Alpha Metallurgical Resources’ Post

Civitas Resources, a Denver-based oil and gas company financed and owned by the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (CPPIB), wants to drill 166 new fracking wells that could cause earthquakes and contaminate water for millions of Coloradans. CPP Investments | Investissements RPC is the largest shareholder in Civitas, which makes the greenwashed claim that it's "Colorado's first carbon-neutral energy producer." Civitas Resources is proposing to develop a 166-well oil and gas project in suburban Denver that could imperil a decades-long, multimillion-dollar effort to prevent carcinogenic chemicals stored on one of the U.S.’s most contaminated industrial sites from leaking into groundwater. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is warning that Civitas’ fracking proposal could cause small cracks in bedrock cradling millions of gallons of toxic waste and allow contaminants to enter an aquifer system that millions of Coloradans rely on. “The EPA is concerned that hydraulic fracturing surrounding and underneath the site could lead to a significant unintended release of hazardous substances,” the agency wrote in May to Dan Harrington, who leads Civitas’ development initiatives. This “contamination is held in place by a bedrock layer which could, under certain conditions, be subject to microfractures from fracking.” Civitas’ proposed drilling near the Colorado Superfund site also raises new health and safety concerns that local residents say aren’t adequately addressed in state or local regulations. Increasingly, residents are demanding stricter rules about where fracking can take place and detailed studies that provide benchmarks for how much activity should be allowed.   “The county must insist on studies to understand the potential risks associated with fracking-induced seismicity on both the Lowry Landfill Superfund Site — and the Aurora Reservoir Dam,” wrote Kevin Lynch, an associate professor of law at the University of Denver Environmental Law Clinic.   “The EPA will need to monitor the Lowry Landfill Superfund Site for decades to come, and thoroughly monitor the impact of this and any proposed projects close to the site,” said the region’s congressman, Jason Crow. “There should be no question about the safety of Coloradans’ water.” #copolitics #cdnpoli #pensions #sustainablefinance #fracking #greenwashing

NSW Government Forges Ahead with Seabed Mining Ban In a significant move to shield New South Wales' pristine beaches and coastal ecosystems, the NSW government has implemented a ban on seabed petroleum and mineral mining along the NSW coastline. This pioneering decision positions NSW as the first state in Australia to enact such a prohibition, underscoring a steadfast dedication to marine conservation and environmental preservation. The Environmental Planning and Assessment Amendment (Seabed Mining and Exploration) Bill 2024, which garnered bipartisan support in the NSW Parliament, amends the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 to enforce the ban effectively. By prohibiting seabed petroleum and mineral exploration and recovery activities within NSW coastal waters, the legislation aims to mitigate potential harm to marine life, habitat destruction, and detrimental impacts on sediment levels. The ban serves as a crucial preventive measure against environmental hazards like oil spills and greenhouse gas emissions associated with offshore exploration and drilling operations. While comprehensive in scope, the legislation provides exemptions for specific activities geared towards coastal protection, including beach nourishment and beach scraping initiatives aimed at fortifying beaches, dunes, and cliff systems against erosion. Select dredging activities unrelated to mineral exploration or recovery, such as laying pipelines or submarine cables, will be permitted, provided they offer tangible environmental and economic benefits. This landmark legislation sets a precedent for other states and territories, paving the way for enhanced protection of marine ecosystems and sustainable coastal management practices nationwide. #miningjobs #energyjobs #infrastructurejobs #projectresourcing #recruitment #collaboration #teamwork #team #corporateculture #concentis #energynews #miningnews #infrastructurenews #recruitmentnews #projectmanagement #projectmanagementjobs #assetmanagement #assetmanagementjobs

Finch already in action? It sure looks like it! The Government has conceded on two JRs: One an Inspector’s appeal decision on oil drilling in Lincolnshire, where the Interested Party/Applicant has also conceded, on the Ground relating to downstream emissions it having been considered as part of the ES and so the PP is quashed. Secondly, the (in)famous Cumbrian mine, where the Govt appears to have conceded the decision Michael Gove made on a similar ground, but a decision is awaited from the Interested Party/Applicant if they will too so that the PP is quashed. These two cases are both ‘extraction’ projects where the Finch majority position of ‘inevitable causation’ is perhaps easier to make out, and there is perhaps a touch of politics about it(!), but this news does show the potential power of Finch… https://lnkd.in/eZFBXVh4

