"It's like giving the earth Alka-Seltzer...

-- if the Alka-Seltzer shattered your internal organs so oil companies could harvest your juices."

In case you missed it, last night comedian Stephen Colbert addressed the issue of fracking on his show The Colbert Report.  Yes, it's a serious issue, but if we don't laugh everyone once and again at the gallows humor of it all I think we would all lose our minds.  There are so many funny things in this piece...I don't know where to begin.  I know I'll never look at Alka Seltzer in quite the same way again.  And who knows...will PA soon be under attack??  Have a look-see and a laugh.  You're welcome.

The Colbert Report
Get More: Colbert Report Full Episodes,Political Humor & Satire Blog,Video Archive

The Power of One.

Hello friends.  I'm sure you've had plenty of moments in recent months when you've been discouraged at the political and environmental circumstances in which we find ourselves; I know I have.  Before I began this blog a year and half ago, I was horrified, frustrated, and scared by story lines that seemed more appropriate for science fiction novels than the reality in many of our own backyards.  "I'm one person," I thought.  What the heck can *I* do?

And then by chance I came across the Edmund Burke quote which graces the banner of my blog:  "Nobody made a greater mistake than he who did nothing because he could only do a little."  That quote gave me the inspiration to start this little blog.  Over the past several months, its Facebook audience has grown to nearly 2000 people who have been brought together over a common concern.  Still, I'd become discouraged of late.  And as the universe always seems to throw you what you need when you need it, I thought I'd share what was thrown my way tonight. Never underestimate the power of one person to affect change!

"A catastrophe waiting to happen"

LinkTV, an independent media orgranization whose mission is to "engage, inform and inspire viewers to become involved in the world," recently posted an in-depth investigation into Marcellus drilling activity--based in large part in Bradford County, PA.  The report seems to have its basis in the fact that natural gas drilling is planned for large parts of Europe.  It's an excellent piece of investigative journalism--I urge you to take the time to watch!

Sierra Club video series on fracking effects

The PA chapter of the Sierra Club recently posted a series of 10 video clips featuring Kevin Heatley, Restoration Ecologist.  The series documents the various effects of fracking to PA forests. The first video can be seen below; click HERE  to view the remaining nine.

Speak out...and risk being named a terrorist.

Last time I checked, I was an American citizen living *in* America.  And then I see something like this:


Thanks to http://dearsusquehanna.blogspot.com for posting.

Don't inhale.

So what exactly is floating about in the air that we breathe....if we happen to live near gas drilling operations?  A news channel out in Pittsburgh investigated.  Wait till you see the video; the company who owns the compressor station shown in the video says they are "in full compliance" with all regulations.  Click HERE to see the clip and read the accompanying story transcript.  

Even more disturbing....the DEP admits they have no idea what the emissions are but that said, their findings of a 5 month study "did not indicate a potential for major air-related health issues associated with the Marcellus Shale natural gas activities."  Huh?  I particularly enjoyed the part of the clip where the guy from Range Resources states, "what we need is a more comprehensive policy that encourages natural gas use."  WHAT?  If I didn't know any better, I'd think they take us all for idiots.

To read the full text of the DEP's report, click HERE.

Allentown explosion kills 5, levels 8 homes.

The explosion happened late Wednesday night.  Included among the casualties was a 4 month old infant, a 16 year old girl and a 70 year old couple.  And while 8 homes were leveled, 48 homes and 10 businesses were damaged.   Utility workers had inspected the lines just the day before but hadn't detected any leaks.  The lines in question were installed back in 1928.

SPLIT ESTATE documentary wins Emmy Award, special rebroadcast upcoming on Planet Green

SPLIT ESTATE wins an Emmy for "Outstanding Individual Achievement in a Craft: Research."

Imagine discovering that you don't own the mineral rights under your land, and that an energy company plans to drill for natural gas two hundred feet from your front door. Imagine having little recourse, other than accepting an unregulated industry in your backyard. Split Estate maps a tragedy in the making, as citizens in the path of a new drilling boom in the Rocky Mountain West struggle against the erosion of their civil liberties, their communities and their health.

Zeroing in on Garfield County, Colorado, and the San Juan Basin, this clarion call for accountability examines the growing environmental and social costs to an area now referred to as a "National Sacrifice Zone."

This is no Love Canal or Three Mile Island. With its breathtaking panoramas, aspen-dotted meadows, and clear mountain streams, this is the Colorado of John Denver anthems -- the wide-open spaces that have long stirred our national imagination.

Exempt from federal protections like the Clean Water Act, the oil and gas industry has left this idyllic landscape and its rural communities pockmarked with abandoned homes and polluted waters. One Garfield County resident demonstrates the degree of benzene contamination in a mountain stream by setting it alight with a match. Many others, gravely ill, fight for their health and for the health of their children. All the while, the industry assures us it is a "good neighbor."

Ordinary homeowners and ranchers absorb the cost. Actually, we all pay the price in this devastating clash of interests that extends well beyond the Rockies. Aggressively seeking new leases in as many as 32 states, the industry is even making a bid to drill in the New York City watershed, which provides drinking water to millions.

As public health concerns mount, Split Estate cracks the sugarcoating on an industry touted as a clean alternative to fossil fuels, and poignantly drives home the need for real alternatives.

Watch the trailer for the documentary, and don't miss a special airing October 16 at 10 p.m. on Planet Green.

Meet the Split Estate activists, and take a look at a slideshow on drilling for oil.

Press release as published on PLANET GREEN'S website. 

What happens when a windmill falls in the ocean? A splash.

Bill Maher's "New Rules" segment on yesterday's show promotes a transition to wind and solar power not only for environmental reasons, but to create jobs in renewable energy.

New blog telling our stories

Elizabeth Berkowitz, blogger for "How Should We Do The Mountain?" (and whom Protect the Endless Mtns recently joined forces with on our Facebook page), has a fantastic new blog entitled "Faces of Frackland."  Her new blog tells the stories of 20+ people and growing--stories documenting how the natural gas industry which has invaded our state is affecting actual local residents.  For her efforts, Elizabeth was recently interviewed on WENY.

Video archive of Marcellus Shale town hall meeting

On April 22, M&T Bank hosted a town hall meeting on issues surrounding Marcellus Shale drilling in Pennsylvania.  The meeting included a panel of representatives from legal, banking, state agency and gas industry professions; it was broadcast live and archived on PCNs (PA Cable Network) website.  There doesn't appear to be direct links to the archived videos but to access them, go to  www.pcntv.com/streaming/streaming.html , click on "Special Presentations" from the menu along the right, and scroll down until you find "April 22, 2010--Town Meeting--Marcellus Shale."  Please note that there are parts 1 &2 and that you will need Quicktime on your pc to view the video.  If your pc doesn't already have Quicktime installed, you will be prompted to do so.  The program is free and legitimate.

Property values

Thinking of signing a lease to allow drilling on your land?  Think again.