99.974 Percent of Unemployed State Residents to Remain Out of Work if Fracking Moves Ahead in New York State

FoodandWaterWatch.org
November 29th, 2011

New Food & Water Watch Analysis Reveals the New York SGEIS is exaggerating the Job Creation Potential of Shale Gas Development

Washington, D.C.—As officials in New York determine whether to allow the controversial practice of hydraulic fracturing, the consumer advocacy group Food & Water Watch today released new analysis that finds that the Cuomo administration is exaggerating the potential of shale gas development to generate jobs for New Yorkers. How New York State Exaggerated Potential Job Creation from Shale Gas Development finds that New York residents should expect a mere fraction of the jobs promised by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation.

Food & Water Watch examined the department’s socioeconomic impact analysis and found that within its “average scenario”, New York residents can only expect 195 new jobs associated with shale gas development. This would increase to over 600 new jobs for current New Yorkers by the tenth year of shale gas development, but after this tenth year, there would be virtually no new jobs.

With over 755,000 New Yorkers unemployed as of August of 2011 according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 195 new oil and gas industry jobs would create new employment opportunity for only one-fortieth of 1 percent of those who are out of work.


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MARK RUFFALO, GASLAND DIRECTOR, JOSH FOX, NEW YORKERS SEND EMERGENCY WATER RELIEF TO PA FRACKING VICTIMS

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

(NYC & Dimock, PA)— It wasn’t a flood or natural disaster that left more than a dozen families in Dimock, PA without clean drinking water. The disaster in Dimock was caused by the Cabot Oil and Gas Corporation’s use of the hazardous gas drilling method known as fracking. Since 2008 the well water of eleven families has been contaminated with toxic chemicals, flammable gas, and radioactive material.

The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Conservation found Cabot to be at fault for the contamination, and for the past three years the gas company has been forced to supply weekly deliveries of drinking water to the families. But last month, the PA DEP cut a deal with Cabot, allowing them to stop the water deliveries as of November 30th—leaving the Dimock families with only the toxic, flammable water that has given them headaches and caused skin sores, with the potential for serious long term health effects.

With their last water delivery quickly running out, citizens throughout the region have stepped in to help. On December 6th, Mark Ruffalo, actor and founder of Water Defense, and Gasland Director Josh Fox will join other advocates to deliver clean drinking water from New York State to the eleven Dimock families.

*Press event will be held on the steps of City Hall at 9:30am, with buses bringing NYC water to Dimock, arriving at 2:30pm for second press event.

Who: Mark Ruffalo (The Kids are Alright), Josh Fox (Gasland), Dimock fracking victims, Craig & Julie Sautner, NYC City Council, Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer, Water Defense, United for Action, National Resources Defense Council, Sierra Club, Food & Water Watch, Catskill Mountainkeeper, and Delaware Riverkeepers

What: Celebrities, Advocates bring pristine New York Water to Dimock, PA fracking victims
Where: NYC Press Event @ 9:30am

Steps of City Hall, Manhattan, NY

Dimock, PA Press Event @ 2:30pm

Home of fracking victims, Craig & Julie Saunter

1101 Carter Road, Dimock, PA

When: Tuesday, December 6th

Schedule:

9:30am NYC Press Event on City Hall Steps

10:30pm Buses with celebrities, advocates bringing NYC water depart for Dimock

2:30pm Dimock, PA Press Conference where advocates will replenish water tanks

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Ban Fracking in Colorado! Please Sign the Petition

Governor Hickenlooper proposed new regulations that govern natural gas development in Colorado a few months ago. These new rules were just made public, but instead of putting in real protections for our drinking water and families, they fall short by letting companies like Shell and Chevron continue to frack Colorado.

Can you tell Governor Hickenlooper that it's time to get real: ban fracking now!

 SIGN PETITION

Former Petroleum Engineer

Gov. John Hickenlooper

CO

Phone:(303) 866-2471

Fax:(303) 866-2003

As a constituent, I feel the new oil and gas rule falls abysmally short in protecting my drinking water, my family and my community. I urge you to ban fracking in Colorado to truly protect my future.

The proposed disclosure rule has a giant loophole that allows oil and gas companies to claim trade secret exemptions to avoid revealing what they are putting into the ground. There is no appeal to challenge these trade secrets; the oil and gas companies are unaccountable. This trade secret exemption needs to be taken out of the rule.

Furthermore, simply because I know what is potentially contaminating my drinking water doesn't make me any safer--my drinking water is still being contaminated. I urge you to ban fracking in order to truly protect Colorado and Coloradans.


Sincerely,

 SIGN PETITION

National Call-In Day to President Obama - Fracking - Are you the voice that can help make change?

