How to Proctect Ourselves from Fracking from An Industrial Park in My Backyard @GADCLuzerneCounty

Uploaded July 2013 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago

A video by Scott Cannon
A short clip from the presentation "An Industrial Park in My Backyard: Similarities Between Coal Mining and Fracking" For the full video, click youtu.be/CeFv8qFgCfE
In this clip, I discuss some of the things communities can do to strengthen local laws to protect our communities from gas drilling operations. The entire list of Pennsylvania water contaminations from fracking. files.dep.state.pa.us/OilGas/BOGM/BOGMPortalFiles/OilGasReports/Determination_Letters/Regional_Determination_Letters.pdf

$How to Proctect Ourselves from Fracking from An Industrial Park in My Backyard A video by Scott Cannon A short clip from the presentation An Industrial Park in My Backyard: Similarities Between Coal Mining and Fracking For the full video, click http://youtu.be/CeFv8qFgCfE In this clip, I discuss some of the things communities can do to strengthen local laws to protect our communities from gas drilling operations. The entire list of Pennsylvania water contaminations from fracking. https://files.dep.state.pa.us/OilGas/BOGM/BOGMPortalFiles/OilGasReports/Determination_Letters/Regional_Determination_Letters.pdf$ $West Wyoming Compressor Station Lillian Harris Residents learned the potential pros and cons of a natural gas compressor station that could soon be coming to the borough. Several representatives for UGI Energy Services presented their plan for a compressor station on Fire Cut Road in West Wyoming on Wednesday, and Matt Walker, community outreach coordinator for Philadelphia-based Clean Air Council, gave a presentation on some of the stations potential negative effects. UGI Energy Services is planning an approximately 28-mile pipeline to connect UGI Utilities existing gas distribution system in Plains Township with a pipeline in northwestern Wyoming County that receives gas from Marcellus Shale wells. Compressor stations compress the natural gas to get it into the pipelines and on to market - in this case, to customers in Luzerne and Lackawanna counties. By using gas from nearby Marcellus Shale wells, it saves significantly on transportation costs and will lower UGI customers gas bills, UGI spokeswoman Lillian Harris told the residents who filled the borough buildings meeting room. She estimated customers would see a 40 percent decrease in their bills over four years. The location was selected because it would cause minimal disruption to the community, Harris said. I can tell you the closest home to the compressor station site is half a mile, she said. The noise impact from the 4,700-horsepower engines will be negligible, construction will create jobs, and the design and construction standards will be more stringent than government requirements, according to UGI representatives. Harris anticipates construction will start in the spring of 2013 and the compressor station will be in service by August 2013. UGI will meet with local leaders during the process. West Wyoming Council President Eileen Cipriani said borough officials have requested in writing that Luzerne County hold a public zoning hearing prior to issuing a building permit. Harris said the compressor station would meet or exceed federal requirements for emissions. Walker said compressor stations can discharge methane, nitrous oxide and hazardous air pollutants and volatile organic compounds including formaldehyde and toluene, all of which from the engines and from leaks. Walker said health effects from the pollutants can range from eye, nose and throat irritation, headaches and nausea to liver, kidney and central nervous system damage. Exposure has higher impacts on people within half a mile of the station, he said. But Gas Drilling Awareness Coalition co-founder Dr. Thomas Jiunta said the pollutants will affect more than a half-mile radius since they will accumulate in the valley due to inversion. Inversion is common in regions with mountains and valleys - warm air above doesnt mix with the cool air below, trapping pollution. Harris estimated the West Wyoming station would produce 44.3 tons of volatile organic compounds and 16.2 tons of hazardous air pollutants annually. Thats within limits allowed by the federal government, but Exeter Township resident Steve Simko didnt care. Im not one for acceptable levels. If its not supposed to be there, its not supposed to be there, he said. Resident Charlie Umphred, who said he lives right down the road from