Saturday 16 August 2014

Human health hazards of certain substances used in fracking

 Human health hazards of certain substances used in fracking


Judging by the results of a new study, many of the chemicals used in hydraulic fracturing, a technology popularly known as fracking can harm not only the reproductive hormones in the human body but also the glucocorticoid and thyroid hormones, which are essential to maintain good health. Other recent research indicates that the chemical composition of wastewater generated by fracking could cause the release of tiny particles in lands that often strongly various heavy metals and pollutants are linked. Such a release would exacerbate environmental risks for accidental discharges.

Friday 1 August 2014

Upton Parish Council Meeting, Monday 28th July 2014

Hi everyone,

Many thanks to all those who came to protest peacefully outside and attend the Upton Parish Council meeting earlier this week.

Just in case you haven't seen the local press yet, attached is a photo of the protest and below are more details of the discussion at the meeting:


Sunday 15 June 2014

Your Rights after Arrest

Your Rights after Arrest

This is taken from the Barton Moss Community page

If you have been arrested on the Moss please read. This thing GMP and the CPS have been doing and getting away with - it looks like we have found the correct and simple legal remedy ...
.... the one where they make an arbitrary arrest about an imagined offence, then press totally baseless charges, and then leave them standing for months, before 'discontinuing' the proceedings a few days before a trial has been scheduled , which effectively leaves the baseless charges 'suspended', either forever , or worse, until it suited them to make use of them somehow.

Thursday 5 June 2014

To submit comments on Cheshire West & Chester Local Plan Part 2

To submit comments on Cheshire West & Chester Local Plan Part 2


1. Go to the CW&C website at http://www.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk

2. Click on the tab marked consultation (bottom right quadrant of the screen)

3. Click to See all consultations, then from the list displayed select Local Plan

4. Under the heading Local Plan (Part Two) Land Allocations and Detailed Policies… click on the link to the Consultation Portal

5. At this point you can view submissions already made by following the link Who Said What? (top right quadrant of the screen)

Monday 2 June 2014

Links of interest

 Links of interest

Fracking risks reducing house prices by 30%
North West homeowners could see the value of their property drop by 30% if the government continues to push fracking, a surveyor has warned.,Housing Market ,buy to let,surveyors ,chartered surveyors,North West,coalition,Richard Sexton,United States
Impact of shale fracking on property prices in the U.K.
The increase of shale fracking in the U.K. is causing concern for environmentalists and NIMBY's, but should property investors also be concerned? MSN reported only yesterday that, in the U.S., mortgage lenders are becoming more cautious about approving loans for properties near fracking sites.

Wednesday 21 May 2014

I REALLY wanted that job

I REALLY wanted that job

 
I`m not an environmentalist, eco-warrior, left winger or Green Party member.

I`m a very well informed and ordinary concerned citizen using knowledge and wisdom for the benefit of future generations.

I`m also an ex North Sea drill crew worker with several years experience in the industry.

I`m the page creator of N.E. Wales Anti-Fracking Action Network (NEWAFAN) based in Borras, Wrexham, North East Wales, where I`ve lived for the last 20 years.

I created the facebook page to not only let local residents know about the new planning application that was lodged on the 20`Th September with WCBC by GP Energy who propose to drill an exploration well to test for gas content within the coal seams below the Borras Head area of Wrexham, but also to try and PROPERLY inform people about the impacts and implications that surround exploitation of unconventional gas resources should this planning and future applications be approved.

Sunday 18 May 2014

England's oldest Fracktivist!

May Merchant of Chester, England's oldest Fracktivist, celebrated her 92nd birthday last week and sends thanks to Frack Free Mickle Trafford for sponsoring her Birthday cake.

Also, thanks are extended to the very talented Gill Osborne of Scrummy Somethings, Chester, who baked and decorated the cake. Contact number 01244 303298


Thursday 15 May 2014

Euro Candidates Guide



European Parliamentary Election Candidates North West of England
 So...Where do they all stand on Unconventional Gas?






The European Parliamentary Elections

Thursday 22nd may 2014



The System:


  • The ‘North West’ constituency for the European Parliament consists of Cheshire, Cumbria, Greater Manchester, Lancashire and Merseyside.

  • We have 8 MEPs.

  • Constituents vote for a party rather than an individual.
  • Parties put their candidates in a ranked order. The party then receives seats according to their percentage of the overall vote with candidates getting seats in order of their ranked position.

