President Obama Stops Keystone XL for Economic Reasons

The announcement came today that President Obama has rejected the construction of the Keystone XL Pipeline due to its economic instability going forward.

The Bad Economics of the Keystone XL Pipeline

While many environmentalists would have liked to see the pipeline shut down for its negative environmental impact, the President has halted its development in the Northern US for other reasons - it will provide limited or no long term economic value to the country.

The Dwindling Economics of the Fracking Boom

In addition to the economic instability of the pipeline, there are reports that show just how intensely the fracking boom has also taken a hit that has left major natural gas companies scrambling to stay afloat (and some that have folded) as NG production tapers off.

People's Climate Movement: National Day of Action

The People's Climate Movement is led a National Day of Action on October 14.

While this year's event is over, you can see where events were held and to be active next year, to find a National Day of Action Movement near you, or the nearest one, click on this link to go the site's map.

Or, to learn more about The People's Climate Movement, click here and visit the about us page.

Just sharing a quick link...

As Fracking Booms In Ohio, Legislators Act Modestly To Address Public Safety Concerns

The Frack Facts Facebook Page associated with this site has seen some activity lately, more than what's happening here, so I wanted to make sure anyone interested has a chance to keep up with information dropping there.

Spring (and Any Time) Gardening Tips

Nothing to do with fracking - just a friendly article on enjoying gardening (a relaxing environmental escape)

Here are ten spring gardening tips to help make gardening an enjoyable experience and a brief buying guide for garden supplies.

After a long winter it is like a breath of fresh air to start thinking about putting in a garden. Gardening can be hard work as well as great exercise - not to mention the fresh, healthy foods and pretty flowers you get to enjoy.

1. First, don't expect to do everything in one day. Gardening should be enjoyable so plan to do the work in steps. Try to plan ahead. The whole task will be more fun and relaxing.
2. Gather the gardening supplies that help with comfort issues. Get a good pair of gloves (available at any hardware store, department store, or garden center - like Wal-mart). Good gloves reduce blisters.
3. Also, invest in a sturdy knee pad (or a gardening stool). This is vital to personal comfort for a gardener. Knee pads put a cushioned layer between knees and jutting rocks. I also tend to notice less back strain after using a knee pad. Lowe's is one store that carries durable knee pads.
4. Getting gardening tools together is the next important step. It is best to get the highest quality tools you can afford. I can't tell you how many cheap spades I have had to throw away because they fell apart. The basic tools you will find useful are a spade, shovel, hoe, and a Hound Dog garden cultivator which is available at Home Depot.
5. Make a plan - how detailed is up to you, but the more specific you are about how big your garden is going to be - the less likely you will be to waste money by buying too many plants or seeds.
6. Get information about the plants you want to grow. Some plants do not thrive when planted beside other plants (like tomatoes and potatoes). It is best to consider what you want to plant in each area.
7. Start looking at seed and plant choices. Burpee's seeds can be purchased through Burpee.com and at many stores. Check how tall each plant grows and how far it will spread out. Watermelon plants, for example, spread out and take a lot of space while caged or staked tomatoes grow in a more upright manner. Tomato cages can be purchased at Lowe's, Home Depot and most garden supply centers.
8. Decide if you want to grow your plants from seed or purchase plants. It is cheaper to grow the plants from seed but it can be difficult for new gardeners to get seedlings to grow and naturalize properly.
9. If you decide to start your garden from seed you can get an early start on your garden. Starting the seeds inside a few weeks before planting time (directions will be on the seed packets) helps you get more produce from your plants by extending the growing season a bit. Peat pellets that expand when watered are nice. You just set the seed on top and the pellet expends around it when watered. I have found them at Menard's and also Burpee.com.
10. Cultivate the ground well before setting your plants or seeds. Aerated ground is more receptive to tender plant roots and also offers better drainage. Then start planting and maintaining for your garden.

Gardening can be a fun and rewarding experience. It is also a lot of work. With a the right supplies and a little planning it is well worth the effort.

Have You Ever Wondered What a MSDS Is?

Basic information about material safety data sheets, or MSDS for short.

How Material Safety Data Sheets Are Used

The acronym MSDS stands for Material Safety Data Sheet. OSHA, the Environmental Protection Agency, as well as state and local agencies govern the administration of material safety data sheets. MSDS sheets provide information about chemical hazards encountered in the workplace.

What are MSDS business management purposes? The information included in a Material Safety Data Sheet helps an organization's management team provide proper safety equipment for workers. Businesses are required to provide workers with access to MSDS when asked by workers.

What exactly are MSDS worker uses? Workers can read a MSDS to find out what dangers they face when handling hazardous materials. Knowing the dangers tells workers what personal protective equipment is needed to perform jobs safely. Reading a material safety data sheet also gives workers the opportunity to respond effectively in the event of a chemical spill of fire.

