Speakers Series Scheduled on Energy and the Environment, Fracking Concerns - first speaker will address recent Niles, Ohio earthquake whose epicenter was at newly operating fracking wastewater injection well.

A Youngstown State University professor has scheduled a fall speaker series on environmental concerns of hydraulic fracturing entitled "Fall Semester Speaker Series on Energy and the Environment.". Dr. Ray Beiersdorfer, geology and environmental sciences professor at YSU, will kick off the series at 7 p.m. Wednesday September 3, 2014 with a talk about local earthquakes related to hydraulic fracturing. He will discuss the recent earthquake near the Niles, Ohio injection well, as well as information he has obtained about the earthquakes last March near a Poland, Ohio gas well.

Organized by Beiersdorfer, Professor of Geological and Environmental Sciences, the emphasis will be on Scientific, Public Health and Policy Research surrounding shale gas development and renewable energy. The majority of the lectures will be via video conferencing technology but there will be three live lectures.  “This series is an outgrowth of the successful video lectures I organized last spring by Dr. Tony Ingraffea of Cornell and Dr. Mark Jacobson of Stanford,” says Dr. Beiersdorfer. “The talks will focus on peer-reviewed research, the only real exception to that will be when Thomas Linzey, the founder of the Community Environmental Legal Defense Fund speaks about the community rights movement.” “This will be an exciting lecture,” he adds, “the whole community rights versus corporate rights issue is what Ralph Nader refers to in his left-right coalition.”

“There is a narrative to the series, so I hope people will be able to attend the whole thing. The September Speakers will be looking at scientific and public health research related to shale gas. The focus for October will be on policy, with two political scientists and two attorneys speaking. In November we move to renewable energy with solar and wind. YSU has a solar electricity expert on the faculty in Chemistry, Dr. Clovis Linkous. I’m excited to hear what he has to say.”

Ohio is well represented in the lectures as we have faculty from Ohio State, Cincinnati, Youngstown State and Bowling Green speaking. “I’m sure many students will attend the lectures and I hope members of the community will plan on attending.” “It’s free and open to the public. With a 7 p.m. start time there should be ample free-parking at the on-street metered-parking spaces along Lincoln Ave and adjacent streets.”

The speaker series will start with YSU Professor of Geology Dr. Ray Beiersdorfer sharing information about the recent earthquake 300 feet away from the Niles/Weathersfield injection wells. In addition, he will share information he obtained through a Public Records request about the swarm of earthquakes that occurred in Poland Township in March of this year related to fracking underneath the Carbon-Limestone Landfill.

All talks will be held in Moser 2000 on the YSU campus at 7 p.m. They are free and open to the public.
FULL SCHEDULE and DETAILS HERE: http://www.ysunews.com/10836/
For more information, contact Beiersdorfer at ray@cc.ysu.edu.

Marcellus Shale Documentary Project traveling photography exhibit that includes work by Nina Berman, Noah Addis, Martha Rial, Lynn Johnson, Scott Goldsmith, and Brian Cohen will open Monday March 3 and run through April 4, 2014.
Hours: MON - FRI  8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. - FREE
Call for More Info: 330.941.3627
[hours apply when the university is open]
599 Wick Ave,
Youngstown State University,
Youngstown, OH 44503

Bliss Hall Gallery: http://web.ysu.edu/contentm/easy_pages/view.php?page_id=67&sid=21&menu_id=280

Youngstown University has organized the following programs in support of the exhibition:
CAMPUS MAP: http://www.csis.ysu.edu/~jdittric/6961/assign1/map.htm
• Tuesday, 25 March, 7-9 p.m. | Moser Hall Room 2000 | TITLE: The Science of Shale Gas: Geology, Seismology and Environmental Impacts. Dr. Ray Beiersdorfer, Professor of Geology, Youngstown State University
• Wednesday, 26 March, 7-9 p.m. | Moser Hall Room 2000 | TITLE: The science of shale gas: The latest evidence on leaky wells, methane emissions, and implications for policy. | Dr. Anthony R. Ingraffea, Ph.D., P.E., Dwight C. Baum Professor of Engineering, Cornell University
• Thursday, 27 March, 5-9 p.m. | Gallery Talk / Gallery Reception | Bliss Hall Room 2300 | RECEPTION/GALLERY TALK: Brian Cohen, Photographer and Project Director of the Marcellus Shale Documentary Project.
• Friday, 28 March, 4-5:30 p.m. | McDonough Museum Lecture Hall | FREE SCREENING: Triple Divide (film with Mark Ruffalo, Melissa Troutman).

