EARTHTALK®: THE FRACKING CONTROVERSY
E – The Environmental Magazine Written and edited by Roddy Scheer and Doug Moss October 28, 2012 (San Diego’s East County) — Dear EarthTalk: I have heard that fracking is becoming a major environmental issue in the U.S. Which parts of the country are already hosting fracking operations? Are there efforts underway to stop the practice in specific states or across the country? — Jim Ross, Toronto, ONFracking, short for hydraulic fracturing, is a process whereby drillers blast millions of gallons of water, sand and hazardous chemicals at high-pressure into sub-surface rock formations to create fractures that facilitate the flow of recoverable oil or gas. The technique has proven so effective at reaching previously hard-to-access reserves that it has helped spur a boom in natural gas production around the country. This influx of domestic natural gas means lower home heating costs and thousands of new jobs in the industry. But opponents point to dozens of fracking-related accidents in recent years and worry that the technique is polluting groundwater and air and poisoning communities—all to get at more fossil fuels when we’d all be better off moving more quickly toward developing clean, renewable energy sources. While fracking goes on all across the country, the Marcellus Shale, a layer of sedimentary bedding under the Allegheny plateau that spans nine northeastern and Mid-Atlantic States, has become America’s primary fracking grounds. Thanks to fracking and other new extraction techniques, the gas industry is now able to access the natural gas in the Shale and beginning in 2006 commenced big extraction operations in parts of western New York State, Pennsylvania, West Virginia and elsewhere. Geologists estimate there may be as much as 489 trillion cubic feet of natural gas—400 times what New York State uses in a year—throughout the Shale. The race is now on to extract as much as possible as quickly as possible. But it’s this very gold rush mentality that has led to many so-called “fraccidents” in and around the Shale. The group Earthjustice tracks and publicizes such incidents online via its “Fracking Gone Wrong” campaign. They list dozens of examples of tainted drinking water, polluted air and industrial disasters caused or exacerbated by fracking at or near extraction sites since operations began six years ago. “Wherever Marcellus development has occurred in Pennsylvania, reports of poisoned water, sick kids and dead animals have followed,” reports Marcellus Protest, an alliance of western Pennsylvania organizations seeking to halt fracking operations. The group coordinates anti-fracking efforts, organizes demonstrations and produces educational materials, including the website MarcellusShale.org, a clearinghouse on fracking and related activism. Its advocacy work helped convince the Pittsburgh city council to ban fracking there back in 2010 and is now working to extend the ban to other areas in the region and beyond. The controversy has not escaped Hollywood. The 2010 HBO film, Gasland, followed Josh Fox around the U.S. on a quest to find out what impact fracking was having on communities after he was asked to lease his own land for hydraulic fracturing. And a forthcoming Gus Van Sant film, Promised Land, starring Matt Damon focuses on a small farming town that sells its agricultural land to frackers and pays a heavy price in losing a lifestyle and a livelihood while jeopardizing public health. Activists hope these films will go a long way to convince Americans and their elected officials to say no to more fracking. CONTACTS: Earthjustice, www.earthjustice.org; Marcellus Protest, www.marcellusshale.org; Gasland, www.gaslandthemovie.com; Promised Land trailer, www.imdb.com/title/tt2091473. EarthTalk® is written and edited by Roddy Scheer and Doug Moss and is a registered trademark of E – The Environmental Magazine (www.emagazine.com). Send questions to: earthtalk@emagazine.com. Subscribe: www.emagazine.com/subscribe. Free Trial Issue: www.emagazine.com/trial.
FOUR ARRESTED IN EL CAJON HOT PROWL BURGLARY
October 28, 2012 (El Cajon)—A resident in the 1200 block of Yerba Verde heard his doorbell ring last night at 7:50 p.m. but didn’t answer. Looking outside, he saw three males put on gloves and look into windows of his home. “Fearing for his safety, the resident called 911 and hid,” said Lt. Tim Henson with the El Cajon Police. While talking to a 911 operator, the resident heard the suspects enter the home. Officers arrived and took up positions around the house. One suspect exited out the front, where he was confronted by a police officer. The suspect ran, but was taken into custody after a foot pursuit. Another suspect ran out the back of the house and was also arrested. The third suspect fled the scene, but as more officers moved into the area, Sgt. Greg Robertson saw a car leaving the area that matched a description of the suspects’ vehicle. The vehicle was stopped and its occupants were linked to the other suspects already in custody. A total of four people were arrested and charged with burglary, including three juveniles and one adult: Mohammed Muhsin Albatat, 18, of El Cajon.The adult was booked into County Jail and all three juveniles were released to Juvenile Hall.
