Pennsylvania going full circle

In 1859, Edwin L. Drake built the first oil well in the United States. Currently, "(a) Fredonia State College professor helped unearth findings that suggest more than 500 trillion cubic feet of natural gas lies within the Marcellus black shale that stretches from New York through West Virginia... It began during a Dec. 14 conference call with Texas-based Range Resources Corp., which was drilling near Pittsburgh. Lash's research partner, professor Terry Engelder of Pennsylvania State University, was asked how much natural gas was in the Marcellus Shale." ("Researcher: Shale holds vast supply of natural gas," Buffalo Business First.)

See article, "There's Gas in Those Hills," - New York Times

Anniversary April 15,2007 - April 15, 2008

In March 2007 we had become aware that an oil & gas company had its sites set on the Galisteo Basin. On April 15, 2007, the picture above was taken of Black-Ferrill #1. It was also used in the first Drilling Santa Fe blog post: http://drillingsantafe.blogspot.com/2007_06_01_archive.html

On April 15, 2008, comments are due about the purposed oil & gas drilling in the Galisteo Basin. From the EMNRD website, "Please use this COMMENT FORM to express your concerns and to ask these agencies any questions that you have regarding this subject. The deadline for comments is April 15, 2008. Please use a separate form for each agency with which you may have a comment."

Rocky Mountian Institutute, Berlin Conference

From the Rocky Mountain Institute, rmi.org, "In this presentation delivered to the Berlin Conference on the Human Dimensions of Global Environmental Change (by video, Feb 2008), Mr. Lovins provides a thorough overview of the synergistic and profitable benefits of advanced energy efficiency across multiple sectors (March 2008)." (Click here for direct link to the RMI library file)

Fort Worth Citizens Against Neighborhood Drilling Oridiance - FWCanDO!

From a great website Fort Worth Citizens Against Neighborhood Drilling Oridiance - FWCanDO! fwcando.org, a very nice compliment to the Santa Fe County citizens,

"-----Do you know the way to (Drill) Santa Fe?

If natural gas producers are willing to lay waste to the Land of Enchantment, how do think they feel about Texas? Here in the Land of the Barnett Shale, we seem to have traded our souls and our quality of life for a bucket full of green frog-skins.

The citizens of Santa Fe County, New Mexico have used their muscle to get county commissioners to temporarily suspend new drilling and applications. We could learn a lot from them."
http://www.fwcando.org/node/154

Garbage Warrior in Santa Fe

From an email received:

GARBAGE WARRIOR
April 11, 8 p.m.
April 12, 11:30 a.m.
$10/$8 members
www.GarbageWarrior.com
Earthships founder Michael Reynolds and his crew in person!

"Demands to be seen by as many humans as possible." – Santa Barbara Independent
What do beer cans, car tires and water bottles have in common? For renegade architect Michael Reynolds, they are tools of choice for producing thermal mass and energy-independent housing. For 30 years, the Northern New Mexico—based architect has built self-sufficient, off-the-grid communities where design and function converge in eco-harmony. Shot over three years in four countries, Oliver Hodges' British Oscar-nominated film offers a timely portrait of a determined visionary and hero of the 21st century.

(U.K., 2007, 87m, 35mm)

CCA: 1050 Old Pecos Trail Santa Fe, NM 87505 505.982.1338

Sustainability is not compatible with empire.

--

Jonah Reynolds

jonahr@mac.com

http://www.earthship.com

singularity9 (skype)

"Vultures and coyotes," - LASVEGASOPTIC.COM

"Vultures and coyotes," - LASVEGASOPTIC.COM:

"It was bound to happen. Change is inevitable and the vultures and coyotes are drooling on the doorstep of Mora County.

The “Gem of New Mexico”, as Sen. Phil Griego calls it, is facing two significant and simultaneous challenges: enforcement of a long ignored provision of state tax law; and potential development of oil and gas resources.

There is a real fear in the county that affluent vultures are looking east from Taos and Santa Fe counties, ready to soar over Mora and swoop and snatch away tax-delinquent land at a song, taking le gente’s rich culture with it. But vultures migrate too, so they’ll probably be flying over from San Bernadino, Marin, Travis, and Cook counties too.

So it’s understandable that backs are up all over the county in LeDoux, Chacon, Guadalupita, Holman etc. It’s kind of like a “Go ahead, make my day”, squinty-eyed, clenched fist, Clint Eastwood, attitude.

