Gas wars: FrackNation backers dare Gasland director to Main Line showdown
Will fracking fighter Josh Fox debate Phelim McAleer, director of a rival frack-positive film?
Gas wars: FrackNation backers dare Gasland director to Main Line showdown
Joseph N. DiStefano
A group of Philadelphia-area businesses led by companies that sell legal, accounting and PR services to energy companies exploiting the natural gas deep in the Marcellus Shale formation in upstate Pennsylvania today posted the following challenge directed to "Josh Fox, producer of the anti-fracking films GASLAND and GASLAND II:
"Dear Mr. Fox:
"Since 2010, your documentary film GASLAND has impacted public opinion about the natural gas industry and hydraulic fracturing. The film called into question the natural gas industry’s commitment to safety, environmental responsibility, and even the economic benefit of natural gas development.
"Now comes FrackNation, a film produced as a response to GASLAND. The movie counters many of the points raised in your film with commentary gleaned from on-the-ground interviews with land owners in Pennsylvania, as well as scientists and politicians who take a different view from yours.
"Two weeks ago, we invited you to attend the Philadelphia premiere of FrackNation and then debate its director, Phelim McAleer. An open forum such as this would let both those who agree and those who disagree with you gain further insight into one of the controversial issues of our day: How does one balance environmental concerns with the unprecedented opportunity for Pennsylvanians and Americans in general presented by the abundant natural gas in the Marcellus Shale? It would also allow you to answer the questions that Mr. McAleer has raised about your film.
"Our invitation remains open. We would love to host this debate in an open forum in front of an audience of citizens, some of whom support fracking and others who do not. As a documentarian, filmmaker and an environmental activist, we hope you share our view of the benefit that such a public dialogue will provide for the people of Pennsylvania, giving them the facts on both sides so that they can make their own informed decisions.
"As stated in our letter to you of March 13, 2013, we want to be transparent. The evening is being sponsored by the Delaware Valley Marcellus Association, a group of businesses located in Southeast Pennsylvania favoring the responsible development of the Marcellus Shale. The purpose of the debate would be to, in an open forum and atmosphere of mutual respect, fully air the controversial issues surrounding Marcellus Shale development. We hope that you will accept our invitation.
"The Philadelphia premiere of FrackNation will be held on April 10, 2013 at the Bryn Mawr Film Institute in Bryn Mawr, PA at 7 p.m. Tickets, which are $10 in advance or $15 on the night of the show, are available at http://www.marcellusdelval.org/register-for-fracknation. Students will be free at the door with their student ID. If Mr. Fox accepts the Delaware Valley Marcellus Association’s invitation, debate with Mr. McAleer will take place immediately after the screening at approximately 8:10 pm. The event is being held by the Delaware Valley Marcellus Association, a pro-development group of businesses located in Southeast Pennsylvania."
FrackNation says it was funded by more than 3,000 contributors via Kickstarter. The DV Marcellus Association calls itself "a new business conduit between gas development companies operating in the Marcellus Shale and the Philadelphia region’s rich trove of potential business partners. Founding members of the association include KPMG LLP, Duane Morris LLP, Gregory FCA, and ShaleDirectories.com."
How does one balance potentially poisoning the water table of the most heavily populated are of the US. Most people are not saying don't drill, but lets make sure we are drilling in an environmentally sound manner. I doubt people who are motivated by enormous profits are the ones who should be in charge of that decision.— Knucks- So basically corporations are trying to say that while we realize that this is a free country, just don't try to step on our toes or negatively impact our business for any reason whatsoever or we will do everything in our power to discredit you. It's the Republican's dream: the United Corporations of America.— john_dallas_bowers
- The Democratic Governor of Colorado, John Hickenlooper, testified that he drank fracking water. If the MSM wanted to promote fracking, they would have plastered that testimony over the air and in print until we were tattooed with it.— Cazptain Philadelphia
- Why don't they come up to the northern tier of PA where the drilling is going on. They can see the polluted water wells in Leroy Township Bradford County from 30,000 gallons of fracking fluid that spilled some flowing into Towanda Creek.Cheaspeake fined one million dollars and takes responsiblitiy. Can see the destroyed roads from the heavey vehicles and traffic issues on the rural roads. Can see all the out of state workers.— Jeff C.
- Philadelphia gas rates are going up 6% once again, where is all of the "terrorist free" gas and oil going I ask readers? It is be shipped to China and other third world countries... paid by Pennsylvania tax payers.
Thank you Gov. Corbett - "Drill Baby Drill!"— APhillyDump 
Who cares about a bunch of white elitists debating what is going on in hillbilly land? Once again, the inner city minorities are ignored. (HTML deleted)— BOOKKA