the proposed compressor station site, suggested UGI poll everyone within a mile to ask if they minded a compressor station. If nobody wants it, dont build it, he said. The entire list of Pennsylvania water contaminations from fracking. https://files.dep.state.pa.us/OilGas/BOGM/BOGMPortalFiles/OilGasReports/Determination_Letters/Regional_Determination_Letters.pdf$ $Brad Koplinski for Lt. Governor Chapin Station Press Conference 5 19 14 Brad visits the Chapin Dehydration Station, the poster child for bad governmental policies on natural gas. This gas plant should have never been build so close to homes. Now its the centerpiece of a 29 litigant lawsuit on the border of Wyoming and Luzerne Counties. The entire list of Pennsylvania water contaminations from fracking. https://files.dep.state.pa.us/OilGas/BOGM/BOGMPortalFiles/OilGasReports/Determination_Letters/Regional_Determination_Letters.pdf$ $Fracking Causes Rumbles in California The Costs of Fracking Add Up Fracking damages the environment, threatens public health, and affects communities in ways that can impose a multitude of costs: Drinking water contamination – Fracking brings with it the potential for spills, blowouts and well failures that contaminate groundwater supplies. Cleanup of drinking water contamination is so expensive that it is rarely even attempted. In Dimock, Pennsylvania, Cabot Oil & Gas reported having spent $109,000 on systems to remove methane from well water for 14 local households, while in Colorado, cleanup of an underground gas seep has been ongoing for eight years at a cost of hundreds of thousands of dollars, if not more. The provision of temporary replacement water supplies is also expensive. Cabot Oil & Gas reported having spent at least $193,000 on replacement water for homes with contaminated water in Dimock, Pennsylvania. Health care costs – Toxic substances in fracking fluid and wastewater – as well as air pollution from trucks, equipment and the wells themselves – have been linked to a variety of negative health effects. Residents living near fracking sites have long suffered from a range of health problems, including headaches, eye irritation, respiratory problems and nausea – potentially imposing economic costs ranging from health care costs to workplace absenteeism and reduced productivity. Fracking and associated activities also produce pollution that contributes to the formation of ozone smog and particulate soot. Air pollution from gas drilling in Arkansas’ Fayetteville Shale region imposed estimated public health costs of more than $10 million in 2008. Habitat destruction and natural resources impacts – Fracking converts rural and natural areas into industrial zones, replacing forest and farm land with well pads, roads, pipelines and other infrastructure, and damaging precious natural resources. The clearance of forest land in Pennsylvania for fracking is projected to lead to increased delivery of nutrient pollution to the Chesapeake Bay, which already suffers from a vast nutrient-generated dead zone. The cost of reducing the same amount of pollution as could be generated by fracking would be approximately $1.5 million to $4 million per year. Gas operations in Wyoming have fragmented key habitat for mule deer and pronghorn, which are important draws for the state’s $340 million hunting and wildlife watching industries. The mule deer population in one area undergoing extensive gas extraction dropped by 56 percent between 2001 and 2010. Impacts on public infrastructure and services – Fracking strains infrastructure and public services and imposes cleanup costs that can fall on taxpayers. The truck traffic needed to deliver water to a single fracking well causes as much damage to local roads as nearly 3.5 million car trips. The state of Texas has approved $40 million in funding for road repairs in the Barnett Shale region, while Pennsylvania estimated in 2010 that $265 million would be needed to repair damaged roads in the Marcellus Shale region. The need for vast amounts of water for fracking is driving demand for new water infrastructure in arid regions of the country. Texas’ official State Water Plan calls for the expenditure of $400 million on projects to support the mining sector over the next 50 years, with fracking projected to account for 42 percent of mining water use by 2020. Fracking can leave lasting negative economic impacts Fracking can undercut the long-term economic prospects of areas where it takes place. A 2008 study found that Western counties that have relied on fossil fuel extraction are