"Gasland" needs the whole truth and nothing but the truth

"Gasland" is a chilling look at methods of the natural gas industry and its effects on the environment and human health. The perspective of the documentary itself is depressing. Josh Fox, the filmmaker, goes into the homes of Americans affected by hydraulic fracturing, also known as "fracking." Throughout the film, Fox travels from Pennsylvania, where he resides, thru Colorado and Wyoming, showing how "fracking" is damaging to several regions of the country.

In Dimocht, Penn., Fox goes through an entire neighborhood affected by "fracking" done by Cabot Oil & Gas. This resulted in water problems, health problems, property damage, animals losing hair, and overall the "total loss of normal life." The most disturbing scene was the one where Mike Markham from Weld County, Col.  lights his running tap water on fire in his home.

It's fascinating stuff, but the film seems to be one-sided on the whole issue of hydraulic fracturing. Not saying that it's a bad thing. From a journalistic standpoint, you have to cover all bases of a story to report the most accurate version of the truth. Fox does show footage of the government and people working for the EPA, but he doesn't consider the take of officials from the natural gas industry. In the beginning, Fox does attempt to communicate with certain companies, but after he fails to get in touch with a representative, he gives up altogether and moves towards doing his own research and reporting on the matter.

Fox dedicates most of the film showing the downsides of "fracking." His loyalties lie with the residents affected by it. He's not really working for anyone, but he does the film to gain more knowledge about an issue, which turns out to be a major controversy. I do think that "Gasland" considers an agenda as each scene progresses, but the film starts out with the facts. It gets the audience thinking. It unveils hidden truths about the natural gas industry.

America's Natural Gas Alliance seems to think otherwise, and that "Gasland" persuades with fear and hides the truth (http://anga.us/truthaboutgasland). I don't think their statements are completely valid, but their rebuttal leaves me thinking. This video produced by the alliance voices their view on the documentary film:



But, a letter released from Fox in July 2010 "de-debunks" such allegations of false statements (http://1trickpony.cachefly.net/gas/pdf/Affirming_Gasland_Sept_2010.pdf).

Fox is still committed to pursuing the truth in this controversy. He was arrested Feb. 1 for attempting to record footage from a congressional hearing on hydraulic fracturing (http://www.latimes.com/news/local/environment/la-me-gs-gasland-joshua-fox-20120203,0,2807685.story).

Here's a music video that gives a brief lesson on how "fracking" affects us and shows some points that were also highlighted by Fox in "Gasland":

Hey Argos! What About the Animals?

The University of West Florida's 10-year campus master plan seeks to shift the community within it, especially the wildlife ecosystem. Being a nature preserve, UWF's main campus is home to a number of species, not just humans. These species include a pair of bald eagles that have laid their nest in the Baars-Firestone Wildlife Sanctuary. The master plan includes developing the land surrounding the nest would affect the eagles' habitat.

The second half of an article from the Pensacola News Journal shows concern from Barbara B. Albrecht, a marine biologist from the university, about the very nature of this very subject.

Here's a link to the article:
http://www.pnj.com/article/20120207/NEWS01/202070321/UWF-s-Campus-Master-Plan-draws-neighbors-ire-forum.

If the master plan is approved, how will all of the development and change affect the preservation of plants and animals residing in the sanctuary? What's going to happen to their ecosystem? Albrecht's statement considering an "environmental survey of the wildlife and species inhabiting campus woods and wetlands" is essential to proceed with an answer to this issue.

In order to get the big picture, the university will have to look at all aspects of the master plan, the pros and the cons. I would like to know how much groundwork the designers and planners have covered with the nature of the university in mind. Because at UWF, I'd like to think that the environment plays a significant role in the campus community.

We always boast about the fact that our institution consists of 1,600 acres of prime wilderness. It's only fair that we sustain, maintain, and protect it.