CONTACT: Professor Stephen Chalmers | schalmers@ysu.edu

MEDIA coverage:
   Vindicator (Youngstown, Ohio), March 3, 2014, video
              http://www.wfmj.com/category/179433/video-landing-page?clipId=9906457&auto
_____________________________________________________________________________
ABOUT MSDP: http://the-msdp.us
Entire MSDP archive - 5 pages, many images: http://the-msdp.us/archive
______________________________________________________________________________
ABOUT the artists:
Noah Addis  http://www.noahaddis.com/#!/blog
 
Brian Cohen http://www.briancohenphotography.com/?p=751

Nina Berman http://www.ninaberman.com/fractured-the-shale-play
        Also See: http://ninaberman.wordpress.com/2011/04/12/fracking-in-pennsylvania-a-first-look/

Scott Goldsmith http://scottgoldsmith.com/Galleries/After-the-Frack/1/thumbs/

Martha Rial http://martharial.com/  

Lynn Johnson  http://lynnjohnsonphoto.com/
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Photo album of the show being installed HERE (public album, no account required): http://t.co/wqLQDuSUAG

MAN-MADE EARTHQUAKES AND FRACKING WASTE INJECTION WELLS: CONCERNED CITIZENS OF FRACKFREE AMERICA NATIONAL COALITION, BASED IN YOUNGSTOWN, OHIO, AND FRACKFREE MAHONING VALLEY, WHO EXPERIENCED THE NOW-FAMOUS 4.0 MAGNITUDE 2011 YOUNGSTOWN QUAKE LINKED TO A FRACKING WASTE INJECTION WELL, REACH OUT TO SEEK DIALOGUE AND INFORMATION SHARING WITH COMMUNITIES IN AZLE, TEXAS AND PRAGUE, OKLAHOMA, OHIO AND OTHER AREAS WHERE RESIDENTS ALSO MAY BE SUBJECT TO INDUCED SEISMICITY

Frackfree America National Coalition          News Release                                      www.frackfreeamerica.org
_______________________________________________________
For Immediate Release:  January 8, 2014
Contact: frackfreemahoning@gmail.com or frackfreeamerica@gmail.com
_____________________________________________________
Youngstown, Ohio, January 8, 2014  -  The Youngstown, Ohio area is a community that experienced what residents and scientists now know was at least 109 earthquakes in a place where there had been no previously recorded quakes.  The multiple Youngstown earthquakes included the now-famous 4.0 magnitude 2011 fracking waste injection well – related quake.

      Concerned citizens of Frackfree America National Coalition, based in Youngstown, and Frackfree Mahoning Valley have been following events in earthquake-rocked Azle, Texas and earthquake swarms in Oklahoma, where some reputable scientists suspect that the largest quake, a 5.6 magnitude in Prague, Oklahoma, is linked to injection well operations. 

      The local citizens’ groups are now reaching out to seek dialogue, share information, and to open channels of communication with the Azle, Texas community, with Oklahoma, with Ohio or other states with neighborhoods that may be experiencing similar situations involving injection wells and man-made earthquakes.  The groups are seeking to work together with others to find real, fair solutions to our common problems and concerns, here in Youngstown, Ohio, and other places with apparently similar issues, like Azle, Texas.

      An Azle, Texas townhall meeting took place on January 2, 2014 where over 800 residents gathered to get questions answered by Texas state officials (the Texas Railroad Commission) about the approximately 30 earthquakes they have had in about the last two months, according to multiple news reports.  In an astonishing turn of events, those officials reportedly would not answer the concerned citizens’ questions.  Residents of the Youngstown area have experienced other similar situations of a shocking lack of transparency on the part of their state regulatory agency, the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR).  The Youngstown group says public officials need to be responsive, honest, and transparent to the public and to the media.  

       As reported in an especially compelling WFAA.com news article and video, Melanie Williams spoke of her experience at the Azle townhall meeting.  It was reported that she is a Hurricane Katrina survivor who relocated to Azle where she is experiencing the earthquakes that some suspect will be scientifically found to be linked to injection well disposal. She said she had to move from her home in Texas because of foundation problems and major leaks, according to the WFAA news report that follows:

       See “Angry Azle crowd disappointed by lack of answers regarding quakes,” by Teresa Woodard, WFAA, January 2, 2014 at    http://www.wfaa.com/news/local/tarrant/Angry-Azle-crowd-disappointed-by-lack-of-answers-regarding-earthquakes-238543171.html

       Ray Beiersdorfer, Ph.D., Professor of Geology at Youngstown State University, gave information, in a December 27, 2013 news release, which is highly relevant for the ongoing earthquake/injection well issues in Ohio, Texas, Oklahoma, and other states where man-made earthquakes, also known as induced seismicity, may be taking place:
       “It is especially disconcerting that residents in Prague, Oklahoma experienced a 5.6 magnitude earthquake that reputable scientists think may possibly be linked to deep disposal well injection of toxic fracking waste. An earthquake of this magnitude can cause human injury and collapsed buildings – especially in areas where earthquakes are not common and infrastructure is not reinforced to safeguard against earthquake damage. We already had 109 earthquakes in Youngstown, Ohio, including the 4.0 on December 31, 2011.  Human beings cannot regulate earthquakes to make sure that they stay small. This is especially true because the two faults under Youngstown have been destabilized. This is an irreversible effect of the D&L Northstar 1 injection-induced seismicity. We must stop injection wells now to help to prevent a possible 5.6 or greater magnitude quake, as well as smaller tremors,” said geologist Dr. Ray Beiersdorfer.

       Dealing with the risks and realities of injecting millions of gallons of toxic fracking waste into deep injection wells along with the possibility of induced seismicity is still an on-going problem in Ohio. Even though there is a history of injection well-related earthquakes in Ohio, injection wells continue to be permitted by the state agency, ODNR.

