Fracking in WA

Greens MP says fracking is a failed industry

Greens Member of Parliament, Robin Chapple MLC, said all the evidence is out; not only is fracking a failed industry but a new survey shows that the WA community views it with disapproval or skepticism.

“A recent study of abandoned oil and gas wells in Pennsylvania finds that the hundreds of thousands of such wells in the state may be leaking methane, suggesting that abandoned wells across the country could be a bigger source of climate changing greenhouse gases than previously thought,” Mr Chapple explained.

“The study directly measured leaks from the abandoned wells and found that all 19 wells studied, tested positive for methane leaks, some more than others.

“The findings are disturbing as this means poisonous fluids can migrate into shallow groundwater aquifers or to the atmosphere, Mr Chapple added.

“The WA community is correct to be fearful of fracking, and mistrustful of the Barnett Liberal Government and the Environment Minsiter Albert Jacob who throw all of their support behind companies like Buru Energy.

“Approving Buru’s exploration for fracking in the Kimberley without any environmental assessment shows that not only does the government not care about our environment, they are not listening to the community.

For more information please contact Robin Chapple on 0409 379 263 or 9486 8255

Environment Minister refuses to assess fracking in the Kimberley

Greens Member of Parliament, Robin Chapple MLC, said he is absolutely astounded at the Environment Minister Albert Jacob’s refusal to assess a proposal to undertake tests for tight gas flows using hydraulic fracturing or fracking in the Kimberley.

“In refusing my appeal against the decision not to assess the Laurel Formation Tight Gas Pilot Exploration Program in the Kimberley Region, the Minister has claimed this small scale project would be used to ‘inform the environmental impact assessment of proposals progressing to commercial scale production, including the likely cumulative impacts from foreseeable future projects’.

‘This sounds to me like the Environment Minster has already given his own personal go ahead on all future fracking projects and calls into question his credibility as the WA Environment Minister and the EPA appeals process,’ said Mr Chapple.

“Plenty of studies have shown there are major environmental and health issues associated with fracking and the public are against it.

“I cannot fathom how the Environment Minister is not concerned about the contamination of groundwater and surface water, and the impacts on air quality and biodiversity for the people in the Kimberley Region.

“The Minister claims in his decision not to assess, ‘he considered the values of the environment and the extent of likely impacts’ and has confidence in the Department of Mines (DMP) to evaluate, regulate and mitigate future fracking projects.

“I am left speechless! This leaves the DMP in charge of the whole process where environmental conditions are commercially in-confidence, lacking any transparency.

The Greens oppose fracking in the Kimberley given its potential to harm the environment, water sources, community and cultural values of the region, Mr Chapple said.

The Minister advised a total of 48 appeals were investigated by the Appeals Convener, all of which were rejected.

For more information please contact Robin Chapple on 0409 379 263 or 9486 8255

DMP Claim Confidentiality Over Fracking Environmental Regulations

Thursday, 29 May 2014

The fracking industry is hiding behind commercial-in-confidence laws and may be breaching environmental regulations, according to Greens Member for the Mining and Pastoral Region Robin Chapple MLC.

Mr Chapple said he was particularly concerned about contaminated water leaks from lined dams at several of Buru Energy Limited’s Yulleroo wells in February this year, but had been unable to gain access to the relevant environmental information from the Department of Mines and Petroleum.

“I’m absolutely astounded by the lack of transparency here,” he said.

“To the best of my knowledge, it’s the first time in history that environmental regulations have been commercial-in-confidence.

“We don’t know the environmental requirements of Buru Energy with regards to this site, nor are we allowed to access them so how can we possibly hold them accountable for any environmental breaches that may or may not have happened.

“The Fracking industry is being managed by a set of rules and regulations without public oversight.”

Mr Chapple said the Department of Mines and Petroleum had refused to acknowledge the leakages in February this year despite him having provided photographic evidence.

“They don’t want to have to deal with this issue,” he said.

“Modifications to the Yulleroo wells were made in May last year after a similar overtopping incident occurred.

“These modifications were supposed to prevent any further leakages; they haven’t.

“The DMP haven’t even inspected the site nor have they notified the Environmental Protection Authority or the Department of Environmental Regulation.

Mr Chapple said it was even more alarming that the Department of Water weren’t notified of any water leakages from Buru’s Yulleroo sites as, according to the Petroleum and Geothermal Energy Resources Act 1967, jurisdiction for this matter remained solely with the Department of Mines and Petroleum.

In response to questions in parliament a spokesperson for the Minister for Environment stated the Buru proposal was a small scale, “proof of concept” project unlikely to have a significant effect on the environment and would therefore be handled by the Department of Mines and Petroleum.

The parliamentary question can be sourced here

Photographs are attached below.

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