UK - We take our hats off...............

'Time is running out'. In more ways than one for the UK, for the environment and the planet.

Here at Schiste Towers we take our hats off to those who are facing prosecution for LEGALLY protesting ( makes no difference to the UK police and their masters in Downing Street apparently ) during the Balcombe debacle prior to Messrs Cuadrilla aborting their operations.

Imagine what might happen here if a future French administration were to repeal the anti-fracking law ( loi Jacob ) of 2011.

Watch the short video clip and read the article here: http://www.theecologist.org/blogs_and_comments/commentators/2338703/time_is_running_out.html

UK - Important fracking conference 19th May 2014 - London

An important conference simply entitled 'Fracking' will take place at The Mermaid, City of London On 19th May 2014. If you wish to attend go to the following page (s) and register on-line or by phone.

https://fracking.govtoday.co.uk/event-home 

https://fracking.govtoday.co.uk/speakers

The myth of long-term energy indepedence - via fracking

Excellent analysis of why the UK's justification of widespread fracking in the light of Putin's ambitions is - a joke.

Read more here: http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2014/mar/26/will-shale-gas-make-europe-less-dependen

EU-US Trade pact could make fracking easier for O&G companies

Read here : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Godfrey_Bloom how fracking companies would be able to challenge planning decisions by member governments in the event of the conclusion of the proposed EU-US trade pact.

UK - Fracking hypocrisy

Read here : http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/5531421/oil-heir-lord-cowdray-campaigning-against-fracking-in-sussex.html how the Sun newspaper views the reaction to local fracking plans of Lord Cowdray. Not normally big on environmental issues at The Sun, but this seems to have got them excited.

UK - Fracking risk 'uncertain'

So lets go ahead anyway eh.

http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2014/mar/25/fracking-safety-oil-gas-report

Data from the US should provide a sound basis for comparison and over a three-year period we have posted/published scores of links on this site. But then as the UK government carries on slashing away at staffing levels at the Environment Agency - who cares?

UK - Environment Agency bending over backwards

Should we be surprised? Corporations run the show and not governments - demonstrably: http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2014/mar/21/owen-paterson-urgent-meeting-fracking-cuadrilla-lord-browne What price adequate regulation ( long promised ) and what price democracy?

UK - Behind closed doors.

Just look what has been going on - in camera :http://www.talkfracking.org/ in London. It's as if they don't want anyone to know.

US ( UK refers ) What price clean and safe drinking water?

If there are still those among our number who believe that the water will be safe to drink once wholesale fracking gets under way in the UK perhaps they should take just two minutes to read the following: http://truth-out.org/news/item/22407-contaminated-water-supplies-health-concerns-accumulate-with-fracking-boom-in-pennsylvania#.UyREvduuFug.email

In the US of course, fracking activity is exempted from the Clean Drinking Water Act. Perhaps Cameron will make a similar exemption for his pals in the O & G industry.

If you are aware of doubters/deniers please circulate as widely as possible. Thank you.

UK - 'Up to half of the country could be 'released' for fracking.

BBC ( bless them ) report appears to concern itself mostly with the likely ( we would say almost 100% certain ) harmful effects on UK wildlife if fracking should go ahead without adequate regulation. However, we note the figure of 50% of the UK landmass embedded in the article and can only wonder at the likely harmful effects on non-wild life ie that termed 'human'. Click the link to read the report:-

http://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-26553117

Read the following Friends of the Eart report to see just how our friends in the Oil and Gas Industry are seeking to limit even governments from regulating their activities. Nasty.

https://www.foeeurope.org/no-fracking-way-060314

Note also, that with the continuing savage staff cuts at the Environment Agency and elsewhere the possibility of adequate regulatory procedure being applied is virtually nil.The Cameron government have already watered down existing regulations and have issued new guidelines destined to fast-track fracking applications in all cases.

FRANCE - Says NO to Hess Oil.

If I were a fracking specialist I doubt very much if France would be my first port of call:-
http://www.english.rfi.fr/americas/20140313-french-court-bans-us-company-hess-drilling-fear-fracking

Must be easier options - surely.

UK - Frack-free food and wine. At last, someone get's the message.

We have understood for three long years, as have many French farmers and viticulteurs, that if we allow the land and water to become poisoned as a result of widespread fracking we can say goodbye to fresh, safe supplies of food and wine. Producers and consumers including our favourite suppliers, restaurants and vineyards will all be affected.

It seems that the penny has now dropped in Sussex: http://www.frackfreesussex.co.uk/frack-free-food/

UK - Is a (very) small place.

Coming to a venue near you or or loved ones soon?

http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/three-quarters-mancunians-oppose-fracking-6778067#.UxmCTcIo9-k.email

UK - What a Pickle(s). Eric favours fracking over wind farms.

The Communities Secretary ( what?!! ) Eric Pickles would appear to be applying double standards when it comes to wind farms ( clean ) over gas obtained by fracking ( dirty ).

'Greenest Government Ever' ? What a joke.

Read more here: http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2014/mar/06/eric-pickles-double-standards-fracking-windfarm

UK - Fifty percent more gas in North West than previously thought. Of course.

Should punch the share prices up even further - never mind about the practicality of extracting it/moving around in such an overcrowded little island. Read the BBC report here: http://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-26440101

Fracking water/fluids - The Industry has an answer (sic)

No doubt about it when it comes to hiding things away the good old O & G guys can be counted on to come up with some slick (!) solutions. Her they are taking the toxic waste by products of the fracking process out to sea. Read more: http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2014/02/28/oil-rigs-dumping-billion-of-gallons-of-fracking-waste-off-california-coast-with-ok-from-feds/#.UxEH3oBnFYg.email

Now in the UK they have extensive expertise in off-shore drilling/installations so perhaps that will be the way to go when the countryside is so congested with frack sites and their associated 'lakes' of contaminated water that other solutions must be found.