Hi Friends,
Please watch and read about Congresswoman Nita Lowey's and Congressman Hinchey's efforts to try and ensure that conflicts-of-interest are eliminated or at least limited, on the Secretary of Energy Advisory Board (SEAB) Natural Gas Subcommittee that Secretary Chu has formed to prove that "fracking is safe." Six of the seven current panel members have direct ties to the gas industry! Unfortunately, the Republicans defeated this amendment. We greatly appreciate these Congresspeople's valiant effort.
There are two upcoming hearings on June 28th and July 13th in Washington, DC being held by the Dept. of Energy and we are working to get scientists and health professionals to testify to demonstrate the true risks from fracking that certainly may not be highlighted by those currently serving on the panel. If you are interested in traveling to DC with a group of us to attend the July 13th hearing, please let me know and see the memo below to register as a public participant. You may also submit comments.
Thanks so much for your involvement in this critical issue!
Best,
Best,
Susan Van Dolsen
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TKMDBTaTxNM
“It is outrageous that the Republican majority opposed our common-sense effort to ensure members of federal advisory boards are unbiased and without conflicts of interest,” Lowey said in a statement.
“Allowing the shale gas industry to put a thumb on the scale of this board makes it more likely that the decisions it makes will focus more on profits and less on the safety of our water sources, Americans’ health and environmental preservation,” she said.
Two More US DoE Hearings Scheduled – SIGN UP TO SPEAK UP or Write to the U.S. Department of Energy on Hydraulic Fracturing for Natural Gas
In May of this year, U.S. Secretary of Energy Steven Chu announced the establishment of the Energy Advisory Board Natural Gas Subcommittee on Fracking Issues to make recommendations on improving the “safety and environmental performance” of hydraulic fracturing in shale formations. Unfortunately, the committee is heavily weighted with industry interests and there are no health professionals or public from communities where drilling is occurring. See criticism of the Panel’s chair and make-up: http://www.ewg.org/comm/ewgs-senior-counsel-tells-chair-doe-natural-gas-panel-he-must-step-down
Public Hearings are being held to hear from “stakeholders” but there are a very few meetings with little public notice. One was just held in Washington PA and two more have been scheduled in the near future – June 28 and July 13, both in Washington, D.C. Please register to sign up to testify before the panel, especially if you are a health professional or if you are living with gas drilling and hydraulic fracturing. Also, the Subcommittee is inviting written comment from the public and we should let them know the truth. Please consider submitting your thoughts and contributing information to this federal panel by writing to: Renee Stone, U.S. Department of Energy 1000 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington D.C. 20585, email to [email protected] or post on the subcommittee website at www.shalegas.energy.gov
The notice is below with instructions to sign up:
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Secretary of Energy Advisory Board Natural Gas Subcommittee
AGENCY: Department of Energy
ACTION: Notice of Open Meeting
SUMMARY: This notice announces an open meeting of the Secretary of Energy Advisory Board (SEAB) Natural Gas Subcommittee. SEAB was reestablished pursuant to the Federal Advisory Committee Act (Pub. L. No. 92 463, 86 Stat. 770) (the Act). This notice is provided in accordance with the Act.
DATES: Tuesday, June 28, 2011 10:00 a.m-12:00 p.m., 1:30 p.m.-4:00 p.m.
Wednesday, July 13, 2011 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m., 1:30 p.m.-4:00 p.m.
ADDRESSES: Department of Energy
1000 Independence Avenue, SW
Washington, DC 20585
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Renee Stone, Deputy Designated Federal Officer, U.S. Department of Energy, 1000 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20585; [email protected] or www.shalegas.energy.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Background: The Subcommittee was established to provide recommendations to the SEAB on how to improve the safety and environmental performance of natural gas hydraulic fracturing from shale formations thereby harnessing a vital domestic energy resource while ensuring the safety of citizen’s drinking water and the health of the environment. President Obama directed Secretary Chu to convene this group as part of the President’s “Blueprint for a Secure Energy Future” – a comprehensive plan to reduce America’s oil dependence, save consumers money, and make our country the leader in clean energy industries.
Purpose of the Meeting: The purpose of this meeting is to allow subcommittee members to hear directly from natural gas stakeholders.
Tentative Agenda: The meeting will start at 10:00 a.m. on June 28th. The tentative meeting agenda includes presentations from shale gas stakeholders and experts. The second meeting, July 13, will begin at 10:00 a.m. The tentative meeting agenda includes presentations from shale gas stakeholders and experts. The meeting will conclude at 4:00 p.m. both days.
Public Participation: These meetings are open to the public. Individuals who would like to attend must RSVP to [email protected] no later than 5:00 PM on Friday, June 24, 2011 for the June 28, 2011 meeting and by 5:00 PM on Monday, July 11, 2011 for the July 13, 2011 meeting. Please provide your name, organization, citizenship and contact information. Space is limited. Anyone attending the meeting will be required to present government issued identification.
Individuals and representatives of organizations who would like to offer comments and suggestions may do so at the end of the meeting on Tuesday, June 28, 2011 and Wednesday, July 13, 2011. Approximately 30 minutes will be reserved each day for public comments. Time allotted per speaker will depend on the number of individuals who wish to speak but will not, in any circumstance, exceed 5 minutes. The Designated Federal Officer is empowered to conduct the meeting in a fashion that will facilitate the orderly conduct of business.
Those wishing to speak should register to do so beginning at 9:30 a.m. on June 28, 2011 and 9:30 a.m. on July 13, 2011.
Those not able to attend the meeting or have insufficient time to address the committee are invited to send a written statement to Renee Stone, U.S. Department of Energy 1000 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington D.C. 20585, email to [email protected], or post on the subcommittee website.
Issued in Washington, D.C. on
Rachel Samuel
Deputy Committee Management Officer
