February 2, 2012
GOP Uses “McCarthysim” To Stop Fracktivists?
By Theodora Filis
Josh Fox, writer and director of Gasland, a documentary that focuses on American communities that have been impacted by the increase in natural gas drilling, specifically hydraulic fracturing or fracking, was arrested when he tried to film a hearing on fracking, in the House Energy and Environment subcommittee examining the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA's) findings that hydraulic fracturing fluids had contaminated groundwater in the town of Pavillion, Wyoming.
During the McCarthy era, lasting roughly from the late 1940s to the late 1950s, thousands of Americans were accused of being Communists or communist sympathizers and became the subject of aggressive investigations, questioning and arrests. McCarthyism is the practice of making accusations of disloyalty, subversion, or treason without proper regard for evidence.
After his arrest on Wednesday, February 1, 2012, Josh Fox issued the following statement to the press:
I was arrested today for exercising my First Amendment rights to freedom of the press on Capitol Hill. I was not expecting to be arrested for practicing journalism.Today's hearing in the House Energy and Environment subcommittee was called to examine EPAs findings that hydraulic fracturing fluids had contaminated groundwater in the town of Pavillion, Wyoming. I have a long history with the town of Pavillion and its residents who have maintained since 2008 that fracking has contaminated their water supply. I featured the stories of residents John Fenton, Louis Meeks and Jeff Locker in GASLAND and I have continued to document the catastrophic water contamination in Pavillion for the upcoming sequel GASLAND 2.It would seem that the Republican leadership was using this hearing to attack the three year Region 8 EPA investigation involving hundreds of samples and extensive water testing which ruled that Pavillion's groundwater was a health hazard, contaminated by benzene at 50x the safe level and numerous other contaminants associated with gas drilling. Most importantly, EPA stated in this case that fracking was the likely cause.As a filmmaker and journalist I have covered hundreds of public hearings, including Congressional hearings. It is my understanding that public speech is allowed to be filmed. Congress should be no exception. No one on Capitol Hill should regard themselves exempt from the Constitution. The First Amendment to the Constitution states explicitly "Congress shall make no law...that infringes on the Freedom of the Press". Which means that no subcommittee rule or regulation should prohibit a respectful journalist or citizen from recording a public hearing.This was an act of civil disobedience, yes done in an impromptu fashion, but at the moment when they told me to turn off the cameras, I could not. I know my rights and I felt it was imperative to exercise them.When I was led out of the hearing room in handcuffs, John Boehner's pledge of transparency in congress was taken out with me.The people of Pavillion deserve better. The thousands across the US who have documented cases of water contamination in fracking areas deserve their own hearing on Capitol hill. They deserve the chance to testify in before Congress. The truth that fracking contaminates groundwater is out, and no amount of intimidation tactics --either outright challenges to science or the arrest of journalists --will put the genie back in the bottle. Such a brazen attempt to discredit and silence the EPA, the citizens of Pavillion and documentary filmmaking will ultimately fail and it is an affront to the health and integrity of Americans.Lastly, in defense of my profession, I will state that many many Americans get their news from independent documentaries. The hill should immediately move to make hearings and meetings accessible to independent journalists and not further obstruct the truth from being reported in the vivid and in depth manner that is only achievable through long form documentary film making.I will be thinking on this event further and will post further thoughts and developments.
I have been charged with "unlawful entry" and my court date is February 15.
Josh Fox, Washington D.C., 2/1/12
In December. of last year, five college students and a former student were arrested in Youngstown while protesting fracking in their area. Among those cited with disorderly conduct was former Oberlin College student Benjamin Shapiro of Cleveland, a 26 year old organic farmer. The Youngstown injection well has caused eight nearby earthquakes since March of 2011, seven of these with an epicenter located at the well.Shapiro said, “Well casings and cement break and degrade in the best of circumstances leaking highly toxic chemicals, it’s far more dangerous at the epicenter of these earthquakes.
How in the world can V&M Star and the Ohio Department of Natural Resources think this can be safe anywhere for our drinking water?”
Mass mobilizations against fracking around the world are bringing thousands of people out onto the streets to protest against the plans to bring the practice of hydraulic fracturing for shale gas to their town and country. Solidarity demonstrations are being held in European cities including Paris, Copenhagen and London.
Citizens of the world are sending out a clear message – we don't want you fracking around with our land and contaminating our water.
Oil and gas companies are sending out an even clearer message – we don't care what you want!
Josh Fox, writer and director of Gasland, a documentary that focuses on American communities that have been impacted by the increase in natural gas drilling, specifically hydraulic fracturing or fracking, was arrested when he tried to film a hearing on fracking, in the House Energy and Environment subcommittee examining the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA's) findings that hydraulic fracturing fluids had contaminated groundwater in the town of Pavillion, Wyoming.
During the McCarthy era, lasting roughly from the late 1940s to the late 1950s, thousands of Americans were accused of being Communists or communist sympathizers and became the subject of aggressive investigations, questioning and arrests. McCarthyism is the practice of making accusations of disloyalty, subversion, or treason without proper regard for evidence.
