fracking

Johnson County, IL. Supports Moratorium on Fracking

Whitney Jones — Tue, 21 May 2013 21:14:51 +0000

Johnson County has joined other counties in southern Illinois supporting a moratorium on horizontal hydraulic fracturing.

Vice Chairman Phil Stewart was the one Johnson County Commissioner who did not support the one-year moratorium. He says the area needs the jobs.

“Johnson County is, you know, a poor county, needs some revenue,” Stewart says. “And I think it would help.”

But, Stewart says most of the jobs would be temporary.

Coalition Says IL 'Fracking' Bill Ready for Vote

John Null and The Associated Press — Thu, 16 May 2013 20:02:40 +0000

Supporters of high-volume oil and gas drilling say a bill to regulate the practice in Illinois is ready for a vote after last-minute negotiations over hiring and environmental concerns.

The House bill initially had strong support in February but stalled over an amendment requiring energy companies to hire Illinois-licensed water well drillers. Instead, companies will get a break on certain taxes if more than half their workers are from Illinois and receive prevailing wages.

Southern Illinois County to Discuss Fracking

Whitney Jones — Wed, 08 May 2013 21:22:00 +0000

Some Johnson County Illinois residents are asking their county commissioners to consider supporting a 2-year moratorium on hydraulic fracturing or “fracking” as oil and gas companies continue to look at southern Illinois land for extraction.

Johnson County Economic Development Director Ronald Duncan said if fracking begins it could bring some money the county’s way.

“If we take examples of the economic impact that it’s had in other places,” he said.” I’m thinking specifically of southeastern Ohio, the Dakotas. You see this very, very strong impact up front. A lot of people coming to town, a lot of trucks, a lot of lunches sold at the counter. Just the sheer number of people doing that work coming in perhaps could boost the retail trade here in our community significantly.”

Quinn Says Proposed Fracking Rules Good for Illinois

Whitney Jones and The Associated Press — Fri, 22 Feb 2013 13:32:02 +0000

Gov. Pat Quinn is praising a bill that would regulate high-volume oil and gas drilling in Illinois, saying it'll help the economy. Two state lawmakers have introduced a bill that would establish ground rules for hydraulic fracturing, or "fracking."

The method uses high-pressure mixtures of water, sand or gravel and chemicals to crack open rock formations and release oil and gas. The industry is eyeing southern Illinois' New Albany shale. Quinn says he's committed to protecting the environment and creating jobs.

The Morning Cram [let’s get fracking edition]

Whitney Jones — Fri, 04 Jan 2013 14:04:12 +0000

From NPR: The new movie Promised Land will have many energy industry insiders rolling their eyes with its portrayal of hydraulic fracturing. Fracking proponents are using the opportunity to inform people about their side of the story.

Tenn. Regulator Calls Fracking Opponents 'Stupid'

Whitney Jones and The Associated Press — Wed, 10 Oct 2012 13:01:07 +0000

A Tennessee worker who supervises the state’s regulation of oil and gas production says opponents of hydraulic fracturing are, in his words, “stupid.” Michael Burton’s comment was found in handwritten notes on emails sent to the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation. The emails solicited public comment on new regulations for hydraulic fracturing. The process, also known as fracking, extracts natural gas from rock by injecting high pressure mixtures of sand, water or gravel and chemicals.

the morning cram [I'm so fracking sick of this edition]

Gary Pitts — Tue, 15 May 2012 15:02:32 +0000

"And all of a sudden your tongue gets this metal taste on it. And it feels like it's enlarging, and it just feels like you're not getting enough air in, because your throat gets real 'burn-y.' And the next thing I know, I ... passed out..."

the morning cram [they took our jobs edition]

Gary Pitts — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 15:12:26 +0000

It seems European leader isn't a steady career.

NPR reports amid economic struggles, European voters are giving their leaders the boot.

Kentucky ~ No pull for ALEC here.

Illinois ~ The fight against fracking continues.

Illinois 'Fracking' Legislation Passes Senate

Associated Press — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 13:42:33 +0000

A bill regulating hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, is advancing in the Illinois legislature. The state Senate unanimously passed a bill yesterday addressing the decades-old but debated technology used to reach previously inaccessible natural gas reserves deep underground. The bill comes as energy companies are pushing to prospect possible drilling sites using fracking in southern Illinois. The legislation allows the state's Department of Natural Resources to regulate fracking.