Reasons to be cheerful??

Here in France, we cautiously welcome the appointment by President Hollande of Nicole Bricq (65ans) as Environment Minister. Mme Bricq has been consistently supportive of groups campaigning against the abomination that is shale gas exploitation. Fingers crossed. A politician nonetheless, so the pressure must remain.

In the UK, we note a piece dated Sunday, 20th May 2012 in The Independent ( strangely, not reported elsewhere ) by political editor Matt Chorley entitled Government Backtracks on fracking..........www.independent.co.uk/environment/green-living/government-backtracks-on-fracking-7768853.html# 
Not as much gas as they thought it would seem. Or is it that they have finally realised that extraction in over-populated European locations ( 3x that of eg Pennsylvania ) is simply not quite so profitable as hoped for. Or maybe that, combined with likely levels of opposition across the land fracking activity might be politically unwelcome at this point and in the period leading up to a general election when the downside of fracking might just be becoming apparent to all. So far, only Messrs Cuadrilla would appear to have shown any real interest and they will forever be known as the guys who caused the Blackpool earthquakes. Our view here at Schiste Towers is that it is probably a carefully leaked piece of PR aimed at calming the masses ( and senior pro-fracking members of the government ) much in the way that last year's law banning hydraulic fracking did here in France, whilst allowing extensive exploration to continue. This week's reprieve over there for ageing Nuclear Reactors may also have upset the energy mix debate too. Who knows. Either way, good to know that the ride is getting just a bit bumpy.

Two other snippets from the USA this week......

The first relates to the difficulty now being experienced by those holding/seeking mortgages in areas subjected to fracking: http://www.resourceinsights.blogspot.fr/2012/05/how-fracking-messis-about-to-make.html   

The second is a link to a lengthy, but crucially important video ( perhaps as important as Gaslands 
itself ) by eminent researcher Dr Thea Colborn dealing the chemicals now known to be deployed in fracking and their side effects and the implications for human health. http://www.endocrinedisruption.org/chemicals.video.php. 

Finally, whilst we welcome and acknowledge all genuinely positive developments we nonetheless exhort everyone to remember the Schistehappens motto: 'It ain't over 'till it's over'!

Brussels debating Shale Gas legislation - NOW

The European Parliament is discussing NOW whether or not to recommend the development of shale gas exploitation in all member states. If they vote to proceed with exploration involving hydraulic fracking ( this is still the only viable/proven method ) then EU legislation could override for instance the French legislation ( loi Jacob ) banning fracking.

You may wish to contact your MEP - urgently.

Gaslands - still relevant

We are aware that there are many people who have yet to see the award-winning documentary by Josh Fox 'Gaslands' which reveals the full horror of shale gas extraction by hydraulic fracking. For a taster, spend just 10 mins watching the trailer which may be seen here:www.youtube.com/watch?v=dZe1AeH0Qz8

Please pass on this link to anyone you think may still not have seen the trailer or better still the extended version. Thank you

Gaz de Schiste - Crunch time!

The commission of inquiry set up under the loi Jacob of 13th July 2011 banning hydraulic fracking and tasked with assessing aspects of likely reserves underground, the effect on the environment, climate and more, delivered its report on 22nd March 2012. It does not make good reading.

The commission, as expected, had an imbalance in its membership of representatives of the oil and gas industry, 'scientific and technical experts' and elected representatives. Environmental associations were in a minority. The 'final' report concludes that exploration, including propane fracturation and electro-fracturation which are proposed as alternatives to hydraulic fracturing, may take place under the banner of 'scientific research' and under 'strict public control'.  The authors are in favour of a 'limited number of wells'. We consider that this is in direct contradiction of the spirit if not the letter of the loi Jacob. They have further determined that there is a need to look at the 'richness' underground at the same time taking 'the maximum precautions'. Drilling experiments will commence in the area of the Paris Basin where there are existing permits and then follow on 'elsewhere'. Timetable: first half of 2012 = 'evaluation of techniques for exploration and exploitation' ( to be made public as a direct result of pressure from environmental groups ). Second half of 2012 and first half of 2013 = 'collation of findings produced by employing conventional bore holes to assess the location of oil and gas reserves'. Second half of 2013 = 'proposition for a new law and parliamentary vote'.

