Filmmaker Sees Benefits of Natural Gas-Drilling Industry
Washington PA Observer Reporter
31 July 2010
By Christie Campbell, Staff writer
chriscam@observer-reporter.com
Among those scheduled to speak before the Environmental Protection
Agency's hearing on hydraulic fracturing at Southpointe last week was
Josh Fox, a filmmaker whose documentary "Gasland" presents a negative
view of horizontal gas drilling around the country, including in the
Marcellus Shale.
Fox did not show up at the July 22 EPA hearing, held to gather input
about the hydraulic fracturing process used in natural gas drilling.
But Aaron Price, another independent filmmaker, did.
Like Fox, Price became interested in gas drilling when his family was
approached about leasing their land. His film, "Gas Odyssey," presents
a different point of view from "Gasland," which Price calls "a horror
film."
Price, of Windsor, N.Y., interviews people in northeastern
Pennsylvania, where gas drilling is occurring. He contrasts their
perspectives with the area around his hometown, where New York's
Department of Environmental Conservation has placed a moratorium on
drilling.
In South Montrose, Pa., Don Lockhart, who operates a convenience store,
is shown in Price's film pointing to a map of the United States. His
customers, many of them gas drillers, put a thumb tack in the map
designating where they are from. Many are from Texas, but some travel
from as far away as Alaska and California. Thanks to the industry,
Lockhart says, "for the first time in 25 years, I'm making money."
Price also interviews officials in Elk Lake School District, where
drilling is taking place on school property. A high school senior works
after class helping to deliver water to the drilling sites. He says he
now sees that he can stay in the area and make a future for himself.
About a 30-minute drive north into New York, Broome County officials
claim gas drilling would greatly benefit the area. That part of the
northeast has been in decline since big companies such as Endicott
Johnson closed its doors and IBM cut its work force.
One man explains that many of the dairy farmers had hoped drilling
would occur now so that they could afford to keep their farms.
"Gas Odyssey" is a pro-industry film, but Price said when he first
began he wasn't sure how it would turn out. In fact, gas industry
officials turned out to be camera shy and wouldn't comment or respond
to his requests for interviews.
Of "Gasland," he said, "It's a horror movie. If you didn't know
anything about the natural gas industry, and you just went and saw that
film, you'd be horrified."
Price and Fox faced off in June during a PBS news program in Syracuse.
Those opposed to natural gas drilling will note that Price does not
tackle many of the environmental concerns people have, including fears
of water contamination through the hydraulic fracturing process or
hydrocarbons being released at compressing stations.
But Price claims he does address environmental impacts from gas
drilling, focusing on those that have a greater probability of
occurrence, such as surface spilling or methane migration, rather than
existential worry over the whole process. He believes those concerned
about the environment need to think globally. Much of this country's
energy comes from countries with a poor record of caring for the
environment or other people, he said. If you want to talk about
balance, he said, that was a side that never got told in "Gasland."
"We were down in the same areas that (Fox) was, and there were some
people who were happy.
"Pennsylvania is sitting on a huge amount of natural gas and has a
history of industry; why not make Pennsylvania the leader in the
world?" Price said.
Information on the film's screening dates and how to purchase a DVD is
available at http://www.gasodyssey.com.