       For example, the Youngstown-based groups, Frackfree America and Frackfree Mahoning Valley, are currently working toward increasing public awareness nationally and locally of a Niles, Ohio area injection well that is now being built despite local community laws enacted in Weathersfield Township and Niles banning injection wells. ODNR permitted it anyway, and it is now being built.  The groups believe that this injection well’s close proximity to the epicenter of the 2011 Youngstown 4.0 magnitude quake shows inadequate concern by ODNR for public health and safety.

       Also of great concern is an injection well being considered by the Ohio state agency to be built in Conneaut, Ohio, a city in Northeastern Ohio near the Pennsylvania border.  Conneaut is only about 15 miles from Ashtabula, Ohio, the site of a series of earthquakes related to injection well disposal of Class I waste. The strongest earthquake there was a 4.3 magnitude quake in January 2001.  The rational, responsible reaction by the state of Ohio would be for the ODNR to deny the permit based upon public health and safety issues, but will they?  According to the Star Beacon, there is a 15 day public comment period regarding the permitting of this injection well, but again, will the ODNR listen?  For details see:
“Brine injection well sought for Conneaut,” by Mark Todd, Star Beacon, January 4, 2014 at: http://www.starbeacon.com/local/x1186907238/Brine-injection-well-sought-for-Conneaut/print 
“A Fluid-Injection-Triggered Earthquake Sequence in Ashtabula, Ohio: Implications for Seismogenesis in Stable Continental Regions,” by Leonardo Seeber, John G. Armbruster and Won-Young Kim, Bulletin of the Seismological Society of America, February, 2004, vol. 94, no. 1, 76-87 at:       http://www.bssaonline.org/content/94/1/76.abstract

       Yet another deep injection well permit has been applied for in Brookfield, Ohio, near Youngstown.    See:  “Injection well planned for site in Brookfield,” by Brenda J. Linert, Tribune Chronicle, January 6, 2014 at: http://www.tribtoday.com/page/content.detail/id/597720/Injection-well-planned-for-site-in-Brookfield.html?nav=5021

     See information about the Ashtabula and Youngstown earthquakes:  “Ohio earthquake was not a natural event, expert says,” by Kim Palmer, Reuters, January 3, 2012 at: http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/01/04/us-earthquake-ohio-idUSTRE80302220120104

       “Our position is that the injection wells must stop now as a measure to protect the public’s health, safety, and well-being. Millions upon millions of gallons of toxic fracking waste are continually being produced. The waste has to go somewhere. Where is it all going to go? There is no good, safe solution for this problem at this time. For the sake of protecting the public interest, the enormous amount of toxic fracking waste needs to stop being produced in the first place. There is no good place to put it,” said geologist Susie Beiersdorfer of Youngstown, Ohio.

       Frackfree America and Frackfree Mahoning Valley believe that science and common sense must prevail over politics and greed when it comes to toxic fracking waste injection wells, risks of drinking water contamination, and man-made earthquakes. The best interest of the public’s health, safety, and well-being must come first.  A solution must be implemented quickly to protect the public.

       The groups say that in addition to safety, public health, private property, property value, and general well-being issues, proper democratic processes must be followed relevant to the gas and oil industry, which should immediately be required to follow the rule of law without special exemptions or special treatment. Local control and self-governance must be upheld. (See the Community Bill of Rights Committee, December 27, 2013 news release below for more details about earthquakes, injection wells, and local control.)

       The groups believe that it is not fair for officials to imply that since studies are being done, injection well operations should continue despite the concerns and real damage taking place now – including serious adverse effects to the quality of life of residents experiencing the earthquakes. Citizens are concerned, and rightly so, that the earthquakes could get bigger or more frequent. Even the effects of smaller, repeated earthquakes on infrastructure, walls, house foundations, bridges, or dams need to be considered.

       Since some officials, who are supposed to protect the public health, safety, and general public interest, seem to be ducking out the back door and apparently refusing to speak with the media, it is important for communities to legally protect their own families and neighborhoods.  The Texas official’s refusal to speak with media after the Azle townhall meeting was yet another shocking example of lack of transparency by state officials who are supposed to be accountable to the public.

Similar ignoring or minimizing the public’s legitimate concerns has also happened in other states, including Ohio. State officials are accountable to the public. The public pays their salaries. They should speak with the public or media in real time when the media request interviews.

       Concerned citizens of Frackfree America and Frackfree Mahoning Valley are reaching out with information, experts, and human compassion and empathy for what residents in earthquake swarm areas must be going through right now. It sounds strikingly similar to what happened in Youngstown in 2011.  So far, the public is left to pay for any earthquake damage, and injection wells continue to be permitted by the state.

