2013October 25, 2013

MDN has written many times about the odious and misnamed Food & Water Watch (FWW)–an anti-fossil fuel, anti-drilling group behind a lot of so-called “spontaneous” protests against fracking. We always knew the FWW faithful were misguided in their opposition. Unfortunately we have to be honest and add another adjective in the descriptor of FWW protesters: dumb.

Wednesday a group of some 300 people turned out at the Canton Civic Center in downtown Canton, OH for Utica Shale Summit 2014. A dozen FWW protesters thought they would make some mischief and grab a few headlines by turning up to protest. Except they turned up after the event was over and the building was empty. When told of their faux pas and that nobody was home, the FWW protesters stood around protested anyway–they protested an empty building. Talk about dumb and dumber…
Read More “FWW Anti-Drillers Protest an Empty Building in Canton, OH”
Anti-Drilling/Fossil Fuel | Bucks County | Hydraulic Fracturing | Industrywide Issues | Pennsylvania | Regulation

Michigan Driller Walks Away in Frustration from SE PA Leases
October 23, 2013October 23, 2013

Michigan-based driller Arbor Resources leased a bunch of land in southeastern Pennsylvania six years ago–in Bucks County (in the orbit of Philadelphia). Specifically, they leased land for gas drilling in Nockamixon Township. There is no Marcellus Shale in that area, but there are other formations, including the South Newark Basin. Arbor wanted to drill a few test wells for natural gas in the area, but the town opposed it and went to court to block it. Then in 2012, some squishy liberal Republicans shamefully snuck an eleventh hour ban on drilling in the South Newark Basin until more “studies” could be done into the 2012 budget (see Republicans Sneak SE PA Drilling Ban into Budget Deal).

With continuing low prices for natural gas, six years of legal issues with Nockamixon Township, a ban by the Delaware Basin Commission in effect in that area, and a state-enforced ban from RINOs in place, Arbor is throwing in the towel and walking away from Nockamixon and southeast PA. Good riddance for Arbor, no doubt. Goodbye tax revenue, goodbye jobs and goodbye millions of dollars of investment for Nockamixon…
Read More “Michigan Driller Walks Away in Frustration from SE PA Leases”
Anti-Drilling/Fossil Fuel | Crime | Hydraulic Fracturing | Industrywide Issues

Glitter, Whistles and the Unhinged Antics of Anti-Frackers
October 23, 2013October 23, 2013

We bring you the following story about fracking protesters in New Hampshire purely for entertainment value–to show you just how bizarre and unhinged some of these people become. We’re not quite sure how “glitter” plays into the anti-fracking movement, but we predict a run on glitter if the anti-fracking movement picks up steam. Get your glitter supplies at AC Moore while you still can!

To be honest, we have the feeling if it weren’t fracking these ~~burned-out hippie retreads~~ people are protesting, it would be something else. Their lives appear to be meaningless without something to be “against”…
Read More “Glitter, Whistles and the Unhinged Antics of Anti-Frackers”
Anti-Drilling/Fossil Fuel | Hydraulic Fracturing | Industrywide Issues

Cows Belch Methane Like a Fire Breathing Dragon!
October 22, 2013October 22, 2013

Anti-frackers are anti-frackers mostly because they hate fossil fuels. Natural gas, i.e. “methane,” is one of those evil, dirty fossil fuels. It’s a philosophical thing for anti-frackers. Methane from the ground is non-renewable, ya know–and we just can’t have that! Call it being energy prejudiced.

Now comes word that–unbelievably–cows also emit methane, and a lot of it. No, not from that end silly–they emit methane from burping! Cows emit something like 250-300 liters per day of methane from belching. Each cow is a mini-environmental disaster. Who knew that cows were such rude, belching polluters? But have no fear–the Argentinians have figured out a way to capture all that burped methane and purify it for use by humans (and no, this is NOT a joke). MDN does wonder: Will this new revelation about methane from cow burps and the ability to harness it spawn a new anti-burping movement? Anti-frackers might now become anti-burpers…
Read More “Cows Belch Methane Like a Fire Breathing Dragon!”
Anti-Drilling/Fossil Fuel | Energy Services | Industrywide Issues | New York | New York County | Pipelines | Spectra Energy

Spectra NJ-NY Marcellus Gas Pipeline Goes Online Nov. 1
October 22, 2013October 22, 2013

It’s been a long road and a long time in coming, but the good news is that starting Nov. 1, residents of New York City will have another 800 million cubic feet of cheap mostly-Marcellus natural gas flowing into the city through Spectra Energy’s 16 mile, $1.2 billion pipeline from New Jersey to New York. The pipeline will flow enough gas to heat 2 million homes in NYC each year. Outgoing Mayor Michael Bloomberg has called more natgas for NYC “vital”. Most New Yorkers are in favor of the new pipeline, but that didn’t deter some from trying to stop the new pipeline.