doing worse economically compared with peer communities and are less well-prepared for growth in the future. The entire list of Pennsylvania water contaminations from fracking. https://files.dep.state.pa.us/OilGas/BOGM/BOGMPortalFiles/OilGasReports/Determination_Letters/Regional_Determination_Letters.pdf$ $FOX 56 Chapin Dehydration Station Third Accidental Discharge Monroe Township mercaptan dallas pa school Latest update on the PVR Partners Chapin Dehydration accidental release from today. Its the 3rd accidental release since it went online 9 months ago. The entire list of Pennsylvania water contaminations from fracking. https://files.dep.state.pa.us/OilGas/BOGM/BOGMPortalFiles/OilGasReports/Determination_Letters/Regional_Determination_Letters.pdf$ $Recent Natural Gas Pipeline Explosion in the United States Part 1 This video shows just some of the Natural gas pipeline explosions and the devastation they cause. With fracking, comes the pipelines. Today, more and more gas pipelines are encroaching in populated neighborhoods and schools. pipelines, oil and gas, pipeline, oil and gas industry, construction, oil field life, oil field, pipeline equipment, drill baby drill, pipeline life, construction equipment, pipeline construction, oil and gas life, oilfield strong, pipe, pipeliner, oil field family, natural gas, equipment, oil, steel, oilsands, ope, oryx pipeline equipment, oil country media, drilling rigs, Texas oilfield, hitch oilfield, bhfyp, fracking, oil and gas, drilling, oilfield, oil and gas industry, oil, oilpatch, midland, petroleum, energy, oilfield strong, schlumberger, climate change, west texas, Permian basin, equipment, oilpatch nation, contractors, fracking insurance, oilfield insurance, energy insurance, group health, umbrella insurance, life insurance, contractor insurance, equipment insurance, commercia linsurance, workers comp, odessa, bhfyp, MarcellusShale, dimock, josh fox The entire list of Pennsylvania water contaminations from fracking. https://files.dep.state.pa.us/OilGas/BOGM/BOGMPortalFiles/OilGasReports/Determination_Letters/Regional_Determination_Letters.pdf$ $Fracking nightmare-Lighting taps on fire from fracking is real$ $WBRE Tunkhannock Silica Transfer Station 7 7 2014 Tunkhannock, Wyoming County-We dont want to deny their business model, we dont care if they do business some place else, but this is not the right place to put it. Bob Barkley is worried about the safety of his ball players. The Tunkhannock Little League President says a proposed silica sand transfer station is only about 500 yards from these baseball fields near the intersection of Route 92 and Route 6 in Tunkhannock Township. Silica sand is a material used during the hydraulic fracturing, or fracking process. Silica is known to be a cause of silacosis and a potential carcinogen. Theres still a lot of studies underway so theres not a lot known yet about how far, how much, but why take the risk with our kids? That question was brought before the Tunkhannock Township Board of Supervisors meeting on Monday night. Nothing is airtight. This stuff will find a way in somehow, some way. Whether its a trace on your shoes or whatever, it will find its way in there. Eileen Barziloski is a Tunkhannock business owner who suffers from asthma. Its not a pleasant thing to live with. Im not looking for sympathy for that. What Im trying to say is I dont want to subject a kid. This is their life. This is their future. I have the same concerns myself, but at the same token, they have met all the requirements. Veto Barziloski is the chairman of the Tunkhannock Township Board of Supervisors. He says unless the company breaks the rules, his hands are tied. Its not our place to disallow a business to come to the area especially without zoning. Representatives from D&I Silica released this statement: We engage with communities at the earliest possible stage when evaluating these concerns for prospective sites. We regularly attend community meetings and interact often with residents to reduce any possible concerns for potential risks and disturbance. The response didnt sit well with everyone. There are no regulations. We need them to protect us, so when something goes wrong, theres something set in place. The entire list of Pennsylvania water contaminations from fracking. https://files.dep.state.pa.us/OilGas/BOGM/BOGMPortalFiles/OilGasReports/Determination_Letters/Regional_Determination_Letters.pdf$ $Is Fracking Safe? From the documentary The Ethics of Fracking by Scott Cannon Rabbi Mordechai Liebling - Director of the Social