Frackfree America National Coalition News Release
www.frackfreeamerica.org
_______________________________________________________
For Immediate Release: March 5, 2013
Contact: Susie Beiersdorfer or Jane Spies, M.S. Ed.: Phone: 234- 201-8007
or E-mail: frackfreeamerica@gmail.com
______________________________________________________

Frackfree America National Coalition (based in Youngstown, Ohio) Calls For an Immediate Halt To Upcoming Scheduled Fracking at the Cadle Horizontal Hydraulic Fracturing Well (MAHN7) Located in The Protected Drinking Water Area of Meander Reservoir, Which Serves Hundreds of Thousands of Local Residents. Frackfree America Cites E-mails That Apparently Indicated a 4’ tear in the 20" casing during the cementing process at the Well in October, 2012. Previous Reported Violations of the Well Drilling Company is Also Part of the Group’s Concern. Frackfree America Members Will Take Their Concerns to Columbus, Ohio Officials on Wednesday, March 6, 2013.

Youngstown, Ohio – 3/5/13 - Concerned citizens of Frackfree America National Coalition (based in Youngstown, Ohio) will take their issues, especially an urgent matter related to the apparent upcoming fracking in the Meander Reservoir groundwater source protection area, to Columbus, Ohio on Wednesday, March 6, 2013, as part of Legislator Accountability Day.

Frackfree America National Coalition members will present information to Representative Ronald V. Gerberry, Senator Joe Schiavoni, and other officials about the protected Meander Reservoir drinking water area, which serves over 200,000 people in local communities including Youngstown, Niles, and Austintown.

Susie Beiersdorfer, M.S., a co-founder of Frackfree America National Coalition said, “The fracking in Meander is an urgent concern, especially in light of an e-mail exchange that we found on the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) website referring to a “20" casing failure” in October, 2012. We are calling for an immediate halt to operations in the protected drinking water area of Meander Reservoir at least until this can be clarified, and reported violations of CNX Gas Co LLC. can be examined. [See “StateImpact Pennsylvania” link below for violation reports]. The public health and safety of the families and community must be number one. It is astonishing to us that this permit to frack in this area was even allowed in the first place. We need ODNR and local officials to act proactively to prevent another similar instance to the recent illegal dumping of fracking-
related waste that contaminated the Mahoning River. Our stance is that fracking must be stopped, in general, as it cannot be done safely with the technology as it stands today.”

Frackfree America says that if the state or drillers say the well casing problem has been corrected, the public needs to see the proof, and independent, qualified, scientific experts need to evaluate and verify its claimed safety.

In addition, the following excerpt found on the ODNR website from an e-mail labeled as by Pete Nickel dated October 13, 2012, needs to be explained thoroughly and clearly in a public forum. (Please see the entire e-mail message thread at http://www.dnr.state.oh.us/mineral/oil/MRMImages/18/1/228343.pdf ):

[Excerpt follows: Starts at page 2 of 3 in PDF report]

Frackfree America says that this Meander scenario illustrates why local control, rather than state control, is essential for communities to protect public health and safety in local neighborhoods and to protect drinking water, air, and land.


In fact, the group just received word that the required number of Youngstown registered voter signatures have been validated, so that a question about a local control Community Bill of Rights will appear on the May 7 ballot.

The group says it is wrong that nobody officially asked the local Youngstown-area community and families whether or not they wanted to accept the risks related to fracking and related processes in a protected drinking water area.

Frackfree America says that the community, local officials, and first responders have the right to protect their drinking water source from threats of contamination. Furthermore, they must be immediately and effectively notified when leaks, spills, pollution, or illegal dumping occur so that they can implement a preparedness plan. (See Bearkamp orphan well information below)


For more information please see:

E-mails cited above can be found at the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) website at the following url:
http://www.dnr.state.oh.us/mineral/oil/MRMImages/18/1/228343.pdf
(accessed: March 5, 2013)

See also:
“ Request Ohio Governor Revoke CNX’s Drilling Permit #34099231830000” at:

http://www.frackfreeamerica.org/1/post/2013/02/request-ohio-governor-revoke-cnxs-drilling-permit-34099231830000.html

For information by StateImpact Pennsylvania (per website’s “About” section: “…a collaboration between WITF, WHYY and NPR.” ) regarding violations of CNX Gas Co LLC. See: http://stateimpact.npr.org/pennsylvania/drilling/operators/cnx-gas-co-llc/ (accessed 3/5/13)

Regarding the leak above a PA drinking water reservoir, please see:
“Drilling leak leads to violation notice”, by Timothy Puko, August 1, 2012, Tribune-Review:
http://triblive.com/news/2322637-74/officials-substance-authority-consol-state-bentonite-drinking-supply-according-ashton#axzz26fpG6s9Y

[See Url and Excerpt below from EPA website RE: "Bearkamp Orphan Well Plug Ellsworth, OH - EPA Region V"]
"In October 2011, the ODNR, Division of Mineral Resources Management requested assistance with the evaluation of and potential funding for plugging a leaking orphan oil well discharging crude oil to Meander Creek. The orphan well is located within three feet of the bank of the creek and in the near floodplain. Meander Creek flows into the Meander Creek Reservoir."
http://www.epaosc.org/site/site_profile.aspx?site_id=8063

Drinking water information for “Youngstown: Mahoning Valley Sanitary District (Meander Reservoir)” can be found at the website titled,”Mahoning River Watershed, The Mahoning River Education Project – Drinking Water” at:
http://www.ysu.edu/mahoning_river/Research%20Reports/river_drinking_water.htm#Local%20Water%20Supply%20and%20Sources:%20Varied%20Reports%20and%20Various%20Sources