Saturday 10 May 2014

'First they came' - attributed to pastor Martin Niemöller

'First they came' - attributed to pastor Martin Niemöller

"First they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out-- Because I was not a Socialist.

Then they came for the Trade Unionists, and I did not speak out-- Because I was not a Trade Unionist.

Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out-- Because I was not a Jew.

Then they came for me--and there was no one left to speak for me"


So, what are you waiting for?

UK Shale Gas World Conference Censored

UK Shale Gas World Conference Censored


Following a question set to Councillor Mike Jones on Dee 106.3, regarding the impartiality of CWaC Councillor Andrew Dawson, the YouTube video of Cllr Dawson addressing the UK Shale Gas World conference in 2013 has been removed from public view. 

During his presentation last year, Cllr Andrew Dawson, Frodsham’s councillor, told Francis Egan (Cuadrilla Resources) and Andrew Austin (iGas): “I hear you and I despair. We need you to be very good neighbours. We need you to go beyond bus shelters.” (read more here)

Wednesday 7 May 2014

Objection Guide to Coal Bed Methane drilling and exploration at Dutton’s Lane, Upton

Objection Guide to Coal Bed Methane drilling and exploration at Dutton’s Lane, Upton

BACKGROUND

  • Planning permission has already been granted for exploratory drilling but the application did not pass through any local consultation committees and was granted by ‘delegated powers’, ie - The CW&C Chief Planning Officer.
  • Prior to the permission being granted, no meetings were arranged between Dart Energy and the local residents to explain the immediate impacts of the drilling and the possible long term consequences.

Tuesday 6 May 2014

Dart Energy - The Road to Disaster

Dart Energy - The Road to Disaster


July 22, 2010 - Australia’s newest coal seam gas listing Dart Energy makes its market debut today, but analysts are fearful that the new company may struggle to retain support in its early days.

February 28, 2011 - Dart Energy will acquire the 90 per cent of Composite Energy it does not already own for $US46.7 million via the issue of 35.9 million shares.

April 19, 2011 - Global coal seam gas play Dart Energy is borrowing from shareholders for $100 million in a bigger-than-expected equity raising to tide it through until it can declare commercial reserves and start up early production.

November 30, 2011 - Coal seam gas explorer Dart Energy has narrowly avoided incurring a “strike” over executive pay after major shareholders objected to options for directors.

December 23, 2011 - Dart Energy has restructured its UK and Chinese interests, boosting control over assets but meaning it will also wear more of the financial burden of development.

December 28, 2011 - Junior gas explorer Dart Energy has agreed to acquire all of the unconventional gas assets of UK-based coal bed methane explorer Greenpark Energy for $42 million.

Friday 2 May 2014

CWaC meeting 31st April 2014

CWaC meeting 31st April 2014


At last evening’s CWaC meeting we asked the executive the following question relating to unconventional gas exploration –
Will the proposed cross party working group discussion be open to the public and lead to a full and open public consultation before a strategy is agreed and that in the meantime all planning and other approvals relating to such developments relating to unconventional gas exploration and extraction are put on hold and the current draft local plan be amended to accommodate this exercise?

Thursday 1 May 2014

What is Underground Coal Gasification (UCG)?

What is Underground Coal Gasification (UCG)?


Underground Coal Gasification (UCG) is a process for exploiting coal that cannot be mined because the seams are too deep, thin or fractured.

The process involves using the same sort of drilling technology usually used for fracking to get air/oxygen into the coal seam and then set the seam on fire. By controlling the amount of oxygen injected it is then possible to only partially burn the coal and bring the gases produced to the surface where they can be burned to produce energy.

A witches brew of toxic and carcinogenic coal tars are produced in the burn cavity.

What is Shale Gas?

What is Shale Gas?

Shale Gas is methane (natural gas) which is trapped in impermeable shale rock deep underground, unlike conventional natural gas which is in permeable rocks, such as sandstone.

The gas cannot flow through the shale, so simply drilling a well, as you would for conventional natural gas, is not enough.

The shale rock must be cracked to free the gas, hence the need for hydraulic fracturing (fracking). For the same reason it is necessary to drill large numbers of wells at regular intervals. To produce as much gas as a conventional gas field with a dozen or so wells, would require hundreds or thousands of shale gas wells.

Because of the much more intense nature of the shale gas extraction process it is associated with much more negative impacts than conventional drilling.

What is Coal Bed Methane (CBM)?


