By Maximilian C Quinn-Loeb:
Since I last wrote about Frack Action Buffalo a number of important things have taken place. In that time the signatures that were collected sent the strong message to the Buffalo City Council that the people of Buffalo want a strong resolution to ban natural gas drilling the the City of Buffalo. They do not want it watered down and the core meaning altered. The ordinance has passed a critical vote in being moved to the City of Buffalo Law Department before going back to the City Council for a final vote. We have stepped up efforts at organizing and raising awareness in areas south of Buffalo where drilling would be and is most prevalent. Two protests have taken place garnering media and public attention to hydraulic fracturing and the City of Pittsburgh has approved a ban on natural gas drilling. I also want to thank those that have commented, re-posted, and tweeted my previous piece.
Critics say a ban on natural gas drilling in the City of Buffalo is not necessary due to a lack of expectations from the Marcellus Shale formation beneath Buffalo. Despite this we at Frack Action Buffalo still find it very necessary. The natural gas drilling industry claims drilling and exploration using the high volume hydraulic fracturing and horizontal drilling method was not economical until wholesale natural gas prices spiked in 2005 following Hurricane Katrina and Rita and the run up in commodity prices in 2008. However, wholesale natural gas prices right now are at historic lows. They have plummeted since 2008 and only now are drilling companies even considering limiting output. It is possible at some point the drilling industry can create the argument that drilling in the City of Buffalo will make economic sense which would seriously threaten the health and way of life of our fair city. There is also another large shale formation beneath the Marcellus Shale called the Utica Shale formation.
Buffalo also has a well documented history of making, for whatever reason, poor decisions. While drilling may provide a tempting quick source of revenue for Buffalo, the health problems and long term harm to the land after a well is dry far outweigh any perceived benefits. Three years ago the City of Dallas found itself in a somewhat similar situation (see here). They faced a budget shortfall, to make it up they leased mineral rights to drilling companies. This faced little discussion and was easily passed. The leasing of mineral rights by the City of Dallas is expiring in 2011 and this time there is greater public awareness and discourse around the issue. A zoning request by drilling company XTO has been put on hold to allow for environmental concerns to be raised. As well as a number of other local concerns.
Just because Dallas and Fort Worth were on the forefront of hydraulic fracturing does not mean they are a model to follow or were completely correct. This is an opportunity for the people of Buffalo to ensure their local representatives are held accountable, not to corporate interests or misguided logic, but the residents of Buffalo. It is imperative to inundate your city council and mayor's office to make your message heard. And while I don't expect everyone to agree with this perspective I believe there are other facets of this issue one can agree with, such as the importance of being engaged in one's community, exercising your democratic rights, evening the playing field with corporations, and promoting public health and well being. Feel free to disagree, challenge these opinions and viewpoints. Frack Action meets every 2nd and 4th Sunday at noon at the Lafayette Presbyterian Church (875 Elmwood Ave, Buffalo, NY). Check out FrackAction.com (be sure to sign the petition on the site) and our Facebook page.
Image: oecotextiles (Gasland, The Movie) "Director Josh Fox films Markham as he runs his kitchen faucet, holding a cigarette lighter up to the running water. After a few seconds, a ball of fire erupts out of the sink, almost enveloping Markham's head."
View image
Since I last wrote about Frack Action Buffalo a number of important things have taken place. In that time the signatures that were collected sent the strong message to the Buffalo City Council that the people of Buffalo want a strong resolution to ban natural gas drilling the the City of Buffalo. They do not want it watered down and the core meaning altered. The ordinance has passed a critical vote in being moved to the City of Buffalo Law Department before going back to the City Council for a final vote. We have stepped up efforts at organizing and raising awareness in areas south of Buffalo where drilling would be and is most prevalent. Two protests have taken place garnering media and public attention to hydraulic fracturing and the City of Pittsburgh has approved a ban on natural gas drilling. I also want to thank those that have commented, re-posted, and tweeted my previous piece.
Critics say a ban on natural gas drilling in the City of Buffalo is not necessary due to a lack of expectations from the Marcellus Shale formation beneath Buffalo. Despite this we at Frack Action Buffalo still find it very necessary. The natural gas drilling industry claims drilling and exploration using the high volume hydraulic fracturing and horizontal drilling method was not economical until wholesale natural gas prices spiked in 2005 following Hurricane Katrina and Rita and the run up in commodity prices in 2008. However, wholesale natural gas prices right now are at historic lows. They have plummeted since 2008 and only now are drilling companies even considering limiting output. It is possible at some point the drilling industry can create the argument that drilling in the City of Buffalo will make economic sense which would seriously threaten the health and way of life of our fair city. There is also another large shale formation beneath the Marcellus Shale called the Utica Shale formation.
Buffalo also has a well documented history of making, for whatever reason, poor decisions. While drilling may provide a tempting quick source of revenue for Buffalo, the health problems and long term harm to the land after a well is dry far outweigh any perceived benefits. Three years ago the City of Dallas found itself in a somewhat similar situation (see here). They faced a budget shortfall, to make it up they leased mineral rights to drilling companies. This faced little discussion and was easily passed. The leasing of mineral rights by the City of Dallas is expiring in 2011 and this time there is greater public awareness and discourse around the issue. A zoning request by drilling company XTO has been put on hold to allow for environmental concerns to be raised. As well as a number of other local concerns.
Just because Dallas and Fort Worth were on the forefront of hydraulic fracturing does not mean they are a model to follow or were completely correct. This is an opportunity for the people of Buffalo to ensure their local representatives are held accountable, not to corporate interests or misguided logic, but the residents of Buffalo. It is imperative to inundate your city council and mayor's office to make your message heard. And while I don't expect everyone to agree with this perspective I believe there are other facets of this issue one can agree with, such as the importance of being engaged in one's community, exercising your democratic rights, evening the playing field with corporations, and promoting public health and well being. Feel free to disagree, challenge these opinions and viewpoints. Frack Action meets every 2nd and 4th Sunday at noon at the Lafayette Presbyterian Church (875 Elmwood Ave, Buffalo, NY). Check out FrackAction.com (be sure to sign the petition on the site) and our Facebook page.
Image: oecotextiles (Gasland, The Movie) "Director Josh Fox films Markham as he runs his kitchen faucet, holding a cigarette lighter up to the running water. After a few seconds, a ball of fire erupts out of the sink, almost enveloping Markham's head."
Dumbest thing ever.
I was going to comment on this but you've pretty much nailed it already.