READER’S EDITORIAL: WHY IS THE 12TH HIGH SCHOOL PROJECT STILL AN ISSUE IN THE GROSSMONT UNION HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT?
By Bill Weaver, candidate for the GUHSD board October 28, 2012 (Alpine) – Why is building a 12th high school for the Grossmont Union High School District in Alpine still an issue? Because it was twice funded by public initiative bond measures, Prop H ($274 M) and Prop U ($417 M), Further, HS12 is a money maker for the GUHSD, the one and ONLY bond project predicted to make money, and attract new students and California Average Daily Attendance (ADA) funding, per GUHSD Demographer Mr. Vince O’Hara. There are over 1200 students that would attend, and this would alleviate overcrowding at Granite Hills HS, now populated at around 2800 students (and SAVE money by reducing physical campus needed added classrooms using up bond money because 600 fewer students would be at GHHS). With the predicted new students and district growth that will be attracted by an HS12, there would likely be soon about 2,000 students or more, many new to our district, that would fully populate the proposed HS12 campus, and have a waiting list instantly! It is plain irresponsible to NOT go forward with this project; because there is the money, and the enrollment is proven beyond a reasonable doubt to be sufficient and growing by a demographer producing a statistically high probability prediction of student growth. A professional did this recently! More silly is ignoring that Granite Hills HS is unsafe because of overcrowding (Prop H was dubbed,” The Overcrowding & Safety Measure”). The whole recent “Boundary Study” which was originally recommended by the GUHSD Bond Advisory Commission (BAC) {June 14, 2007} Report to prevent the crazy shuffling around of students is a related issue that the GUHSD Gov. Board just got in hot water over, since they ignored the Commission’s recommendation regarding the 12th high school. Prop H was meant to reduce GHHS overcrowding, and reduce unsafe student commutes, Steele Canyon Charter HS included. Almost 700 Alpine/Blossom Valley students go to GHHS, 340 go to Steele Canyon. Both are overcrowded and unsafely impacted. The student body and education suffers at both by sheer mass of students per campus. Today, the Steele Canyon Charter HS is busting out of its designed for 1800 student capacity, with its current 2400, and a waiting list to get in! Re: Oversight… The Prop H Citizens Bond Oversight Committee (CBOC) was owned by appointees’, appointed to the 1st CBOC by the GUHSD Board President, Jim Kelly. The current Prop U CBOC is a bit better, but was/is still intimidated by the GUHSD bureaucracy and the administration, as they inject a political self-interested spin, and excuses are shoveled out. Yes we need watchdogs to oversee the Citizens Bond Oversight Committee … The CBOC is part of the ineffective bureaucracy, that is why I shudder when I hear, “Strict Oversight” or supervision, that cannot exist under the current system. Bill Weaver, candidate for the GUHSD board, is an East San Diego County education and civic advocate who was named Alpine Leadership and Public Service Citizen of the Year in 2009. The opinions in this editorial reflect the views of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of East County Magazine. To submit an editorial for consideration, contact editor@eastcountymagazine.org.