Justice Organizing Program at the Re-constructionist Rabbinical College Marleen A. Troy, Ph. D. - Associate Professor of Environmental Engineering, Wilkes University Bernard G. Prusak - Associate Professor of Philosophy and Director of the McGowan Center for Ethics and Social Responsibility at Kings College The entire list of Pennsylvania water contaminations from fracking. https://files.dep.state.pa.us/OilGas/BOGM/BOGMPortalFiles/OilGasReports/Determination_Letters/Regional_Determination_Letters.pdf$ $VOCs in Emissions PVR Partners Chief Chapin Glycol Dehydration Unit Monroe Twp., PA In March, a glycol dehydration station was permitted on Monroe Township, PA, just off Rt 309 near the Beaumont Inn. The expert witness from Chief Gathering, told the zoning board and a resident who asked the question if the unit would emit benzene, toluene, or formaldehyde, he said that the station will emit only methane. The woman also asked if the emissions would affect her childrens asthma problems, she was I dont believe it does. This sounded wrong considering the research Ive done on these facilities, so I did a file review (which the DEP wants to do away with) and sent the information to two experts. Heres what they told me in regards to the expert testimony of the Chief employee under oath: Matt Walker, Clean Air Council mwalker@cleanair.org These are some photos that Scott took at DEPs office the tables show that not only methane would be emitted from the facility. This was a lie. This facility would emit quite a bit less than a compressor station would (which also usually include dehydrators), but keep in mind that recent research shows that low-level exposure to VOCs can be more damaging than higher levels, and that all emissions from this type of equipment add up fast. This is one facility among many that already exist or are projected for the area. Wilma Subra SubraCom@aol.com http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wilma_Subra I reviewed the information you provided. The permit limit allows VOC in the amount to 2 grams per bhp per hour. The overall permit limit for VOC (Volatile Organic Chemicals) in the permit is 10 tons per year. This is from the glycol dehydrators. The VOCs consist of benzene, toluene, xylene, ethylbenzene, as well as a large number of other volatile compounds. The VOC emissions are described as total uncontrolled potential emissions rate of VOC must not exceed 10 tons/year. The statement that no benzene or toluene will be present in the emissions is not correct. The entire list of Pennsylvania water contaminations from fracking. https://files.dep.state.pa.us/OilGas/BOGM/BOGMPortalFiles/OilGasReports/Determination_Letters/Regional_Determination_Letters.pdf$ $FERC Hearing Atlantic Sunrise Pipeline Lehman PA Scott Cannon 1st Dean Marshall 3:12 Adam Hahz 9:30 Rebecca Roter 14:32 Barbara Clifford 19:35 Duke Barrett 22:47 Andrew Kuklis 26:30 Julio Palomo Labor Union 34:47 Dave Horn Labor Union37:33 Dr. Thomas Byron 39:25 Joan Byron 42:59 Spencer Johnson 45:50 David Baloga 49:45 Audrey Gozdiskowski 58:28 John Friedberg 1:04:24 Alex Lotorto 1:09:40 LEHMAN TWP. — David Baloga told federal employees at a Thursday hearing he has lived with a pipeline under his front yard for years with no trouble. He’s just not crazy about the idea of another one. “We have runoff problems and trespassing problems already,” Baloga, of Lake Township, said. “It’s not gonna get any better, obviously, by doubling up.” The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) held a hearing, or public scoping session, in Lake-Lehman High School Thursday night to take public comment on the Atlantic Sunrise pipeline expansion project. Plans, still in their infancy, show new pipelines laid through Wyoming and Luzerne counties to carry natural gas harvested in Northeastern Pennsylvania to a main pipeline artery where it passes through Lancaster County. Atlantic Sunrise is being proposed by the company Williams, which also owns and operates the Transco. Portions of the Transco have been operating in Luzerne County for more than 50 years. The scoping session was part of a series of sessions throughout the region where the pipeline is to be laid. FERC will end its scoping period on Aug. 18 before publishing its draft environmental impact statement for the five-member commission to consider. There will be more opportunity for the public to comment, and a Williams employee at the meeting said certainly they will be considered; however, FERC recommends it is best to submit comments by mail or online at www.ferc.gov