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Fracking
Pros and cons of fracking in Ireland to be examined by two-year research study
The EPA notes that although there are currently no hydraulic fracturing (fracking) projects under way in Ireland, the gas exploration method “is an emerging issue”.
THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY (EPA) is to carry out a two-year research programme to assess the potential impact of fracking.
The EPA notes that although there are currently no hydraulic fracturing (fracking) projects under way in Ireland, the gas exploration method “is an emerging issue”.
The research programme, for which the EPA is now accepting tender applications, will assist regulators on both sides of the border to form rules on fracking activity.
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The EPA says the research will involve extensive review of fracking activity worldwide as well as additional practical research.
Fracking is a method of gas exploration where water is mixed with sand and other additives and pumped into underground bedrock at high pressure to fracture the rock.
It has been criticised for having the potential to contaminate underground water tables and causing underground instability.
The EPA earlier this year received a over 1,300 submissions as part of a consultation programme on the issue of fracking. “A large number of submissions expressed concerns and general opposition to fracking, ” says the EPA. “Calling for a ‘ban on fracking in Ireland’ until more information is available about the potential environmental and health impacts.”
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Actually, we should try and persuade more fracking companies to enter Ireland as it would be of great benefit to our economy. Anyone who disagrees is probably the type of person that campaigns against fluoride.
Tap water is not flammable.
Fracking has been in use commercially since around 1950, that’s long enough to sit it out.
“Renee McClure also misleads viewers about the connection between natural gas development and methane in water wells. McClure’s well was sampled by the state of Colorado and it, too, showed only naturally occurring methane.”
Fracking is only a viable option in countries the size of Canada, but it’s madness in Ireland. The island of Ireland would fit into Alberta alone 8 times. Its much better putting the land to work for the future generations instead of destroying it for the sake of a few months worth of natural gas.
Its fantastic for the Canadian economy, but is it worth it in the long run? Aren’t we supposed to be moving away from damaging non renewable energy sources? Short visioned, quick profiteering is slowly defining Ireland.
You should do your research if you think that. The Alberta “tar sands” is a slightly different method to this type of fracking. Both have the same environmental consequences.
What have I said then that was lies or exaggeration? I agree with you that environmentalists often exaggerate their points. But fracking by definition is a destructive process. All I was saying was that Canada is a good example of how it can work, because of the massive uninhabited (apart from indigenous natives, but whats new?) land masses involved there. Ireland does not have that luxury. With fracking in Ireland, the pro’s far outweigh the cons. Fossil fuels are drying up so we need to stop flogging a dead horse for relatively small profits and sort out a serious, sustainable approach. (Which in my books could include nuclear power, incase I’m accused again of being a green activist)
Google is for you greenies, all that I post is from research going back to 1998 on the internet and from books, scientific journals and first hand experience since c1970. Plus study at 2 Universities and seminars.
“You greenies”….. Don’t know too many of them that is ok with modern nuclear energy, but anyway. I’m living in Canada, and have visited mates working on the tarsands near Edmonton, better experience than google. Many here call the tar sands process “fracking”, although probably partially incorrectly, it’s still a destructive process of extracting fuel from within the rock. I’ve read plenty of books that are full of shite and went to college too. Neither have monolopy on truth, so don’t get carried away with yourself. Keep your fingers in your ears if you have already made your mind up on this issue.
“Pros and cons of fracking in Ireland to be examined by two-year research study”
The major Pro would be the boost to our brown envelope manufacturing industry as the backhanders fly in the scramble to pillage more of the Irish peoples birthright.
There will be quite a few sleveen public representatives ‘winning money on the horses’(tm) if fracking gets the green light.
“The 2010 movie Gasland brought these claims (and many others) to the public attention. Gasland painted a horrifying and emotionally charged picture of conspiracy, profiteering, environmental ruin, and the reckless wholesale poisoning of people and animals by the drilling companies. The energy industry was quick to respond to the apparent slander, even posting a web page called “Debunking Gasland” (and others) that not only denied virtually all of the movie’s factual claims, but also was heavy on ad-hominem attacks against its maker, an activist whom they describe as an avant-garde stage director with no expertise in either geology or drilling. Whom should the average person on the street believe? Unfortunately, they generally only hear from one of these sources or the other, and rarely or never get the unbiased, science-based facts.”
Fracking will benefit very few and has a real possibility of destroying the lives of many. The best thing to do is leave what’s under the soil where it is and let us all carry on as we are.
In the cartoon,Mike Markham, a landowner, ignites his tap water. The film leaves the viewer with the false impression that the flaming tap water is a result of natural gas drilling. However, according to the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission, which tested Markham’s water in 2008, there were “no indications of oil & gas related impacts to water well.” Instead the investigation found that the methane was “biogenic” in nature, meaning it was naturally occurring and that his water well was drilled into a natural gas pocket.
What about twerking? Cork has been laid waste by this activity and we have to ask why their holinesses the bishops remain silent on this issue. The statue of Father in Patrick Street has spun around twice this week.
None of the scaremongering about fracking stands up to scrutiny. Greens don’t want you to have cheap power, they want to ration it and control how you use it by means of smart-meters. People can’t afford this green nonsense any more, we need cheap reliable energy and that is not going to come from any of the scams such as wind and solar.
@turflife 4 of those sycamores mentioned the other day have 4-6 trunks which are 9″ at the base, not bad for 12 years and the 14 year old are just a tiny bit bigger ;-)
PS @turflife, those multi trunks are natural, the trees were not touched since starting from seed, hard to tell until I knock them but there is maybe a month of fuel there.
Reports from the 1800’s document gas
bubbles in water wells, in streams, and in
fields after heavy rains; this evidence suggests
that migration has always existed. It
has now become a problem because of
new residential development near the
methane migration pathways. Studies by
the USGS will help clarify the nature of
methane migration.
The USGS is a more reliable source of information than a movie made by some ecoloon.
if you think the housing market is rock bottom now in ireland then just wait until they start the fracking near you, your property will be worth fuk all just a packet of fags and a tooth pick, nobody is going to buy your property with the pollution and methane gas contaminating your house/s they will not pay to buy your house !! AND NEITHER WOULD I
James has the right idea. Instead of fracking the bejesus out our earth, farmers should be encourage to install anaerobic digesters. Especially since Minister for everything Coveney wants them to double beef production! Where is all the sh1te thus produced to go otherwise. This contribution to local energy production would have us manage for another few years, while all other countries rush towards self-destruction.
Old Yorkshire saying: ‘Where there’s muck, there’s energy’.
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