Midland fights the disposal of oilfield wastewater near its drinking supply! As oil and gas companies struggle to dispose of their #wastewater in the Permian Basin, the city of Midland is challenging applications for disposal wells near one of its drinking water sources. The Railroad Commission of Texas, which regulates oil and gas drilling and disposal wells, agreed in June to give Midland standing to challenge the permits. The case will go before a Railroad Commission administrative judge in January. The dispute highlights two rising challenges in West Texas: where to dispose of billions of barrels of toxic oil and gas wastewater and how to get enough fresh water to keep the taps flowing. #Texas #Environment #environmentalimpact https://lnkd.in/ghbRsxJs

It will be interesting to see what this yields. If you follow the feed of Laura Capper, which I strongly recommend, you'll know that there has been a lot of change within the Permian's subsurface over the past few years. I am particularly interested in the Railroad Commission of Texas' investigation into enhanced oilfield recovery. Groups like Engineered Salinity - ESal led by Dr. Geoffrey Thyne have demonstrated time after time that careful attention to chemistry can have profound impacts on production yields. The hyperozonation effluent by Infinity Water Solutions is also showing tremendous promise in the #EOR arena; by cleaving large hydrocarbons (asphaltenes and paraffins), thus improving commodity viscosity. New Mexico Produced Water Research Consortium Texas Produced Water Consortium Produced Water Society Paul Dubois Ted Wooten Jerri Pohl Kevin Schug https://lnkd.in/gXHkyH7X

The Supreme Court of Canada has deemed key parts of the Impact Assessment Act unconstitutional, signaling a significant shift in federal vs. provincial jurisdiction. This decision impacts the natural resources sector, especially mining, urging a reassessment of federal and provincial roles in environmental reviews. The federal government’s intention to amend the Act could lead to a more harmonized approach, aligning with industry hopes for streamlined assessments. Read more from lawyers Ralph Cuervo-Lorens, Sasa Jarvis and Cory Kent here: https://bit.ly/41QquIZ #EnvironmentalLaw #MiningSector #CanadianLaw #Federalism #ImpactAssessment

Many have read the recent article published by the NYT titled "Monster Fracks Are Getting Far Bigger. And Far Thirstier" (don't worry, we know it's spelled Frac). The article talks about the demand the shale industry has for water in completions. Blackbuck Resources is helping operators meet these needs while saving money and preserving precious groundwater in the arid regions within the Permian. Green 🌿 and GREEN 💵 https://lnkd.in/ge_c2FG9

This type of conflict is only going to increase. The approach Ontario is taking towards critical minerals places the burden on Nations to fight to protect their rights. Provincial action threatening Constitutionally protected rights. Unfortunately, these Nations will likely need to rely heavily on litigation. Would be good to see Yahey, Saik’uz, & Gitxaala-type cases in the province (as well as novel claims re water, jurisdiction, sovereignty, treaty interpretation, & other means to protect s. 35 rights & to ensure there is sufficient quantity & quality of land for the continued use by all Ontario Indigenous peoples). There is a path forward re the energy transition but it is not at the expense of Indigenous peoples - just do it properly Ontario.

Ranchers in West #Texas have reported abandoned oil wells spewing wastewater, with a new study pointing to fracking as the culprit. Southern Methodist University's research reveals that fracking wastewater, injected underground for disposal, traveled 12 miles through faults before surfacing through a plugged oil well in 2022. This study is the first to establish a direct connection between wastewater injection and blowouts in the Permian Basin, the leading oil-producing region in the U.S. The findings raise concerns about potential groundwater contamination and emphasize the need for oil producers to seek alternative solutions for the millions of gallons of toxic wastewater generated daily in the Permian Basin. #Environmentalnews #SMU #Wastewater #Environment https://lnkd.in/ggNcWPCt

Mine reclamation in Canada: Regulatory challenges and opportunities The regulation of mine reclamation in Canada plays a vital role in ensuring the responsible development and utilization of the country’s abundant natural resources through the balance of economic development with environmental sustainability. As the mining industry evolves, alongside the evolution of environmental protection legislation and innovations in reclamation technologies, stakeholders are faced with a myriad of regulatory challenges and opportunities in implementing effective reclamation strategies.