What are the transportation uses of a MSDS? A carrier has the responsibility to safely deliver materials to their destinations. Material Safety Data Sheets provide information for the carrier about safe handling of hazardous materials.

How do safety forces use a MSDS? In the event of a serious injury or chemical spill, safety workers are able to learn about any special treatments needed by victims exposed to the material. Information about the flash point of the chemicals involved also lets them know what they are dealing with in regards to potential explosions or inhalant dangers.

What are the government purposes of a MSDS? Government offices - the EPA for example - refer to the MSDS to get information about the proper way to clean up chemical spills and potential environmental damage. OSHA inspectors would also need to confirm that workers exposed to hazardous materials are wearing personal protective equipment based on a MSDS.

What manufacturer contact information is included on a MSDS? If the manufacturer has an emergency hot-line it will be listed on the MSDS along with their general contact information. This allows them to offer immediate response to a problem a worker experiences with their product.

MSDS References:
Hazard Communication: Foundation of Workplace Safety Programs
MSDS - Material Safety Data Sheets
MSDS FAQ - Regulations

June 2014

I have been SO lazy about updating this site...


Sorry, dear readers, for the lack of activity here. If you follow the Frack Facts facebook page, you'll see there was a bit of activity there recently, mainly from folk in other countries as they become aware of the fracking debate and its spread across their lands.


Check back for updates, as there are a few links and data I plan to share here.

Supreme Court Support of Municipalities' Rights in Fracking Bans

Last month, a Pennsylvania real-life legal drama about the rights of municipalities to keep fracking out of their communities ended with a  supreme court ruling in favor of... the municipalities.


This was obviously a source of relief for fractivists and not such a good thing for hydraulic fracturing drilling (gas and oil) companies.


The debate - and the fighting - about these fracking bans is sure to go on, with business advocates asking for more leeway and environmentalists asking for more protection.


You can read more about the debate in the following Mansfield News Journal article about the supreme court decision and its possible effect on Ohio fracking, but note that the newspaper only allows a limited number of views per reader without a paid subscription.

Rocking in Ohio: What Does Disney Mean to You?

For those, of us who grew up watching Mickey Mouse's antics, and sleeping beauty fall in love with Prince Charming, the name Disney means wholesome entertainment.


So, when many parent's hear radio Disney is presenting a shoe called Rocking in Ohio - the connection to the name Disney means no alarm bells go off in our heads.


After failing to quell the curiosity and satisfactorily answer the questions presented by fractivists about the safety of fracking, the gas and oil industry has moved on to attempt to influence the view on fracking in the next generation of citizens, the children - via a partnership with radio Disney called Rocking in Ohio.


Rocking in Ohio is a traveling musical show - presented game show style - to encourage active participation in youth and families - funded completely by the Ohio Oil and Gas Energy Education Program (OOGEEP).


This alliance of entertainment and a hot button political and environmental issue raises questions in my mind.

• If fracking is as harmless as claimed, why can't the gas and oil companies prove it? Fractivists find lots and lots of examples of times it is unsafe.
• Why do the gas and oil companies have to throw big money into influencing children with fun music and gifts?
• Do gas and oil companies really think fractivists don't teach their children to think for themselves?
• What does Disney really stand for now? It used to be wholesome entertainment, but what is it now? Making money from any industry willing to shell out big bucks - no matter how beleaguered the industry is with questions about its lack of safety?

So, tell me, if you want, what does Disney mean to you and what do you think of the an industry that tries to use children as pawns in the fracking debate?

Ohio Frac Map

This short post is just to provide a link to the most recently published (September 2013) Ohio fracking map.

The dots on the map represent wells and sites where well permits have been granted.

You can put your cursor over the color-coded well dots to get more information about each well.

The name of the site hosting this information map is Innovation Ohio, and you can view the map by simply clicking the link if interested in learning more about frac wells in your community or that have been approved to come into your community.

Happy New Year From Ohio, Frac, and the Environment!

Well, if you're reading this, you made it through 2013 with us.

Ohio, Frac, and the Environment would like to wish you a healthy and prosperous 2014!

May the coming year be filled with blessings, peace, and joy for you and yours!

Check back often, sign up for email updates, or follow our RSS feed for updates as we have a lot of great information and changes coming for 2014.

and... once again... Happy New Year!

Fracking Boom Jobs Did Not Materialize and Underperformance Likely to Continue

(Sarcasm Alert!)

So, here's a big shock... They did a fracking boom study, including "state employment data, academic research and a week-long tour of half a dozen factories in Ohio" and guess what... the job results were lower than expected - as in - the explosion of jobs they told us would happen if Ohio allowed fracking - never happened and is not likely to. 

Feel free to check out the source article by clicking the link above if you would like more details, or share your thoughts in the comments section below or in our bulletin board forums.

Potential Ban on Fracking Brine Waste Injection Wells in Ohio

Very pleased to see this effort as this aspect of the fracking brine issue is exactly what drew

me into this topic and inspired this blog.