to make sure they each receive adequate attention. Before Williams workers can begin the $3 billion project, the company needs a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity from FERC, at which point the company will have eminent domain authority to purchase property the federal government has approved. Williams has yet to formally apply for the certificate, but plans to do so in March next year. If all goes according to plan, the company aspires to turn on the pipeline July 1, 2017. Hundreds of comments already have been recorded in this process. Apart from two representatives from the Laborers Union of North America, the dozen or so speakers to take the stand didn’t speak kindly of the project, and jeers followed comments made by union spokesman Julio Palomo who said the project would be a boon for its members by putting them to work. The entire list of Pennsylvania water contaminations from fracking. https://files.dep.state.pa.us/OilGas/BOGM/BOGMPortalFiles/OilGasReports/Determination_Letters/Regional_Determination_Letters.pdf$ $Rally in Dimock WBRE WNEP 11 pm 12_6_11 A few residents in Susquehanna County find themselves in the middle of what is becoming a national controversy. A natural gas company that is drilling in the area had been supplying the homes with fresh drinking water, but the company has stopped, saying the communitys well water is safe. So many people disagree, however, that fresh water supplies are now starting to come in from some unlikely sources. A water truck from the city of Binghamton, New York showed up on Carter Road in Dimock Monday to deliver water. The mayor of Binghamton heard about Cabot Oil and Gas stopping water deliveries and said he wanted to help, and thats not the only out-of-stater getting involved in this situation. Its certainly not the Binghamton city streets this crew is used to. A water truck from the city 33 miles to the north was making its way from home to home along Carter Road near Dimock delivering water. That is what Cabot Oil and Gas was doing up until last Wednesday when the the state DEP said it no longer had to deliver water to residents on the road. I used what we had sparingly. Were just at the bottom now. If it didnt come today, I was out of water, said Carter Road resident Ray Hubert. Binghamtons mayor, an environmental lawyer, said this is just one community helping a neighbor, but Carter Road has become a national symbol for environmental groups. People there have been in a dispute with Cabot for three years. They said drilling contaminated their wells. Cabot said it didnt. Cabot said it has done the work to make well water there safe. DEP doesnt want a drink, EPA doesnt want a drink. Nobody wants a drink of it but they say I can. Hows that make sense, huh? Hubert asked. Other municipalities in New York state also said they are considering sending water trucks to Dimock. There are environmental groups lining up too, to help the people there get their water. No doubt the people up there treat us better than my own neighbors, thats sad to say, said Carter Road resident Craig Sautner. The water truck came to the Sautners house too. Another one is coming Tuesday. Celebrities and politicians are sending that one from New York City. The Sautners are heading to be part of that media event in the Big Apple. Right now, New York state is considering lifting a ban on gas drilling. The New Yorkers, they havent had any problems yet. They realize whats going on here. They come down and want to help us. We appreciate it, said Julie Sautner. The Sierra Club paid for Binghamtons water delivery Monday to avoid any legal obstacles involved in one municipality delivering water to another. Some Carter Road residents think Dimock Township supervisors tried to obstruct that. Supervisors said they did not. At a packed meeting Monday night, the township supervisors voted unanimously to not request mutual aid for water delivery. Most people who spoke at the meeting were against having water delivered from other municipalities. It has nothing to do with us, we all have private wells in Dimock Township and we have nothing to do with where they get their water delivered. We all pay our taxes, said Lettie Ellis of DImock Township. The mayor of Binghamton was at the township meeting. After the meeting, he promised some residents to continue trying to help. The entire list of Pennsylvania water contaminations from fracking. https://files.dep.state.pa.us/OilGas/BOGM/BOGMPortalFiles/OilGasReports/Determination_Letters/Regional_Determination_Letters.pdf$