       See:  KDFW Fox 4 news video and article, “Lack of answers at earthquake meeting rattles Azle residents,” by Brandon Todd, January 2, 2014 at: http://www.myfoxdfw.com/story/24345933/community-to-meet-on-earthquakes#ixzz2pMBLYz8k

       See:  CNNMoney: “Is drilling causing Ohio earthquakes? By Poppy Harlow and Erica Fink @CNNMoney January 17, 2012: 11:13 AM ET”
[Especially see second video titled, “Ohio's mysterious man-made earthquakes”]
http://money.cnn.com/2012/01/17/news/ohio_earthquakes/?source=cnn_bin

       Frackfree America and Frackfree Mahoning Valley say it is time for clear-thinking adults to stand together in unity and to legally intervene to stop this irrational quest for corporate profits while some ignore the real adverse effects of fracking and related processes and infrastructure, including injection well-related seismicity, and risks of air, soil, and water pollution.  Those of us from different states can learn from each other and share scientific and other valid information among ourselves. The people need to be heard. We are not expendable. No one is expendable.

       For more information, please see the following press release: "Fracking, Earthquakes, Water, and Local Government Control:  Youngstown, Ohio and Niles, Ohio Area Concerned Citizens Seek to Affirm Local Self-Governance Rights to Protect Their Public Health, Safety, General Welfare, Property Values, and Private Property Rights" (12/27/13) that provides information about earthquakes and injection wells, as well as other topics:

http://bit.ly/1bSbBUb   or

http://www.frackfreemahoning.blogspot.com/2013/12/FrackingEarthquakesWaterLocalControlYoungstownOhio.html

        A Frackfree America National Coalition Facebook post has many informative links regarding Azle area earthquakes and townhall news reports at:    https://www.facebook.com/Frackfree/posts/466240923482697

       The following video is a recording of a large public informational meeting about the earthquakes and injection well in Youngstown, Ohio, that took place in January, 2012, at the Covelli Centre after the Youngstown earthquakes. Especially see the discussion between the state geologist and a Youngstown City Councilman about the inability to predict where a fault lies until “activities” start - “after the fact,”  at minute 1:21:55: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OMGmmCQIKPA&feature=player_embedded

       People living near heavy industrial fracking operations talk about their experience:    “Westwood Lake Nightmare” (published June 23, 2013); Trumbull County, Ohio.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8UEfXg9km5Q

       Editorial: Star-Telegram, “Texas Railroad Commission can’t just tippy-toe around quakes,” January 4, 2014 at:
http://www.star-telegram.com/2014/01/04/5458804/texas-railroad-commission-cant.html

“Surprise quakes stir up Tarrant County residents, by Jim Malewitz, Texas Tribune, January 5, 2014, Arlington Voice at:
http://www.arlingtonvoice.com/story/news/01/05/2014/surprise-quakes-shake-tarrant-county-residents

       For media inquiries or for more information contact Frackfree America National Coalition, based in Youngstown, Ohio or Frackfree Mahoning Valley:

The Frackfree America National Coalition, based in Youngstown, 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

Follow Frackfree America National Coalition on Twitter:
@frackfree

Frackfree Mahoning Valley:
http://www.frackfreemahoning.blogspot.com/

For Media inquiries or for more information, please call or e-mail Frackfree America National Coalition at:
234-201-8007  or  frackfreeamerica@gmail.com
or Frackfree Mahoning Valley at: 
234-201-0402   or  e-mail:  frackfreemahoning@gmail.com

                                                                    # # #

ORIGINAL 2012 IMAGE POST HERE on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=338625309490603&set=a.316172085069259.83444.205575299462272&

For Immediate Release:  December 27, 2013
Community Bill of Rights Committee                           News Release  
Youngstown, Ohio, December 27, 2013  –  The Youngstown, Ohio Community Bill of Rights Committee said they would be back,  and they already are.
       Members of the committee and other local supporters of the Youngstown Community Bill of Rights Charter Amendment, which opposes fracking and upholds citizens’ fundamental right to local self governance and control, are going door to door in Youngstown with petitions seeking voter signatures to place a Community Bill of Rights Charter Amendment question on the Youngstown ballot in May, 2014. They have launched a new website at: http://www.protectyoungstown.org/     
 
      The group says the public is warmly welcoming them. The committee is very pleased that Niles, Ohio concerned citizens are also now collecting signatures for their similar petition effort that seeks to place a ballot question on the Niles ballot in May, 2014.  Niles concerned citizens launched a new website describing their effort to uphold their local rights and to ban fracking within Niles city limits at: www.keepnilessafe.org     

      According to Susie Beiersdorfer, geologist and Youngstown Community Bill of Rights (CBR) Committee member,          “We now have a powerful base of almost 5000 Youngstown voters that could easily sway an election or ballot question. We will win this time because the truth resonates. We needed only 6 percent more YES votes to win on the ballot question in Youngstown on November, 2013. The gap is closing in our favor, and we soundly gained ground in November.  In the November, 2013 election, the opposition spent an exorbitant amount of money compared to what we spent.  In addition to the money, they also spent countless hours to oppose us, and we still gained ground. We are extremely happy about that. It shows the strength and truth of our position.”     

     The Youngstown grassroots, concerned citizens group says that despite massive spending by industry and pro-fracking allies to try to defeat them, the Community Bill of Rights Charter Amendment ballot question picked up 1830 more YES votes in their favor since the May 2013 election (May: 2912 YES votes; November: 4742 YES votes) and narrowed the margin from 13.71% to only 9.72 %.  More Youngstown voters supported the proposed Community Bill of Rights Charter Amendment in November than in May 2013.       

