Category Archives: Case Related
National Farmers Union (NFU) 2012 AGM Resolution Passed about Fracking Regulations and Enforcement
Resolution Passed about Fracking Regulations and Enforcement by National Farmers Union [Canada], AGM November 22, 2012 Whereas the legal regulatory requirements across Canada are lacking proper protection of groundwater and surface water from hydraulic fracturing, and Whereas the current regulatory scheme does not … Continue reading →
Ewart: The top 10 energy stories of 2012
Ewart: The top 10 energy stories of 2012 by Stephen Ewart, December 29, 2012, Calgary Herald 4. Fracking up … As regulators develop new rules or update existing ones and industry groups shared best-practices, the fracking revolution is just beginning … Continue reading →
Chesapeake, McClendon endure rocky year; Operators Take out Liens on Landowner Properties for Chesapeake’s Unpaid Bills
SPECIAL REPORT: Chesapeake, McClendon endure rocky year; more uncertainty ahead by Brian Grow, Anna Driver, Joshua Schneyer and Carrick Mollenkamp; editing by Blake Morrison and Michael Williams, December 27, 2012, Reuters UK The lawsuit by Otis Eastern says contracts with … Continue reading →
Hydraulic fracturing with gelled propane by Gasfrac/Crew Energy Inc./Caltex Energy Inc. contaminated groundwater near Grande Prairie: ERCB Investigative Report and groundwater monitoring by Alberta Environment
Groundwater contaminated after fracking fluid leak in Canada by Boulder Weekly, December 27, 2012 An investigation into a fracking fluid leak near Calgary, in Canada, has confirmed groundwater contamination. On Sept. 22, 2011, Crew Energy Inc. workers “inadvertently perforated above the … Continue reading →
Resolution aims to compensate landowners
Resolution aims to compensate landowners by Dan Singleton, December 25, 2012, Mountain View Gazette In an effort to get financial compensation for landowners impacted by oil and gas activities, Mountain View County councillors have passed a motion to have a … Continue reading →
Alberta to start using FracFocus
Alberta to start using FracFocus by United Press International Inc., December 20, 2012 Residents in Alberta will soon be able to get information about hydraulic fracturing fluid online, the provincial government said. Alberta’s Energy Resources Conservation Board [name changed from … Continue reading →
Fracking blowout report released by ERCB
Fracking blowout report released by ERCB by Johnnie Bachusky, December 18, 2012, Mountainview Gazette The Energy Resources Conservation Board (ERCB) has handed down its report into the fracking blowout near Innisfail 11 months ago but due to a lack of … Continue reading →
Industry advised government prior to pipeline review
Industry advised government prior to pipeline review by Drew A. Penner, December 18, 2012, Mountainview Gazette Alberta’s Energy Minister Ken Hughes is talking tough after Greenpeace revealed he met with industry leaders as the government began to decide on parameters … Continue reading →
ERCB proposing new approach to unconventional resource regulatory framework, Energy regulator wants feedback on new fracking rules
ERCB proposing new approach to unconventional resource regulatory framework by Amanda Stephenson, December 18, 2012, Calgary Herald Alberta’s energy regulator is seeking public input on new rules designed to address the oil and gas industry’s growing use of “fracking” or … Continue reading →
Alberta lays environmental charges against oilfield company after leak
Alberta lays environmental charges against oilfield company after leak by The Canadian Press, December 14, 2012, Times Colonist The Alberta government has laid charges against a Medicine Hat oilfield service company under the Environmental Protection and Enhancement Act. The charges … Continue reading →
ERCB and AESRD [“Alberta Health Couldn’t make it”] answers questions about fracking
ERCB and AESRD [“Alberta Health Couldn’t make it”] answers questions about fracking by Kathryn McMackin, December 12, 2012, Cochrane Eagle In an attempt to soothe the concerns of Rocky View County residents, the Energy Resources Conservation Board (ERCB) and the … Continue reading →
Fracking blamed in Innisfail well blowout, ERCB assigns fault to Midway Energy but no enforcement ordered because no rules in place at the time
Fracking to blame for well blowout near Innisfail, ‘Company essentially drilled too close to another well bore,’ says Alberta’s energy regulator by CBC News with files from the Canadian Press, December 12, 2012 An investigation into the blowout of a … Continue reading →
HSBC is expected to pay US authorities a record $1.9bn (£1.18bn) to settle allegations that its failure to enforce anti-money laundering rules, Swiss Probe $139M SNC-Lavalin Laundering Case, Gwyn Morgan SNC-Lavalin Chair says company aiming at improving compliance
HSBC set to pay 19bn to settle money laundering claims, HSBC is expected to pay US authorities a record $1.9bn (£1.18bn) to settle allegations that its failure to enforce anti-money laundering rules left America’s financial system exposed to drug cartels by Richard … Continue reading →
