Thursday, January 10, 2013

Hear NPR Marketplace Interview With Me About Energy & Promise Land

I did an interview with NPR's Marketplace about energy choices and Promise Land.  Here is the link:
http://www.marketplace.org/topics/sustainability/new-petro-state/fact-check-truth-behind-fracking-claims-promised-land.

7 comments:

  1. Dear John,
    I know we differ on our opinions on just how harmful fracking and gas drilling as a whole will be on our environment, but the biggest problem I have with you is the fact that you really don’t emphasize enough the lies that are being spun by the pro gas lobbyists and media, and really try to get that word out.

    If you look at this commercial Phelim McAleer put out for his new movie Fracknation, he blatantly lies that the EPA found the Sautners water in Dimock was “Perfect”. You know and I know their water isn’t and wasn’t perfect. You know that he spins tale when he says “fracking hasn’t caused contamination”. You and I know that’s industry talk to misguide people into thing the whole process is totally safe. You know when he says the “waters been burning since the 1600’s” is meant to divert people’s attention away from the fact that methane migration does make it possible to light taps on fire because of gas drilling or bad well casings.
    If you want to be my Governor, you need to have the guts to stick your neck out and expose as fervently as you promote gas drilling to stop greedy profiteers like Phelim McAleer from making fools out of an already soulless industry that is running the state of Pennsylvania.
    This is the video I am referring to: http://youtu.be/YqRyyzoARJo

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    1. Thanks for the link to the movie clip. I look forward to seeing the whole movie when it comes out.

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    2. Don't delay going to see it. It may not be in theaters much longer.

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  2. I appreciate the comment. In the NPR interview, I explicitly say that mistakes in gas drilling caused methane to migrate to 18 water wells in Dimock. Have you listened to the interview? I regularly push back against those in the industry who say nothing happened at Dimock. I did it in my review of Promise Land, as just another example. I constantly say gas drilling is an industrial process that has impacts and cannot be done with zero impact and that is why I support strong regulation and reasonable taxation of it. Your point about too many in the industry dismissing real problems is absolutely right. And then there are others who exaggerate problems. And insist that gas, oil, and coal are the same. Not true. They are not the same environmentally, economically, or in terms of our national security. I also constantly support renewable energy and energy efficiency against attacks. Nobody has done more than me to create 25 wind farms in Pennsylvania and much more than 6,000 solar projects for example. Again, thank you for the comment.

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  3. Secretary Hanger,

    First exceedingly glad that you are going to run for governor. Good Luck to you.

    I appreciate your voice on a balanced view of unconventional gas, but I would like to point out a couple of things about your comments in the interview. First the good vs. bad comment regarding people in the industry. I interact with a lot of landmen and agree that exceeding few of them are "bad", but almost all of the them are untrained contractors who have no real knowledge of the industry and never fully grasp the lease terms they routinely explain to people. The practice of hiring untrained contract landman is a hugely deceptive industry practice that serves greatly disadvantage landowners and to greatly improve the position of oil & gas operators. It is what it is, but I think it is important to stress to landowners (and the public) that Oil & gas companies are not your friend or neighbor despite how much they spend on beautiful commercials telling you that.

    Second and related issue is that I strongly disagree that a landowner can protect themselves with stronger environmental language in a lease. This is just not practical in any way. No offense to your profession, but there are no more than a handful of attorney's in the state with any actual industry experience and knowledge sufficient to negotiate those kinds of terms with oil & gas companies. Certainly these are not the attorney's we find in the remote counties (or 6 years ago) where (and when) these services are needed. As such I suggest we need far better avenues to provide support to landowners and the state rules and regs need to be comprehensive enough that there is no need for additional lease protections.

    That said really glad to hear you on Marketplace. I have been heckling Chris Hayes at MSNBC that he needs to get you on his show to discuss Marcellus development.

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    1. Good comment. Thank you for providing it. I need luck and donations for my Governor's run. Donations of all sizes are much appreciated and can be made at www.hangerforgovernor.com.

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  4. Neither Gasland nor FrackNation lay claim to the whole truth. In fact the whole truth about fracking may not be known for a few years. In this tug of war between the people vs special interest groups (aka Oil&Gas), the people have a gut feeling that all is not well with fracking. The gas is not going anywhere so why can't investment proceed with the alternatives - Solar and Wind (both have increased activity from the likes of Google and the power companies), while fracking is studied some more and safer fluids and drilling/casing methods are devised. Another concern of fracking is the mass industrialization of what are currently usable farm lands in OH and PA. Even the large scale wind farms of the future are being planned to be located off shore, so why is fracking intent on tearing up these lands many of us call home?
    Would really like to hear your thoughts on this matter. Thanks

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