News / "Shale Gas Revolution" will make Poland a Leading Country in Europe! [202]

In Poland like most of Europe, the gas is owned by the government and so all people should benefit from the revenue--provided the government can/will redistribute this wealth? The drilling and fracing process is being done in a way that is environmentally sound. No case of groundwater contamination has ever resulted from these chemicals despite the hundreds of thousands of wells drilled using this process from the 1950's. The chemicals used are generally disclosed and if not can be looked up in 2 minutes. They are composed of the same ingredients as what you find out your sink at home and happily disperse around your house and dump out into your yard. Still, this process takes place at depths that are thousands of meters deep with no chance of migration. I stay concerned more about truck traffic and the transport process than anything. GasLand was a great hollywood movie that is being compared by some to Nazi propaganda as it is simply not true in almost every regard. A scientific education can best be obtained from any of the institutions of higher learning like marcellus.psu.edu

Poland has bright educated people, good environmental laws, and they have a chance to do things right here.

News / "Shale Gas Revolution" will make Poland a Leading Country in Europe! [202]

Jonny has some valid points but just isn't up to date on the responsible environmentally current water reuse and recycling as is being used for shale gas drilling here in Pennsylvania with a very similar temperate climate as Poland. My job is to make sure that this work is done in an environmentally responsible way in Poland.

I assume most people on here are from the U.S. based on the lack of responses from people in Poland. Is there a similar message board with people actually from Poland?

News / "Shale Gas Revolution" will make Poland a Leading Country in Europe! [202]


A 2-second google search would take less time than your defamation and would reveal the quote by PA's Chief Geologist--a man with more experience and knowledge than probably any other in this area. However, regarding his comment I personally believe it was made in poor taste:

politicspa.com/dcnr-official-compares-gasland%E2%80%99s-josh-fox-to-nazi-propagandeer-joseph-goebbels/22429

I will of course consider your severe apology to accompany your severe doubt! I'm no PR rep but someone who wants to things done right and see pride in the Polish people.

By the way this isn't happening in 2020 it is happening today. Pictures are obviously better understood by many of the uneducated in this crowd: nohotair.typepad.co.uk/no_hot_air/2010/12/polish-shale-gas-success.html

News / "Shale Gas Revolution" will make Poland a Leading Country in Europe! [202]


This is a man that is by his job description and definition is unbiased. He's an experienced government employee who is charged with overseeing this work in an environmentally responsible fashion.

The bottom line is that a person who truly believed in these 'gas-land' claims and also someone who cared about the environment wouldn't spend hours sucking up this very energy typing away on message boards using their computer. Unless people are willing to stop using energy then we have to find it somewhere.

I've lived in an area surrounded by thousands of fraced gas wells the majority of my life and drank the groundwater every day and swam in the creeks and ponds. However, when I travel an hour away the streams are running red with Acid Mine Drainage loaded with heavy metals from the coal mines and I wouldn't think of drinking the water.

If anyone actually cares, come to PA and you can visit active drilling sites (many companies are happy to set up visits) to see for yourself and then make an informed decision.

News / "Shale Gas Revolution" will make Poland a Leading Country in Europe! [202]


Again, come to Pennsylvania and I will show you where I grew up and spent most of my life. I've also spent my entire career both protecting and cleaning up the environment working for the US EPA and am interested in doing things the right way or not at all. My email is on my profile to contact but I can't say the same for those that question me on here.

dudelz and jwocie both make valid points from what I have seen from Poland--both regarding some good strict environmental laws and a chance for Poland to really take off as a country--but I haven't spent enough time there to really understand the people yet.

News / "Shale Gas Revolution" will make Poland a Leading Country in Europe! [202]

I have worked as an environmental engineering consultant for the last 15 years since graduating at the top of my class at Penn State, ranked #1 in my chosen field of study, Hydrogeology--but I for sure don't know everything and learn more every day. I do contract work for many of the Exploration and Production companies from the U.S. as well as Poland, France and others. I've worked studying and cleaning up hundreds of the worst and most contaminated EPA superfund sites across the country. The companies making the most money right now in Poland are the Polish and German drilling companies at this point. The Polish E&P companies are learning fast and are starting to drill themselves. I am exactly who I say I am and will meet with anyone who says otherwise.

sar-You should give Range Resources a call at 724-743-6700 and ask for Matt. He will set it up so you can visit a working rig site where you can see what they are doing and you will have a chance to voice your opinions for the good and the bad. Hiring Tom Ridge's firm, the former Homeland Security Director, is an odd choice in my opinion and I always have to question that myself as he's sure done quite well working for a suite of industries since leaving office. He's originally from Erie, PA which is near where I grew up and I know he at least used to be a good guy. Of course, if his job has been to make the regulations lax--that hasn't worked so well as PADEP has increased the regs to better protect the environment the last few years and been quick to fine anyone that steps out of line and even shut down some operators--as they should do.

The U.S. EPA studied hydraulic fracturing a couple years ago and concluded it was safe but they are working on another study now to validate the first which is a good idea because it doesn't hurt to be sure enough when the environment is at stake.

Some of those websites posted above are either mirrors, but most of them are publication companies from Europe that are trying to make a buck by publishing magazines and conferences that cost a big chunk of change (thousands of dollars) to attend. That other poster 'cladd' as referenced above is clearly a PR person for that naturalgasforeurope deal but I'm not advertising or selling anything for anyone.

I just thought the Polish people needed something to be happy about is all--my sole motivation!

Now when I see people with an emotional response to an issue that deserves a careful scientific analysis--then I feel obliged to contribute with data and facts only so that rational people can decide for themselves. If anyone has any questions on the environmental/water supply aspect of shale gas drilling I will try to check in occasionally and answer them to the best of my abilities--or you can email me and I'll do my best to reply. I'm also interested to meet and talk to people while in Poland and learn about everything that I can about the people, culture, and history while I'm there.