Federal fisheries officials stalling on talks to protect water
Federal fisheries officials stalling on talks to protect water by Mike de Souza, December 9, 2012, Postmedia The Department of Fisheries and Oceans has no formal plans to consult with stakeholders on new regulations or partnerships to prevent industrial pollution … Continue reading →
Appeals Court Agrees with Newspapers in the Hollowich v. Range Resources Sealed Fracking Case
Appeals Court Agrees with Newspapers in Sealed Fracking Case by Susan Phillips, December 7, 2012, State Impact Pennsylvania A Pennsylvania appeals court has ruled in favor of two newspapers seeking to unseal court records in a fracking contamination case. Hallowich … Continue reading →
Pavillion driller EnCana blasts EPA findings of hydraulic fracturing contaminating ground water and well water
Encana calls on EPA to abandon Pavillion test wells by Adam Voge, December 06, 2012, Star-Tribune Officials representing Encana Oil and Gas said on a conference call Thursday that the federal agency’s investigation into whether natural gas production has contaminated … Continue reading →
171,000 frac’d wells later, the Alberta energy regulator, the ERCB (previously EUB, soon to be AER) trots out Draft Hydraulic Fracturing Directive
ERCB (previously EUB, soon to be AER), Alberta energy regulator, trots out fracking regulations, Directive includes bulletin issued after January well blowout by Dan Healing, December 6, 2012, Calgary Herald The directive is designed to update Energy Resources Conservation Board regulations … Continue reading →
Environment minister turns down Cenovus [split from Encana] Energy project over wildlife risk, EnCana Makes First Court Appearance after Being Charged with Violating Canada Wildlife Act
[When will humans, livestock and communities be part of “wildlife” whose “habitat” is threatened by Cenovus/Encana’s “significant adverse environmental effects” and “disruptions”?] Bureaucrats told Peter Kent reforms could undermine environmental protection by Mike de Souza, Postmedia News, December 1, 2012, … Continue reading →
WATCH: Cochrane resident Howard Hawkwood worries CAPP’s new fracking guidelines too weak, Alberta rancher says he’s felt many tremors on his property
WATCH: Cochrane resident worries new fracking guidelines too weak, Alberta rancher says he’s felt many tremors on his property by CBC News, November 30, 2012 A Calgary-area rancher says Canada’s oil and gas producers’ new guidelines for hydraulic fracking don’t … Continue reading →
Alberta premier accused of conflict in tobacco case, Ethics expert says Alison Redford should have removed herself from decision-making process
WATCH: Wildrose leader says Redford misled Albertans about tobacco lawsuit contract (with video) by Darcy Henton, November 29, 2012, Calgary Herald Here is a 12-minute excerpt from Wednesday’s Question period where Wildrose opposition MLA’s peppered the government with accusations over … Continue reading →
Laurie Blakeman questions Alberta Environment Minister Diana McQueen on Groundwater and Hydraulic Fracturing, McQueen responds “That’s a silly question” when asked about baseline water testing before fracing
Alberta Legislature, MLA Laurie Blakeman questions Environment Minister Diana McQueen on Groundwater and Hydraulic Fracturing in Alberta Hansard, November 29, 2012 1176 … The Speaker: The hon. Member for Edmonton-Centre, followed by Edmonton-Beverly-Clareview. Groundwater and Hydraulic Fracturing Ms Blakeman: Thanks … Continue reading →
New voluntary CAPP guidelines to monitor, respond to earthquakes caused by fracking
New CAPP guidelines to monitor, respond to earthquakes caused by fracking by The Canadian Press, November 28, 2012, Calgary Herald The Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers has issued a new set of guidelines for dealing with earthquakes caused by fracking, … Continue reading →
Braid: Seniors shower issue deserves serious response, Tories vow to review bathing standards in care homes as outrage grows
Tories vow to review bathing standards in care homes as outrage grows by Jamie Komarnicki, November 28, 2012, Calgary Herald Liberal health critic David Swann said in the legislature on Wednesday that the once-a-week minimum bathing policy at Carewest care … Continue reading →
Swiss Probe $139M SNC-Lavalin Laundering Case, Gwyn Morgan SNC-Lavalin Chair says company aiming at improving compliance, but won’t comment on allegation $22.5M payment linked to MUHC superhospital project
Ex-boss of SNC Lavalin, Pierre Duhaime, arrested by Quebec anti-corruption unit by The Canadian Press, November 28, 2012, Calgary Herald Quebec’s anti-corruption squad has struck at the highest levels of Canada’s corporate world and has arrested former SNC-Lavalin CEO Pierre … Continue reading →
EnCana shallow fracturing and contaminated water at Pavillion Wyoming, Tests, controversy, more testing
