FracTracker Alliance Community Sentinel Award for Environmental Stewardship

Do you know an extraordinary individual working to confront the harms of fossil fuels and injustice in their community? We’ve extended the deadline to withoutdoors nominate environmental advocates and community activists for the Community Sentinel Award for Environmental Stewardship until November 4, 2022.

FracTracker Alliance created the Community Sentinel Award for Environmental Stewardship to celebrate individuals whose noble actions exemplify the transformative power of committed and engaged people. This year, in collaboration with our sponsors and partners, the award will be presented to multiple recipients at a virtual reception on Thursday, December 8, 2022. can i buy Clomiphene at a pharmacy Tickets for the virtual ceremony are available now!

2022 Sentinel Award – Nomination Form

FracTracker Alliance created the Community Sentinel Award for Environmental Stewardship to celebrate individuals whose noble actions exemplify the transformative power of committed and engaged activists and advocates. In collaboration with our sponsors and partners, the Sentinel Awards are presented to multiple recipients at a virtual reception before fellow activists, allies and conspirators, all of whom are working towards a healthier and more just future.

Each awardee receives $1,000 and is recognized at the 8th annual Community Sentinel Awards ceremony, to be held virtually on Thursday, December 8th, 2022. We also welcome our partners and community members to submit the names of activists who have passed away over the last year, so that we may honor their lives and their work during the Legacy of Heroes presentation during the awards ceremony.

Eligibility criteria and nominate an environmental justice hero for the 2022 Community Sentinel Award by November 4, 2022.

Environmental Blog – Interesting Articles / Looking for Authors
Submit Your Environmental Organization to the Global Database
Dimock Pennsylvania – Well by Well Review – Natural, Natural Gas Developing, Fracking or something else.
Forever Chemicals – Frac Fluid, but many other sources (PFOA)

Interesting Online Training Course

Modern Shale Gas DevelopmentThe course provides an overview of modern shale gas development, as well as a summary of federal, state, and local regulations applicable to the natural gas production industry, and describes environmental considerations related to shale gas development.

Pipelines – Public AwarenessGas pipeline safety is critical – not just for your employees but for public safety as well. Therefore, it is imperative that gas operators have an effective awareness program to inform the public; public officials; emergency responders; as well as excavators as to the location and safe work practices around gas pipelines and what to do in an emergency.

Master Watershed Steward Program and Training in Watershed Management

The Keystone Clean Water Team has been involved in watershed training and citizen based science programs since the foundation of the organization.  We have conducted rain barrel workshops, training sessions on low impact development and rural/urban landowner stormwater management, citizen science and stream and lake monitoring programs, education on conservation of water, resources, and energy, private well owner outreach, groundwater/watershed education, and stream and watershed assessments.

In June and July of 2019, we were asked by the Penn State Master Watershed Steward Program to conduct 2 training sessions for their education efforts.

Program 1:  “Earth- Was Not Always a Big Blue Ball”
Program 2:   “Pennsylvania – Balancing Natural Gas/Development/ Groundwater and the Environment

If you are looking for other resources on these topics, please consider the following:

Educational Booklet on Drinking Water In Pennsylvania

Know Your H20 Store – Neighborhood Hazard Reports (Nationwide) and Water Testing Services

Interesting Reading:  The Poisoned City: Flint’s Water

Training Courses
Natural Gas and Fracking – Environmental Consequences
Stream Restoration (Course 1 of 6)
Stream Monitoring Program – Use our Surface Water Quality Index Calculator (give your stream or surface water a Grade)

You can find information on the Penn State Master Watershed Steward program was established to educate and empower volunteers to protect environmental resources. Training and volunteer service are coordinated at the county level by extension staff, partners, or trained volunteers. Generally 15-20 people are selected for the program each year. Those accepted to the program attend training classes that focus on a broad range of water resource topics, including groundwater, stream ecology, wetlands, invasive plants, water recreation and stormwater management. There is a one-time registration cost to those accepted into the program. This is to cover the cost of the manual, name tag, and cost of the meeting facilities.  Master Watershed Stewards work with the community to improve the health of our streams, rivers and other natural resources.

