Shale News Update

[AllanY2525]

We must remember that our health departments were created in response to environmental catastrophes caused by industrial dumping. Now our health departments turn a deaf ear to the alarms created by new industries with an even greater potential for human and environmental harm.

I somehow doubt that industrial dumping is - or was - the sole reason for the creation of a
public health department.  Surely they address other issues besides environmental pollution (?!?!?)

[Billy Mumphrey]

Maybe there is some merit in what Mr. Bobcat posted judging from this letter in today's Vindicator.

County health department takes dismissive attitude on environment

I find it hard to believe that radioactive medical waste is the sole cause triggering an increase in radiation alarms at the Poland Township Carbon-Limestone landfill. The Vindicator article titled "No cause for alarm" (Jan. 31) addresses the radioactive medical waste as the sole culprit. What about the drill cuttings arriving at the landfill from Pennsylvania Marcellus frack sites? We know these drill cuttings contain radiation with long half-lives. Who is monitoring this dumping?

The owners/operators are seeking help for what? The article seems to suggest that the standards for oversight should be lowered to accommodate the inconvenience these alarms cause.

Fast forward to Feb. 10. The Vindicator editorial titled "County Health Board exhibits tone-deafness in giving raises." The Vindicator's opinion that a "reduction in the health board's landfill inspections and a cut in the number of tests conducted on well water should be a cause for concern" is an understatement.

Indeed, this is a critical cause for public outcry particularly in light of the known environmental degradation caused by unconventional fracking. I almost leapt for joy after reading The Vindicator holds the Health Department accountable as an environmental protector whose entrusted capacity and scope must never be compromised.

Not withstanding the recent revelations of our Valley's dismal infant mortality rate, our county health department has taken a cavalier and dismissive role related to environmental protection. Why not use the proposed health commissioner's pay raise to hire renowned expert on landfill radiation Julie Weatherington-Rice (right here from Ohio) to assist in remediating landfill radiation woes.

We must remember that our health departments were created in response to environmental catastrophes caused by industrial dumping. Now our health departments turn a deaf ear to the alarms created by new industries with an even greater potential for human and environmental harm.




Kathleen Berry, Youngstown

[Irishbobcat]

Considering our government protects us by now allowing toxic fracking water to be shipped down the Ohio River I'm sure they would shut down this process....YEA, RIGHT!!!!!!

[Youngstownshrimp]

I think they need to call Biersdorfer, she is the authority today, albeit unbelievable authority.

[AllanY2525]

Okay, so if your friend claims that the wrong tests are being used and/or test results are inaccurate or
misleading, why doesn't he or she call the E.P.A., report the problem, ask that the RIGHT tests be done
and let them actually measure how much radioactivity is actually being produced.

If the E.P.A. determines that there is a danger to people and the environment, would they not shut
the whole thing down?  That IS their job, isn't it?  If the state E.P.A. won't do it - CALL THE FEDS.

[Irishbobcat]

Notes from a friend of mine.....

The article "Nothing to Be Alarmed About" was devised to convince people that the only radioactive waste they need to be concerned about in our landfills is medical iodine "which only has a half-life of 36 hours".  Omitting the facts equates to lying. Radium 226 and Radium 228 from evaporated Marcellus frack waste trucked in from Penna. is being disposed of in the Poland landfill, among others.

The life-threatening radioactive frack waste is being "downblended"-mixed with dirt in the open air behind 240 Sinter Court in Youngstown. The nuclear industry has outlawed downblending since it releases radioactive elements that cause cancer in humans into the air. Governor Kasich, who has decided Ohio should get money from injecting and disposing of the dangerous radioactive fracking wastes from PA is allowing this to be done only 1.5 miles from populated neighborhoods in Youngstown.

The quotes in this article are irresponsible and dangerous.The Vindicator needs to consult Dr. Julie Weatherington-Rice, the radioactive frack waste expert from the Ohio State University, and print the facts she gives. Dr. Weatherington-Rice spoke at YSU September 17, 2014 warning of high levels of radioactivity in Marcellus frack waste and the danger it poses to human health. Although they were invited, NONE of our county or city elected officials attended. We are in grave danger since Austin Master Services, LLC of Pottstown, PA brings radioactive frack waste to IWC/Groundtech in Youngstown, located only 1,000 feet from the city school bus garage, and below the populated Brier Hill area.

Weatherington-Rice's research reveals this company employs the wrong tests for determining radioactivity levels in partially-dissolved solids, which is what frack waste is since it contains mud, drill cuttings and is not just liquid. The radioactive water test they employ gives a false reading and the true amount of radioactivity is much higher. The company is using backhoes outside of their building to mix the radioactive frackwaste with dirt, causing radioactive particles to become airborne. Then, they truck it to our landfill where it is layered with other radioactive waste, increasing the amount of radioactivity given off into the air there.

The Vindicator needs to print facts and educate the public. A video of the YSU presentation "Shale Gas Oil Radioactive Wastes from the Marcellus and Utica Shales: what are they, how are they managed, and should we be concerned? can be viewed at:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CGGOX9NxOb4

[Youngstownshrimp]

Very good attempt to understand and explain the Utica Play by the Vindicator.  However, one who is in the financial end of the industry and one who constantly monitors and educates himself on the investment side of the energy business, reads the articles as contradicting and totally the prey of an industry who's top priority is DISINFORMATION.  Speaking of Prey, I see even the professionals locally "chugg" on the bait without hesitation.

Professor Jeff Dick is a very astute geologist but is far removed from the business daily strategies and maneuvers of the Utica players.  Geology owned by the drillers, are guarded and never leave the side of the business Gurus.  The Geology here in the norhtern Utica is fine and basically as productive as the south as disclosed by the production reports.  Infact Mr. Dick's homestead in Columbiana is next door to recent Columbiana well reports that Dick touted as very good several months ago.  The 400 recorded "Tremors" down in the southern Utica is an example of no concern by the drillers.  Hilcorp is right across the PA line north of the Poland wells fracking away.     

The northern Utica ad the Mahoning Valley is developing second to the south, they started there first.  It is very simple on when development will expand here, it is merely infrastructure.  As can be seen by Hilcorp's aggressive drilling along their finished pipeline all the way up to Mercer county and even in Columbiana when they finished that leg of the pipeline.

What many do not get is that for the last two years, Utica petrochemicals have been piped up to Canada's cracker plant near detroit.  Unlike most of the oil and gas fracked in the US, the Utica which is a wet gas play is selling.

[Towntalk]

http://www.vindy.com/news/2015/feb/08/oil-gas-drilling-drying-up-in-valley/