Besides the tax vultures, some coyotes are also on the prowl for fossil fuels. Folks in the Ocate area are becoming familiar with the good, the bad, and the ugly of oil and gas development. Companies have already managed to lease some private mineral rights for potential future development and want more. Where it will all go, and how it will affect the land and people is now being debated." (full article, click here)

"War of the Wells" - The Texas Observer

"War of the Wells" - The Texas Observer:

"Neighbors say they move in quickly. Suddenly a tall, garish, mechanical contraption belching fumes and noise dominates the neighborhood. Heavy trucks pound the streets. These are the signs of the drilling rigs that are spreading across Texas. Depending on how much oil and gas lies beneath the ground, they can stay for a few months or years. High demand, combined with improvements in drilling technology, is making it cost effective to go after the last deposits. In 2000, there were 7,974 wells completed in Texas. By 2007, that number had nearly doubled to 14,247.

Industry observers have taken to calling it a “stampede,” and prospecting drillers are bumping up hard against an expanding Texas population. Protests and lawsuits are increasing. Almost everywhere there is intense oil and gas drilling these days, citizens’ groups have formed to fight pollution, safety, and proximity problems." (full article, click here).

In related posts at the Bluedaze blog http://txsharon.blogspot.com/ : "Illegal Dumping of Barnett Shale Drilling Waste: $10,000 Reward" & "A Barnett Shale Sludge Pit Looks Like This"

"Oil, gas officials voice concern on possible drilling halt" -- The Daily Times

"Oil, gas officials voice concern on possible drilling halt," "Lines are drawn in a classic northern New Mexico land-use battle as Rio Arriba County Commissioners move to impose a six-month moratorium on new oil and gas drilling.

Meanwhile, the Texas company poised to drill in the Tierra Amarilla region of the county is pleading ignorance of the county's environmental concerns.

Rio Arriba County is rooted deeply in land-use issues. It was in Tierra Amarilla that a group of Spanish land grant protesters seized control of the county courthouse June 3, 1967, to focus attention on land-use matters." (full article, click here)

KSFR, Thanks!

Many have expressed gratitude for the KSFR coverage of the oil and gas situation in Santa Fe County. Keep tuning in to Bill Dupuy and the KSFR News Team; "Living on the Edge," David Bacon and Xubi Wilson; and "The Journey Home," Diego Mulligan. Thanks, KSFR! (click here)

"NM officials protest upcoming BLM oil and gas lease sale," AP

"NM officials protest upcoming BLM oil and gas lease sale," "Oscar Simpson, conservation chair of the New Mexico Wildlife Federation, said his group and other sportsmen would sign on to the protest.

Simpson, who also is a member of the state Game Commission, said the bighorn herd in the Caballos is a sign that the species is recovering. Allowing oil and gas development in the area would be "bad advice," he said.

"We think we need to do everything we can to make sure that we understand the area good enough to make sure that if there is oil and gas development in the area, it's got a big enough buffer zone and it won't impact this herd or its migratory paths," Simpson said." (full article, click here)

"Colorado unveils rewrite of gas, oil regulations" -- AP

"Colorado unveils rewrite of gas, oil regulations, " "DENVER — After three months of debate over a preliminary plan, Colorado officials Monday released a draft rewrite of the state's oil and gas regulations that yanked or modified parts that drew the most fire from the industry.

The proposals will implement new laws requiring that decisions about oil and gas development give additional weight to public health, wildlife and the environment. Supporters say regulations must be updated in the face of an unprecedented, statewide natural gas boom." (full article, click here)

Earth Hour

" On March 29, 2008 at 8 p.m., join millions of people around the world in making a statement about climate change by turning off your lights for Earth Hour, an event created by the World Wildlife Fund."

"Commish-Eration," Santa Fe Reporter

From the Santa Fe Reporter, sfreporter.com, "Commish-Eration," about the Candidates Forum for Santa Fe County Commissioners Districts 4 and 5, "All eight candidates are Democrats running in the June 3 primary. And yes, all are opposed to oil drilling in the Galisteo Basin." (click here for full article)

"Writer finds funny side to carbon-light life," - SantaFeNewMexcian.com

From the SantaFeNewMexican.com, "Writer finds funny side to carbon-light life," “After he bought the Funky Butte Ranch a couple of years ago, Fine traded driving his Subaru for a big ranch truck powered by restaurant grease. Lucky for him, he found a neighbor willing to collect and filter the grease. All he does is pay the guy for the "greasel" and fill up. "It's like a total dream," Fine said….

Most of all, Fine said, he's learned fossil fuel isn't necessary to a comfortable life. "Living on solar I hardly notice I'm on solar," he said. "You turn on lights, open the fridge, use the laptop, live your life. You don't need oil to power your life. I really did learn that."’ (click here for full article)

"Thawing oil spill sends 'something' downstream" - denverpost.com

From denverpost.com, "Thawing oil spill sends 'something' downstream,"

“The blackened ice formed from November through February when four oil-and-gas-well pits leaked 1 million gallons of something into Parachute Creek, the source for the Lindauers' irrigation water as well as the irrigation water for the town of Parachute.

