Luke_Ashley

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  • in reply to: Proposed Coal Bed Methane Well… #65587

    Luke_Ashley
    Participant
    in reply to: Proposed Coal Bed Methane Well… #65586

    Luke_Ashley
    Participant

    After being notified about a council meeting in Holt where Dart were invited to speak about their proposals, I started a thread on the Holt village discussion forum.
    For those who are interested to know more about the impacts that surround CBM and shale gas exploitation, I`ve listed them on that thread. I`ve also opened the thread with an introduction to myself and how I came to be initially interested and then opposed to this industry. You will also find a comment from the Dart UK country manager and my response. But if you dig deep. you`ll also find that I know more about their future plans than they would like. You see, during that Holt meeting, the three Dart reps were waiting outside before being summoned into the meeting. A friend of mine was also outside. They got chatting and were quite open about their plans to re-enter this exploration well to drill another 1000 feet and then to drill many more wells from drill sites every couple of square miles.
    [IMG]https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=549447151801122&set=pb.127538580658650.-2207520000.1385067600.&type=3&theater[/IMG]
    Not sure if you can see this image with it being on Facebook, but if you can, check out the pink area marked `Good UCG area`. UCG stands for Underground Coal Gasification
    The area marked is a thick coal seam and is the likely target for Dart but I think they will be carrying out standard CBM techniques rather than setting fire to the seam, but this is not to say that normal CBM extraction is any safer or cleaner or without any severe impacts.

    Incidentally, Paul Mobbs, who was interviewed in the Ecologist linked above, came to Wrexham at my request to do a presentation about the impacts and ways to object etc. His website has some related info worth checking out too.

    Lastly, take a look at Dart`s website, The CBM Extraction Process
    We know that there are several layers of coal beds and a shale play lower down, so they can exploit all of these from just two drill sites. (one site has the vertical production well and another is where they do the directional drilling, intersecting the production well and into the seams. They can drill in all directions and up to between a mile and two miles from the drill site. Then they would move the rig to another location a couple of miles away and do the same again and keep doing that until they have covered the whole area as indicated `Good UCG area` above.

    But all this depends on what this exploration/coring well turns up. I think they are drilling this well as part of the governments wishes to find out more about how much shale gas (and CBM) is ACTUALLY extractable.

    BTW, Dart left and sold their Australian assets because the regulations got tough over there. They came here because Cameron has relaxed the regs.

    “GDF has been looking to acquire an interest in upstream gas for a while, and they’ve looked at a number of opportunities across Europe,” said energy partner Hamish McArdle who led on the deal for Baker Botts. “They considered the UK regulatory and tax regime to be less challenging than some others.”

    in reply to: Proposed Coal Bed Methane Well… #65585

    Luke_Ashley
    Participant

    Sent an email to WCBC yesterday,

    Dear Sir.Madam,

    Can you please tell me the end date for the planning application, Drilling of exploration borehole, P/2013/0660 ?
    Also, will there be a public consultation period for this planning application and if so, could you provide details?
    This is the second time I have contacted your office about this. The first time was through your website form over a month ago, and I never got a reply.
    I have been informed by a friend in Marford that Dart Energy are sending out invitation cards to attend,
    A PUBLIC EXHIBITION at Gresford Memorial Hall Wednesday 27 November Between 2pm and 8pm
    can you tell me why more local residents do not know about this? I live less than a mile away from the proposed drill site and have not received any such notification. Who is responsible for informing the Wrexham community of such controversial plans and why has a press release not been issued about the above public meeting??

    This was the reply I had today,

    In response to the points that the consultee raises I would advise the following:

    The consultation period on this application has now passed, however, I have requested further information from the applicant which will be required prior to a determination being made. This application will need to be decided by the Planning Committee. All comments received prior to the Planning Committee will be considered and reported to Planning Committee either as part of the main report or as late observations. It is important to note that responses which are sent but not received prior to Planning Committee cannot be reported. It is therefore advisable to send any comments as soon as possible. The Planning Committee meeting is open to the public and interested parties are able to register their interest to speak by contacting the Local Planning Authority.

    The proposal was publicised in the local press, by site notices in the locality and through neighbour notification.