Tests, controversy, more testing by Adam Voge, November 26, 2012, Star Tribune The dispute over whether the oil and gas industry — namely hydraulic fracturing — contributed to water contamination near Pavillion has lasted years. Here’s a look at how … Continue reading →
TransCanada gas pipeline may sidestep environmental review, Federal environmental assessment not guaranteed on B.C. pipeline with 320 water crossing
TransCanada gas pipeline may sidestep environmental review, Federal environmental assessment not guaranteed on B.C. pipeline with 320 water crossing by Larry Pynn, November 26, 2012, Vancouver Sun TransCanada’s planned 650-kilometre natural gas pipeline to Kitimat would cross about 320 watercourses … Continue reading →
Alberta MLAs endure allnight standoff to pass controversial energy bill, Alberta Introduces New Energy Regulator
Alberta MLAs react to all night session, Bill 2 debate by Emily Mertz, November 21, 2012, Global News One of the biggest items up for discussion was Bill 2: the Responsible Energy Development Act. … “It’s a huge issue,” says … Continue reading →
Doctors raise alarm over toxic coal seam gas leaks, Gas Industry Attacks Scientists After Research Finds Triple The Normal Levels Of Methane At Australian Gas Fields
Methane leaks suggest fracking benefits exaggerated by Michael Slezak, November 21, 2012, New Scientist Have the benefits of “fracking” as a way to extract natural gas been exaggerated? Australia’s biggest such operation is showing larger than expected leaks of methane, … Continue reading →
How dangerous is hydraulic fracturing?
How dangerous is hydraulic fracturing? by Alexandra Rabbitte, November 16, 2012, The Calgary Journal Fears only ‘theoretical’ says Energy Resource Conservation Board member “The concern is that when we are fracking the rock that it will crack right up and release … Continue reading →
Province unveiling tobacco reduction strategy, Advocates hope plan focuses on curbing youth smoking
Province unveiling tobacco reduction strategy, Advocates hope plan focuses on curbing youth smoking by Clara Ho, November 19, 2012, Calgary Herald He said it’s “appalling” how companies take something so deadly and addictive, make them fruit or mint flavoured, wrap … Continue reading →
Premier Redford says critics of energy regulation bill are ‘fearmongering’
Premier Redford says critics of energy regulation bill are ‘fearmongering’ by Darcy Henton, November 16, 2012, Calgary Herald Opponents of Alberta’s one-stop energy development regulator bill are “fearmongering” when they claim the proposed legislation strips away the rights of landowners, … Continue reading →
First Shot In The War Against Bill 2: Alberta Surface Rights Group demands that the Alberta Government withdraw Bill 2 immediately from the legislative approval process
Landowners, lawyers predict Bill 2 will get a rocky reception in Alberta, Responsible Energy Development Act described by one group as ‘worst proposed legislation ever introduced in this province’ by Darcy Henton, November 15, 2012, Calgary Herald Energy Minister Ken … Continue reading →
Mountain View County will inform residents about new abandoned energy well rules
County will inform residents about new abandoned well rules by Dan Singleton, November 13, 2012 , Mountain View Gazette Mountain View County council has instructed administration to come forward with a plan to inform residents about new provincial regulatory requirements … Continue reading →
Editorial: Courting disaster with frivolous cases
Editorial: Courting disaster with frivolous cases by Edmonton Journal, November 13, 2012 If justice delayed is justice denied, then something surely must be done to reverse the spiralling culture of delay in civil and criminal trials in Canada. The review … Continue reading →
Many factors slow wheels of justice, Experts say more judges, prosecutors needed
Many factors slow wheels of justice, Experts say more judges, prosecutors needed by Jason van Rassel, November 12, 2012, Calgary Herald The collapse of a case against an Airdrie man accused of molesting his stepdaughter has put Alberta’s justice system … Continue reading →
Anthony Ingraffea: Fluid Migration mechanisms due to faulty well design and / or construction
Fluid Migration mechanisms due to faulty well design and / or construction: An overview and recent experiences in the Pennsylvania Marcellus Play by Anthony R. Ingraffea, Ph.D, P.E., October 2012, Physicians, Scientists and Engineers for Health Energy The science on … Continue reading →
Alberta researchers to record ground vibrations to look for fracking quakes
Alberta researchers to record ground vibrations to look for fracking quakes by The Canadian Press, November 8, 2012, The Edmonton Journal Researchers in Alberta are digging into a controversial technique used to extract natural gas and oil that some say … Continue reading →
‘More Facts, Less Friction’ and ‘Fact or fiction’ – what’s the fracking truth?