PHOTOS OF THE WEEK: WIND TURBINES SCAR VIEW FROM MCCAIN VALLEY’S CARRIZO GORGE OVERLOOK
October 28, 2012 (San Diego’s East County) – Construction of the Tule Wind project in McCain Valley has not yet begun, though developer Iberdrola has pledged to preserve the most scenic portion of views across the Carrizo Gorge. But photographer Tom Lemon stopped by McCain Valley’s famed Carrizo Gorge Overlook this weekend in McCain Valley, discovering to his dismay that wind turbines at Pattern Energy’s Ocotillo Express wind project in Ocotillo are plainly visible across the formerly pristine vista, gateway to three designated wilderness areas. BLM rules do not allow the agency to consider lost views when determining siting of energy projects, unfortunately for the many who cherish wilderness. Above is the new view, with turbines across the horizon: Here are images of this inspirational place, known to locals as “our Grand Canyon” before: Just how large is each turbine? Over 450 feet! Note size of this under-construction turbine compared to vehicles: To read more about McCain Valley, a federal resource conservation area managed by the U.S. Bureau of Land Management, and the Carrizo Gorge Overlook, visit http://www.desertusa.com/mccain/oct_mcain.html
DUI PATROLS RESULT IN 4 ARRESTS NEAR SDSU AND QUALCOUMM
October 28, 2012 (San Diego)–On the weekend prior to Halloween, Deputy Sheriffs and Police Officers from local agencies participatingin the San Diego County Avoid 15 Task Force conducted DUI saturation patrols near San Diego State University and Qualcomm stadium. Halloween weekend parties and the SDSU Aztec football game traditionally brings to the area an increase in DUI drivers. The operation resulted in approximately 129 vehicles stopped, 16 field sobriety tests and 4 DUI arrests. Several citations were issued for various violations, including 2 unlicensed drivers, 1 suspended/revoked license and 2 open containers of alcohol. The purpose of the saturation patrol was to make the roadways of San Diego County safer by removing drivers who are impaired. The operation was funded by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
GRANT AWARDED TO THE EL CAJON POLICE DEPARTMENT
October 28, 2012 (El Cajon)– The El Cajon Police Department has been awarded a grant from the San Diego County Law Enforcement Foundation (SDCLEF,) which enabled the Police Department to purchase a night vision monocular. This tool will be used by the Patrol Division to assist in searching dark alleys, vacant buildings and open areas. The night vision will be also be used to locate suspects taking advantage of darkness to conceal themselves while attempting to evade arrest during nighttime hours. Over the years, SDCLEF has provided funding to local law enforcement agencies for equipment and educational scholarships. The El Cajon Police Department is honored to have been granted this award. It is through the Foundation’s generosity that police agencies around the county can better serve and protect the citizens of their communities.
HURRICANE SANDY TO IMPACT “MILLIONS” ON EAST COAST; NEW YORK COULD HAVE 11-FOOT STORM SURGE
New York may be hardest hit; damage could extend inland as far as the Great Lakes View live satellite video from NASA: October 28, 2012 (San Diego) – San Diegans with relatives and friends in the eastern United States will want to keep watch on the weather. One of the largest tropical cyclones ever in the Atlantic is expected to make landfall tonight and tomorrow along an 800-mile path of the East Coast. “The system is so large that I would say millions of people are …in areas that have some chance of experiencing either flash flooding or river flooding,” said Rick Knabb, director of the National Hurricane Center (NHC), CNN reports. The NHC warns that Hurricane Sandy is expected to bring “life-threatening storm surge flooding to the mid-Atlantic coast,” though the risk extends hundreds of miles inland. Portions of New York have been evacuated and all public transportation (subway, bus and rail) will halt at 7 p.m. Schools in low-lying areas of New York, Washington D.C. and other areas will be closed Monday, when the hurricane is expected to strike, bringing storm surge of 6 to 11 feet in New York harbor. A state of emergency has been declared in New Jersey and transportation may be disrupted across the Northeast, officials warn. The massive storm has already come ashore in the Caribbean, causing at least 65 deaths in Haiti. It is now working its way northward up the Eastern seaboard. Seas of 30 feet off the Carolinas have been observed, AccuWeather.com reports. Numerous roads are underwater in North Carolina’s Outer Banks. Moderate coastal flooding is occurring this morning in portions of Virginia and New Jersey. Federal officials expected Sandy to create damaging flood and wind conditions across a vast and densely populated portion of the U.S. on the East Coast, and as far west as the Great Lakes. “We need to make sure people understand that this is going to go well inland,” Craig Fugate, the administrator for the Federal Emergency Management Agency, said in a conference call with reporters, CNN reports. “This is not a coastal threat alone.” Currently sustained winds of 75 mph have been recorded, with stronger gusts in places. Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 175 miles and upwards up to 500 miles. The danger could last through Thursday, officials caution. The powerful storm has also disrupted the campaigns of both President Obama, who is returning to Washington D.C. in anticipation of the storm, and Mitt Romney, who has rescheduled appearances in a storm-targeted region. For more information visit the National Hurricane Center at http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/.