During construction of the pipeline Spectra had to deal with a lot of nonsense, like protesters who turned into strippers (see NYC Pipeline Protesters Get Naked, Paint Themselves Green), protesters who didn’t even tell themselves they were about to spontaneously break the law (see Nutjob Protester Stops NYC Pipeline Construction for 2 Hours), and groups of protesters like the [In]Sane Energy Project that sued to stop the pipeline (see Judge Tosses Out Lawsuit Against Spectra NYC Pipeline Project). Spectra pressed on through it all and they’re about to turn on the valve Nov. 1. Success at last!…
Read More “Spectra NJ-NY Marcellus Gas Pipeline Goes Online Nov. 1”
Anti-Drilling/Fossil Fuel | Hydraulic Fracturing | Industrywide Issues

Josh Fox Lectures President Obama: Stop Fracking or Else
October 22, 2013October 22, 2013

Even though he’s an Obama @!$ kisser and boot-licker, frat boy and fake documentary maker Josh Fox has some words of warning for his American presidential idol: I won’t like you anymore if you keep fracking. Oooooo, we’re sure Barry is really concerned. Like he gives two flips what Josh Fox thinks…
Read More “Josh Fox Lectures President Obama: Stop Fracking or Else”
Albany County | Anti-Drilling/Fossil Fuel | Industrywide Issues | New York

Handful at Albany Anti-Fracking Rally Spout Lies About NE PA
October 21, 2013October 21, 2013

Where two or more are gathered in the name of anti-fracking it’s a “movement” and a “rally” and worthy of media coverage by the reliably anti-fracking Albany Times Union. Such is what happened over the weekend at an Albany park where a handful of people turned up to protest against fracking.

Betty Head, an Albany-area resident and local head volunteer for the fanatically leftist moveon.org, was the main speaker. Ms. Head says she recently visited northeast Pennsylvania (Susquehanna County) and saw “dusty streets” and “vegetation [that]…looked burned and withered” because of fracking. MDN says Ms. Head’s whoppers would make even Mark Twain blush. We’ve visited Susquehanna County too (we live just across the border) and have seen no such thing–in proximity to drilling operations or not. But such is what gets picked up and amplified by lazy liberal media organizations that don’t bother to check the facts…
Read More “Handful at Albany Anti-Fracking Rally Spout Lies About NE PA”
Anti-Drilling/Fossil Fuel | Industrywide Issues | Ohio | Statewide OH | Wastewater

OH Anti-Drillers Ask Gov. Kasich to Shut Down Injection Wells
October 21, 2013October 21, 2013

Anti-drilling organization (and misnamed) Food & Water Watch (F&WW) is behind many attempts to slow down or halt shale drilling in Ohio (and Pennsylvania). Their latest strategy is to shut down deep injection wells which some drillers still use to dispose of leftover fracking wastewater. On Friday, a “handful” (which means less than five) protesters from F&WW hand delivered a letter to OH Gov. John Kasich’s office asking that he issue an executive order immediately shutting down all injection wells in the state (full copy embedded below).

The letter is signed by F&WW and 32 other fringe groups–mostly individuals masquerading as groups to make it seem like scads of people support this nonsense…
Read More “OH Anti-Drillers Ask Gov. Kasich to Shut Down Injection Wells”
Anti-Drilling/Fossil Fuel | Hydraulic Fracturing | Industrywide Issues | Pennsylvania | Statewide PA

Information Lockdown at Heinz Endowments over Vagt Departure
October 18, 2013October 18, 2013

Earlier this week MDN told you about the departure of Robert (“Bobby”) Vagt as president of the Heinz Endowments (see Bobby Vagt Out as Pres of Heinz Endowments – Fracking Connection?). It appears that at least one of the “green” board members of the Heinz Endowments (cough *Andre Heinz* cough) wasn’t happy that the family foundation decided to reach across the isle, under Vagt’s leadership, to work with the Marcellus Shale drilling industry on strict certification standards for drillers.

The problem is, no one knows for sure. It’s all still rumor and speculation. Heinz is being super tight-lipped and according to one reporter MDN spoke to, the organization is on “information lockdown” over this issue. The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review writes the following editorial about the situation–an editorial we agree with 100%:
Read More “Information Lockdown at Heinz Endowments over Vagt Departure”
Air Quality | Anti-Drilling/Fossil Fuel | Energy Companies | Halcon Resources | Industrywide Issues | Ohio | Trumbull County

Anti-Drilling CA Group Assists Residents Near Halcon OH Drill Site
October 18, 2013October 18, 2013

Yesterday MDN told you about Halcon Resources drilling another two wells at the Kibler site near Lordstown (Trumbull County), OH (see Halcon Drilling 2 More Wells Near Lordstown, OH). Seems there’s a bit more to the story than the neighbors being concerned about nighttime noise and lights. They’re also concerned about air quality, and residents of a nearby trailer park are working with an anti-drilling, anti-fossil fuel company from California called Global Community Monitor to do air quality sampling to ensure they aren’t breathing in dangerous levels of pollutants.

