Environmental Concerns-Oil drilling

[beccaB]

As bicyclists we tend to be more concerned about the environment than someone who doesn't spend much time outside. Geologists have discovered a large oil vein in the area I live , and many oil wells have popped up in the community. Some are probably going to be put up close to my neighborhood. The prevailing attitude is "show me the money" , with very little regard for environmental implications. Has anyone here on this forum had to fight this battle?

[smilingcat]

my ex-FIL, who owned quite a bit of farmland in Carmi Ill., signed a drilling lease. The drillers hit a brine but not oil. Drill mud everywhere and ruined several prime acres of farmland, polluted the surrounding water.

They were rude and they took him for a sucker. They knew they could get away with breach of contract and my ex-FIL for all his headache got literally nothing back. Threatened to sue them and they just laughed at him (figuratively speaking). Contract supposedly said they were supposed to clean up but they never did and left all that toxic drilling mud scattered on the farm land. That is what my ex-FIL said.

Just because they say there is a potential of oil down below, doesn't mean there is any worthwhile oil. Need to look at the down side as well. And what if the oil coming out is so slow that it is marginal operation? Is it worth the headache? Do they want to roll the dice? because from what I saw my ex-FIL's experience, that is what it is, ROLL THE DICE.

[Trek420]

Has anyone here on this forum had to fight this battle?

In the mid 1960's on one of the most beautiful areas of the northern CA Sonoma coast PG&E (our utility) proposed an atomic power plant right smack dab on the San Andreas Fault.

I can't say my parents were the primary activists on this although they knew several who were.

The plant was stopped.

http://santarosa.about.com/od/nature/p/bodega_head.htm

[shootingstar]

I just hope becca your local citizens find a way of dealing with this. Very major item for people to stickhandle.

How long have you lived in your area?

[bmccasland]

One thing to possibly consider is the Environmental Justice law (executive order). This may be a way to help fight it, or at least enforce environmental compliance. Don't count on a state regulatory agency - the state will want their cut of the royalties (states like more $$ for state coffers).

[bmccasland]

Look into NEPA, the National Environmental Protection Act.
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Slight correction: NEPA - National Environmental Policy Act

Just so every one knows - NEPA regards disclosure of proposed Federal action - how and why federal funds are spent for projects or programs, addressing something like 40+ federal laws and executive orders. So there can be impacts or effects of the project - you just have to disclose them. The project can avoid, minimize, or mitigate effects.

NEPA doesn't stop actions from happening. That's where the 40+ laws and executive orders come in, and how the enforcement branch of the appropriate agency chooses to weigh in. If you want more, here's the government web page:
http://ceq.hss.doe.gov/

(I write NEPA documents for a living.)

One other thought - obviously (?) this in reference to federal actions in the United States. Other countries have their own, or not, laws, regs, and ways to document effects on the environment.

[beccaB]

I just hope becca your local citizens find a way of dealing with this. Very major item for people to stickhandle.

How long have you lived in your area?

24 years. I'm afraid I may get stuck here if the ground and air get affected adversely. There are some local watchdog groups I'm trying to get information on. There is a public hearing coming up in March. I wish I could sell my house and move before property values are destroyed but that isn't happening. Some of the larger more well known environmental groups have bigger fish to fry.

[shootingstar]

becca, the issue of oil drilling and related wells within our city limits continues to be an issue.

The latest, there will be one out on the edges of one in the suburbs..less than 500 metres from a large shopping centre.

http://www.calgaryjournal.ca/index.p...-oak-residents

There will be new subdivision homes built close by. If you read the phrasing of the locals there "they're not against the oil industry, but...". The terrible reality is that the oil industry barons are all-powerful in our city. Most of Canada's corporate head offices for the Canadian firms in oil and gas industry...are in Calgary. It represents Canada's national foothold in oil and gas. (which includes the infamous oil tar sands in northern Alberta).

People in this city are very reticent to be protesting with placards, vs. in British Columbia.

[NbyNW]

24 years. I'm afraid I may get stuck here if the ground and air get affected adversely. There are some local watchdog groups I'm trying to get information on. There is a public hearing coming up in March. I wish I could sell my house and move before property values are destroyed but that isn't happening. Some of the larger more well known environmental groups have bigger fish to fry.

It was my experience that the oil industry (both old-fashioned drilling as well as oil sands development) made property values in Edmonton quite robust ... but not sure if the same could be said for the parts of Alberta that were more directly impacted, environmentally speaking.

Best of luck to you, it sounds like a very complicated situation.

[Irulan]

People need to get lawyers to review ANY contract proposed by a driller/exploration company etc. before they sign/allow ANY activity on their property.

Married to a ( non-oil) geologist.