Press Release from the Ohio Statehouse


Representatives Bob Hagan, Denise Driehaus Senator Michael Skindell, along with Alison

Auciello of Food and Water Watch Ohio, Brian Kunkemoeller and Doanna Carver of Morrow

County P.O.W.E.R, introduced legislation to ban toxic fracking waste injection wells in Ohio.


 5/1/13 - Ohio State House

Earth Day Fracking Thoughts

With Earth Day coming up, April 22, it seems like the perfect time to think about the impact of fracking and fracking brine disposal.

Instead of sharing my thoughts on this, this time, I would like to hear what you, my readers, think.

Tell us: Based on all the information you have read and studied, do you think fracking is a dangerous path, or do you think it's safe?

Fracking in Environmentally Protected Zone of Meander Reservoir

ODNR permitted a fracking well in the environmentally-protected zone of Meander Reservoir. This is in Ohio's Mahoning Valley and was permitted without consulting the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) or the overseeing Mahoning Valley Sanitary District.    

Natural Gas, Pipelines, Eminent Domain, and... Ohio?

In Texas, there is a current debate over the possibility and likelihood of a natural gas company declaring eminent domain over land needed to bury pipeline "for the public good".

So, what does that have to with Ohio? Well, they have some pipeline planned for Ohio, too, though the construction phase a couple to a few years away. (Expect more than one new pipeline passing through Ohio.) But, basically, if they decide your land is in the path they need for the new natural gas pipelines, yes, they can take your land by invoking eminent domain, and there will belittle you can do to fight it.

While you wouldn't think it would be a Republican/Democrat issue if it's really for "the greater good", one potentially high-ranking Republican, Paul Ryan, has already jumped on board the pipeline issue (though in this case he's referring to the Keystone Pipeline, but don't worry, others will come) and is pushing buttons to get voters primed so they won't fight the issue.

Oh, I almost forgot to add, in comparison to the fracking process used to get the natural gas out of the ground, and the brine dumped back in the ground and on roads, the pipelines are considered relatively benign.

Solidified Fracking Brine Coming to a Landfill Near You?

Solidified fracking brine.

Now, they (OEPA and Natural Gas producers) want to solidify toxic fracking brine so it can be dumped at landfills, along with frac sand and assorted other natural gas hydro-fracking byproducts and fracking waste.

I guess it isn't enough that our underground aquifers and water tables have been turned into a big toxic septic system, now there will be plenty of (or even more) above-ground toxins, too.

Thanks so much for protecting Ohio citizens, Ohio EPA! (B the way, that was sarcasm.)

When Newspapers Mislead Readers with Sort-Of True Titles on Fracking Articles....

If you are interested in the topic of fracking, and you probably are if you are reading this, make sure you read articles all the way through. Do not judge the information by the title, and make sure, also, to go back to the original source whenever possible. I try to always provide my original sources here to make it easy for you to confirm my information, but many sites do not offer that service so some research might be required on your part - if you want to know the truth about fracking.

Now, for the inspiration for this post:

I just finished checking out a slightly older Morrow County Sentinel article with the slightly misleading title: Fracking in Morrow County not likely. (I hate it when newspapers don't capitalize titles.)

I read the article, and while the article fits the title by describing the fact that Morrow County will probably not see an influx of cash from drillers, it is misleading (accidentally so I am sure)  in that many people do not read the content - they just peruse the headlines - giving the impression that residents do not have to fear fracking brine contamination.

The article leaves out the fact that the locals in this agricultural community do face exposure through fracking brine dumping. That's right, the drillers can't get natural gas here so they are already using the county as a sort of toxic septic system and have been for some time.

Like I said, I'm just using this particular article as an example to prove my point. I want to be perfectly clear in that I feel the article mentioned is accurate about Morrow County nor seeing much money from this boom, I just think the title will give mildly interested readers who skim titles and go on a false sense of security, and I feel this is pretty common in the news industry, especially with fracking as the topic.

What Do You Have in Common with Robert DeNiro, Hugh Jackman, Paul McCartney, and Julianne Moore

If you're are against fracking, you share an interest in the environmentally unsafe practice of fracking according to the new website, Artists Against Fracking. (By the way, that is just a short list of artists who are against this dangerous practice.)

While the Artists Against Fracking website is currently addressing New York's issues, it is still kind of interesting to check out the names of the artists who have become aware of this issue and who have chosen to stand on the side of the environment and the people whose lives are affected by the negative impacts of fracking.

David Letterman on Fracking

I can't say I've ever thought much one way or the other about David Letterman, but after his recent stance against fracking I might pay a bit more attention. Letterman recently spoke out against fracking. To read a summary of his anti-fracking speech or to watch the video, click here.

My short version summary of what Letterman had to say about fracking:

• Shame on the gas and oil companies for ruining the country.
• We're screwed.