Example projects

  • Organizing educational events such as rain barrel building workshops and seminars on backyard stormwater management.
  • Participating in stream restoration projects.
  • Sampling water quality and stream assessments.
  • Coordinating and conducting stream clean-ups.
  • Working with municipal officials on stormwater.
  • Planning and carrying out habitat improvement projects.
  • Teaching adults and children about the environment.

On Climate, I do recommend:

The Politically Incorrect Guide to Climate Change (The Politically Incorrect Guides)

Global Warming-Alarmists, Skeptics and Deniers: A Geoscientist Looks at the Science of Climate Change Paperback – Illustrated, January 20, 2012.

The New Year Has Started, and We Need to Change How We Address Water Issues.

UDRBC Seminar on Natural Gas Exploration and Development on May 17

Looking to Build Website Traffic (Sponsor)

Get a Step Up on Your Competition for a Job or a Career – Step 1:  Learn,
Step 2: Learn More, and Step 3: Experience and Learn More.
Visit Us: http://online-training-courses.info/

Next Thursday, May 17, the Upper Delaware River Basin Citizens or UDRBC will be holding an event in Narrowsburg, NY to talk natural gas industry progress.

Be there! The UDRBC, lead by Ned Lang and a large group of Upper Delaware River citizens frustrated with the DRBC’s unjust denial of economic opportunity to the region will be conducting an in-depth discussion of natural gas exploration and development. It will feature three speakers including, not only me, but, far more importantly, two very exciting industry leaders who will provide fascinating insights on what’s happening. It will take place from 9:30 AM to 2:00 PM at the Narrowsburg Inn, Narrowsburg, NY, will include a buffet lunch and it’s free!

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Natural Gas Exploration and Development – The Industry Today, will feature three sessions discussing the progress of the industry today and the outlook for natural gas. The seminar will be held from 9:30 AM to 2 PM and will feature the following subjects;

  • Regional and Global Impacts from Shale
  • Perspectives on Regional Shale Development
  • Legal/Political Implications Concerning Shale (Especially in the DRBC region)

Learn More about this Event

Online Training In Energy and the Environment

Engineers – Needed PHDs
Careers in Energy
Fracking – Environmental Consequences
Workforce Development

I love audiobooks – check this out.
Try Audible and Get Two Free Audiobooks

Letter to editor the Times Tribune- February 2, 2018

Letter to Editor by Brian Oram on Pipelines and Natural Gas –  LINK 


Short Version =Published

“Regarding climate, energy, and the environment, the discussion should not be over fossil fuels or renewables or over electrical lines or gas pipelines, but how best to invest in America and its citizens.  

 

There is a lot of irony when it comes to discussions of fossil fuels, energy, and politics.  On one hand there is a push for diversity in our culture, because it makes us strong, but when it comes to energy it seems to be divided into two small camps.  The solution is not 100% fossil fuels and 100% renewables, the long-term solution lies in a diverse energy package that permits the United States of America and its citizens to flourish

 

We must make our energy decisions based on facts and not fear.  From my perspective, natural gas complements the renewable energy, i.e.,  solar, wind, hydropower, and biofuel capacity for the country and it helps ensure we have a diverse mix of energy resources.

 

Reaching our climate goals is impossible without natural gas because it’s one of the cleanest sources of energy and is responsible for the 90 percent decrease in U.S. emissions since 1990. While U.S. natural gas production is up 50 percent since 2005, total U.S. greenhouse gas emissions are down 11 percent.

 

To be honest, I have worked on more renewable energy projects then natural gas projects and I have seen many renewable energy projects get denied because of a not in my backyard (NIMBY) mindset .   

A combination of natural gas and renewable resources is the most realistic option for helping our environment while providing affordable energy to American homes.”


Longer Version (Not published)

“The division over energy, politics, economy, and environmental issues in the United States will not help solve our issues as a country.  It is time that we begin to look and make decisions based on facts, not fear.   Regarding climate, energy, and the environment, the discussion should not be over fossil fuels or renewables or over electrical lines or gas pipelines, but how best to invest in America and its citizens.  The main problems with energy are we waste a lot, we have no real storage solutions that are cost effective, and we have created urban areas that are unsustainable with respect to energy, food, and water.   Therefore our first steps should not be to pick a side of renewables over fossil fuels, but figure out a way to deal with the issues of energy waste, energy demand, energy distribution, and inefficiency.   What we have now is a system where as a country we waste over 50% of the energy we use and as a group we should ALL agree that reducing energy waste should be a Team effort.