For the Birds: A Short Review of "Saving Pelican 895"

Gerald Herbert/AP

"Saving Pelican 895" provided more perspective for me about how the Gulf Oil Spill affected more than just human lives. It tainted the ecosystem and had a more drastic effect on animals. I was intrigued by the film's take on rescuing wildlife, how it demonstrated the reality that saving and nursing animals back to health after a disaster like the Gulf Oil Spill isn't such an easy job.

The focus of the documentary into the rescue of Pelican 895 was a brilliant way to captivate the audience and making rescuing wildlife a more intimate and personal process. Five steps are involved in rehabilitating the pelicans back to a healthy state for release back into the wild. The pelican is taken into the triage unit after being captured into care, the intake process, rehabilitation (which takes the longest depending on the bird's adaptation), the release evaluation, and finally, release day.

The rehab portion of the rescue is the most painstaking, but most intriguing. The volunteers care for them, but maintain the motto that the pelicans must "retake or gain a wilderness about them." I also find it interesting that they don't name the pelicans once they're taken in. Instead, they're labeled by state and number. But, I get it. It's too easy to get attached to something you've cared for.

Jay Holcomb, the rehabilitation manager said, "It doesn't mean everyone should wash a bird, but they should support it."

After watching the documentary, I completely agree.

Here's a podcast from NPR evaluating the economic value of the pelican:

Plant Crist sees a significant decrease of emissions in 2010

Gulf Power Company spans into eight counties throughout the northwest region of the state. The company began its first unit in Pensacola, Fla. with the opening of Plant Crist in 1945. Today, the plant provides electricity to 174,177 residents in Escambia County and employs 1,365.

From 2006 to 2010, fluctuating amounts in overall chemical releases per year have been recorded in its current Toxic Release Inventory report from the EPA. 2010 was recorded with the least amount of emissions.

Although the progress is evident through its current Toxic Release Inventory report, Plant Crist is certainly not free from overall production of hazardous waste. A total of 1,891,373 pounds of chemicals were released into the local environment from the facility in 2010.

Within the past ten years, hydrochloric acid has been one of the main chemicals manufactured by Plant Crist because of its production of electricity. Hydrochloric acid has also contributed to the majority of chemical emissions released by the facility.

In 2010, the plant released a total of 710,000 pounds of hydrochloric acid, which is a huge drop from 2009's total of 9.2 million pounds.

Jeff Rogers, the corporate communication supervisor for Gulf Power, said the company has invested "close to $1 billion to reduce emissions at Plant Crist."

Plant Crist began the operation of a scrubber system in December 15, 2009 to alleviate the the facility's release of emissions into the environment, which cost the company $645 million.

Here's a video from Gulf Power introducing the new technology:

According to the company website, the scrubber removes 95 percent sulfur dioxide emissions, 70 percent particulate emissions, 80 percent oxidized mercury and 95 percent chlorides.

Gulf Power is set to install a new Selective Catalytic Reduction system at Plant Crist in April to reduce  nitrogen oxide emissions.

Lead releases by Plant Crist have increased from 58,194 pounds in 2009 to 78, 693 pounds in 2010. The chemical is recognized as a carcinogen and is toxic to the development and reproductive system of the human body. The report states that the emissions from the plant  are released into landfills not authorized to accept waste by the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act. 8,278 pounds are recorded as being released into unknown off-site locations.

"Waste materials that are not permitted for on-site storage are shipped to off-site and federally-regulated facilities," Rogers said.

Arsenic compounds released by the facility have also increased from 2009, emmitting an excess of 4,438 pounds. The plant manufactures and processes this chemical within its facility and also releases the waste into landfills.

Hydrochloric acid, lead, and arsenic are listed in the top 10 percent in the nation of the most hazardous compounds to human health, according to www.scorecard.org. In addition to those three compounds, the Toxic Release Inventory report shows that Plant Crist is accountable for emmitting ammonia, barium, manganese, sulfuric acid and others that are suspected to be toxic to health and the environment.

The plant is located at 11999 Pate Street. For more information about Plant Crist, visit www.gulfpower.com/about/plant_crist.asp.



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