See a previous release that discussed Meander drinking water issues, “Statement: Open Letter” by Frackfree Mahoning Valley to Mayor Charles Sammarone and Youngstown City Council: September 18, 2012” :
http://www.frackfreeamerica.org/1/post/2012/09/statement-open-letter-by-frackfree-mahoning-valley-to-mayor-charles-sammarone-and-youngstown-city-council-september-18-2012.html

Please see: “Drilling commences at Mahoning County well Opponents decry location, September 14, 2012, by Brenda J. Linert, The Tribune Chronicle: http://www.tribtoday.com/page/content.detail/id/576558/Drilling-commences-at-Mahoning-County-well.html?nav=5003

The Frackfree America National Coalition website is at:
www.frackfreeamerica.org

Subscribe to the Frackfree America Free E-mail Listserv for important updates and information:
http://frackfreeamerica.us4.list-manage1.com/subscribe?u=ba7fe7ec95cf7d5295e545089&id=9c918b0843

Find Frackfree America on Facebook:
www.facebook.com/Frackfree


For Media Inquiries or for more information, please call or e-mail:
frackfreeamerica@gmail.com 234-201-8007

# # #

John Kasich, Governor / James Zehringer, Director of ODNR / Mike De Wine, Attorney General State of Ohio
Riffe Center
30th Floor
77 S. High St.
Columbus, Ohio 43215-6117

Governor Kasich, Mr. Zehringer, Mr. DeWine:

The Ohio Department of Natural Resources has recently granted CNX Gas Co., LLC a permit to drill a hydrofracking well in Mahoning County, known as the Cadle Well, MAHN-7, on Blott Road, in Jackson Twp. This
well lies within the protected Meander River watershed which is the source of drinking water for Youngstown,
Niles and numerous other communities within Mahoning and Trumbull Counties.
The undersigned organizations and residents of Mahoning County strenuously object to this permit due to CNX
Gas Co. LLC’s horrid record of environmental violations related to its hydrofracking activities in the State of
Pennsylvania. These violations include the following:

Violation Details - Source: Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection.
CNX Gas Co., LLC (since Jan. 2009) UPDATE: CNX Gas Co., LLC's Department of Environmental
Protection in Pennsylvania's record: Grand Total of  Inspections: 76; Inspections With Violations: 76; Violations: 148; Enforcements: 82; Wells Inspected: 61.  Inspections from 1/1/2008 to 3/3/2013

Apr 21st, 2008: Code: 201F - Failure to notify DEP, landowner, political subdivision, or coal owner 24 hrs prior
to commencement of drilling
Feb 5th, 2010: Code: 78.56PITCNST - Impoundment not structurally sound, impermeable, 3rd party protected,
greater than 20’’ of seasonal high ground water table
Jun 23rd, 2009: Code: 402POTNLPOLL - There is a potential for polluting substance(s) reaching Waters of the
Commonwealth and may require a permit.
Jan 19th, 2010: Code: 401CAUSEPOLL - Polluting substance(s) allowed to discharge into Waters of the Commonwealth.
Jan 14th, 2010: Code: 78.56FRBRD - Failure to maintain 2’ freeboard in an impoundment by handling materials that create a danger of pollution.
Dec 9th, 2010: Code: 78.54 - Failure to properly control or dispose of industrial or residual waste to prevent pollution of the waters of the Commonwealth.
Dec 9th, 2010: Code: 78.56PITCNST - Impoundment not structurally sound, impermeable, 3rd party protected,
greater than 20’’ of seasonal high ground water table
Jan 9th, 2012: Code: 401CSL - Discharge of pollultional material to waters of Commonwealth.
Jan 9th, 2012: Code: 78.54 - Failure to properly control or dispose of industrial or residual waste to prevent pollution of the waters of the Commonwealth.
Nov 16th, 2011: Code: 78.54 - Failure to properly control or dispose of industrial or residual waste to prevent
pollution of the waters of the Commonwealth.
Nov 16th, 2011: Code: 402CSL - Failure to adopt pollution prevention measures required or prescribed by DEP
by handling materials that create a danger of pollution.
Jul 5th, 2011: Code: 301CSL - Stream discharge of IW, includes drill cuttings, oil, brine and/or silt
Jul 5th, 2011: Code: 78.54 - Failure to properly control or dispose of industrial or residual waste to prevent pollution
of the waters of the Commonwealth.
Nov 30th, -0001: Code: 212CMPLRPT - Failure to submit completion report within 30 days of completion of well
Oct 27th, 2011: Code: 78.83GRNDWTR - Improper casing to protect fresh groundwater
Apr 6th, 2012: Code: 401CLS - Discharge of pollultional material to waters of Commonwealth.
Apr 6th, 2012: Code: 78.54 - Failure to properly control or dispose of industrial or residual waste to prevent pollution  of the waters of the Commonwealth.
Apr 6th, 2012: Code: 401CLS - Discharge of pollultional material to waters of Commonwealth.
Mar 12th, 2012: Code: 102.4NOPLAN - No E&S plan developed, plan not on site
Mar 12th, 2012: Code: 102.11 - Failure to design, implement or maintain BMPs to minimize the potential for accelerated erosion and sedimentation.
Mar 12th, 2012: Code: 102.4NOPLAN - No E&S plan developed, plan not on site
Jan 25th, 2012: Code: SWMA301 - Failure to properly store, transport, process or dispose of a residual waste.
Jan 25th, 2012: Code: 78.54 - Failure to properly control or dispose of industrial or residual waste to prevent pollution of the waters of the Commonwealth.
Nov 30th, -0001: Code: 401CSL - Discharge of pollultional material to waters of Commonwealth.
(The agency releases well data semi-annually, so the records in the application represent wells in the system from
January 1, 2012 to June 30, 2012. Gas production totals and days represent activity during that period. The application also reflects violations reported from Jan. 1, 2009 to June 30, 2012 on any wells that were active during the first half of this year.)