‘Fact or fiction’ – what’s the fracking truth? by Mark Crown, November 8, 2012, The Camrose Canadian Morris argued…and used a tube of toothpaste as a prop to make his point. … Shawn and Ronalie Campbell shared a vastly different … Continue reading →
B.C. gas-well health study by Intrinsik Environmental Sciences Inc. called into question
B.C. gas-well health study called into question by CBC News, November 8, 2012 An environmental group says they are concerned a company hired by the B.C. government to study oil and gas health risks in the Peace Region may be … Continue reading →
Ken Hughes to tweak energy resource bill with six words
Ken Hughes to tweak energy resource bill by Darcy Henton, November 7, 2012, Calgary Herald Citing public confusion over his controversial one-stop shopping energy resource regulation bill, Energy Minister Ken Hughes announced his intention Tuesday to make 14 changes to … Continue reading →
Alberta shale formations hold huge amounts of oil and gas: study, headline later changed to Potential of Alberta’s shale formations may exceed oilsands: study
Alberta shale formations hold huge amounts of oil and gas: study, headline later changed to Potential of Alberta’s shale formations may exceed oilsands: study by Jefferey Jones, November 7, 2012, Reuters in Calgary Herald A new study has identified immense … Continue reading →
Treatment plants ineffective in hydrocarbon removal
Treatment plants ineffective in hydrocarbon removal by Drew A. Penner, November 6, 2012, Mountainview Gazette When oil particles from the June Plains Midstream pipeline rupture near Sundre floated downstream past containment booms along Gleniffer Lake, water treatment plants proved ineffective … Continue reading →
High methane levels shut down blown up B.C. sawmill, Methane levels found in soil samples but not in air at plant
High methane levels shut down blown up B.C. sawmill, Methane levels found in soil samples but not in air at plant by The Canadian Press, June 22, 2012, CBC News High levels of methane gas have shut down a Prince George, … Continue reading →
Seismic event in southern Alberta: could it be an earthquake
Seismic event in southern Alberta: could it be an earthquake? by Mike McKinnon, November 6, 2012, Global News Earthquakes are generally a natural disaster we don’t have to think about in Alberta, but a Cardston man’s curiosity led to discovery … Continue reading →
Energy minister Ken Hughes intends to amend Bill 2 with six words citing public confusion
Energy minister intends to amend Bill 2 with six words citing public confusion by Darcy Henton, November 6, 2012, Calgary Herald Citing public confusion over his controversial one-stop shopping energy resource regulation bill, Energy Minister Ken Hughes announced his intention … Continue reading →
Man’s alleged e-mail threats against Redford ‘did not cross the line,’ says judge
Man’s alleged e-mail threats against Redford ‘did not cross the line,’ says judge by Daryl Slade, November 5, 2012, Calgary Herald A 57-year-old Calgary man who sent alleged threatening emails to several media outlets last year did not cross the … Continue reading →
Warning over social downsides of fracking
Warning over social downsides of fracking by Paul Cullen, Health Correspondent, November 6, 2012, The Irish Times Ireland needs to guard against the “boomtown effect” of a go-ahead for large-scale fracking, according to the Canada-based Irish author of a major … Continue reading →
Tobacco companies want Ontario’s top court to throw out $50B lawsuit
Tobacco companies want Ontario’s top court to throw out $50B lawsuit by Linda Nguyen, November 5, 2012, Calgary Herald Two big foreign-owned tobacco companies asked Ontario’s top court Monday to dismiss a $50-billion lawsuit launched against them by the provincial … Continue reading →
Alberta’s proposed energy bill would drive wedge between landowners, industry: Wildrose
Alberta’s proposed energy bill would drive wedge between landowners, industry: Wildrose by Darcy Henton, November 5, 2012, Calgary Herald The Redford government’s proposed one-stop energy regulator bill pits landowners against oil and gas developers and needs significant changes before it … Continue reading →
