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Fracking-Study Conflicts Prompt Head of Institute to Quit

Bloomberg -- University of Texas research that determined hydraulic fracturing for natural gas is safe was tainted by a conflict of interest involving the study’s lead investigator, an independent panel has concluded.

After seeing the panel’s findings, the head of the Energy Institute, Raymond Orbach, said he would “assume full responsibility” and resigned his position though he remains on the faculty. The lead investigator, professor Charles Groat, has left the university and the study he oversaw has been withdrawn, according to a statement the school released yesterday.

The “study falls short of the generally accepted rigor required for the publication of scientific work,” the panel said in its report. “Primary among the shortcomings was the failure of the principal investigator to disclose a confl

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Submitted Dec 07, 2012 By: iFueler

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jrs4125 Champion Author Indiana Posts:2,893 Points:618,470 Joined:Sep 2011	Message Posted: Dec 8, 2012 8:27:06 AM Ignore jrs4125 Report Abuse So whats new?
nsdp Champion Author San Antonio Posts:1,117 Points:47,990 Joined:Jun 2012	Message Posted: Dec 7, 2012 8:09:02 PM Ignore nsdp Report Abuse Whether fracking is good or bad is not the issue here. My experience is that like everything else, fracking done by qualified people, using the proper equipment, and with adequate funding is very low risk. It is not 0 but less than you being hit by lightning. The story here is Dr Groat knowingly violated federal securities laws and state ethics laws and University of Texas rules. Dr. Groat's report is the same as a stock analyst touting a stock which he owns and not disclosing the position. Then selling his stock after the stock moves higher based on his recommendation. Dr. Orbach failed to enforce the state law and the University rules. The Regents responsible for compliance should go also. This was a screw up up and down the line.
Dennisjk Champion Author Detroit Posts:6,566 Points:1,948,800 Joined:Apr 2006	Message Posted: Dec 7, 2012 5:04:45 PM Ignore Dennisjk Report Abuse Fracking has been going on for a long time with no impact.
drpepperTX Champion Author Texas Posts:9,159 Points:778,875 Joined:Apr 2011	Message Posted: Dec 7, 2012 3:34:49 PM Ignore drpepperTX Report Abuse The review found no “intentional misrepresentation” by Groat, and even believes that, at the time, he was likely not violating established conflict of interest policies at the University. Other than the conflict of interest, which Groat and the University, should have made clear, where is the evidence that the studies done were flawed? Groat did not perform the studies. Here's a list of other Unversity studies and reports that basically found the same conclusions: An Analysis of the Economic Potential for Shale Formations in Ohio, prepared by faculty and staff from Cleveland State University, Ohio State University, and Marietta College, and sponsored by the Ohio Shale Coalition, April 2012 Carnegie-Mellon Marcellus Greenhouse Gas Study: Life cycle greenhouse gas emissions of Marcellus shale gas, by Jiang et al., Environ. Res. Lett. 6 (July-September 2011) The Cornell University Study: Methane and the greenhouse-gas footprint of natural gas from shale formations, Howarth et al., Climatic Change, March 13, 2011 Rebuttal: A commentary on “The greenhouse-gas footprint of natural gas in shale formations,” June 20, 2011 Rebuttal: Assessing the greenhouse impact of natural gas, Jan. 7, 2012 The Duke University Study: May 2011, www.pnas.org/cgi/doi/10.1073/pnas.1100682108 Duke University Study: Geochemical evidence for possible natural migration of Marcellus Formation brine to shallow aquifers in Pennsylvania. Nathanial R. Warner, Robert B. Jackson, Thomas H. Darrah, Stephen G. Osborn, Adrian Down, Kaiguang Zhao, Alissa White, and Avner Vengosh, May 2012 Economic Impact of the Eagle Ford Shale, prepared by The University of Texas at San Antonio Institute for Economic Development’s Center for Community and Business Research, May 2012 Environmental Impacts During Marcellus Shale Gas Drilling: Causes, Impacts, and Remedies, conducted by researchers at the University of Wyoming, Pennsylvania State University, and the State University of New York at Buffalo, May 15, 2012 Hydraulic Fracturing and Water Resources: Separating the Frack from the Fiction, prepared by the Pacific Institute, June 2012The Penn State Study: The Impact of Marcellus Gas Drilling On Rural Drinking Water Supplies, conducted by Pennsylvania State University and funded by the Center for Rural Pennsyvlania; revised report, Nov. 22, 2011 Revisiting the Economic Impact of the Natural Gas Activity in the Fayetteville Shale: 2008-2012, prepared by the Center for Business and Economic Research at the University of Arkansas, May 2012