    The applicant is holding a number of exhibitions in the area:
    Monday 25th 16:00 to 21:00 “Training Room” Acton Community Resource Centre, Acton
    Tuesday 26th 14:00 to 20:00 Kenyon Hall, Holt
    Wednesday 27th 14:00 to 20:00 “Green Room” Gresford Memorial Hall, Gresford

    The responsibility for publicising the above exhibitions falls on the applicant.

    *******************************************************

    Take a look at this freedom of information request that was put into WCBC.

    The initial response was a price list, but a proper reply has now been sent as follows,

    1. The Community Wellbeing and Development department does hold the information requested.

    A planning application was received on 20th September 2013 for “Drilling of Exploration Borehole (Requiring 24 Hour Operations) to remove a core of coal for sampling and site restoration following cessation of drilling operations. Drilling operations to take approximately 60 Days and a maximum of 75 Days on Part of field West of Commonwood Farm and South of Borras Road, Commonwood, Holt, Wrexham. The planning application reference number is P/2013/0660 and the documents submitted with this application may be viewed on our web site at WCBC: Online Planning Applications Search Facility
    Alternatively the planning application file (which will also contain correspondence received) may be viewed at The Contact Centre, 16 Lord Street, Wrexham, LL11 1LG during normal office hours. Please do not hesitate to contact Ann Jones on Tel: 01978 298740 or email [email protected] if you require any assistance in this matter.

    Planning Committee Meetings are held on a monthly basis but as yet no date has been confirmed as to when this application is likely to be considered.

    The application is being dealt by the North Wales Minerals and Waste Planning Service at Flintshire County Council and the case officer is Martha Savage (Senior Minerals and Waste Planning Officer) who may be contacted on Tel: 01352 703298 or email [email protected] You are therefore advised to contact the above officer for an indication as to which Committee it will be reported to.

    A public notice was placed in The Leader on Friday 18th October 2013 advising that this application had been received and several Notices were also displayed on and nearby the application site. Residential properties in close proximity to the application site were notified of the planning application on 11th October 2013.

    Any planning application submitted for consideration for “fracking” would be subject to the same assessment as any other planning proposal for development in the area. More specifically any proposals would be considered in relation to policies within the adopted Unitary Development Plan and any other material planning considerations pertinent to each individual case, therefore each proposal would be considered on its own merits and considered in relation to normal planning requirements.

    However it must be stressed that this planning application (P/2013/0660) does not seek approval for any gas exploitation by way of hydraulic fracturing (‘fracking’). Any such exploitation of gas would require a separate application for planning permission and would again be considered on its own merits. The Council have previously determined a limited number of similar proposals to this in the past for such exploration work and to date none have resulted in planning applications for “fracking”.

    in reply to: Looking for sponsorship #59175

    Luke_Ashley
    Participant

    To: President Correa, Republic of Ecuador
    President Correa:

    I am writing as a fellow global citizen to first applaud your administration for what are truly revolutionary ideas – the Rights of Nature, Sumak Kawsay, and the Yasuni-ITT initiative. These have inspired the world’s imagination, are major contributions to a more just and sustainable world, and will be hallmarks of your legacy.

    I am also writing to express my concern about plans for new oil drilling in the rainforests of the south-central Ecuadorian Amazon. As you well know this new oil auction, the 11th Round, contains some of the last pristine old growth forests in Ecuador. It also includes the traditional and titled homelands of seven indigenous nationalities that have repeatedly voted to reject oil extraction on their lands.

    As concerned global citizens, we stand in solidarity with these indigenous nations and urge you to immediately stop the 11th Round and pursue alternative strategies for Ecuador’s long-term economic development that are consistent with your historic commitment to protect the rights of nature and the rights of indigenous people and to addressing the issue of poverty for your people.

    As you also know, much of Ecuador’s Amazon and its people have been gravely affected by oil extraction over the years, and drilling in an area of such high biological diversity and cultural sensitivity will have devastating effects. If the oil that is slated to be extracted lay beneath Quito or Guayaquil, voices of concern would surely be heard. The remoteness of these potential deposits cannot justify minimizing the environmental and cultural dangers of drilling. These potential oil deposits lie beneath ancestral lands that have been inhabited and protected by indigenous people for generations. The indigenous peoples’ rights and commitment must be respected.