Oilsands research confirms snow contaminated near operations, Canadian scientists not allowed to talk to the press about oil and gas industry contamination
Oilsands research confirms snow contaminated near operations by Mike de Souza, Post Media News, November 5, 2012, Calgary Herald Environment Canada scientists have confirmed results published by researchers from the University of Alberta showing contaminants accumulating in the snow near … Continue reading →
Scientists’ optimism a ray of light under Alberta Legislature dome, but Graham Thomson doubts Competent Environmental Monitoring will begin
Thomson: Scientists’ optimism a ray of light under the dome by Graham Thomson, November 5, 2012, Edmonton Journal It is business as usual under the sheathed dome of the Alberta legislature, except that two scientists are optimistic about the government’s … Continue reading →
Alberta energy bill criticized as ‘train wreck’, Province defends plan to simplify approvals
Alberta energy bill criticized as ‘train wreck’, Province defends plan to simplify approvals by Darcy Henton, November 5, 2012, Calgary Herald A new piece of provincial legislation designed to streamline the approvals process for resource development is being dubbed a … Continue reading →
Report: Energy Literacy in Canada by the School of Public Policy, University of Calgary
Report: Energy Literacy in Canada by André Turcotte, Michal C. Moore, Jennifer Winter, Volume 5, Issue 32, October 2012, The School of Public Policy, University of Calgary … Continue reading →
Corbella: Transparency is empty talk in Redford’s world
Corbella: Transparency is empty talk in Redford’s world by Licia Corbella, November 3, 2012, Calgary Herald The more the provincial Tories talk about transparency, the more opaque things get. Consider the province’s new whistleblower protection legislation. “We have gone further … Continue reading →
‘No silver bullet’ to prevent more tossed charges. says Alberta’s top prosecutor
‘No silver bullet’ to prevent more tossed charges. says Alberta’s top prosecutor by Matt McClure, November 2, 2012, Calgary Herald Alberta’s top prosecutor says the risk that criminal charges will be tossed due to delays is rising as the province’s … Continue reading →
Gabriel Nadeau-Dubois ‘guilty’ of contempt of court: Terrifying precedent for free speech
Gabriel Nadeau-Dubois ‘guilty’ of contempt of court: Terrifying precedent for free speech by Ethan Cox, November 2, 2012, rabble.ca Quebec Superior Court Justice Denis Jacques took over a month to deliberate on the case, which was heard on the 27th … Continue reading →
Gabriel Nadeau-Dubois guilty of contempt of court
Gabriel Nadeau-Dubois guilty of contempt of court by CTV News, November 1, 2012 The face of the student uprising this year has been found guilty of contempt of court. Gabriel Nadeau-Dubois, a spokesperson for the student coalition CLASSE. He faces … Continue reading →
Local Cochrane group CAUS wants province to learn from U.S. fracking mistakes
Local group wants province to learn from U.S. fracking mistakes by Derek Clouthier, October 31, 2012, Cochrane Eagle Can we not learn from the mistakes of our neighbours to the south? This is the question being asked by members of … Continue reading →
Braid: Alberta’s a tough place to be a whistleblower
Braid: Alberta’s a tough place to be a whistleblower by Don Braid, October 31, 2012, Calgary Herald Are you a potential whistleblower out there in some lonely government department, eager to reveal a regime-busting scandal but afraid you’ll be fired? … Continue reading →
No zeros, mandatory school fees don’t belong in Education Act, MLAs say
No zeros, mandatory school fees don’t belong in Education Act, MLAs say by Sarah O’Donnell, October 31, 2012, Calgary Herald NDP education critic David Eggen expressed concern Wednesday that his amendment to reduce the influence of corporations on schools was … Continue reading →