     “Our analysis of the election results is that as Youngstown voters are becoming more fully informed about fracking and local control issues, voters are turning against fracking, and are demanding local control over how they want their community to be – which is the citizens’ fundamental right.  We say the closing gap, which was 13.71 % in the May 2013 election and now is only 9.72%, is evidence of this growing sentiment,” said Lynn Anderson, a Youngstown Community Bill of Rights (CBR) Committee member.            

      Lynn Anderson also emphasizes that the margin is closing in the CBR committee's favor and that the committee soundly gained ground in November even though the CBR group spent only about half as much money as they did in their CBR May, 2013 campaign.  Lynn Anderson also says, "Youngstown citizens can visit the Mahoning County Board of Elections campaign finance website at http://www.voterfind.tzo.org/mahoningoh/webcfs/cfsearch.aspx  .   Type in Plumbers and add the final tally from the two 30-B-2 forms (October and December 2013) and see that the opposition spent over $81,000 against this ballot initiative. It is disgraceful that the opposition hired out of state ad agencies to formulate direct mail to confuse the issue in the public’s mind.”               

     The Youngstown Community Bill of Rights Committee says elections cannot be bought in America – even if the laws allow an unequal financial playing field. The group believes that, in general, it is un-American and immoral for outsiders to try to influence a local ballot question result by injecting massive amounts of advertising or lobbying money that greatly outspends the grassroots community. The public knows that is unfair. They see right through it.       
     The CBR group says that they are raising awareness of citizens’ and their official representatives’ local fundamental right and duty to protect the public health, safety, and general welfare of their communities. It is the 2004 Ohio state law, H.B. 278, that claims it can take away citizens’ local rights, that is unconstitutional. That state law is a bad law. The Community Bill of Rights Charter Amendment upholds American laws and values, and all citizens’ unalienable, natural, fundamental rights.       

     The group says that nearly every day – either in Ohio or in other states - another serious fracking related accident, evacuation, civil rights or human rights violation, or other event occurs that validates to the public that what the group has been saying is the truth.       

     For example, on December 19, 2013, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court issued an enormously significant court decision ruling that major parts of Pennsylvania’s shale drilling-related law, Act 13, were unconstitutional. The group believes that Act 13 is similar to the Ohio state drilling-related law, H.B. 278, which claims it can deprive local communities of certain fundamental rights.       

     The group believes that the outcome favoring local control in the  Pennsylvania Act 13 case is a preview of what is to come to Ohio’s similar law that erroneously says it can trump citizens’ civil, fundamental, and human rights to determine how they want their community to be and to protect their community’s health, safety, and welfare.  That Ohio law, they feel, will go the same way as the one in Pennsylvania – it will be ruled unconstitutional.          

     Please see “Pennsylvania Supreme Court declares portions of shale-drilling law unconstitutional,” a Pittsburgh Post-Gazette article by Don Hopey, December 20, 2013, at: http://www.post-gazette.com/local/2013/12/19/Pennsylvania-Supreme-Court-declares-portions-of-shale-drilling-law-unconstitutional/stories/201312190254       
     The group bases their information upon valid scientific reports, facts, and other accurate documentation. They say that politics, industry lobbying, and bureaucratic incompetence cannot be put above good science and the well-being of the community. The serious risks and adverse outcomes related to fracking and related processes are real. The public health, safety, and well-being must come first. The group says that to put profits over people is immoral and harmful to communities.       

Especially alarming to the Community Bill of Rights Committee and its supporters is that, locally or nationwide, heavy industrial fracking-related operations or infrastructure continue to be permitted near homes, children’s schools, farms, parks, forests, and cemeteries – in neighborhoods and residential areas.  Private property issues, such as forced pooling, occur. Real estate home property values can decrease as heavy fracking-related industrial operations are permitted near homes or residential areas.       

    The group is concerned about the plight and adverse health claims of those residents living near a heavy industrial fracking operation permitted by the state of Ohio in nearby Weathersfield Township.  Please see the following astonishing video that shows gas flaring and concerns of residents living near the fracking operation:
“Westwood Lake Nightmare” (published June 23, 2013)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8UEfXg9km5Q         

     The CBR Committee and supporters say that we, as a community, can learn a lot from other states’ experiences with fracking and related issues, including recent multiple earthquakes in Oklahoma and Texas. According to a KXAN – TV news report, North Texas had approximately twenty earthquakes in one month.  Please see KXAN news report titled, “20th earthquake in month reported in North Texas Latest happened about 20 miles NW of Fort Worth,” December 3, 2013, (includes new video and article) at: http://ww
w.kxan.com/news/20th-earthquake-in-month-reported-in-north-texas       

     Some scientists feel that the latter earthquakes, and others, may be associated with deep fracking waste injection wells, like the one that caused the now-famous 4.0 magnitude earthquake in Youngstown, Ohio on December 31, 2011.  Scientists have linked Youngstown’s earthquakes to the D&L Northstar 1 injection well.      

