BTEXs are definitely smellable from the lower soccer stadium at Heritage Park. Definitely a health risk for kids playing soccer there.
No pics from the flare - it is difficult to see - the entire area is quite hidden. However, the DEQ site shows that they now drilled 3 directional wells from the bottom hole at Strattons - one of them, the newest quite far.
No pics from the flare - it is difficult to see - the entire area is quite hidden. However, the DEQ site shows that they now drilled 3 directional wells from the bottom hole at Strattons - one of them, the newest quite far.
Been away for a couple of weeks so I really appreciate the updates on this blog.
ReplyDeleteOn my way back from Tecumseh today I certainly noticed the "oil smell" as i approached Witt. I also spotted the pipeline(s) tucked in the corn on the east side of M-52. Where will it precisely cross 52 from the Carson sites?
John Kuschell
Hi John,
DeleteYou want to look at the pipeline post below. I marked the house where the pipeline will cross the road with a red rectangle.
Best, Tom
I wonder how much longer we are going to have to put up with these gas flares. They do smell awful, as we witnessed one that was terribly smelly on our way back from Saline the other day
ReplyDeleteWe could bombard the E.P A. in Washington with phone calls.
Remember: There is power in numbers.
James Hannah
Again, if the entire area is hidden like you say, how can you observe it is the "hugest flare I have ever SEEN"? Curious. This would seem to be evidence you must have tresspassed or entered land you should not have been on.
ReplyDeleteDear Anon- Most of Savoy's work is right out there for everyone to see. Apparently their promise to shield the oil work from public view with landscaping, tree lines, etc. never materialized. As a citizen of this once proud community, I feel trespassed by this wasteful and dangerous exploitation.
DeleteJohn Kuschell
"Once proud community"?! Are you effing kidding me? Proud of what? The prison? All the lost manufacturing jobs? The arrival of the oil boom is pumping more money into the local economy than anything since the GM plants closed down. Savoy wells and exploration is generating sales tax dollars and jobs for the local economy.
DeleteI have lived in Adrian long before the prison was established. As a matter of fact, that development was also introduced to help spur Adrian's economy similar to the current oil craze. The prison employs plenty but its mere presence has been a negative aspect to the community. I fear the same w/ oil drilling, w/o the added employment opportunities.
Delete"pumping more $ and jobs into the local economy" you say; How and where?
John Kuschell
How and where? Where do you think these guys sleep? Where do they eat? What about the local security guards? Dont you think the local hotels, restaurants, stores, etc are getting some income? I'm sure these guys stay here for long periods of time therefor their hard earned money is being spent in adrian and though out the county.
DeleteIt was, as I said a huge bright flare - so it was clearly visible between the buildings. Nope - sorry to disappoint you saw it - and smelled it from the car driving by on N Adrian. Luckily it was a temporary flare - it is not there anymore but for sure spew some nasty stuff for hours or days...
ReplyDeleteYou never said "bright" in your post above.
DeleteHow much BTEX have you spewed driving around chasing oil wells like Don Quixote?
ReplyDeleteSorry to disappoint you. I am driving a Prius and combine my observations with my daily dog walk at Heritage...No much of a footprint there. In addition flares, especially the one hidden in the barrel on Witt Farm stay where they are and pollute the neighborhood over a long period of time. The flare I saw on Stratton's was luckily only temporary...
ReplyDeletehow do you know they didn't just locate it further back on the property where it can't be seen?
DeleteThat's great, but what about the hybrid manufacturing process? In 2007, it has been reported that when you factor in the waste generated during production, the notoriously gas-guzzling Hummer is actually greener than the Prius [source: Slashdot]. According to an in-depth study by the U.S. Department of Energy's Argonne National Laboratory, hybrid cars do, in fact, require more energy to produce than conventional cars, emitting more greenhouse gases and burning more fossil fuels during the manufacturing process. The production of hybrid batteries, in particular, requires much more energy than producing a standard car battery and results in higher emission levels of gases like sulfur oxide.
DeleteOK Anonymous,
DeleteThis will be my last answer to your somewhat personal crusade. As this is not a blog about the pros and cons of hybrid cars, I will briefly answer but then not allow such discussions to continue here. Do this on a hybrid car blog.
In a nutshell: yes, hybrid cars, especially the batteries need more energy in manufacturing but this surplus is quickly gained back if you are getting 53 or more MPGs!
I'm a Michigan girl, born and raised. I've lived out of state for a few years but when I went back to MI last summer for a month visit I was so surprised and disappointed to see how much it changed! We were all over the state visiting family. From New Buffalo to Port Huron and up to Traverse City,MI. I saw these "gas flares" everywhere - never knew what they were until I returned home and started researching. The smell was awful. If I wanted to smell gas that often I might as well work at a gas station and get paid while smelling it. Some old family friends have homes near where these gas flares are. The sound and smell prevents them from leaving their windows open in the summer. To me it has nothing to do with politics which everyone seems to jump to immediately - you liberals this or that - well I'm not liberal. You don't have to be liberal to be concerned with these changes. There's a reason why this was off limits years ago. Now everyone's desperate enough to do it, no matter what the risks - Thousands of acres of Michigan's land was sold - dirt cheap so someone else could make a huge profit. We're left with this unsightly mess and health risks. And I don't understand why all the hunting/fishing enthusiasts aren't more concerned - river and lake water levels dropping several inches (20-30 inches during some of the processes) within 1-2 miles from fracking sites. People like to ignore a problem until it's their problem. When it's in your back yard and affecting your family in a negative way, then we'll hear your complaints....
ReplyDeleteI came across this and thought you may be interested: Jim Olsen,a Michigan lawyer makes some great points! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o2ddvtQE-TU
ReplyDeleteWhat is BTEX and what does it smell like before & after it has been burned?
ReplyDeletehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BTEX
ReplyDelete