On behalf of all fractivists in America and in all other countries, WTFrack.org, GASLAND's Josh Fox, Credo, Food and Water Watch and many other organizations, we ask kindly ask you to lend you voice for this very important issue. It's simple and effective, and if you believe, then you can accomplish.

We cannot let this slip from our fingers. Our collective efforts have shown to make the greatest changes our country has ever seen.  Please ACT ON THIS and forward your voice to everyone you know. Our collective voices will only be heard only if we are loud enough to drown out the sound of fracking revenue.

Once you have called please tweet:
@WTFrackdotorg @gaslandmovie 'I TOOK ACTION & CALLED OBAMA ON FRACKING'

Time	Tuesday, September 13 · 9:00am - 5:00pm
Location	Your Phone
Created By	National Grassroots Coalition
	Join us as we partner with Gasland, Credo, Food and Water Watch, and many other organizations and make calls to President Obama on September 13th and urge him to stop hydraulic fracturing. How:  Call the White House at 202-456-1111 or 202-456-1414 between 9 am and 5 pm EDT on September 13th. Say, "Hello my name is _______, I live in (City, State) and I oppose hydraulic fracturing." ... If the phone lines get jammed, send an email through the White House Contact page at: http://www.whitehouse.gov/contact We need to let President Obama know that Americans do not want fracking!  Background information: EMAIL BLAST TO ORGANIZATIONS THAT WENT OUT: Welcome to when the little guys become the big guys. There are hundreds of local grassroots groups in the US working on issues related to fracking, clean water, and environmental health. Most of the individuals that make up these groups are, like us, committed unpaid volunteers who are passionate about protecting our water, air and public health. Together all of our groups and organizations make up a profound grassroots movement that carries immense power for positive change. Well, the time has come for these grassroots groups to become the big guys and bring about this change. We've been waiting a long time, and now is our time in the sun. Let’s get together and be the large constituency we are. Take action! The National Grassroots Coalition is partnering with Josh Fox and Gasland, Credo, Democracy for America, Food and Water Watch, United for Action, and several other organizations to push a National Call Day to President Obama on September 13th. We will be calling President Obama and letting him know that we oppose Hydraulic Fracturing. Join us in announcing to your email list, website, and on Facebook and other social media this major national action. Here are the details of the call day: Call the White House at 202-456-1111 or 202-456-1414 between 9 am and 5 pm EDT on September 13th. Say, "Hello my name is ______, I live in (City, State) and I oppose hydraulic fracturing and I want renewable and sustainable energy policy solutions." Feel free to cater this message to one that is appropriate for your organization. The important thing is that we let President Obama know that there is a lot of opposition to fracking. If the phone lines get jammed, send an email through the White House Contact page here. (http://www.whitehouse.gov/contact) This is going to be the first action of many more to come as we, together steer this country to more sane and sustainable energy policies where we don’t have to poison ourselves to power our lives. If you have questions about this event, or would like to be listed on our website, please email nationalgrassrootscoalition@yahoo.com or contact your regional coordinator. Thanks so much! Together we can do this! David, Ling, Nona, Diana, Chris, Eric, Rebecca, Kathy, Beth, Mary Ellen, Lynn, Charlie, Kate, Edie, Ellen, Merle, Sharon, Amanda, Alice, Meredith, and the rest of the National Grassroots Coalition Team CLICK IMAGE TO ENLARGE

Send your voice to the White House and let them know you do not support hydraulic fracturing.

Your voice could be the ONE that changes everything!

Fracking all the way to the Bank

Chesapeake Energy paid $0 in corporate taxes on its $2.8 billion in profits

By Hugh MacMillan
FoodandWaterWatch.org


In 2010, Chesapeake Energy made a pre-tax profit of $2.8 billion, but it paid $0 in corporate income tax to the U.S. Treasury.

A recent report from the Institute for Policy Studies makes clear that Chesapeake Energy, which proclaims itself “America’s champion of natural gas,” is likewise one of America’s champions of corporate tax dodging.

The company made a whopping pre-tax profit of $2.8 billion in 2010, but it paid $0 in corporate income tax to the U.S. Treasury. At the same time, the company’s CEO, Aubrey McClendon, was given $21 million in compensation.

I emphasize given because how does one actually earn over $57,000 a day?

Aubrey McClendon has built Chesapeake Energy into the second largest natural gas producer in the United States by betting big on fracking, regardless of the environmental pollution the practice creates.

To avoid paying any corporate taxes at all, Chesapeake Energy takes advantage of the numerous corporate tax loopholes enjoyed by the oil and gas industry. In particular, Chesapeake is able to deduct “intangible” fracking expenses from its tax obligations!


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Colorado Governor Hickenlooper and Senator Udall Support Fracking?

Tell them to Ban Fracking in Colorado!

