1. Whats so bad about (coal seam) gas?
WRIT 7220: Controversial Science

2. Outline
What is coal seam gas (CSG)?
Timeline of the controversy
Controversial viewpoints
Main themes / discussion
3. What is CSG?
Primarily methane
Occurs naturally in coal beds
Burns cleanly (few NOx or SOx)
Equivalent to natural gas
Sometimes vented to atmosphere in coal mines
4. What is CSG?
CSG held by water pressure
Water / CSG mix pumped out and separated
May require hydraulic fracturing
Various options for water
5. Timeline of a controversy
ClimateSmart 2050: 15% from gas by 2010, then 18% by 2020
QLD gas scheme: 13% from gas by 2005
Queensland Petroleum: wells drilled 2009-2010
[source: Queenslands Petroleum, Queensland Government, February 2011]
6. Timeline of a controversy
Fox doesnt have the science chops required to explicate the fracking process accessibly, and too many animated illustrations whiz by in a nebulous froth of blinking maps and lists of presumably toxic substances
7. Timeline of a controversy
8. Timeline of a controversy
9. Timeline of a controversy
Gasland released
I start blogging about CSG ...
10. One topic, many views: farmers
Farming land is being taken over by CSG mining
Fraccing could poison the groundwater
Farmers have no rights on their own land
11. One topic, many views: politicians
The resources boom creates jobs and is good for the economy
Regulations are in place to prevent, monitor and rectify impacts
CSG is a bridging fuel to cleaner energy sources
12. One topic, many views: miners
CSG has been mined for 60 years and is a proven technology
CSG mines are heavily regulated
CSG mines provide jobs and help rural economies
QLD risks losing income if CSG not pursued
13. One topic, many views: community
Its happening too fast
Impacts are poorly understood
The community is not consulted
Political and mining interests are different to the communitys
14. Main Themes
RISK
What does each party view as a risk?
What constitutes acceptable risk?
How do you define worth / what are you values?
Individual vs community risk
Minimise risk or maximise opportunity?
15. Main Themes
TRUST
Do you trust the government to protect your interests?
Do you trust the government to understand the science and develop appropriate regulations?
Do you trust the industry to follow government regulations?
Do you trust the media to provide accurate and balanced information?
16. Main Themes
COMMUNICATION
Who should be included in discussions / decisions?
Communication and disclosure vs proprietary interests
Consultation vs information: whose opinions matter?
Is communication tainted by an agenda?
Communication of scientific and technical material