If you support the hypothesis of man-induced and controlled climate change, we could do a lot to minimize this impact by decreasing energy waste and increasing efficiency.  If you support, the hypothesis that the sun and earth process dominate Earth’s climate and we are in an inter-glacial, we need to focus on energy efficiency, storage technology, and decrease waste for economic reasons.   Why?  Because the 50% of the energy we waste is 1 year, could have powered the UK for 7 years.   We as a country are fighting the wrong battle.  With this understanding both extremes should be able to agree that energy efficiency, a stable energy grid, and homegrown energy resources help the United States of America move forward.

There is a lot of irony when it comes to discussions of fossil fuels, energy, and politics.  On one hand there is a push for diversity in our culture, because it makes us strong, but when it comes to energy it seems to be divided into two small camps.  The solution is not 100% fossil fuels and 100% renewables, the long-term solution lies in a diverse energy package that permits the United States of America and its citizens to flourish and still do our best to protect this “Big Blue Ball” and when this occurs America has a long-term history of helping the other inhabitants on this planet.

This does not mean we put our heads in the sand and not address issues and concerns, but it also means that fear should not be used to drive a narrative.  We must make our decisions based on facts and not fear.  From my perspective, natural gas complements the renewables, i.e., solar, wind, hydropower, and biofuel capacity for the country and it helps ensure we have a diverse mix of energy resources.  To be honest, I have worked on more renewable energy projects then natural gas projects and I have seen many renewable energy projects get denied because of NIMBY.   Based on the current status of the energy grid, it is not possible for the renewable portfolio to meet the instantaneous energy needs of our Country.   Let’s stop the name calling and work together to come up with short-term and long-term solutions and invest in the research and development to make renewable energy with storage technologies a real long-term solution for the World.    It is time for America to grow-up.

This push and pull between fossil fuels and renewables is often just as polarized as the current political climate, but an irony has played out: the growth in wind and solar is often linked to, not separate from, growth in natural gas.

Natural gas complements renewables like solar and wind and helps ensure we have a diverse mix of energy resources. While, solar and wind can produce varying amounts of energy, natural gas is available on demand, immediately and provides critical support to our renewable resources. Reaching our climate goals is impossible without natural gas because it’s one of the cleanest sources of energy and is responsible for the 90 percent decrease in U.S. emissions since 1990. While U.S. natural gas production is up 50 percent since 2005, total U.S. greenhouse gas emissions are down 11 percent.

Natural gas is the most realistic option for helping our environment. This energy source will allow people to keep the lifestyle habits they are inevitably going to use anyway, and they can do so with the environment’s best interest in mind.”

This was a letter to the editor by Mr. Brian Oram – submitted to the Times Tribune.


National Pipeline Mapping System – National Gas and other Hazardous Liquids Pipeline

The U.S. Department of Transportation offers the public access to their National Pipeline Mapping System via a free online, interactive map and an iPhone app.  It displays general information for pipelines carrying gas and hazardous liquids, liquefied natural gas plants, and breakout tanks within a county-wide zone.

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While the mapping system is not to be used as a precise identifier of pipelines in a location, the public can access general knowledge about potential sources of contamination in their area.  By turning on the visual indicators for accidents and incidents in the area, it’s possible to judge remediation efforts based on past events.  Watershed organizations can submit a data request report or find the companies that are operating pipelines in your area.  The system is also a useful tool for community outreach and education efforts, whether you’re simply identifying topics for public forums and workshops or looking critically at local remediation efforts.