     Group members say that the bottom line is that unconventional fracking continually creates millions of gallons of toxic fracking waste that has to go somewhere. There is no good, safe solution to this problem. Where will it all go?  Unfortunately, much of the waste currently goes to Ohio. Ohio is not a toxic fracking waste dumping ground. Ohioans are not expendable. No one anywhere is expendable.      

     In Ohio, an increasing number of toxic fracking waste injection wells are being permitted, built, or operated, such as the one in Weathersfield Township, Ohio, where local officials wisely oppose them. See “City of Niles sides with Weathersfield, opposes brine injection well plans,” WFMJ.com, updated August 31, 2012 at:
http://www.wfmj.com/story/19351516/niles-sides-weathersfield-opposes-brine-injection-well-plans       

     Even though local officials and some residents opposed the injection wells, the state of Ohio permitted one in their community anyway.  An injection well is now being built in Weathersfield Township. 

      The increasing number of permits issued by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) for yet more injection wells is despite the fact that Youngstown has already had at least 109 earthquakes, including the 4.0 magnitude earthquake on December 31, 2011 that scientists acknowledge was linked to the Youngstown D&L Northstar 1 injection well.      

     Furthermore, the group says, earthquakes cannot be regulated. It is reckless and irresponsible for anyone to pretend that earthquakes that could result from injection of fracking waste into deep injection wells can be regulated or kept small in magnitude.  Ohio is not the only state where local officials and residents have serious concerns and legitimate grievances about toxic fracking waste injection wells.       

     According to the Mayor of Azle, Texas, speaking of the almost 20 earthquakes in one month, as reported in Climate Progress, December 6, 2013: “’If it is determined that quakes are caused by the disposal wells, then the disposal wells need to stop. It’s that simple,’ the city of Azle’s Mayor Alan Brundrett said."        

     The latter quote and embedded link is from an article by Katie Valentine titled, “Researchers Link Earthquakes in Texas To Fracking Process,” at:
http://thinkprogress.org/climate/2013/12/06/3029951/texas-fracking-earthquakes/       
“It is especially disconcerting that residents in Prague, Oklahoma experienced a 5.6 magnitude earthquake that reputable scientists think may possibly be linked to deep disposal well injection of toxic fracking waste. An earthquake of this magnitude can cause human injury and collapsed buildings – especially in areas where earthquakes are not common and infrastructure is not reinforced to safeguard against earthquake damage. We already had 109 earthquakes in Youngstown, Ohio, including the 4.0 on December 31, 2011.  Human beings cannot regulate earthquakes to make sure that they stay small. This is especially true because the two faults under Youngstown have been destabilized. This is an irreversible effect of the D&L Northstar 1 injection-induced seismicity. We must stop injection wells now to help to prevent a possible 5.6 or greater magnitude quake, as well as smaller tremors,” said Dr. Ray Beiersdorfer, Professor of Geology at Youngstown State University.       

      Group members say that continuing on the path we are on regarding earthquakes and injection wells makes no common sense. The potential impact of frequent earthquakes, even smaller, under 3.0 magnitude quakes possibly linked to injection wells in any state, should not be minimized. This increased number of earthquakes is not normal.  We, as a society, should not and cannot become desensitized to this situation. The views of some people, whose incomes depend upon giving false reassurances to the public about the possible implications of the earthquakes, should be held to intense scrutiny, increased scientific inquiry, and open, public transparency. More media coverage would go a long way in raising general public awareness of these issues and would be a real community service.       
      It’s time for clear-thinking adults to intervene to legally stop this irrational quest by industry and a few others for a quick way to make money, while the majority of society suffers the costs. Those costs include financial, health- related, and costs to our democratic process. The public health, well-being, safety, drinking water, air, and fundamental rights must be the first consideration.       

     It has become extremely obvious that something needs to be done now about the increase in injection well-linked earthquakes that, alarmingly, are becoming more and more commonplace, according to reputable scientists and researchers. In fact, two United States Representatives, Representative Peter DeFazio and Representative Henry Waxman,  are wisely calling for hearings on the man-made earthquakes.  Their efforts to raise national awareness of the earthquake/injection well problem should be commended and supported locally and nationwide.

        According to The Oklahoman, Representative Peter DeFazio and Representative Henry Waxman said:  “… the two panels should hold a joint hearing to study the increase of seismic activity in areas that had previously been inactive and ‘the potential regulatory gaps in current law that put people and property at risk from man-made earthquakes.’”      

       The latter quote is from: “Democrats want hearing on whether earthquakes are linked to fracking: Citing research on Oklahoma earthquakes, two Democrats call on Republican committee leaders to look into unusual seismic activity,” by Chris Casteel, December 19, 2013, The Oklahoman:
http://newsok.com/democrats-want-hearing-on-whether-earthquakes-are-linked-to-fracking/article/3915820      

      For an increasing number of reasons, including a shocking lack of public transparency on the part of ODNR, many members of the public have lost confidence in the ability of the state bureaucracy, the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR), to competently protect the public health, safety, general well-being and private property rights of Ohioans.

       One reason for the loss of public confidence in ODNR is that football-field sized, open, toxic fracking waste centralized impoundment pits, or “lagoons,” which were reportedly banned in Ohio, have recently been permitted and are scheduled to make their appearance in Ohio by January 1, 2014.       