We expect you as governor and the state agencies you oversee to provide leadership in protecting the well-being
of Ohio’s communities and citizens from the irresponsible and potentially deadly practices of companies like
CNX. You can demonstrate your leadership in this instance and concern for all Ohio citizens by directing ODNR
to revoke CNX’s drilling permit.

Sincerely,
concerned citizens of Mahoning County, Ohio

# # #

Read more about the Cadle - MAHN7AHSU well (located in drinking water source protection area for the MVSD [Mahoning Valley Sanitary District] ): http://frackfreemahoning.blogspot.com/2012/09/mahoning-fracking-rig-drive-through.html Longitude 41.074312 , Latitude - 80.882643

Youngstown, Ohio-1/23/13 – Frackfree America National Coalition (based in Youngstown, Ohio www.frackfreeamerica.org ) anticipates that for many Youngstown residents who felt the now-famous fracking waste injection well-related 4.0 magnitude earthquake on Dec. 31, 2011 or who are concerned about protecting Mill Creek Park from fracking, the following rally will be a must-attend event.

Concerned citizens of Frackfree America National Coalition (based in Youngstown, Ohio) will hold a rally at 10:00 AM to 10:45 AM, Saturday, January 26, 2013, on the front steps of the First Unitarian Universalist Church of Youngstown to kick off their special petition-signing event planned for the entire day beginning at 10 AM to 8 PM, Eastern time.  The First Unitarian Universalist Church of Youngstown is located at 1105 Elm St., Youngstown, Ohio. (Elm & Illinois.)

This Saturday event is part of an ongoing effort to get the required number of signatures from Youngstown registered voters in order to put a question on the May Primary ballot for voters to decide if they want local control to protect their water, air, and land.  The effort is also known as the Community Bill of Rights.  

Media and the public are encouraged to please attend.

This Community Bill of Rights seeks to re-establish local control that concerned citizens believe was unjustly taken away in 2004.  Frackfree Mahoning Valley and Frackfree America National Coalition have been providing educational efforts and going door-to-door to seek signatures.

After Saturday’s 10 AM rally, canvassers plan to go door-to-door in the local area to seek prospective signers.

“We welcome and invite anyone who wants to sign the petition, or would like more information about the effort before signing, to come to the church on January 26 at any time between 10 AM and 8 PM where members of Frackfree America will be available to help and to provide educational literature.  Canvassers report that the response from the community has been overwhelmingly positive.  People who felt the earthquake and who love Mill Creek Park and want to keep it safe from fracking comprise a great number of signers, so far. We are extremely pleased with how this is going, and we thank the community for their positive response,” said Susie Beiersdorfer, co-founder of Frackfree America National Coalition.

In addition to the January 26 signing event and rally, other times and places where Youngstown citizens can sign the petition can be found at the following website address:

http://www.frackfreeamerica.org/youngstownpetition.html

Frackfree America National Coalition says that local self-government control is essential for local officials to safeguard the public health, safety, and welfare of their constituents and protect drinking water sources, air, and soil, including farmland. All citizens have a right to drink clean water, breathe clean air, and live on unpolluted land.

Especially in light of the growing number nationwide of reports of accidents or mishaps related to gas and oil drilling and related processes and infrastructure, this is a timely concern. The recent Sissonville, West Virginia gas line explosion that damaged homes and part of the freeway is one example of the need for citizens and officials to address these kinds of issues immediately.

See: NBC Nightly News, December 11, 2012: “Gas line explodes in West Virginia; homes burn, freeway damaged":

http://usnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2012/12/11/15845530-gas-line-explodes-in-west-virginia-homes-burn-freeway-damaged?lite

Furthermore, when spills, leaks, or contamination occur, first responders and physicians must know precisely what substances they are dealing with in order to protect themselves and the public from harm. Company “trade secrets” policies and exemptions of the oil and gas industry from some laws inhibit adequate knowledge at this point in time.

For example, an excerpt follows from a news article about an Ohio oil well leak. The article is titled, “Ohio closes oil well, questions remain,” January 17, 2013, by Shelley Grieshop, The Daily Standard. The author quoted Auglaize County EMA Director Troy Anderson:

“… St. Marys Township Fire Department, which received the initial call about the leak, also has no information on file, he added.

Owners of oil and gas wells legally do not have to provide local authorities with any information even though they must respond to public health threats. Permits and other requirements are on file only with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources.”

http://www.dailystandard.com/archive/story_single.php?rec_id=20053

The  oil spill in St. Marys, Ohio is also discussed in an article (updated on January 21, 2013,)  by Tricia Bell, titled,  “Officials investigate St. Marys oil spill,”  (hometownstations.com ) An excerpt follows:

“St. Marys, Ohio - What seemed to be a small oil spill on Friday has grown into a much more difficult to contain crude oil release into waterways in Auglaize County.”

http://www.hometownstations.com/story/20584854/officials-investigate-st-marys-oil-spill

The latter Ohio example shows that not only are reports of concerns from residents or officials coming in from other parts of the country where drilling or hydraulic fracturing has been going on for a while, Ohio residents are presenting their own increasing number of concerns about problems they claim are related to drilling or fracking and related processes.   

