I think its good to see politicians actually doing something useful.
I don't care much for the Greens or for the politics of it, but I think its good that the potential dangers of CSG have been displayed for all to see.

Its not a conspiracy.
Its just when corporations and government get together and money changes hands and deals are done over expensive lunches that any issues that stand in the way of profits are pushed aside.

If the methane is naturally seeping out, it's grossly irresponsible to allow fracking anywhere in the area.

______________________________________________________________________________________

Shadow,

"The CSIRO has come out strongly to say that it is extremely unlikely that the methane seepage has anything to do with the CSG plants nearby."

I know that one CSIRO scientist has been quoted as saying it's unlikely, but this is the first I've heard of that much stronger response. Do you have a reference?

Dear Is Mise,

We can certainly question the actions of
Jeremy Buckingham, the NSW Greens MP who posted a video
to Facebook showing him lighting the surface of the
Condamine river, causing flames up around his boat.
To me it appears to be a desperate act from an MP
who has a record of being passionate about protecting
our country's lands, water, and communities, and wanting us
to invest in renewable energy.

We can certainly question his motives when he claims
that the flames are a result of the methane gas
build up linked to the coal seam gas industry and
fracking operations nearby - owned by Rio Tinto.
However, in all fairness
we also need to question the motives of
the government-funded science
body - CSIRO who says it is unlikely that the gas seep
is linked to fracking.

When looking at the motives of each - it is well
documented that Mr Buckingham has been a leader in the
campaign to protect land, water, and communities from
the threat of coal seam gas, while CSIRO - needs no more
cuts to its funding from the government.

Personally, I would not brush Mr Buckingham aside as a dill.
Nor would I blame CSIRO for trying to preserve its
funding.

cont'd ...

This is obviously a recent event that did not exist
previously. If it is not linked to methane gas -
where is it coming from? Also I'm sure that Mr
Buckinghame has been alerted to this by the local
community members who must be concerned. This problem
did not exist previously, until the involvement of
Rio Tinto and their activity in the area.

"Nor would I blame CSIRO for trying to preserve its funding"

It you really mean what that implies about its ethics and professionalism, you would be demanding for CSIRO to be sold or failing that, disbanded.

This is probably the stupidest post you'll read all day but isn't the Condamine over the Range, and hasn't it been subject to drought for the last three or four years ? Wouldn't the river bed be bone-dry, the river detritus decomposing and the coal seams more open near that fault line ?

An idiot, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing:

Joe