Binghamton University – Drilling for Natural Gas?
By Jim Willis on May 9, 2008 in Assy Donna Lupardo, Environment, Government & Politics | Printable Version
Kudos and thumbs-up to the people at Binghamton University who are considering leasing some of their 900 acres of land in Vestal and Endwell to energy prospectors actively searching for natural gas veins throughout our region. Read about it in today’s Press & Sun-Bulletin: Gas-drilling rush expands to BU. Frankly, I’m surprised! But happily so. Someone at the university is thinking clearly.
In typical fashion, the odious Sierra Club is grumbling about it. And our local Assemblywoman Donna Lupardo (a Democrat Citizen Action nitwit) is “absolutely interested” in how it might affect the local environment. Now that she’s got wind of it, you can be sure she’ll oppose it as she opposed leasing New York State forest lands in Vestal back in 2006.
Note to Lupardo and other enviro-extremists: We ARE going to drill for more oil (and gas) in this country. Your days of using “The Environment” as an excuse are over. We can’t afford your failed policies any more. When gas hits $5/gallon, people will begin drilling their own holes in the backyard!
We have a classic supply and demand problem. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, production of oil in this country has gone DOWN 40% since 1985. In the same period, demand has gone UP 30%. Add to that China, India and other developing countries who are getting richer and expanding (from us buying their junk) with more and more cars on their roadways–those countries now buy more oil too. What happens when more people want less of something? The price goes up. The answer? Drill and refine more oil, and expand exploration for other options like coal and natural gas. And do it NOW.
Let’s all support Binghamton University in their logical, right-headed attempt to find energy for their institution and our region.
Technorati Tags: Binghamton University, energy prospecting, natural gas prospecting, Vestal NY, Endwell NY, Sierra Club, Donna Lupardo, environmental extremist
Tom Kane | May 13, 2008 | Reply
The university has to learn more about the dangers to the environment which are being caused by drilling in other parts of the country, notable Fort Worth Texas, western Pennsylvania in a town called Hickory near Pittsburg and other locations in Colorado,Alabama. A lot of money can be made but the damage to the environment – contamination of water and toxic chemicals being used to drill the wells can be permanent. Look into these things before you sign. As a university you should lead rather than follow. Google the Oil and Gas Accountability Project and Congressman Henry Waxman’s hearings about excess of gas drilling.
Jim Willis | May 15, 2008 | Reply
Hi Tom,
Thanks for commenting on the blog. I have a couple of follow-on thoughts to your comment. I agree absolutely before any undertaking BU (or anyone for that matter) should get all the facts to be sure it’s safe. BU’s property is close to populated areas, so they (or anyone) must be careful with drilling for natural gas.
Having said that, logic and common sense tells me that a) this is being done all over the country, and b) it is/has been done safely in other places, therefore c) there’s no reason, with prudence, why it can’t also be done safely here. I have to believe with proper procedures, and a plethora of state and federal regulations that must be followed, water tables and the environment in general will be safe.
So, education and prudence, absolutely. Then, move forward and do it!
One more thing…Henry Waxman is a political hack of the worse kind. I don’t believe a thing he says! He is agenda-driven and panders to get votes. I’d rather get my data on drilling from science and not politics.
Thanks again for the comment…please visit and comment again.
- Jim
Matt | Mar 10, 2009 | Reply
“When gas hits $5/gallon, people will begin drilling their own holes in the backyard!”
Don’t you think people will slow or stop their use of gas when this happens? There was a substantial decrease in gas usage this summer when rates were that high.