For instance, the NBC News “Today Show” did a report about an Ohio family’s concerns about their drinking water. The report is titled, “Rossen Reports: Family discovers their tap water is flammable,” January 11, 2013:

http://todaynews.today.com/_news/2013/01/11/16462830-rossen-reports-family-discovers-their-tap-water-is-flammable?lite

Another Ohio example is shown in a WKYC- TV news video and article from December 5, 2012, titled, “Portage County: Drilling blamed for home damage”:

http://www.wkyc.com/news/article/272365/6/Portage-County-Fracking-blamed-for-home-damage

These reports are in addition to the growing list of community concerns, including a 5- mile long “brine” waste spill in Fowler and countless fish dying in Brookfield, which Frackfree Mahoning Valley has brought to public attention in previous releases.  Even though fracking and related activities have not yet reached anticipated levels in Ohio, concerns and the number of reports of problems are growing.  These incidents have not been adequately addressed, in the groups’ opinion.

Transparency, honesty, scientific information, and public dialogue are essential in resolving these issues. Frackfree America National Coalition renews its call for open public dialogue, preferably televised, on these crucial issues that so profoundly affect our community. This conversation would be a great community service.

The previously cited news stories are relevant to a discussion of the local Community Bill of Rights petition because nationwide, and in Youngstown, community officials who represent their constituents’ public interest need local control to fulfill their official obligations to safeguard public health, safety, and well-being.

Frackfree America’s position is that, based upon mounting evidence, the risks to public health and safety along with social costs posed by fracking and related processes are too high to accept, and the technology is not far enough advanced to do fracking and related processes safely, therefore it must be stopped.

Frackfree America says that the public has a right to decide how they want to address these concerns in their own local communities in order to protect the public welfare…hence the need for the local ballot question for the Community Bill of Rights.

It is the responsible thing to do to have an informed public making informed decisions about how they want their communities to be, based upon science and principles of good ethics.

For a basic overview of fracking –related issues please see:  “Unearthed: The Fracking Façade” YouTube:  
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IPIEzSwPwT0

For more information, please see a previous press release (12/26/12)  RE: “March to the Promised Land Rally”:
http://www.frackfreeamerica.org/#pressrelease12-26

The Frackfree America National Coalition website is at:     
www.frackfreeamerica.org

Subscribe to the Frackfree America Free E-mail Listserv for important updates and information:
http://frackfreeamerica.us4.list-manage1.com/subscribe?u=ba7fe7ec95cf7d5295e545089&id=9c918b0843

Join the upcoming Second National Rally Day:  Spring, 2013 at:
www.frackfreeamerica.org

Find Frackfree America on Facebook:
www.facebook.com/Frackfree

For Media Inquiries or for more information, please call or e-mail:

frackfreeamerica@gmail.com     234-201-8007

                                                           # # #

Frackfree America National Coalition                             News Release

www.frackfreeamerica.org
_______________________________________________________

For Immediate Release:  January 2, 2013
Contact:  Phone: 234- 201-8007  or E-mail:
frackfreeamerica@gmail.com
______________________________________________________
Local “Promised Land” Movie Extras and Concerned Citizens of Anti-Fracking Group, Frackfree America National Coalition (based in Youngstown, Ohio), Plan to Attend a Friday, January 4, 2013 showing of Matt Damon’s “Promised Land” movie in a Boardman, Ohio Theater

Youngstown, Ohio-1/2/13 - As the clock on the Frackfree America National Coalition website counts down to the big day – January 4, 2013 – the opening of Matt Damon’s and John Krasinski’s “Promised Land” in movie theaters nationwide, a group of concerned citizens of Frackfree America National Coalition who oppose fracking, along with local residents who were actually filmed as “Promised Land” extras, are planning to attend the 2 PM showing of the movie at the Regal Cinema South 10 theater at 7420 South Avenue in Boardman, Ohio, on Friday, January 4, 2012.

(Detailed plans for Friday’s trip to the movies can be found on the homepage at:  http://www.frackfreeamerica.org/promised-land.html  ).

Patti Gorcheff, a “Promised Land” movie extra and local fracking opponent who will be attending the movie on Friday, said:

“Being on the “Promised Land” movie set in the Pittsburgh area around June of 2012 was very exciting and a new experience for me and my family.  We got to speak with Matt Damon briefly. It was also a very moving experience because, for me, this wasn’t solely a fictional movie. It was about experiences similar to what I’m going through right now living near a proposed fracking waste injection well and living near farms that have already leased.  We don’t want any more earthquakes or other problems.  I’m optimistic, though. I hope this movie inspires people to really research the problems associated with fracking and related processes and to take a stand. I can’t wait to see how the movie came out.”

Patti Gorcheff, her husband David Gorcheff, and their daughter Kelsey appear in the “Promised Land” movie trailer that is airing nationally. David Gorcheff will also attend the movie on January 4th.

Another theme in “Promised Land,” according to the movie trailer, is a vote that residents of the fictional town of McKinley are taking to determine whether or not they, as a community, want to lease their land for gas drilling.

In a real-life scenario reminiscent of the fictional vote in the movie, Frackfree America says a Community Bill of Rights initiative is underway right now in Youngstown, Ohio.  Concerned citizens say they want to put the fracking issue to a vote and get back local control for the community to protect their water, air, and land.