What is Coal Bed Methane (CBM)?


Coal Bed Methane is methane (natural gas) trapped in coal seams underground. To extract the gas, after drilling into the seam, it is necessary to pump large amounts of water out of the coal seam to lower the pressure.

It is often also necessary to frack the seam to extract the gas.

There are a similar catalogue of negative environmental and social effects as with Shale Gas. This includes methane migration, toxic water contamination, air pollution, increased carbon emissions and a general industrialisation of the countryside.

Impacts that are specific to CBM include depletion of the water table and potentially subsidence.

Tuesday 29 April 2014

YOU can help in the Fight Against Fracking

We, the people, can resist the Fracking movement



In south-eastern Poland, Grabowiec County, Chevron's first fracking stop was Rogów, a small 106 person farming community.

The villagers signed agreements with Chevron's subcontractor to conduct seismic testing on the land they owned. Machinery arrived on the fields, walls cracked and well water turned black. Outraged, all further work was brought to a halt by the villagers.

A Quick Guide to doing your own Research

A Quick Guide to doing your own Research

Aim to find out everything you can about the technology, economics and everyone involved; the companies, investors, the directors and executives and the advocates.


Company names:


• Cuadrilla Resources
• Dart
• iGas
• Cluff Natural Resources
• Reach CSG
• Nexen Exploration UK
• UK Methane
• Coastal Oil and Gas Limited
• Eden Energy
• Archaean Energy UK
• Dart (Alkaine, Composite Energy, Greenpark Energy)


Top Keywords:


The Fracking Seismic Surveys have started

Seismic Surveys: The Fracking Spearhead

The renewed efforts by fracking companies to kick start unconventional oil and gas extraction in the UK is not confined just to drilling exploration wells. In fact, for large parts of the country residents most likely first contact with the frackers will be in the form of seismic surveys. In recent months a rash of plans for such surveys has begun to emerge, with many more likely to follow. With shale and coal formations under large parts of the UK, fracking companies need some idea of where best to drill and seismic data is often their first port of call.

Leading UK fracker IGas Energy, backed by money from french oil giant Total, has already completed a 3D survey in a 68 square kilometre area of South Yorkshire and North Nottinghamshire around Bawtry. IGas have announced their intention

Sunday 27 April 2014

List of Chemicals used in Fracking

List of Chemicals used in Fracking, purpose and function


Chemical Name CAS Chemical Purpose Product Function
Hydrochloric Acid 007647-01-0 Helps dissolve minerals and initiate cracks in the rock Acid
Glutaraldehyde 000111-30-8 Eliminates bacteria in the water that produces corrosive by-products Biocide
Quaternary Ammonium Chloride 012125-02-9 Eliminates bacteria in the water that produces corrosive by-products Biocide
Quaternary Ammonium Chloride 061789-71-1 Eliminates bacteria in the water that produces corrosive by-products Biocide
Tetrakis Hydroxymethyl-Phosphonium Sulfate 055566-30-8 Eliminates bacteria in the water that produces corrosive by-products Biocide

Proposed Drilling Site Plan, Dutton's Lane, Upton, Chester, CH2 2PE

This is the Proposed Drilling Site Plan for Dutton's Lane, Upton, Chester, CH2 2PE.

Here you will find all the Full and original planning Docs



Saturday 19 April 2014

There's More to Fracking than Just Drilling for Gas

Amended


If you think fracking is only about drilling for gas, you are wrong.

If a borehole comes to your vicinity the first thing that could happen, albeit invisibly, could be the devaluation of the property you own by about 30%, that's if you could find a buyer.

Presuming someone did decide to buy your home at the reduced sale price. Joy could turn to despair if you find that their mortgage company has turned them down because they won't insure the property.

Map of Unconventional Gas Extraction Areas and Threat to Wildlife


Friday 18 April 2014

FOI Applications

Great Crested Newt Survey

Council's position on Unconventional Gas extraction, Fracking, CBM extraction

Planning Application Documents

Dutton's Lane Planning Application Docs

Mickle Trafford Planning Application Docs

Effective Rules to Combat the Opposition

Effective Rules to Combat the Opposition

* RULE 1: “Power is not only what you have, but what the enemy thinks you have.” Power is derived from 2 main sources – money and people. “Have-Nots” must build power from flesh and blood. (These are two things of which there is a plentiful supply. Government and corporations always have a difficult time appealing to people, and usually do so almost exclusively with economic arguments.)