     See “Ohio will soon authorize fracking wastewater pools Football field-sized ponds to recycle waste,” by Jamison Cocklin, The Vindicator, October 6, 2013, at:
http://www.vindy.com/news/2013/oct/06/oil-and-gas-drilling-ohio-set-to-ok-pits/

       These pits are still going forward despite apparent problems with impoundments in other states. To Frackfree Mahoning Valley’s knowledge, no one at ODNR fully adequately notified nor informed the general public of this plan – although they are supposed to be accountable to the public.  Nevertheless, plans for the football-sized fracking waste “lagoons” are still in place to proceed. This is unacceptable. The public has a right to be fully informed beforehand – not after the fact - and to have a legal say about issues that can directly impact or involve risks to their public health, safety, or general well-being. See the Frackfree Mahoning Valley press release dated October 14, 2013, at:
http://frackfreemahoning.blogspot.com/2013/10/frackfree-mahoning-valley-calls-for.html       

       The group stresses that the oil and gas industry is not the only business in this area. The oil and gas industry does not deserve special treatment or law exemptions over all other businesses or human beings. We must be aware of possible adverse economic effects of heavy industrialization via fracking upon property values, upon the $43 billion per year Ohio tourist industry, and also upon agriculture, farming, and real estate businesses.       

     We must remain open to healthy family living in our communities, freedom to quiet enjoyment of private property rights, and healthy, ethical, and responsible businesses.   (According to a Vindicator AP article, tourism is the fourth-largest industry in Ohio “supporting 443,000 jobs” and $43 billion annually: See “Ohio House panel discusses attracting tourists,” September 10, 2013), AP: 
http://www.vindy.com/news/2013/sep/10/ohio-house-panel-discusses-attracting-tourists/?nw

       For media inquiries or more information, or to volunteer to help take petitions door to door to get voter signatures in Youngstown or Niles, please contact the petition committees via Frackfree Mahoning Valley at: 
234-201-0402   or  e-mail:  frackfreemahoning@gmail.com

For more information please see the following links:    

People living near heavy industrial fracking operations talk about their experience:    “Westwood Lake Nightmare” (published June 23, 2013); Trumbull County, Ohio.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8UEfXg9km5Q 

“Fracking hell: what it’s really like to live next to a shale gas well,” by Suzanne Goldenberg, The Guardian , article and video, December 13, 2013:   
http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2013/dec/14/fracking-hell-live-next-shale-gas-well-texas-us  

More regarding Westwood Lake Park and fracking, etc. “Faith motivates Catholics to speak out on gas, oil drilling practices,” by Dennis Sadowski, Catholic News Service, posted December 12, 2013, Catholic Courier at: http://www.catholiccourier.com/in-depth/previous-topics/debate-over-fracking/faith-motivates-catholics-to-speak-out-on-gas-oil-drilling-practices/  

Earthquakes and fracking waste injection wells:  (The Two - Year Anniversary of the Youngstown, Ohio Injection Well 4.0 magnitude Earthquake is December 31, 2013.)   “Experts Eye Oil and Gas Industry as Quakes Shake Oklahoma,” by Henry Fountain, The New York Times, December 12, 2013, [Youngstown, Ohio is in a caption in the video that goes along with this article.]: 
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/12/13/science/earth/as-quakes-shake-oklahoma-scientists-eye-oil-and-gas-industry.html?pagewanted=all  

“Induced seismicity associated with fluid injection into a deep well in Youngstown, Ohio,” by Won-Young Kim, Journal of Geophysical Research: Solid Earth, Volume 118, Issue 7, July 2013, Wiley Online Library: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/jgrb.50247/abstract  

[Athens, Ohio]  “After earthquake, city council sides with county on halting use of injection wells,” December 3, 2013, by Cassie Kelly, The Post, at:
http://thepost.ohiou.edu/content/after-earthquake-city-council-sides-county-halting-use-injection-wells 

  “Distant Earthquakes Trigger Tremors at U.S. Waste-Injection Sites, Says Study,” ScienceDaily, July 11, 2013:    http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/07/130711142401.htm  

“Oil Addiction, Not Fracking, Caused the 2011 Oklahoma Earthquakes,” by David Biello, March 27, 2013, Scientific American Blogs, [Youngstown 4.0 mag. earthquake mentioned in video with article] http://blogs.scientificamerican.com/observations/2013/03/27/oil-addiction-not-fracking-caused-the-2011-oklahoma-earthquakes/    

  “…’There’s something important about getting unexpectedly large earthquakes out of small systems that we have discovered here,’ he said. The observations mean that ‘the risk of humans inducing large earthquakes from even small injection activities is probably higher’ than previously thought, he said.” [Excerpt from:] “Wastewater Injection Spurred Biggest Earthquake Yet, Says Study March 26, 2013  2011 Oklahoma Temblor Came Amid Increased Manmade Seismicity,” Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory, Columbia University, Earth Institute at:  http://www.ldeo.columbia.edu/news-events/wastewater-injection-spurred-biggest-earthquake-yet-says-study