"Something" is the word people around here use because they don't know yet what's in the spills that froze as they poured into Garden Gulch. They didn't even know there were spills until two weeks ago, when it was reported in a local newspaper.” (click here for full article)

"Guarding Galisteo, " High Country News

"Guarding Galisteo," by the High Country News, "In Galisteo Basin, south of tony Santa Fe, ranchers and blue-collar laborers share fences with second-home owners and transplanted professionals. But when it comes to energy development, these New West neighbors have found a common voice. To what local reports call “thunderous applause,” Santa Fe County commissioners enacted a one-year drilling moratorium in February. The ban will keep drills out of the basin while the county researches the impacts of energy extraction....

Even as land-use control in the Galisteo Basin remains in a grey zone, one thing is unmistakable. Without strong public involvement and organization, Santa Fe County would have no muscle to flex against the oil and gas industry. “What’s really interesting about this is the human behavior,” says Herrell. “There’s a very high emotional level among the people in this area.” Among New Mexico’s counties, Santa Fe County’s tourism-based economy and high property values also set it apart. “It’s the capital and it’s the state’s cultural center, if you will,” says Lachelt, “so they’re more likely to push the envelope in terms of what authority they have.”' (click here for full article)

Tecton Energy, LLC, Black Ferrill #1, Santa Fe County New Mexico, Oil Production

Per the New Mexico Energy, Minerals, Natural Resources Department (Oil Conservation Division -- OCD), the following is the oil production of the Houston-based Tecton Energy, LLC Black Ferrill #1 in Santa Fe County New Mexico that has been temporarily abandoned:

Monthly oil production for Black Ferrill #1, which was drilled to 2740 to 2764 feet in the Niabara formation:

Sept. 07: 4 barrels

Oct. 07: 6 bls

Nov. 07: 2 bls

Dec. 07: 15 bls

Monthly water production for Black Ferrill #1:
Sept. 07: 14 barrels
Oct. 07: 22 bls
Nov. 07: 22bls
Dec. 07: 20 bls

To look up information about oil & gas wells in New Mexico, go to Energy, Minerals, Natural Resources Department (ENMRD click here) and put in the County, such as Santa Fe or Bernalillo, then put in an operator and click continue.

Atrisco Land Grant flyer

State of New Mexico Comment Form Regarding Proposed Oil & Gas Drilling in the Galisteo Basin Area of Santa Fe County

In regards to a previous post (Tuesday, March 4, 2008 State of New Mexico Hosts Open House Meeting), the comment form can be found by clicking here or here. The deadline is April 15, 2008.

"My View(s)" SantaFeNewMexican.com March 9, 2008

From Ellen Cavalli, SantaFeNewMexican.com, "Now is the time to debunk oil industry myths:"
"Our music comes on compact discs and iPods these days, but I'm old enough to remember what a broken record sounds like. And oh boy, do I hear it whenever the topic of drilling in the Galisteo Basin comes up. So I wanted to set the record straight about what I call the "Four Big Myths," which I hear again and again." (click here for full article)

From Kim Sorvig, SantaFeNewMexican.com, "Oil and gas welcome to play by same rules:"
"This industry is one of the country's worst polluters, producing: more volatile organic compounds air pollutants than all other sources combined in some regions; 6,700 contaminated waste pits in New Mexico alone; nearly 9 percent fouled groundwater; water pollutants like benzene or radioactive materials at 100 times the Environmental Protection Agency levels permitted for any other industry; stream-killing sediments from unregulated pads and roads." (click here for full article)

Galisteo Basin Archaeological Sites Protection Act

From an email alert, "Dear Friend of Archaeological Preservation,

The Galisteo Basin Archaeological Coordination Group has recently submitted a Vision and Action Plan, and a Budget to the New Mexico Congressional delegation. The plan and budget, if funded, will finally allow implementation of the Galisteo Basin Archaeological Sites Protection Act, passed by Congress in 2004. The prospect of future oil and gas drilling in the Basin makes it ever more important to obtain funding that will allow preservation and protection of some of the most important Puebloan and Spanish Colonial sites in the Southwest. Senators Bingaman and Domenici, and Representative Udall have been supportive of the Act, but because of the many competing demands for federal dollars, they need to hear from us.

So, please take a few minutes and send a letter or email voicing your support for funding of the Galisteo Basin Archaeological Sites Protection Act. Senators Bingaman and Domenici, as well as Congressman Udall, also have contact pages on their websites, where you can enter your message and send it electronically.