Featured Training Program

Fracking Environmental Consequences

Ohio Waste Treatment Facilities Charged with Clean Water Act Violations

“The centralized waste treatment plant owned and operated by Patriot Water Treatment LLC and the city of Warren’s publicly-owned wastewater treatment plant in Trumbull County (Ohio) were sued by the FreshWater Accountability Project (www.FWAP.org) for significant and ongoing violations of the Clean Water Act. Fair Shake Environmental Legal Services (www.fairshake-els.org) brought the lawsuit on behalf of FreshWater Accountability Project through the Citizen Suit provision of the Clean Water Act that allows “any citizen” to “commence a civil action on his own behalf…against any person…who is alleged to be in violation of (A) an effluent standard or limitation under ⦋the Act⦌ or (B) an order issued by the Administrator or a State with respect to such a standard or limitation.”

It appears that the pretreatment standards may have not been meet and there is a question if the proper wastewater treatment assessments or wastewater characterization were conducted as part of an Industrial Pretreatment Permit.   I am not sure if the issue of “were not carried out to protect public health and safety or the bio-accumulative impact ”  is a real issue, because it would depend on the nature of the contaminant and potential to exposure.  With respect to radiological parameters radon half life is about 3 days and most radium and uranium would likely be bound to sludge and solids, so monitoring of the waste sludge would be a big concern.   No matter what – proper waste characterization and treatability studies should always be conducted.

Read more at http://fwap.org/ohio-waste-treatment-facilities-charged-with-clean-water-act-violations/

Lawyers –  lawsuit can be accessed at http://fwap.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/Time-Stamped-FWAP-v.-Patriot-Water-Treatment-et-al.-Complaint.pdf

Training

“Fracking” Environmental Consequences

Protecting People Against Terrorist Attacks: Chemical, Biological, and Radiological (CBR) Threat Protection
Ethical Decision Making Webcast

Training Professionals – Career Training 

Webinars Natural Gas – Disposal Pit Emissions and the Link Between Wind and Natural Gas

Upper Green River Basin Disposal Pit Emission Study
When: August 25, 2016 | 1:00 – 2:00 p.m. EST
Where: Webinar

Richard L. Bowers, P.E., BCEE, GSI Environmental will discuss the air quality study of large produced water disposal ponds, part of the Wyoming Dept. of Environmental Quality Air Quality Division’s Upper Green River Basin Ozone Strategy. The goal of the study is to develop a method for accurately characterizing disposal pond air emissions using water samples.

Wind & Natural Gas as Energy Partners
When: September 15, 2016 | 1:00 – 2:00 p.m. EST
Where: Webinar

Dr. Michael C. Slattery, Professor, Director of the Institute for Environmental Studies, Texas Christian University, will discuss the environmental impacts of wind and natural gas, and how they can compliment each other as energy sources.

Other Educational Opportunities in Environment and Energy

Self- Help
Education2Go and the Udemy – Education Programs (Social Media Marketing Course) – over 30,000 courses

PASPGP-5 Training Marcellus Shale Coalition General Permit 5 Stream and Wetlands Encroachments

PASPGP-5 Training
Wednesday, July 27, 2016
4.5 Professional Development Hours (PDH) available!

The Marcellus Shale Coalition is pleased to offer to all oil and gas industry stakeholders the opportunity to attend a training session on the recently released Pennsylvania State Programmatic General Permit 5 (PASPGP-5).

Section 404(e) of the Clean Water Act (CWA) (33 U.S.C. §1344) provides for the issuance of Department of the Army (DA) general permits (GP) on a statewide basis, which operate in conjunction with a State regulatory program that protects the aquatic environment in a manner equivalent to the DA regulatory program, provided that the activities permitted under each category of such GPs are similar in nature and result in no more than minimal individual or cumulative adverse effects on the aquatic environment.

The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania’s Dam Safety and Waterway Management Rules and Regulations establish a statewide permit program for protecting the waters of the Commonwealth. The Commonwealth’s procedures for the granting of permits require the PA DEP to apply evaluation criteria consisting of alternatives analysis (for non-water dependent activities), avoidance techniques, the minimization of impacts, and if a permit is to be granted, compensatory mitigation. The evaluative criteria within the Commonwealth’s program are similar to Federal criteria under Section 404(b)(1) of the Federal Clean Water Act.