Concerned citizens are seeking signatures of Youngstown residents to get the issue put on the local ballot that would enable voters to say whether or not they want to take back local control in Youngstown.  Frackfree America National Coalition has information on their website (http://www.frackfreeamerica.org/youngstownpetition.html ) that informs any Youngstown resident who wants to sign the petition where they can go to sign it.

Frackfree America has been eagerly anticipating this January 4th opening day saying they hope the national dialogue that they have been calling for to highlight the many risks of fracking and related processes to public health and safety will finally strongly take hold.  They are especially pleased that Matt Damon has said that he would like his film to start a conversation.

In an effort to help promote a national conversation, Frackfree America has been calling attention to the “Promised Land” movie and held a very successful “March to the Promised Land Rally” on Dec. 28, 2012 in Youngstown. Some rally attendees drove hours to show their support for the cause – even with lots of snow on the ground and cold weather. 

The rally keynote speaker was Douglas Shields, featured in “Gasland” filmmaker Josh Fox's film "The Sky is Pink" and former Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania City Council President, who in 2010 sponsored and secured the first ban of shale gas extraction drilling in the city of Pittsburgh.  Attending the rally were families, mothers, fathers, children, men, and women - a true cross-section of American citizens.  We thank them all.

See:

Youngstown, Ohio (AP):
“Drilling opponents plan rally in northeast Ohio,” December 28, 2012.
http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/local/2012/12/28/28-movie-inspires-protest.html

See WYTV 33 News video and article, “Drilling Opponents Hold Rally in Youngstown,” December 28, 2012:
http://www.wytv.com/content/news/local/story/Drilling-Opponents-Hold-Rally-in-Youngstown/_e7g2YKAOkiI8M6RYqCEEg.cspx

Frackfree America hopes that other groups nationwide will create their own similar rallies to help keep the new conversation started by Damon and Krasinski going and getting louder.
Frackfree America says Matt Damon and John Krasinski deserve kudos and thanks for helping to raise the level of necessary national dialogue about how we, as American citizens, want our communities to be.
The group encourages others to view “Promised Land” when it comes to their area theaters.
Movie extras will be available to give media their take on the movie “Promised Land” that they will be viewing for the first time.

For more information, please see a previous press release (12/26/12)  RE: “March to the Promised Land Rally”:
http://www.frackfreeamerica.org/#pressrelease12-26

See the Facebook Event page, “We’re all going to the movies” at:
http://www.facebook.com/events/296628993773859

The Frackfree America National Coalition website is at:    

www.frackfreeamerica.org

Subscribe to the Frackfree America Free E-mail Listserv for important updates and information:

http://frackfreeamerica.us4.list-manage1.com/subscribe?u=ba7fe7ec95cf7d5295e545089&id=9c918b0843

Join the upcoming Second National Rally Day:  Spring, 2013 at:

www.frackfreeamerica.org

Find Frackfree America on Facebook:

www.facebook.com/Frackfree

For Media Inquiries, to speak with movie extras, or for more information, please call or e-mail:

frackfreeamerica@gmail.com     234-201-8007

                                                           # # #

Are Cows The New Canaries?
Important event !  Friday, Dec. 28
The public is invited to please come to Youngstown, Ohio, on Friday, December 28, 2012, for an exciting  rally and march to help raise public awareness of fracking and related processes.  
This is a great opportunity for all of us to tell more people about
what is really going on as it relates to fracking:
Event details follow:

March To The Promised Land Rally
- a Promised Land-movie-related rally!*

Dec 28, Friday, 12:30pm - 2pm

The event will assemble** near the First Unitarian Universalist Church of Youngstown (UUYO), 1105 Elm St. (Elm & Illinois), Youngstown, Ohio 44505, and other locations to be determined. Great speakers and Promised Land movie extras are scheduled to appear! The rally keynote speaker will be Douglas Shields, who is featured in Gasland filmmaker Josh Fox's film "The Sky is Pink" and is a former Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania City Council President, who in 2010 sponsored and secured the first ban of shale gas extraction drilling in the city of Pittsburgh.

Matt Damon's and John Krasinski's new movie "Promised Land" will be opening soon on December 28 (select locations) and January 4 nationwide. The film posters have the conversation-starting tagline, "What's your price?..."

Frackfree America encourages everyone to see the movie, Promised Land, when it comes to a theater in your area.

More exciting details will follow. Please keep checking back to the links below.
(And / or subscribe to the free Frackfree America National Coalition listserv http://eepurl.com/oHOKr for more updates and other fracking-related information). Thanks! Please share and distribute widely.

 *Just to clarify: movie, Promised Land, will NOT be shown at this "March to the Promised Land Rally." This rally/march, facilitated by Frackfree America National Coalition, is meant to encourage conversation, public awareness of fracking & related issues, & to encourage your attendance at the movie when it comes out in your local area.

**NOTE - transport and seats available for those that need to ride to, and to be seated at the rally :)

Here it is on FB: http://www.facebook.com/events/419501181455439/   Please FB SHARE / INVITE Guests as able ~ thank you!