PDQBlues Champion Author San Diego Posts:7,209 Points:1,475,050 Joined:Jan 2009	Message Posted: Dec 7, 2012 1:38:16 PM Ignore PDQBlues Report Abuse Oh, imagine that. The proponents of fracking are getting financial support from the fracking corporations to skew its research findings and mislead the public. Who would have thought? Very true bluebird1. Time and time again, even in medicine, the influence of gifts and money from a particular corporation will inevitably influence those people. This conflict in a university is grossly obvious and was purposely established to mislead the public. If people are allowed to know all the chemicals used in fracking (which they cannot right now), then there's a chance that fracking can be done more safely.
Cheepo Champion Author Tampa Posts:9,989 Points:3,147,905 Joined:Apr 2003	Message Posted: Dec 7, 2012 12:05:00 PM Ignore Cheepo Report Abuse Fracking was done for decades, why now this controversy????????
bluebird1 Champion Author Toronto Posts:15,868 Points:3,133,875 Joined:May 2004	Message Posted: Dec 7, 2012 10:44:19 AM Ignore bluebird1 Report Abuse Imagine a study that's not fracked up to what it should be!! The two head honchos with conflict of interest & found fracking is safe. As for the line 'our universities are not for sale' is just as much of a lie, as they are & always looking for funding. As for so many other studies pulled/tainted, remember the reach money has & oil/gas means money. Even if scientists have their pensions tied in commodities, it means heavily tied to oil/gas & could be swayed toward better returns. It's behind over 50% of our economy & very difficult to truly find divested people for studies. Also, the more wealth they have like heads of institutes to lead professors, the more likely they will have large investments in Oil/gas industries - not to mention kickbacks/peer pressure influences etc.
geezrtek Champion Author Michigan Posts:2,048 Points:449,760 Joined:Apr 2011	Message Posted: Dec 7, 2012 10:27:08 AM Ignore geezrtek Report Abuse What were they thinking?
mswillia Champion Author Milwaukee Posts:2,741 Points:582,045 Joined:Feb 2010	Message Posted: Dec 7, 2012 10:23:55 AM Ignore mswillia Report Abuse oh boy
humblepie Champion Author Toledo Posts:35,301 Points:2,398,095 Joined:Mar 2006	Message Posted: Dec 7, 2012 10:21:39 AM Ignore humblepie Report Abuse and another one bites the dust
DarthDadJr Champion Author Virginia Posts:7,427 Points:1,545,670 Joined:Jul 2008	Message Posted: Dec 7, 2012 10:21:30 AM Ignore DarthDadJr Report Abuse You have to always look at who is funding any study...is there a "hidden agenda" behind it and what bias is affecting its conclusions.
LJGP_MO95 Champion Author Missouri Posts:1,865 Points:500,830 Joined:Jun 2005	Message Posted: Dec 7, 2012 10:10:31 AM Ignore LJGP_MO95 Report Abuse zzzz
Double_Golden Champion Author San Francisco Posts:2,695 Points:632,110 Joined:Aug 2011	Message Posted: Dec 7, 2012 9:43:17 AM Ignore Double_Golden Report Abuse agree with "bullseye100" we don't need chemical into the the ground and into the underearth water, we are having less and less clean under earth waters...
mattymattmatt All-Star Author Scranton Posts:905 Points:386,935 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: Dec 7, 2012 9:42:17 AM Ignore mattymattmatt Report Abuse To me, fracking studies are quickly becoming the new global warming kind of studies. You just don't know who to trust and what kind of agenda, if any, they are pushing with the results of their work. It's sad when you automatically assume anymore that these people in power positions are just trying to dictate your thoughts to match their own. Where is the truth anymore and are people willing to find it and declare it without bias?