The PASPGP-5, effective on July 1, 2016, authorizes impacts to stream and wetland encroachments and crossings in Pennsylvania. During this training, attendees will be educated on the requirements within PASPGP-5. Additionally, an update on the proposed wetland and stream assessment protocols that were released for public comment in 2014 and are approaching finalization will be discussed. Lastly, industry experts will present case studies that will demonstrate five methods for pipeline stream crossings and review lessons learned.
To download the training flier, click here.
PRESENTERS
Adam D. Beck, P.E.
General Manager – Gathering Construction, CONSOL Energy
Colonel Edward P. Chamberlayne
Commander, Baltimore District, USACE
Wade Chandler
Chief, Pennsylvania Section, Baltimore District, USACE
Sid Freyermuth
Bureau of Waterways Engineering and Wetlands, PA DEP
Dave Goerman Jr.
Water Program Specialist, Bureau of Waterways Engineering and Wetlands, PA DEP
Ramez Ziadeh, P.E.
Director, Bureau of Waterways Engineering and Wetlands, PA DEP

Other online training programs (CEUs and PDHs) and Resources for Professionals.

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Dimock, PA – Court Case Status – March 1, 2016

The Dimock Court Case is live.    The following are links to a number of articles about the case.

Federal trial begins in the case of Dimock’s water contamination

Dimock resident takes the stand against Cabot Oil and Gas

High-Profile Trial Begins in Dimock, PA Water Contamination Case

Source of Water Contamination at Issue 

Ruling on Data – 300 exhibits not submitted -“because Lewis failed to notify Cabot’s attorneys she intended to present the evidence until a few weeks before the trial, which is a violation of court rules that govern when information must be disclosed to the opposing party”.

Dimock Trial Update: Plaintiffs’ Expert Witness Exposed as Fracktivist

Philly News – “Two Dimock Families” (March 4, 2016)

It would have been nice to see more reporters in the court room during the case – Here is why – Also – it is always critical to read past the headline.

From the preliminary information, it would seem the trial transcript will be interesting reading and may be a great educational tool and good for a course on ethics.    This quote is interesting – is this a conflict of interest ? – “maintain objectivity and personal integrity,” he directed that his fee be paid to a nonprofit charity of his choice.”

Apparently,     jurors like clean water -“It is obvious from their decision, however, that they believe their fellow citizens are entitled to clean water regardless of the legal or regulatory prerogatives of nearby industrial enterprises. ….. During the trial, Cabot also showed there was no proven physical connection underground between its gas wells and the water wells.”

Post Trial Motions and other Actions (Please Note this is a Cabot Page) , but it is worth reading.  Again I am looking forward to reading the actual transcripts of the case because the quotes from the site are very interesting.    If you are aware of a plaintiff website with their time line and info – please share so we can add a link.   Document that indicates it was a summary of fact.   (Again – if there is a plaintiff website with content – please share).

 

Just some thoughts

  1. It is critical to conduct proper baseline testing – new phone app describes this process – Know  Your H20? “Baseline Testing“.

Valley View Holds First High School Energy Fair Archbald Pennsylvania

Northeastern Pennsylvania gas companies went to Valley View High School in Lackawanna County to sponsor an energy fair introducing youth to energy careers.

The growth and dedication that has been displayed between the natural gas industry and educational institutions over the years has been staggering. While much of that relationship has been amongst local area colleges, high schools have been becoming closely involved too, as evidenced by the Energy Education Program offered at Valley View High School in Archbald.”

As this blog has noted before, the Energy Education Program offered by Valley View is the first of its kind in the state, as it brings energy-specific curriculum to the high school level and was developed as a collaboration between industry experts and school officials. The course covers nine different types of energy and regularly features speakers from the various industries.

But on Friday, Dec. 18, Valley View took the next big step in its program and hosted its first Energy Fair, which was planned and organized by the Energy Education Program class.

Read More about the Event and Program

We were planning to go to the event, but the presenter became ill.  Prior to the event, we did conduct training and educational course on energy conservation and Geothermal Energy.

Presentation on Sustainability Training (pdf)
Our Presentation on Careers in Energy – The Great Earth Engine (pdf)

More training Opportunities in Energy and the Environment

 How you can help the Water Science Basics ! Trying to encourage a positive change in Pennsylvania.