Here's the Rally page on our website (FANCy):  http://www.frackfreeamerica.org/promised-land.html

It is also at FFMa calendar: http://bit.ly/12BOZ8m

ALSO , PL Extras FB Page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Promised-Land-Extras-2012/332913823423104

Frackfree Mahoning Valley                         News Release
Contact: Susie Beiersdorfer: Phone: 234-201-0402   or E-mail: frackfreemahoning@gmail.com
______________________________________________________

A NEW TWIST TO THE MAHONING VALLEY FRACKING CONVERSATION:  MILITARY VETERAN, LANDOWNER, RETIRED POLICE OFFICER, ED HASHBARGER, PRESENTS HIS PERSPECTIVE ON TOXIC FRACKING WASTE INJECTION WELLS, FORCED POOLING, SEISMIC TESTING AND MORE AT THE SECOND MONTHLY FRACKFREE MAHONING VALLEY PUBLIC TOWNHALL – STYLE MEETING ON THURSDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2012, AT THE ELM STREET YOUNGSTOWN, OHIO, UNITARIAN CHURCH

Youngstown, Ohio, 12/04/12 –    Before Ed Hashbarger knew what he knows now about fracking and related processes, he was likely to think: “Drill baby drill.”  That is not what he says today – not even close.

Hashbarger says he is now actively opposing fracking until the technology catches up, via scientific studies, to ensure that it can be done safely.  He says not enough science has been done, yet.

So exactly what caused this landowner, Marine military veteran, and retired police officer to change his mind and become so actively against fracking, with the technology as it stands today?

Hashbarger describes his attending an oil and gas industry informational meeting:

 “This all started for me …  when I attended an oil and gas meeting just to gather some knowledge, being a farmer and a conservative … I asked a question: What happens to landowners who are just not interested in leasing, and they told me,  ‘We’ll take it from you anyways.’ …”

This idea, sometimes referred to as forced or mandatory pooling, went against Ed’s deeply held values, which resulted in his current efforts to raise public awareness of fracking-related issues and problems.

All concerned citizens and media are encouraged to attend to hear Ed Hashbarger tell his very compelling story and provide much needed fracking-related information, including about forced pooling, on Thursday, December 6, 2012, at 7 PM to 8:30 PM at the First Unitarian Universalist Church of Youngstown, Channing Hall, 1105 Elm St. (Elm and Illinois, across from Wick Park). EVENT on FB: http://www.facebook.com/events/444842725551072/

An interesting side note is that Ed was filmed as an extra, portraying a police officer, for the upcoming Matt Damon and John Krasinski movie Promised Land.

The December 6th meeting will be the second in a series of monthly, townhall – style meetings held by concerned citizens of Frackfree Mahoning Valley (www.frackfreemahoning.blogspot.com  ) and Frackfree America National Coalition (www.frackfreeamerica.org ).

“The fracking issue goes beyond politics. We want to be inclusive because we are all in this together. We share common ground, which is our concern for the public health, safety and well-being of our families and our local communities and our freedom as citizens to control how we want our communities to be,” said Susie Beiersdorfer of Frackfree Mahoning Valley and Frackfree America National Coalition.

In addition to Ed’s presentation, there will be a showing of some brief films related to oil and gas drilling and updates on the latest news about fracking and related processes. A question and answer period with time for audience discussion will follow.

Topics and questions to be explored include, but are not limited to:
--The latest news on the future of Mill Creek Park and other area parks, as it relates to fracking, and the Youngstown, Ohio, Community Bill of Rights petition, which seeks to allow the citizens to vote to protect their public health and safety.

--What is mandatory or forced pooling and what does it mean to citizens as members of the community?

--What is the latest information on seismic testing in Trumbull, Mahoning, and parts of Portage counties, Ohio?
See: http://www.frackfreeamerica.org/#Seismic-testing-Ohio

--What are the implications of a possible Youngstown City Council vote on banning toxic waste injection wells in the city?  See: “Youngstown to vote on injection well ban,” “December 1, 2012 By Joe Gorman” http://www.tribtoday.com/page/content.detail/id/579851/Youngstown-to-vote-on-injection-well-ban.html?nav=5021
For media inquiries or more information, e-mail:

frackfreemahoning@gmail.com or call:

234-201-0402

www.frackfreemahoning.blogspot.com

Also see:
Frackfree America National Coalition

www.frackfreeamerica.org
e-mail: frackfreeamerica@gmail.com call: 234-201-8007

Facebook:  www.facebook.com/Frackfree

                                                         # # #

Townhall Meeting
with Q & A

Fracking Dialogue at Northeast Ohio Townhall,
Youngstown, Safeguards Public Health
w/ Accurate Transparent Solutions:
 Part 2 of Series
 
Thursday, December 6, 2012
7:00 – 8:30 p.m.

Speaker: Ed Hashbarger, Jr.
Forced Pooling, Unitization (ORC 1509.28),
Mandatory Pooling (1509.27),
& Eminent Domain

Ed, a conservative Republican veteran,
retired law enforcement officer, landowner & former radio host,
will also speak of personal experiences w/ gas industry.
Ed also has a role in the Promised Land film!

First Unitarian Universalist Church of Youngstown (UUYO)
    1105 Elm St. (Elm & Illinois)
    Youngstown, Ohio 44505

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
November 28, 2012.
To: News Media
From: Appalachia Resist! and Athens County Fracking Action Network
Contacts: ACFAN,  AR!:  740 591 2693
Re: ODNR INVITES PUBLIC IN, THEN KICKS THEM OUT

ORIGINAL POSTED HERE: http://www.acfan.org/2012/odnr-invites-the-public-in-kicks-them-out/ Includes more images.