    This is a historic opportunity for you and for Ecuador to lead the world towards a sustainable and just future. By halting the 11th Round, leaving the oil in the ground, and pursuing a truly sustainable future, your example would inspire people around the globe.

    We urge you to do the right thing and respect the rights and wishes of indigenous people. The health and well being of future generations is in your hands.

    Thank you.

    (Your name and country)

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    in reply to: Smoke control areas. Do we still need them? #57669

    Luke_Ashley
    Participant

    A relaxation of rules governing the use of wood-burning stoves, increased awareness of environmental issues and rocketing fuel prices have led to a dramatic increase in demand for wood burning domestic heating systems.

    Over the past 12 months stove suppliers have seen an increase of more than 65 per cent in sales of stoves which meet the latest standards set by the Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA), which allows for wood to be burnt in smoke control areas.

    The industry has also benefited from a much wider recognition that installing a wood burning system can significantly reduce a household’s carbon emissions as well as its fuel costs, which have risen dramatically in recent years.

    At the same time wood offers a sustainable fuel source, reducing demand for dwindling supplies of fossil fuels such as gas and oil.

    As a result, sales of all wood burning stoves and boiler stoves are up by more than 15 per cent in the last 12 months, on top of a similar increase the previous year, and we predict this trend will continue – especially as there seems to be no end in sight when it comes to the rising cost of traditional fuels.

    This situation is encouraging manufacturers to continually develop their products to make them even more efficient as well as easier to install and operate.

    In fact it is leading to something of a revolution within the industry as wood burning stoves and boilers cease to become niche products and become a mainstream alternative to oil and gas heating systems.

    Part of my reason for wanting and advocating wood burners, as well as the reasons above, is to reduce the destructive impact of the hydrocarbon extraction industry all around the world.PLUS, Centrica which owns British Gas hopes to make £1.4 billion in profit this year, while at the same time, 1 in 3 households live in fuel poverty in Wales and that number is set to rise.

    It has nothing to do with me wanting the right to pollute Y Ffin.

    in reply to: Arson in and around town #55853

    Luke_Ashley
    Participant

    CCTV is one thing. The police then spending some time reviewing the video playback and following up on their suspicions is another thing. It seems to me they prefer to lurk around corners, sitting in their fast unmarked pursuit cars, equipped with ANPR, and then satisfy their need to gain another adrenaline rush by giving chase on the unsuspecting who are living in poverty and can`t afford the ever increasing insurance premiums. The police force is a business and they will find the cheapest way to gain the highest revenue. How many people have been exposed to or been the victim of serious crimes, but in the minds of the police, these crimes are minor and not worth the time and resources to follow up??


    Luke_Ashley
    Participant

    Prepare for flooding by following some simple steps to reduce the impact of flooding on your home or business.
    Environment Agency – How can I be prepared?

    in reply to: Potential shale gas exploitation in N.E. Wales. #57514

    Luke_Ashley
    Participant

    Unearthed: The Fracking Facade
    Unearthed: The Fracking Facade – YouTube

    in reply to: Potential shale gas exploitation in N.E. Wales. #57513

    Luke_Ashley
    Participant

    The Gov can break their own laws but I`m not allowed to install a wood burning stove to cut my energy bills because I live in a `smoke free` zone. What a load of bollocks.
    Coal resurgence threatens climate change targets | Environment | The Guardian

    in reply to: Potential shale gas exploitation in N.E. Wales. #57512

    Luke_Ashley
    Participant

    “We’re in a giant car heading towards a brick wall and everyone’s arguing over where they’re going to sit”

    Global Warming- Science – The New York Times

    While we`re arguing about where we`re going to sit, this giant car is in grave danger of spiralling out of control. We need to STOP, get out and take stock of the situation. We need to stop only thinking about what the powers that be want us to think. The economy will be pointless on a dead planet. We MUST think about the future and the well-being of the future generations and the integrity of the life support systems need to support life for centuries to come instead of thinking about how we can make a quick buck here and now. There are other ways to produce long term jobs for many that benefit all. The elite few are getting richer while the majority masses are getting poorer. This has to stop. Sheeple need to start taking their life into their own hands and become people. We need to transform our local communities from production lines (like supermarkets) and become self governing, self sufficient and sustainable to protect our integrity, well being and our future generations.

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