Conventional gas drilling has become “unconventional.”

How does this affect you?

Public debate about the safety of oil and natural gas drilling in the State of Ohio, and across the nation, has escalated dramatically in recent months.  Wells are being drilled on farmland, in residential areas, and near our sources of drinking water. Also, last year, the general Assembly passed legislation that permits drilling in our state parks and on other public lands—the first time in the history of Ohio that oil and gas drilling has been so permitted!

A relatively new drilling method, known as high volume, slick water hydraulic fracturing, is believed by many to carry significant environmental risks—from the hydraulic fracturing and all of the stages and associated processes of drilling and production.

The oil and gas industry would have us believe this is a perfectly safe process that does not put our health, drinking water, or environment at risk.  Should we trust this industry to look out for us?

This site is meant to be a resource to help you make informed decisions for yourself, decisions about how to help protect your community, and to keep up to date on legislative changes, industry positions, current news articles, and more…

_____________________________________________________________________________________________

Could Your Community Use A Stop Fracking Billboard?

Concerned citizens groups in communities around Ohio are beginning to fill local billboards with the “Stop Fracking” message—the same design that has appeared on yard signs all over the state.

These 10-foot by 24-foot billboards covey the message in a way that cannot be ignored. They create strong community awareness of the fracking issue and serve as a powerful organizing tool.

Would you like one (or more) in your community? The cost is more manageable than you might imagine. Contact us to find out how you can make it happen in your community. Email: rprosek.neogap@earthlink.net

 

_____________________________________________________________________________________________

Activists Stand in Solidarity with Families Facing Eviction by “Arrogant Aqua”

“Unfazed by an overcast and drizzly afternoon, over twenty activists gathered outside the headquaters of  Aqua America in Bryn Mawr, PA today at noon to confront the corporationabout their “moral deficit.” Aqua is in the process of evicting 32 low-income families from Riverdale Mobile Home Park in order to build a water withdrawal facility to sell 3 million gallons of Susquehanna River water per day, for the next four years and beyond, to the fracking industry. The small Riverdale community in Jersey Shore, PA was rocked by the news of the sudden evictions less than one month ago, after the Susquehanna River Basin Commission awarded Aqua its permit to withdraw water for fracking on March 15th.”

(Read Full Article via NEOGAP)

 

_____________________________________________________________________________________________

Gas Well Policy Guidelines for Key Bank

• NO mortgages will be written on properties that have a Gas Well.
• Key Bank can deny mortgage underwriting to homeowners whose properties are within 600 feet of a gas well.
• No mortgages will be written on properties which have gas leases attached to them.
• Property owner/gas rights lesser and gas companies can be held liable for damages.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________

3 arrested as ODNR lockdown prevents citizens from accessing public records and officials

March 14th, 2012 - After the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) announced last week they would lift a voluntary suspension on construction of new injection wells in Ohio for toxic wastewater from hydraulic fracturing, Ohioans attempted to enter the ODNR office demanding an immediate moratorium on underground injection fracking wastewater, a meeting between key ODNR officials and directly impacted community members, mandatory testing of wastewater, and the provision of written public records policy in response to a history of withholding public documents.

However, officials locked the gates outside the ODNR offices and set up a barricade to prevent citizens from presenting their requests. Although the compound of buildings is public property, nobody was allowed to pass.

Three citizens were arrested for crossing the barricade in an attempt to deliver their requests to ODNR offices. To read their statements, click here.

(Read Full Story via NEOGAP)

(Opinion Article on the Arrests by Greg Pace)

_____________________________________________________________________________________________

Next FaCT meeting May 17 at West Shore UU + 350.org Training

by Ron Prosek, Convener of FaCT

The next meeting of Faith Communities Together – for Frac Awareness (FaCT) will be held on Thursday, May 17 at West Shore Unitarian Universalist Church in Rocky River, 20401 Hilliard Blvd. from 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. to be followed by 350.org Training: 6:00 – 9:00 p.m.

DIRECTIONS: www.wsuuc.org/directions.php

FaCT – Faith Communities Together (for Frack Awareness) has been meeting monthly since June, 2011. More than 20 Ohio faith communities from eleven eastern Ohio counties and three in West Virginia have joined our efforts to warn faith communities in Ohio and WV and their members about “fracking” (horizontal deep shale drilling with high volume, slick water hydraulic fracturing).

Why Are Faith Communities Taking Up This Issue?

Fracking of deep shale is an environmental issue and a social justice issue. Fracking not only threatens the water, land, and air – the creation—but also many people are being manipulated, exploited, and pressured into signing drilling leases that are against their best interests and against the best interests of the communities in which they live. As Ohio Attorney General DeWine stated recently, it is “not an even playing field” for landowners vs.energy corporations seeking leases.

It is a moral imperative that faith communities must come together to spread the truth about fracking. And, energy corporations must start being honest both with landowners and with the general public in fully explaining the risks and dangers of this hazardous industrial process.

Everyone is Welcome

Our membership is composed of both lay persons and clergy. If you would like to help us, please come to our next meeting at West Shore UU Church in Rocky River.

The plan for this meeting of FaCT, is to hold an abbreviated meeting from 5 – 6 p.m. and then to join in the 350.org training from 6 – 9 p.m. in the same meeting space (Baker Hall at West Shore UU Church). This training is in preparation for the mass anti-frac action that is being planned for Columbus in June. The goal is to make the Columbus action the largest anti-frac demonstration ever in the country.

New participants in FaCT will be most warmly welcomed. If you have any questions, please contact Ron Prosek, Convener at: rprosek@earthlink.net or 440-974-2035.

(View or Download as a PDF)

Additional Articles:

Statement by Fr. Neil Pezzulo:

(View or Download “Fracking: Contrary to the Common Good And Simply Bad Public Policy” as a PDF)

 

 

(View or Download “FaCT Mission/Vision Statement“ as a PDF)

(View or Download “Episcopal Statement on Fracking” as a PDF)

(View or Download “A Catholic Brother on Fracking” as a PDF)

(View or Download “Catholic Nuns on Fracking” as a PDF)

_____________________________________________________________________________________________

Corporate Club Advisory, May 17, 2012

News Channel 5 Anchor Leon Bibb will be the moderator of the Corporate Club Luncheon Program “Powering Ohio” on Thursday, May 17 th at Landerhaven in Mayfield Hts. Panelists for this program include Dr. David Zeng, Professor of Civil Engineering at Case Western University, James Mellody, Vice President of First Energy and David Mansbery, President of Duck Creek Energy.

The discussion will center on “What is the Future of Energy?” Under consideration will be alternative energy sources such as Solar, Nuclear and Wind Power. The panelists will also discuss traditional sources of energy such as coal. Fracking will also be addressed.

Instead of paying the usual $35 per person, ask for Special Energy Group Rate of $25 per person. This will include both the luncheon and the program.

For reservations call Executive Caterers at Landerhaven at 440-449-0700.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________