MDN asks: Why even bother with the pretense of testing? Global Community Monitor has already pre-determined what the outcome will be. Just announce the results now–that drilling anywhere at any time will kill the planet…
Read More “Anti-Drilling CA Group Assists Residents Near Halcon OH Drill Site”
Anti-Drilling/Fossil Fuel | Hydraulic Fracturing | Industrywide Issues | Mahoning County | Ohio | Regulation

Youngstown Hypocrites “Adjust” Language in Frack Ban Measure
October 17, 2013October 17, 2013

In a transparently hypocritical move, anti-fossil fuel agitators who are placing a referendum on the ballot in Youngstown, OH for a second time this year have removed language that would have prevented one of the city’s biggest employers and businesses, Vallourec Star (manufactures steel pipes) from selling its pipes to the drilling industry. All other businesses that sell to the natural gas industry–you’re toast under the ban.

You see, it’s OK to profit from the drilling industry, it’s OK to use the cheap natural gas that comes from the drilling industry to heat homes and use for cooking–just don’t drill anywhere near me for that gas. It’s called “good for thee but not for me.” It’s hypocrisy on glorious display. If the dunderheads prevail in hoodwinking enough voters to pass the ban, we hope and trust Vallourec will still make good on their threat to move outside of the city limits–denying the city millions in tax revenue. And we trust the anti-frackers will turn off the natural gas spigot heating their homes–after all, it comes from fracking. Throw another log on the fire Wilma!…
Read More “Youngstown Hypocrites “Adjust” Language in Frack Ban Measure”
Anti-Drilling/Fossil Fuel | Hydraulic Fracturing | Industrywide Issues | Pennsylvania | Statewide PA

Bobby Vagt Out as Pres of Heinz Endowments – Fracking Connection?
October 15, 2013October 15, 2013

In August MDN told you about a shake-up taking place at the Heinz Endowments with the firing of “longtime head” of environmental grant making for the Heinz Endowments, Caren Glotfelty (see Heinz Endowments Fires Head of Enviro Grants – Change Coming?). The story is an important one because of the role played by the Heinz Endowments in funding anti-fracking causes. Earlier this year, president of the Heinz Endowments, Bobby Vagt, dared to strike up first a conversation, then a pact, with drillers and a few other brave environmental organizations to found the Center for Sustainable Shale Development (see Important: Drillers & Enviros Form New Group, Launch Cert Program). Apparently Vagt’s “sell-out” to the drilling industry was the beginning of the end and the enviro-nut long knives came out for him (see Heinz Endowments President Owns $1.2M in Kinder Morgan Stock).

In what appears to be a move by one of the Endowments’ board members–one of the Heinz boys, Andre–Vagt announced he is “retiring” from his job as president of the Endowments. Looks like the long knives finally found their mark…
Read More “Bobby Vagt Out as Pres of Heinz Endowments – Fracking Connection?”
Anti-Drilling/Fossil Fuel | Industrywide Issues | Pennsylvania | Regulation | Taxation | Washington County

PA Anti-Fracking Gatecrashers Outside, Real Work Gets Done Inside
October 11, 2013October 11, 2013

We know everyone likes a good story, so… Once upon a time there were four anti-drillers: Craig Stevens (from Dimock, PA, he of the little brown jug that supposedly contains contaminated drinking water from his well but he won’t let anyone test it); Ray Kemble (also from Dimock, PA); Robert Lee McCaslin (from Bath, NY); and Randy Moyer (from Portage, PA). None of these anti-drillers apparently have day jobs because they travel around the northeast like groupies following their favorite rock band–except in reverse. This band of merry anti-frackers travel about the countryside trying to gatecrash pro-drilling meetings. (Every now and again they do attend a meeting of the anti-drilling faithful–just to get some good juju to keep going.)

Anywho…our merry band of four anti-frackers descended on a peaceful meeting of elected PA officials in far western PA yesterday, and the Washington Observer-Reporter was there to report on the four anti-frackers outside instead of the 100 elected officials inside…
Read More “PA Anti-Fracking Gatecrashers Outside, Real Work Gets Done Inside”
Air Quality | Anti-Drilling/Fossil Fuel | Industrywide Issues | Pennsylvania | Susquehanna County

More on “Pro-Drilling” Conversion of Gasland II Star from Dimock
October 10, 2013October 10, 2013

A few days ago we told you that one of Josh Fox’s stars in Gasland II, Victoria Switzer, has changed sides and now wants to work with the drilling industry to ensure the air is clean in Susquehanna County, PA (see Gasland II Starlet Leaves Anti-Drilling Behind, Adopts “Realism”). This is a huge problem for the anti-drilling movement, a movement that is typically shrill and frankly, unthinking. We now have at least a few people who, while they don’t like natural gas drilling going on around them, are willing to have a cogent, what they call “respectful” dialog about it. They also recognize shall drilling is here to stay–they are realists. Finally, some people on the other side of the issue we can talk to!

A bit more about the new tone and the new group which Switzer and other former anti-drillers have formed–a group called Breathe Easy Susquehanna County…
Read More “More on “Pro-Drilling” Conversion of Gasland II Star from Dimock”