After his arrest on Wednesday, February 1, 2012, Josh Fox issued the following statement to the press:
I was arrested today for exercising my First Amendment rights to freedom of the press on Capitol Hill. I was not expecting to be arrested for practicing journalism.Today's hearing in the House Energy and Environment subcommittee was called to examine EPAs findings that hydraulic fracturing fluids had contaminated groundwater in the town of Pavillion, Wyoming. I have a long history with the town of Pavillion and its residents who have maintained since 2008 that fracking has contaminated their water supply. I featured the stories of residents John Fenton, Louis Meeks and Jeff Locker in GASLAND and I have continued to document the catastrophic water contamination in Pavillion for the upcoming sequel GASLAND 2.It would seem that the Republican leadership was using this hearing to attack the three year Region 8 EPA investigation involving hundreds of samples and extensive water testing which ruled that Pavillion's groundwater was a health hazard, contaminated by benzene at 50x the safe level and numerous other contaminants associated with gas drilling. Most importantly, EPA stated in this case that fracking was the likely cause.As a filmmaker and journalist I have covered hundreds of public hearings, including Congressional hearings. It is my understanding that public speech is allowed to be filmed. Congress should be no exception. No one on Capitol Hill should regard themselves exempt from the Constitution. The First Amendment to the Constitution states explicitly "Congress shall make no law...that infringes on the Freedom of the Press". Which means that no subcommittee rule or regulation should prohibit a respectful journalist or citizen from recording a public hearing.This was an act of civil disobedience, yes done in an impromptu fashion, but at the moment when they told me to turn off the cameras, I could not. I know my rights and I felt it was imperative to exercise them.When I was led out of the hearing room in handcuffs, John Boehner's pledge of transparency in congress was taken out with me.The people of Pavillion deserve better. The thousands across the US who have documented cases of water contamination in fracking areas deserve their own hearing on Capitol hill. They deserve the chance to testify in before Congress. The truth that fracking contaminates groundwater is out, and no amount of intimidation tactics --either outright challenges to science or the arrest of journalists --will put the genie back in the bottle. Such a brazen attempt to discredit and silence the EPA, the citizens of Pavillion and documentary filmmaking will ultimately fail and it is an affront to the health and integrity of Americans.Lastly, in defense of my profession, I will state that many many Americans get their news from independent documentaries. The hill should immediately move to make hearings and meetings accessible to independent journalists and not further obstruct the truth from being reported in the vivid and in depth manner that is only achievable through long form documentary film making.I will be thinking on this event further and will post further thoughts and developments.
I have been charged with "unlawful entry" and my court date is February 15.
Josh Fox, Washington D.C., 2/1/12
In December. of last year, five college students and a former student were arrested in Youngstown while protesting fracking in their area. Among those cited with disorderly conduct was former Oberlin College student Benjamin Shapiro of Cleveland, a 26 year old organic farmer. The Youngstown injection well has caused eight nearby earthquakes since March of 2011, seven of these with an epicenter located at the well.Shapiro said, “Well casings and cement break and degrade in the best of circumstances leaking highly toxic chemicals, it’s far more dangerous at the epicenter of these earthquakes.
How in the world can V&M Star and the Ohio Department of Natural Resources think this can be safe anywhere for our drinking water?”
Mass mobilizations against fracking around the world are bringing thousands of people out onto the streets to protest against the plans to bring the practice of hydraulic fracturing for shale gas to their town and country. Solidarity demonstrations are being held in European cities including Paris, Copenhagen and London.
Citizens of the world are sending out a clear message – we don't want you fracking around with our land and contaminating our water.
Oil and gas companies are sending out an even clearer message – we don't care what you want!
January 29, 2012
Fracking Companies Promote Jobs Across The US Hoping To Conceal The Risks
By Theodora Filis
The “Halliburton loophole” was created by Congress in 2005, at the “urging” of then, Vice President, Dick Cheney. Despite serious concerns, from the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), that chemicals used in Hydraulic Fracturing (fracking) demonstrated spoiling and contamination of drinking water, Cheney's “energy task force” promoted the benefits of fracking and disregarded any references to human health hazards.
Halliburton, previously led by Cheney, reportedly earns $1.5 billion a year from its energy operations – which relies heavily on its fracking business.
This week, Bloomberg reported “Thirty-four years after Black Monday, the day Youngstown Sheet & Tube announced shutdowns marking the end of the Ohio city’s steel era, a $650 million mill is coming to life thanks to the natural-gas drilling boom.”
The Vallourec SA's V&M Star factory will employee 350 workers and produce seamless pipes used in fracking. “It’s part of a development that an oil and gas industry study calculates will mean more than 200,000 jobs and $22 billion in economic output in Ohio by 2015 -- and which has neighboring states looking to get in on the action.”
According to the Pennsylvania Center for Workforce Information and Analysis, Marcellus shale grew 114 percent in the first quarter of 2011 – up form the same period in 2008.
According to the center, wages in Marcellus industries average $76,036 compared with the state average of $46,222.