DutchTreatMI Champion Author Grand Rapids Posts:3,441 Points:778,190 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: Dec 7, 2012 9:39:44 AM Ignore DutchTreatMI Report Abuse Don't know who to trust.
BartBuzz Champion Author Atlanta Posts:9,020 Points:1,802,485 Joined:Aug 2006	Message Posted: Dec 7, 2012 9:39:30 AM Ignore BartBuzz Report Abuse I love these fracking stories. Such BS. Makes me wonder if the conclusions didn't fit their agenda.
LuckyD43 Champion Author Long Island Posts:32,460 Points:2,194,795 Joined:Apr 2005	Message Posted: Dec 7, 2012 9:32:30 AM Ignore LuckyD43 Report Abuse It's gotten to the point where you just don't know who to believe any more.
w4kh Champion Author Tennessee Posts:11,805 Points:2,255,715 Joined:May 2004	Message Posted: Dec 7, 2012 9:31:26 AM Ignore w4kh Report Abuse One of these days, we may actually get a scientifically-based, peer reviewed study of hydraulic fracturing. I believe horizontal drilling and "fracking" CAN be done safely, but I have to wonder if the costs of doing it correctly and safely might make the process uneconomical. Given Big Oil and Gas remain focused on profit, which means cost reduction as well as revenue improvement, the likelihood of cutting corners to save expenses (as BP did with the Deepwater Horizon) leaves much uncertainty.
bullseye100 Champion Author New Jersey Posts:2,526 Points:609,055 Joined:Aug 2011	Message Posted: Dec 7, 2012 9:28:06 AM Ignore bullseye100 Report Abuse ANY chemicals injected into the ground cannot be good.
SycamoreISU Champion Author Indiana Posts:1,065 Points:275,825 Joined:Jan 2012	Message Posted: Dec 7, 2012 9:28:00 AM Ignore SycamoreISU Report Abuse Quite a tangled web . . . .
GasCzarCO Champion Author Colorado Springs Posts:1,441 Points:824,110 Joined:Mar 2010	Message Posted: Dec 7, 2012 9:25:46 AM Ignore GasCzarCO Report Abuse Do you really believe the oil & NG companies are telliNG you the truth when they tell you injectiNG chemicals underground won't contaminate drinkiNG water?
TWS658 Champion Author Portland Posts:4,543 Points:950,875 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Dec 7, 2012 9:23:29 AM Ignore TWS658 Report Abuse Interesting.
DABEE1073 Champion Author San Diego Posts:8,350 Points:1,599,810 Joined:Jun 2008	Message Posted: Dec 7, 2012 9:18:43 AM Ignore DABEE1073 Report Abuse They will do what they got to do.
Chinto12 Champion Author Illinois Posts:1,037 Points:414,955 Joined:Jan 2012	Message Posted: Dec 7, 2012 9:18:12 AM Ignore Chinto12 Report Abuse Lets go back to the dark ages. It was so much better then.
#12#_vabchusa All-Star Author Virginia Posts:872 Points:113,645 Joined:Jun 2004	Message Posted: Dec 7, 2012 9:17:04 AM Ignore #12#_vabchusa Report Abuse What's new...more lies so more money can be made for a few
bobzilla11 Champion Author Indiana Posts:1,308 Points:520,375 Joined:May 2011	Message Posted: Dec 7, 2012 9:16:24 AM Ignore bobzilla11 Report Abuse say it taint so
dlemma Champion Author Wyoming Posts:4,241 Points:1,581,745 Joined:Feb 2008	Message Posted: Dec 7, 2012 9:16:16 AM Ignore dlemma Report Abuse What about all the EPA studies which are not even done in a scientific manner???????? Their studies say fracking is not safe - but they don't use scientific methods. Fracking IS safe - areas that say their water has been tainted have actually had tainted water long before they ever THOUGHT of fracking. Yes - Global Warming hoaxters publish science and leave out important periods of time......