  “In Oklahoma, water, fracking – and a swarm of quakes,” by Carey Gillam, November 19, 2013, Reuters at:  http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/11/19/us-usa-earthquakes-fracking-oklahoma-idUSBRE9AI12W20131119   

“Mineral Wells quake follows another temblor near Azle,” by Barry Shlachter, December 9, 2013, Star-Telegram; [includes list of some area earthquakes:]
http://www.star-telegram.com/2013/12/08/5402450/ice-storm-cant-put-the-freeze.html   

“Residents in Azle told CBS 11 News that they are concerned about the rising number of earthquakes rocking the area.” [Excerpt from:] “Earthquake Strikes North Texas Saturday Night,” CBSDFW.com, December 15, 2013, http://dfw.cbslocal.com/2013/12/15/earthquake-strikes-north-texas-saturday-night/?utm_source=web&utm_medium=twitter  

“Officials with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources would not go on camera for this report, but they responded to questions about the issue.” [Excerpt from:]  “Ohio dumping ground for fracking waste?” November 8, 2013, WKBN-TV 27 First News: http://www.wkbn.com/news/local/ohio-dumping-ground-for-fracking-waste  

“Since oil and gas drillers are exempt from key provisions of federal hazardous waste law, they are also exempt from the earthquake prevention rules when they inject wastewater from hydraulic fracturing.”        [Excerpt from:] “Earthquakes: Drilling waste wells exempt from earthquake testing rules,” by Mike Soraghan, E & E Publishing, LLC., March 22, 2012: http://www.eenews.net/stories/1059961795 

“A commission spokeswoman said inspectors visited one of the disposal wells in the area and found it in compliance with agency rules. But agency rules don't address earthquakes.” [Excerpt from:] “Earthquakes: Texas agency doubtful as it investigates link to drilling-waste injection,” by Mike Soraghan, E & E Publishing, LLC., December 18, 2013: http://www.eenews.net/stories/1059992009 

“Yet another earthquake, the 30th since November 1, rattles Azle Monday morning,” by Robert Wilonsky, The Scoop Blog, Dallasnews, December 23, 2013: http://thescoopblog.dallasnews.com/2013/12/yet-another-quake-the-30th-since-nov-1-rattles-azle-monday-morning.html/ 

“Along with the cracks, the nail heads appear to be popping out of the sheet rock, and Kim believes the quakes feel stronger upstairs, hence the cracks in the walls.” [Excerpt from:] “More earthquakes hit near Azle,” updated December 23, 2013, by James Rose, KDFW Fox 4, [Includes news video and article]: http://www.myfoxdfw.com/story/24285588/33-earthquake-hits-azle-again 

“Continued Shaking Has Texans Considering Earthquake Insurance,” December 23, 2013, by Bud Gillett, CBS 11 News, http://dfw.cbslocal.com/2013/12/23/continued-shaking-has-texans-considering-earthquake-insurance/#.UrnAR4zb7kI.twitter 

“Scientific American’s Top 10 Science Stories of 2013,” by The Editors, December 19, 2013, Scientific American [see Number 7: “Confirmed: Fracking and Related Operations Cause Earthquakes,”] http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=top-10-science-stories-2013&page=5     

“Fracking firm Cuadrilla pulls out of Lancashire ‘quake’ site,” BBC News Lancashire, December 17, 2013: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lancashire-25415187      

See election results here:  Mahoning County Board of Elections:  http://vote.mahoningcountyoh.gov/ November, 2013 election results:  http://vote.mahoningcountyoh.gov/election-information-results/local-election-results/ See May 7 election results here:  http://vote.mahoningcountyoh.gov/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/13p-official.pdf  

Additional Important Information: [Video with English subtitles:]
“Pope Francis unmissable interview by film director Fernando E. Solanas, Cinesur, SA, YouTube, “Published on Dec 13, 2013
Multi award winning film director and argentinian senator Fernando E. Solanas made this amazing interview where Pope Francis talks about environment contamination unemployment and culture. Please help us. Sign in www.argentinasinfracking.org “  at:
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WAX4mrhw0zw
Pope Francis interview video In Spanish without subtitles, “Imperdible entrevista al Papa Francisco por Pino Solanas,” Cinesur SA, “published on November 27, 2013,   is at:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k1DyLbmOBSU 

“Debate over fracking,” “…series of stories from Catholic News Service …” Catholic Courier, posted December 11, 2013, Updated: December 18, 2013 at: http://www.catholiccourier.com/in-depth/previous-topics/debate-over-fracking/    

“Straight talk – Pennsylvanians speak out to Governor Corbett about fra …” Delaware Riverkeeper Network: YoTube video, January 9, 2013: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7VhDXNEEVCs  

[The Texas Tribune] “Fort Worth Sues Driller, Citing Millions in Lost Royalties,” by Jim Malewitz, published December 21, 2013, The New York Times http://www.nytimes.com/2013/12/22/us/fort-worth-sues-driller-citing-millions-in-lost-royalties.html?smid=fb-share&_r=3&    

For media inquiries or more information, or to volunteer to help the local efforts, please contact the group via Frackfree Mahoning Valley at:  234-201-0402  
or  e-mail:  frackfreemahoning@gmail.com                                                             
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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

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