Despite reported earthquakes in Youngstown, Ohio – so sever the mayor of Youngstown has decided to take out earthquake insurance on his home – a new mill is being built about 2 miles from where an injection well was closed after 11 earthquakes shook the Youngstown area in 2011.
AlterNet reported, “To what should be the surprise of no one, earthquakes caused by the junkie gas sector's hydraulic fracturing process, known as fracking, have been cropping up like Freud's repressed. The latest ominously arrived in Republican-dominated Ohio on New Year's Eve, quickly prompting Youngstown's mayor to buy earthquake insurance and lament, "You lose your whole house, that's your life savings, and if you have no money or no insurance to replace it, then what do you do?"
During an energy summit in Columbus, last September, Aubery K. McClendon, chief executive officer of Chesapeake Energy Corp – the most active oil and natural gas driller in the US – said “This will be the biggest thing to hit the state of Ohio economically since maybe the plow.”
While Cheney and his pals over at Hailburton are patting themselves on the back for a very lucrative job well done – thousands of residents across the US are living with, and trying to avoid, the very costly side effects of fracking.
Officials at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) called for a study to determine whether fracking is a hazard to people or food sources. The EPA in conjunction with the Interior Department is working now to prepare regulations to govern fracking and plans to study the effect of the hydraulic fracturing on drinking water.
Christopher Portier, director of the CDC’s National Center for Environmental Health and Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, said that studies should be initiated to examine whether waste water from the wells can harm people, livestock and food sources.
Mr. Portier stated: “We do not have enough information to say with certainty whether shale gas drilling poses a threat to public health.”
Lisa Jackson, the EPA’s Administrator told Congress in May that the EPA “will use its authorities to protect local residents if a driller endangers water supplies and the state and local authorities have not acted.” She further stated that President Obama “has made clear that we need to extract natural gas without polluting our water supplies.”
People living close to drill sights will tell you it does cause a very serious health risk to both human and animal life. Many community residents have tested their water and soil and have found it to be contaminated.
The “Halliburton loophole” was created by Congress in 2005, at the “urging” of then, Vice President, Dick Cheney. Despite serious concerns, from the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), that chemicals used in Hydraulic Fracturing (fracking) demonstrated spoiling and contamination of drinking water, Cheney's “energy task force” promoted the benefits of fracking and disregarded any references to human health hazards.
Halliburton, previously led by Cheney, reportedly earns $1.5 billion a year from its energy operations – which relies heavily on its fracking business.
This week, Bloomberg reported “Thirty-four years after Black Monday, the day Youngstown Sheet & Tube announced shutdowns marking the end of the Ohio city’s steel era, a $650 million mill is coming to life thanks to the natural-gas drilling boom.”
The Vallourec SA's V&M Star factory will employee 350 workers and produce seamless pipes used in fracking. “It’s part of a development that an oil and gas industry study calculates will mean more than 200,000 jobs and $22 billion in economic output in Ohio by 2015 -- and which has neighboring states looking to get in on the action.”
According to the Pennsylvania Center for Workforce Information and Analysis, Marcellus shale grew 114 percent in the first quarter of 2011 – up form the same period in 2008.
According to the center, wages in Marcellus industries average $76,036 compared with the state average of $46,222.
Despite reported earthquakes in Youngstown, Ohio – so sever the mayor of Youngstown has decided to take out earthquake insurance on his home – a new mill is being built about 2 miles from where an injection well was closed after 11 earthquakes shook the Youngstown area in 2011.
AlterNet reported, “To what should be the surprise of no one, earthquakes caused by the junkie gas sector's hydraulic fracturing process, known as fracking, have been cropping up like Freud's repressed. The latest ominously arrived in Republican-dominated Ohio on New Year's Eve, quickly prompting Youngstown's mayor to buy earthquake insurance and lament, "You lose your whole house, that's your life savings, and if you have no money or no insurance to replace it, then what do you do?"
During an energy summit in Columbus, last September, Aubery K. McClendon, chief executive officer of Chesapeake Energy Corp – the most active oil and natural gas driller in the US – said “This will be the biggest thing to hit the state of Ohio economically since maybe the plow.”
While Cheney and his pals over at Hailburton are patting themselves on the back for a very lucrative job well done – thousands of residents across the US are living with, and trying to avoid, the very costly side effects of fracking.
Officials at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) called for a study to determine whether fracking is a hazard to people or food sources. The EPA in conjunction with the Interior Department is working now to prepare regulations to govern fracking and plans to study the effect of the hydraulic fracturing on drinking water.
Christopher Portier, director of the CDC’s National Center for Environmental Health and Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, said that studies should be initiated to examine whether waste water from the wells can harm people, livestock and food sources.
Mr. Portier stated: “We do not have enough information to say with certainty whether shale gas drilling poses a threat to public health.”
Lisa Jackson, the EPA’s Administrator told Congress in May that the EPA “will use its authorities to protect local residents if a driller endangers water supplies and the state and local authorities have not acted.” She further stated that President Obama “has made clear that we need to extract natural gas without polluting our water supplies.”
People living close to drill sights will tell you it does cause a very serious health risk to both human and animal life. Many community residents have tested their water and soil and have found it to be contaminated.