Nov 28, 2012, 2 minute video by Don E Wirtshafter. " The Ohio Department of Natural Resources tried to abridge citizen rights to a hearing before granting a permit for a new toxic waste injection well in their community. Instead, they hosted a "public meeting", a dog a pony show that had no legal impact. This is the community's reaction."
LINK to original if player does not load: http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=ZEnMzjK69-k

Other media coverage:

The Columbus Dispatch, November 29, 2012. Columbus, Ohio.
http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/local/2012/11/29/fracking-dispute-gets-hotter.html

NBC4i.com, November 29, 2012. Columbus, Ohio.
http://www2.nbc4i.com/news/2012/nov/29/landowner-does-not-want-pending-injection-well-her-ar-1257615/

The Athens News, November 28, 2012. Athens, Ohio.
http://www.athensnews.com/ohio/article-38515-odnr-shuts-down-attempt-at-impromptu-public-hearing-on-injection-well.html?utm_source=contactology&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=TheAthenseNEWS%3ATOPNEWS+11%2F29%2F12

2 Previous Protests, June 26, August 15, October 3, 2012:
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=506640166022449&set=pb.205575299462272.-2207520000.1354214128&&src=http%3A%2F%2Fsphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net%2Fhphotos-snc6%2F175513_506640166022449_1097389779_o.jpg&smallsrc=http%3A%2F%2Fsphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net%2Fhphotos-prn1%2F522165_506640166022449_1097389779_n.jpg&size=1800%2C662

Athens County Fracking Action Network and Appalachia Resist!
For immediate release  Nov. 28, 2012
Contacts: Heather Cantino, heather.cantino@gmail.com, 740-594-3338, acfan.org
Grace Hall, 99slow@gmail.com, 740-590-0500, appalachiaresist.wordpress.com

ODNR announces “Open House,” tramples on Truth and Community’s Rights

Ms. Malvena Frost, who owns the property on which the Atha injection well is proposed in Rome Township, Athens County, does not want an injection well on her land. She “fears her only source of drinking water, a private well...will be contaminated," according to public comments submitted on her behalf to ODNR by her attorney, Mike Hollingsworth. Ms. Frost’s comments requested a public hearing on the Atha permit application.  Hers was not the only one: Approximately 100 Athens County residents submitted comments objecting to the Atha permit on grounds of health and safety, requesting a public hearing. This may be the largest number of comments ever submitted to ODNR on an injection well permit application.

If members of the public raise relevant and valid concerns about health and safety, Ohio law requires that a public hearing be held.  Ms. Frost and most of the 100 others received instead a form letter announcing an "open house" would be held. With a week’s notice, the event will be held on Wednesday, Nov. 28, from 6 to 8 p.m. at ODNR E. State St. headquarters, Athens. Phone conversations have elicited statements by ODNR officials that this open house is intended as a substitute for a public hearing.

“This is a clear abuse of discretion on the part of ODNR’s Oil and Gas Chief.  Ohio Administrative Code 1501:9 mandates a public hearing if valid objections are received,” commented Roxanne Groff, member of Athens County Fracking Action Network and speaker at a recent public forum on the Atha permit.  Ms. Groff stated, “It is indefensible for Chief Simmers to dismiss Malvena Frost’s clearly valid and extensive concerns with a form letter. It is also clearly an abuse of discretionary power to categorically dismiss the rest of the 100 comments, which we know contain well substantiated public health and safety concerns.”

A public hearing is a legal forum in which citizens speak to the ODNR one at a time, allowing each statement to be heard by the entire group.  More importantly, comments presented in a public hearing are entered into the legal record and can thus help hold ODNR accountable.  Grace Hall, one of the 100 citizens who submitted comments on the Atha permit application, explained, “A public hearing allows us to hear what fellow citizens' concerns are and allows us to hear citizens' challenges to ODNR's rhetoric.  A hearing provides an opportunity for citizens to broaden their understanding of the issue and brings a level of accountability to officials.  An open house provides none of these things, because members of the public mill simply around the room, talking to various ODNR representatives in a casual one-on-one manner.”   

Athens County Fracking Action Network and Appalachia Resist! object to ODNR's outright dismissal of public comments and denial of a public hearing as a clear breach of public trust. Madeline ffitch, of Appalachia Resist! added, "This 'open house' is simply a way for ODNR to avoid having to face tough questions in public."

One concern cited in letters to ODNR is the content of waste likely to be injected intothe Atha well, as in all Class II wells.  While ODNR claims that the Atha well will accept only local, conventional oil and gas waste, there is no legal restriction on waste accepted. Hundreds of millions of gallons of highly radioactive fracking waste have been injected in Ohio injection wells in the past year.  Over half of waste injected in Ohio last year came from out of state.

Unlike Class I, Class II wells are not designed for hazardous waste. Due to exemptions from federal hazardous waste regulations, oil and gas waste is not legally classified as hazardous. ACFAN member Nancy Pierce, explained the danger of this situation: “Declaring it legally non-hazardous doesn’t make it any less hazardous.  The fracking waste being dumped into Class II wells contains highly toxic toluene, benzene, and other neurotoxic, carcinogenic, and radioactive substances, all of which are regulated as hazardous for all other industries under the Safe Drinking Water Act, Clean Water Act, and hazardous waste regulations.” She continued, “Ohio does not monitor drinking or groundwater around any Class II injection wells. I don’t understand how Heidi Hetzel-Evans can repeatedly claim these wells haven’t contaminated water when ODNR does not monitor water or soil to find out whether there’s contamination from its wells.”

