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.