Thank you for your help and support,

Bob Powers

Galisteo Basin Archaeological Sites Coordination Committee"

US Senator Bingaman: click here

US Senator Domenici: click here

US Representative Udall: click here

"Oil's End," Timothy Egan, The New York Times

From The New Yorks Times Outposts by Timothy Egan, "The common thread in all of this is oil. The Age of Oil brought us John D. Rockefeller’s monopoly, and corruption that reached into the White House. It may end with an industry too bloated by profit and too arrogant to pay the costs of its mistakes — and a president who is deaf to the sound an energy empire makes before it crumbles." (click here to go to full article link)

Climate Activism Training and Lecture: Bill McKibben & Mike Tidwell

Climate Activism Training and Lecture

Bill McKibben: Featured Keynote Speaker

Mike Tidwell: Activist and Author

Wednesday, March 26^th, Training: 5 – 6:30pm, Lecture: 7 - 8pm

Student Union Ballroom, University of New Mexico

Want to learn more about climate activism and what you can do to help fight global warming? Click here for directions and attend this inspiring and informative event! Click here for a map. Click here for more information about Bill McKibben.

These events are free and sponsored by Bookworks, 1Sky New Mexico and UNM.

"Energy company cedes its oil, gas leases along Front," Great Falls Tribune online

From www.greatfallstribune.com, "Kohlman Co. out of Billings took advantage of a 2006 federal bill aimed at protecting the Front from oil and gas development by agreeing to relinquish 22 leases on 33,411 acres south of U.S. Highway 2 in the Badger-Two Medicine area to Trout Unlimit­ed. The conservation group announced the news Tuesday.

Since 2006, 63,374 acres have been withdrawn from oil and gas development. In that year, Con­gress passed legislation banning future oil and gas leasing on 400,000 acres of federal lands along the Front.

The bill extended and expanded the 1997 decision by former Lewis and Clark Nation­al Forest Supervisor Gloria Flora to withdraw 365,000 acres of federal land in the Front from new leasing activities.

The 2006 legislation offered tax incentives to companies that give existing leases to conservation groups. Kohlman was the fourth lease-holder to give up control of its leases since the legis­lation passed. Questar, Epperson and Alberta Clip­per previously gave up plans to develop nat­ural gas on the Front....

“When we told them the area was blanketed by existing oil and gas leases, they couldn’t believe it,” Sentz said. “It’s really a very spectacular area.”

Another time, Sentz was guid­ing top-level U.S. Forest Service officials to Goat Mountain, where Chevron wanted to drill at the time.

One of the officials comment­ed, “‘Good Lord, this should have never been leased in the first place,’” Sentz said." (click here for full article)

"Judge OKs stricter rules on drilling waste," SantaFeNewMexican.com

From the SantaFeNewMexican.com, "A state district judge has upheld the state's move to tighten regulations on surface waste disposal from oil and gas operations over the protest of 16 companies.

The New Mexico Oil Conservation Commission won the appeal in state District Court in Santa Fe on Feb. 26 but didn't find out about the decision until Friday.

Mark Fesmire, head of the Oil Conservation Division, said the new rule primarily sets new limits on the amount of salt allowed in waste that is spread out on 'land farms" and remediated naturally. Under the old rule, he said, "we had not adequately controlled the waste generated during oil and gas drilling...'

Bob Gallagher, president of the New Mexico Oil and Gas Association, said he's not surprised District Judge Daniel A. Sanchez ruled in the commission's favor. 'Judge Sanchez has consistently allowed the OCD to virtually write every opinion he's penned,' Gallagher said." (click here for full article)

State of New Mexico Hosts Open House Meeting

From an EMNRD press release, "The State of New Mexico through the Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department will host an Open House allowing the public to ask questions and make comments to representatives if various state agencies regarding proposed oil and gas drilling in the Galisteo Basin area of Santa Fe County. The meeting will be held from 10:00 AM to 3:30 PM on Saturday, March 29, 2008, at the Santa Fe Community College at 6401 Richards Avenue, Santa Fe, New Mexico.

'Governor Richardson's Executive Order created a 6-month moratorium on activities related to new oil and gas drilling in Galisteo Basin. An important part of the work state agencies will be doing during the moratorium is gathering and evaluating public input' said Joanna Prukop, Cabinet Secretary for the Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department. 'This is an opportunity for citizens to provide meaningful comments in their areas of interest and concern.'

Citizens may provide written comments through the internet or at the Open House. An official comment form will be available beginning mid-day on March 10, 2008, at the Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department web site: www.emnrd.state.nm.us . On the home page, click on 'Santa Fe Drilling Public Comments Form.' Instructions will also be published at this link. The comment period will close on April 15, 2008."