The American Academy of Pediatrics “recommends that families with private drinking water wells in NGE/HF [natural gas extraction/hydraulic fracturing] areas should consider testing the wells before drilling begins and on a regular basis thereafter for chloride, sodium, barium, strontium and VOCs…” This is not surprising, given that industry admits that eventual well failure is inevitable. A recent Propublica series documents thousands of cases of well failure and fluid migration from Class I and II injection wells nationwide. In one Ohio case, “pollution had risen 1400 feet through solid rock and was progressing toward surface aquifers” from a Class I well before the breach was discovered.

Athens County Fracking Action Network and Appalachia Resist are planning a coordinated response to this clear breach of the public trust. This response will include a march from the Athens Community Center, 701 E. State St., to ODNR offices, 360 E State St., where citizens who wish to address one another have been assigned to a “free speech zone” outside. Citizens who wish to participate in the march are asked to meet at 5:30 in the west foyer near the Athens Community Center meeting rooms. The march will begin at 6 p.m. Attendees to the march and rally are asked to dress warmly and bring a flashlight and a mug.  Hot beverages will be provided.

OAC1501:9-3-06(E)(2)(c): If an objection is received, the chief shall rule upon the validity of the objection. If, in the opinion of the chief, such objection is not relevant to the issues of public health or safety, or to good conservation practices, or is without substance, a permit shall be issued. If the chief considers any objection to be relevant to the issues of public health or safety, or to good conservation practices, or to have substance, a hearing shall be called within thirty days of receipt of the objection. Such hearing shall be held at the central office of the division or other location designated by the chief. Notice of the hearing shall be sent by the chief to the applicant and to the person who has filed the objection.

HB 474, which would require a public hearing before permitting and denial of a permit based on local officials’ opposition to an injection well, did not move through the Ohio House this year.
###

A. R. Ingraffea, the Dwight C. Baum Professor of Engineering in the School of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Cornell University, presents “Unconventional Gas Development from Shale Plays: Myths and Realities” at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 7 in Room 1171 of Williamson Hall on the campus of Youngstown State University, 221 North Hazel Street, Youngstown OH 44503

Ingraffea will make the presentation via live video conferencing, following by a question and answer session. The presentation is free and open to the public.

Announcement posted at The Akron Beacon Journal • 44 E. Exchange Street, Akron, Ohio 44308, http://www.ohio.com/blogs/drilling/ohio-utica-shale-1.291290/fracking-critic-to-speak-on-wednesday-in-youngstown-1.347731 , a repost of original article by The Business Journal (Youngstown, Ohio) http://businessjournaldaily.com/drilling-down/myths-realities-shale-gas-ysu-topic-2012-10-30

ALSO SEE: YSU News Center | Youngstown State University http://www.ysunews.com/myths-realities-shale-gas/

ALSO SEE: "Unconventional Gas Development from Shale: Myths and Realities Related to Human Health Impacts". Keynote address by Dr. Anthony Ingraffea at Marcellus Shale Exposed, held March 17, 2012 at Northampton Community College, Bethlehem, PA,
PART ONE:   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7DK3fODCZ3w
PART TWO:   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JTUrwtYJhGk&feature=relmfu
PART THREE:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_JyC_8-sDuU&feature=relmfu

ALSO SEE: Unconventional Development of Natural Gas from Shale Formations: Impacts on Water and Climate PDF presentation by Dr. A. R. Ingraffea: http://www.chesapeake.org/stac/presentations/208_Ingraffea%20Part%201.pdf
and
http://www.chesapeake.org/stac/presentations/208_Ingraffea%20Part%202.pdf

slide from Dr. Ingraffea presentation: http://www.chesapeake.org/stac/presentations/208_Ingraffea%20Part%202.pdf

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:  Robyn Truslow  410-535-0291
Questions about “fracking?”  Is natural gas hydraulic fracturing the answer to energy independence and job growth or environmental nightmare?  Calvert Library, Prince Frederick, Maryland, is hosting a conversation about this controversial process of harvesting natural gas on Tuesday, November 13 at 7pm.  The conversation will be kicked off by participants with various viewpoints and then opened to the audience to share their concerns, questions and thoughts about the process and impact for Southern Maryland.

Guests that have already RSVP’d include Emily Wurth, a Food & Water Watch representative; Delegate Shane Robinson, a representative working for a formal ban on “fracking” in Maryland; Douglas Duncan, a scientist with the US Geological Survey; and Steve Everly, a spokesman from the Energy In Depth campaign launched by the Independent Petroleum Association of America which is focused on public education “about the promise and potential of responsibly developing American’s onshore energy resource base.”

This conversation is part of Calvert Library’s Civil Discourse series which has been going on for several years as a partnership with the Calvert County Community Mediation Center, All Saints Episcopal Church, Trinity United Methodist Church, Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Southern Maryland, and other active engaged citizens interested in discussing and learning more about controversial topics that impact our community.  This conversation has further collaboration from Patuxent Riverkeeper, St. Mary’s Watershed Association and the Tidewater Land Trust.

For more information, call the Calvert Library, 850 Costley Way, Prince Frederick, MD 20678 at 410-535-0291 or 301-855-1862 or check the website at http://calvert.lib.md.us/

####
CONTACT:
Robyn Truslow
Public Relations Coordinator
Calvert Library
850 Costley Way
Prince Frederick, MD  20678
Phone 410-535-0291

Elsewhere on the web: http://smnewsnet.com/archives/32742
                                      http://www.americantowns.com/md/princefrederick/news/fracking-conversation-next-topic-in-civil-discourse-series-at-calvert-library-11635898