Report Looks at Oil Shale Contributions, Industry Responds

(KCPW News) A closed-door meeting in late March of officials from several counties in Utah, Colorado and Wyoming, along with lobbyists for the oil shale industry, has raised questions about the connections between the industry and public officials. And those connections have been investigated by groups like the Checks and Balances Project, which calls itself a government and industry watchdog. Matthew Garrington is co-director of the Checks and Balances Project. KCPW’s Jeff Robinson asked him about the details of this closed-door meeting and a report the group released.

Listen https://kcpw.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/09-GARRINGTON.mp3 Report Looks at Oil Shale Contributions, Industry Responds

For a response, we spoke with Jeff Hartley, an consultant for several energy companies, including Red Leaf Resources, who also points to this article in the Columbia Journalism Review regarding the Checks and Balances Project.

Listen https://kcpw.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/10-HARTLEY.mp3 Report Looks at Oil Shale Contributions, Industry Responds

Red Leaf Resources also sent the following statement:

“Oil shale is a new and exciting area for US energy self-sufficiency. We understand the interest by many stakeholders as this resource is developed. We believe it is important for all those interested to have the opportunity to be informed.

However, the multitude of inaccuracies in the ‘Checks and Balances’ report makes it difficult to respond.  As a matter of correction, Red Leaf Resources notes that it has done extensive testing on its process and worked with independent labs, consultants, and investors to validate the merits of our technology.

Red Leaf’s Large Mine Permit remains in effect contingent on a groundwater quality permit decision from the Division of Water Quality, and its project continues to move towards first commercial production. The company will have all necessary water and environmental permits in place prior to initial production. Red Leaf’s project is designed to meet or exceed all current environmental standards and requirements.

We are pleased to respond to stakeholder questions about oil shale and the EcoShale™ process. We also encourage all interested parties to visit our web site at www.readleafinc.com.”