In the past two weeks, both Governor Hickenlooper and Senator Udall have claimed that fracking won't contaminate your water. Their statements are in clear contradiction to the overwhelming evidence that shows fracking poses a danger to drinking water, public health and the environment. Tell Senator Udall and Governor Hickenlooper to ban fracking now!

Fracking, or hydraulic fracturing, is a technique used to drill for natural gas in dense shale rock formations. It is water-intensive, and it requires a cocktail of sand and chemicals that are linked to cancer and other health issues. Previously touted as the solution to our energy woes that will "deliver big profits," there have been 10 studies in the last 18 months — including peer reviewed analyses and a New York Times investigation — that show fracking is inherently unsafe. So why are Senator Udall and Governor Hickenlooper claiming that fracking doesn't pose a threat to our drinking water?  Urge them to ban fracking today! 

Dozens of other communities have been so concerned about the potential harm fracking can cause to their community that they have banned the practice. Colorado needs to follow their example.  Let Senator Udall and Governor Hickenlooper know that you want them to ban fracking in Colorado!

Speak out for safe water:

http://action.foodandwaterwatch.org/p/dia/action/public/?action_KEY=7547

Thanks for taking action,

Sam Schabacker
Mountain West Region Director
Food & Water Watch
sam(at)fwwatch(dot)org

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7 Ways the Oil and Gas Industry is Buying Fracking Policy (and What You Can Do About It)

Wenonah Hauter

Executive Director, Food & Water Watch

Posted: 8/17/11 11:28 AM ET

Sometimes reality is stranger than science fiction. That's the case with hydraulic fracturing, or fracking -- a dangerous technology that's much like setting off a giant pipe bomb four or five miles underground. Millions of gallons of water, chemicals and sand are injected deep into shale rock formations at high pressures to break open the rock and release the gas.

The promoters say its safe. Or that's what the oil and gas industry would have you think, anyway. But behind the scenes, the industry is fighting tooth and nail to keep fracking unregulated, and its claims of safety, economic prosperity and energy security unquestioned. Their high-dollar campaign to put a happy face on this risky practice is designed to challenge the growing movement to ban fracking that's heating up across the country: people are saying no to this risky technology that, if pursued, will negatively impact our health, water, and economy.

Here are some of the ways the oil and gas industry is attempting to "buy" public sentiment and a positive policy environment for its newest darling -- shale gas fracking:

1. Legal Bribery in Washington
The industry spent over $145 million lobbying Washington in 2010, making it one of the top five industries spending big money to buy influence -- and it seems to be working: In January 2011, bipartisan congressional members of the Natural Gas Caucus opposed proposed U.S. Department of Interior rules to disclose fracking chemicals used on public lands; this caucus' 83 members received a combined $1,742,572 in campaign contributions from the oil and gas industry between 2009 and 2010, according to a Propublica investigation.

2. Slick PR and Ad Campaigns
3. Buying Silence
4. Using Legal Muscle to Stop Public Inquiry
5. Influence Pedaling Beyond Washington
6. Buying Academic Shills

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EPA: Draft Plan to Study the Impacts of Hydraulic Fracturing on Drinking Water Resources - March 7,2011

Put your seat belt on for this post, it is very comprehensive and includes over one hundred  letters of concern from 'citizens like you',  in response to hydraulic fracturing. The report was conducted by EPA's Dr. Kevin Teichman on March 7, 2011.

We have posted 'quick-links' below to provide you easy access to hot topics. There is also a link at the bottom of the post with more information and additional public comments you don't want to miss.


PDF DRAFT PLAN


PUBLIC COMMENT SUBMITTED   Natural Resources Defense Council  

PUBLIC COMMENT SUBMITTED   American Water Works Association

PUBLIC COMMENT SUBMITTED   Earthworks Oil and Gas Accountability Project

PUBLIC COMMENT SUBMITTED   Food and Water Watch

PUBLIC COMMENT SUBMITTED   Deborah R Cowden, M.D

PUBLIC COMMENT SUBMITTED   Damascus Citizens for Sustainability

PUBLIC COMMENT SUBMITTED   U.S. Department of Energy

PUBLIC COMMENT SUBMITTED    Barbara Johnston, Fort Worth, TX 

PUBLIC COMMENT SUBMITTED   Donald Noble, Haltom City , TX

PUBLIC COMMENT SUBMITTED   Mary Ciarrocchi, Exton, PA

PUBLIC COMMENT SUBMITTED   David Blaine, Mancos CO

PUBLIC COMMENT SUBMITTED   Tom Johnson, McKinney, TX

PUBLIC COMMENT SUBMITTED   U.S. Geological Survey


LIST OF MORE THAN 100 PUBLIC COMMENTS