People's Oil and Gas Summit

On October 28-29, 2005, approximately 120 citizens, local government representatives, scientists, and health professionals from Canada and the U.S. met in Farmington, New Mexico to learn about toxic chemicals and pollutants associated with oil and gas development.   

PRESENTATIONS AND DISCUSSIONS INCLUDED:

(We are still collecting electronic versions of the presentations from some of the speakers.  We will update this page as we receive them.)

The Big Picture of Oil and Gas Toxics (Gwen Lachelt, Oil and Gas Accountability Project)

Exploration, Production and Underground Wastes

• Overview of Drilling, Completion and Production; and Potential Contamination Issues (Jim Heneghan)
• Living in the Gas Fields: One Family's Story (Laura Amos)
• Subsurface Transport of Oilfield Wastes (Dr. Don Neeper)

Produced Water Issues

• Produced water from oil and gas production (Lisa Sumi, Oil and Gas Accountability Project)
• Coalbed Methane: Produced Water and Toxics Issues (Erin Sexton, National Parks Conservation Association)

Air Emissions from Drilling and Production (Charlene Anderson)

Global Impact of Mercury Emissions from Oil, Gas and Coal Combustion (Dr. David Lean, University of Ottawa)

Hydrogen Sulfide: Toxicity and Health (Dr. Kaye Kilburn, University of Southern California, Keck School of Medicine)  Presentation will be posted soon.

Keynote Speaker:  Andrew Nikiforuk

Morning Remarks:  Thomas Earl McKenzie

Introduction to Environmental Health Issues

• Evaluating Environmental Health Concerns (Dr. Gina Solomon, Assistant Clinical Professor, University of California at San Francisco)
• Natural Gas Development:  A Public Health Concern (Dr. Theo Colborn, The Endocrine Disruption Exchange)

A Native Perspective on Environmental Health (Sylvia Clahchischilli, Diné CARE)

Overview of Oil and Gas Field Chemicals and Monitoring (Wilma Subra)

Pipelines 101

• Restoring Trust in Pipeline Safety (Carl Weimer, Pipeline Safety Trust)
• Oil and Gas Field Pipelines (Lois Epstein, Cook Inlet Keeper)
• Aneth, Utah Oil and Gas (Helen Archie, Diné CARE)
• Examples of pipeline accidents on Navajo Lands (Susie Philemon)

Assessing Human Health Risk:  A Case Study (Dr. Teresa Coons, Saccomanno Research Institute)

Community Perspectives on Accidents and Safety (Cynthia Bodine, San Juan Citizens Alliance, NM)

Methane Migration and Seeps from Abandoned Wells (Dan Randolph, San Juan Citizens Alliance, CO)

A Historical Perspective:  Toxic "Successes" and Policy Implications (Dr. Gina Solomon)

Toxics in Our Communities:  Moving Forward (Aimee Boulanger, Earthworks; Jim Fitzgerald, San Juan Citizens Alliance)

FEATURED SPEAKERS INCLUDED:

Dr. Theo Colborn is a world renowned scientist and co-author of Our Stolen Future -- a scientific detective story about toxic threats to our fertility, intelligence and survival.
Dr. Kaye H. Kilburn is an M.D. and Professor of Medicine at the University of Southern California. He is a leading researcher on brain impairment from chemicals such as hydrogen sulfide and diesel exhaust.
Andrew Nikiforuk is a journalist and award-winning author of Saboteurs: Wiebo Ludwig's War Against Big Oil.
Dr.Gina Solomon, M.D., M.P.H. is a specialist in environmental medicine and a senior scientist with the Natural Resources Defense Council.

Download biographies for all of the Summit speakers.

SUMMIT CO-SPONSORS INCLUDED:

• San Juan Citizens Alliance
• Diné  CARE
• Cook Inlet Keeper
• Grand Valley Citizens Alliance
• National Parks Conservation Association
• Powder River Basin Resource Council
• Sustainable Obtainable Solutions
• West Coast Environmental Law
• wildsight

For More Information