It is understood that the permit application for Beaumont de Lomagne (10,405 km2 : BNK Petroleum ) covering the Lot, Dordogne, Tarn-et-Garonne, Ariège and Gers ( including Mirande: Gas2Grid) is now 'under instruction'. The Conseil General of the Lot-et-Garonne are now to undertake a formal study of the risks from drilling. The Cahors permis application remains 'en cours'.

You may well wish to read the above more than once. We have condensed the information from a wide range of sources including governmental and other sites, press reports and commentary from contacts in the French environmental movement and of course the orginal report ( Décret No 2012-385 du 21 mars 2012 relatif à la Commission nationale d'orientation de suivi et d'évaluation des techniques d'exploration et d'exploitation des hydrocarbures liquides et gazeux ). We apologise for any possible minor errors that may have slipped in. Either way, it really is time to for us all to decide just exactly where we stand. It is vital that elected representatives ( the very ones that we ex-patriots are able to vote for ) be approached in this matter since local maires and members of each Conseil General will play a vital role in determining outcomes. It is even more important for us to show solidarity with our French colleagues in supporting initiatives such as the demonstration referred to in our last blog and all those that will surely follow in the coming months. It is vital that as many of your contacts/friends as possible who may be affected by this abomination be informed. Please therefore use every channel available ( address book, Facebook, Twitter etc to spread the word as soon as possible ). Thank you.

Demo in TOULOUSE - 31st March + Permits back on the table

Looks like it is demo season and time to dig out your old Non Au Gaz de Schiste placards...

We have just learned that the permit application for the Beaumont de Lomagne area covering 10,405 km2 based on 8 departements surrounding the Gers ( including the Lot ) is now back on the table having been re-submitted. Responsibility for co-ordinating all applications has been passed to the Prefect of the Haute-Garonne. It is believed that the Cahors application has also been re-submitted ( 5,750 km2 ). Demands have been made for the application(s) to be sent also to the prefect of the Midi-Pyrénées. The applications will be in the public domain and available for public viewing with the exception of 'certain paragraphs concerning commercial/industrial secrets'. The documentation will enable us to see how the initial applications have been modified ( to exclude hydraulic fracturing ) and will be sent to geology experts in the Ardeche as part of a national study.

There is a demonstration in Toulouse on Saturday 31st 2012, 15H - 18H (3pm to 6pm)
Place: Monument aux Morts ( Arc de Triomphe )
Nearest metro station: François Verdier
Parking: Halle aux Grains ( underground )

The purpose of the manifestation in Tolouse on 31st March is to mobilize against Gaz de Schiste in the Aquitaine and Midi Pyrénées and to demand the banning of all research, exploration and exploitation.

Please try to come and bring a placard.

Further info: nonaugazdeschiste47@gmail.com

I thought that was all over...

At a time when we increasingly hear cries of 'They passed a law didn't they?' and 'Surely, that's all over isn't it?' or 'It could never happen here' we are more aware than ever of the need to convey the facts, highlight the flaws in the arguments put forward by the oil and gas pundits and keep everyone up to speed with events. At this precise moment lobbying is intense and the industry is pressing the current French administration to make significant changes to existing laws. The Partie Socialiste had previously promised to ban the process of fracking outright, but Francois Holland now says that he would not in fact close the door on the possibility for ever. Dangerous times.

Please therefore, consider passing on this link to as many friends and concerned individuals as you can and ask them to click the 'Subscribe' link to the right of this article.

Thank you

Brighton Station banner - video

Just spotted at www.frack-off.org.uk ( the main UK anti-shale gas site ) an excellent video clip depicting the manufacture and erection of a giant anti-shale gas banner at Brighton Station. Can also be seen directly on You Tube ( enter/search for: 'Frack off banner drop at Brighton station').