TEEN DRIVER CHARGED WITH DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE AFTER SERIOUSLY INJURING TWO PEDESTRIANS
October 28, 2012 (La Mesa) – A 19-year-old driver on his way home from a party this morning lost control of a Chevy Suburban as he accelerated pulling away from a curb at 700 Glencoe Drive in the Jamacha/Lomita area. He drove onto the wrong side of the street, striking two pedestrians and two parked. One pedestrian, 19, suffered a brain bleed. The second pedestrian, 20, sustained a broken clavical and broken ribs. “The driver was arrested and booked for felony driving under the influence,” said Officer David Stafford with San Diego Police Department. SDPD’s Traffic Division is investigating the accident. Anyone with information related is encouraged to call the listed Command handling the investigation or Crime Stoppers at 888-540-8477.
TSUNAMI WARNING ISSUED FOR PACIFIC NORTHWEST AND HAWAII AFTER 7.7 QUAKE STRIKES BRITISH COLUMBIA, CANADA
Update: A revised warning now includes the Pacific Northwest and Canada, as well as Hawaii. The tsunami is not expected to reach San Diego. October 27, 2012 (San Diego)—A powerful earthquake measuring 7.7 on the Richter scale struck 25 miles south of Sandspit in British Columbia at 8:04 p.m. (The quake has been upgraded from an original estimate of 7.1) Our earlier warning was based on the map at left from the West Coast and Alaska Tsunami Warning Center. Below are additional details. A TSUNAMI WARNING MEANS… ALL COASTAL RESIDENTS IN THE WARNING AREA WHO ARE NEAR THE BEACH OR IN LOW-LYING REGIONS SHOULD MOVE IMMEDIATELY INLAND TO HIGHER GROUND AND AWAY FROM ALL HARBORS AND INLETS INCLUDING THOSE SHELTERED DIRECTLY FROM THE SEA. THOSE FEELING THE EARTH SHAKE… SEEING UNUSUAL WAVE ACTION… OR THE WATER LEVEL RISING OR RECEDING MAY HAVE ONLY A FEW MINUTES BEFORE THE TSUNAMI ARRIVAL AND SHOULD MOVE IMMEDIATELY. HOMES AND SMALL BUILDINGS ARE NOT DESIGNED TO WITHSTAND TSUNAMI IMPACTS. DO NOT STAY IN THESE STRUCTURES. ALL RESIDENTS WITHIN THE WARNED AREA SHOULD BE ALERT FOR INSTRUCTIONS BROADCAST FROM THEIR LOCAL CIVIL AUTHORITIES. EARTHQUAKES OF THIS SIZE ARE KNOWN TO GENERATE TSUNAMIS. ESTIMATED TSUNAMI ARRIVAL TIMES AND MAPS ALONG WITH SAFETY RULES AND OTHER INFORMATION CAN BE FOUND ON THE WEB SITE WCATWC.ARH.NOAA.GOV. TSUNAMIS CAN BE DANGEROUS WAVES THAT ARE NOT SURVIVABLE. WAVE HEIGHTS ARE AMPLIFIED BY IRREGULAR SHORELINE AND ARE DIFFICULT TO FORECAST. TSUNAMIS OFTEN APPEAR AS A STRONG SURGE AND MAY BE PRECEDED BY A RECEDING WATER LEVEL. MARINERS IN WATER DEEPER THAN 600 FEET SHOULD NOT BE AFFECTED BY A TSUNAMI. WAVE HEIGHTS WILL INCREASE RAPIDLY AS WATER SHALLOWS. TSUNAMIS ARE A SERIES OF OCEAN WAVES WHICH CAN BE DANGEROUS FOR SEVERAL HOURS AFTER THE INITIAL WAVE ARRIVAL. DO NOT RETURN TO EVACUATED AREAS UNTIL AN ALL CLEAR IS GIVEN BY LOCAL CIVIL AUTHORITIES. THE TSUNAMI MESSAGE WILL REMAIN IN EFFECT UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION STAY TUNED TO NOAA WEATHER RADIO… YOUR LOCAL TV OR RADIO STATIONS… OR SEE THE WEB SITE WCATWC.ARH.NOAA.GOV .