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Group Calls On DeSantis To Launch Investigation Into Earthquakes, Curtail Oil Permits
April 18, 2019
An environmental group says they are concerned recent earthquakes in the North Escambia area may be linked to oil and gas operations, and they are calling on Gov. Ron DeSantis to stop issuing new permits and ban fracking.
“We are very concerned that oil and gas operations may be the cause of the quakes,” said Jorge Aguilar, southern region director for Food & Water Watch. The organization held a press conference Wednesday in front of the Escambia County governmental complex downtown.
“Unfortunately, our Florida state officials have remained very silent on the potential reality that the region may be experiencing man-made earthquakes,” he told NorthEscambia.com. “That is why, today, we are demanding that Governor DeSantis launch a full investigation into the cause of these earthquakes given that the experience in other communities is that the quakes can grow in intensity. Florida should not allow new permits for oil exploration in the region or allow fracking, a more intensive form of drilling that produces even larger volumes of wastewater containing even more dangerous chemicals, until we know more about the cause of these quakes.”
Aguilar said his group does not believe fracking is happening right now in Florida, but he said it is allowed in Alabama.
“We really don’t know exactly where the oil industry in Southern Alabama and Florida is disposing of this oil drilling waste or how much is going underground. That is why a full investigation must be launched,” Aguilar said.
There have been nine small earthquakes recorded by the USGS along the Alabama/Florida line since March 6.
Before March 6, there had not been a quake in the area in about 20 years. The USGS has not linked the seismic activity to oil and gas operations, but has said the area sits on the Bahamas Seismic Zone.
Additional seismic recording devices have been installed in the area to allow scientists to gather additional data.
Pictured top: A press conference in Pensacola Wednesday. Photo for NorthEscambia.com. Pictured top: An Pictured below: Four earthquakes, ranging from in magnitude from 1.8 to 2.8 struck April 11 and 12. NorthEscambia.com graphic.
Comments
21 Responses to “Group Calls On DeSantis To Launch Investigation Into Earthquakes, Curtail Oil Permits”
3 of the 5 protesters were from out of State? I wonder how these people can drop everything and travel at the drop of a hat to protest whatever cause is on the agenda. Just like the old drum beating Indian who was in the news not too long ago with the Catholic School group from Kentucky. He is and has been a professional protester – I saw a picture of him in front of the White House 20 years ago protesting someone or something. Unbelievable!
I am a professional geologist in Florida and Alabama with over 50 years of experience. This gist of everyone’s comments was really on target
Here are some things to remember about NW Florida oil development.
1. The main fault system has been evolving since the Jurassic period (pre T Rex)
2. The main Bahamas fracture zone extends from the islands to the mid-continent of North America
3.The Pollard Foshee fault system is the trapping feature for the Jay Oil Field that has given Florida 600 Million barrels since July 12, 1970.
4. There are continuing rumblings along the fault that have been observed
5. Florida’s Emergency Management folks are tracking and there have been no damages or issues.
6. Geologists from AL, FL, and the USGS along with industry and academic institutions are setting up monitoring to learn more.
7. We are in good hands.
CONCERNING:
“Fracking in Castleberry, AL? Yes I saw it myself.”
Yet there are no known shales in Conecuh County (including Castleberry, over 25 miles away) bearing hydrocarbons to fracture.
We may need more than just the claim.
David for long distance relationships
Skeptic,
That was good.
“They also said there were no faults in our area, which is also not true.”
You should have told them that’s why we have to have no-fault insurance…. duh…
They would have been all messed up.
I was in pcola yesterday during the so-called protest. There were a total of 5 protesters 0 bystanders or supporters. There were 2 people from the Pensacola area and the others were from out of state.
I wish these people would get there facts straight before they utilize the media to launch their liberal agenda. I spoke with them briefly to ask a few questions. They seemed like nice people but not very knowledgeable about the oil and gas process in our area!! They kept arguing against fracking even though there is no fracking in our area. They also said there were no faults in our area, which is also not true.
I’m still banking on the huge power poles going up everywhere. Someone knows what is going on and why and can’t tell us.. Earthquakes is a nice way of turning our attention away from the cause,
REGARDING:
“group does not believe”
“may be the cause of the quakes”
“”We really don’t know exactly where the oil industry in Southern Alabama and Florida is disposing of this oil drilling waste or how much is going underground. That is why a full investigation must be launched,” Aguilar said.”
We don’t know, so so someone must be doing something wrong?
It is amazing when people brag on their ignorance as they peddle fear. They are based in New York and committed to ending all fossil fuel usage without a replacement in mind. I figured they’re your kind of people, join them at
Florida – St. Petersburg
2655 6th Ave S.
Suite 200
St. Petersburg, Florida 33701
Phone: 954-687-9224
David for falling skies
(which keep failing to fall)
“I’m not aware of any fracking wells within 500-1000 miles of us”
Fracking in Castleberry, AL? Yes I saw it myself.
Related to earthquakes? Not 100% sure on that one.
I guess they were Fracking in the 1700’s then – that’s when a Magnitude 6 on the Richter scale happen in this area…. Think folks..
The earth is it own worst enemy, but it still has man to contend with, however; Scientist and Geologist alike don’t have a glue what happens underneath our feet. Now how can we find out, they must go down into the ground and view the situation in real life form. I spent 30 years working in mines, you can’t determine anything by standing on the surface of the earth.
Would be interesting to know where this “environmental group” lives. Our area or somewhere else?
The fault line runs through our area all the way up to Tennessee. Plates shift….that’s just how the earth works. Drilling has not caused the quakes.
@ Todd, come on guy, do some research before you spout off
Your ignorance to the effects of fracking your ability to even understand what you just said..get educated..then come back..you dont think there is anything like lets say…a sinkhole either..good grief
Do the same thing for the Oklahoma wells/Earthquakes in the last 20 years.
You’ll LOVE it.
I took the time to overlay well/fracking locations in the Flomaton/Pollard* area, {and those SOUTH of the state line}, then took a look @ the occurrences & timeline of earthquakes in the area.
NO causality?
Maybe, but I doubt it.
* – coincidentally? the edge of the South Alabama Shale Play. Look it up. I did.
“Because~~~ SCIENCE!!!”
I’m not aware of any fracking wells within 500-1000 miles of us, if there is frack wells in Alabama they must be hidden. I have never seen water or sand trucks (which are vital in fracking operations) someone correct me if I’m wrong….post info here. I do get suspicious of folks holding up signs without proof of what really could be going on. If your going to complain about oil and gas…to get my respect you had better not use any!
So…the USGS (the experts) “has not linked the seismic activity to oil and gas operations” but these alarmists somehow imagine these natural occurrences are caused by man???? Give me a break. Find something else to do with you time. It’s this type of irrational thinking that has the country so focused on red herrings we can’t devote our attention to real issues.
I’m curious how many members comprise the “group.” 4 people standing in Pensacola is hardly a persuasive force. Reminds me of a French news article that appeared to be a large protest and when another picture from a farther angle was discovered it showed the large protest was comprised of a dozen or so people.
“All the quakes happened in Alabama”
Not true. Two or three of them were in Florida.
Why are activist asking Florida to deal with this? All the quakes happened in Alabama. I live just south of Brewton, in Florida. This hasn’t affect me or my neighbors.