ILVET Champion Author Illinois Posts:14,929 Points:2,952,190 Joined:Jan 2005	Message Posted: Dec 7, 2012 9:15:33 AM Ignore ILVET Report Abuse Honest in anything is all but gone today in this society
BlueVanGroup Champion Author Colorado Posts:7,341 Points:1,555,120 Joined:May 2008	Message Posted: Dec 7, 2012 9:15:08 AM Ignore BlueVanGroup Report Abuse The study would also be thrown out if members didn't disclose a conflict of interest because they are government employees, right? (I'm not holding my breath.)
Hypersonic All-Star Author Maryland Posts:980 Points:871,175 Joined:Aug 2008	Message Posted: Dec 7, 2012 9:14:57 AM Ignore Hypersonic Report Abuse Fracking is bad.
krobp46 Champion Author Milwaukee Posts:2,853 Points:567,595 Joined:Sep 2011	Message Posted: Dec 7, 2012 9:14:57 AM Ignore krobp46 Report Abuse Fracking Liar
jeff95519 Champion Author California Posts:2,587 Points:1,380,965 Joined:Sep 2008	Message Posted: Dec 7, 2012 9:13:34 AM Ignore jeff95519 Report Abuse so then what
Hangnail309 Champion Author Manitoba Posts:6,158 Points:1,703,885 Joined:Aug 2006	Message Posted: Dec 7, 2012 9:13:08 AM Ignore Hangnail309 Report Abuse The jury is still out on the subject of fracking.
mreiff Champion Author Louisville Posts:5,488 Points:1,330,415 Joined:May 2009	Message Posted: Dec 7, 2012 9:13:03 AM Ignore mreiff Report Abuse Fracking = pollution.
FocusGuy Champion Author Seattle Posts:7,192 Points:1,439,480 Joined:Apr 2009	Message Posted: Dec 7, 2012 9:13:01 AM Ignore FocusGuy Report Abuse o.b not happy
CostEngineer Veteran Author Sacramento Posts:255 Points:162,755 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: Dec 7, 2012 9:12:43 AM Ignore CostEngineer Report Abuse Fracking just sounds bad and then there are biased reports that puts it in a worse light. Yuck!
yelobus Champion Author Houston Posts:5,738 Points:1,583,565 Joined:Aug 2006	Message Posted: Dec 7, 2012 9:12:02 AM Ignore yelobus Report Abuse Franking is a short term phenomena. Water pollution will be like Chernoble.
RUNNINONEMPTYFL Champion Author Florida Posts:1,408 Points:461,800 Joined:May 2011	Message Posted: Dec 7, 2012 9:10:25 AM Ignore RUNNINONEMPTYFL Report Abuse Oh FRACK!!!
crep1291 Champion Author Ottawa Posts:2,637 Points:486,190 Joined:Dec 2010	Message Posted: Dec 7, 2012 9:10:13 AM Ignore crep1291 Report Abuse Not really surprising.
Barfood Champion Author St. Louis Posts:3,368 Points:1,036,675 Joined:Jun 2009	Message Posted: Dec 7, 2012 9:10:01 AM Ignore Barfood Report Abuse The problem with capitalism: Everyone wants to make a buck (or millions of them) for themselves and their cronies.
40mpgsaturn Champion Author Wisconsin Posts:2,595 Points:544,005 Joined:Jun 2011	Message Posted: Dec 7, 2012 9:09:43 AM Ignore 40mpgsaturn Report Abuse Interesting!
MrLuigi Champion Author Massachusetts Posts:4,908 Points:993,410 Joined:Jun 2005	Message Posted: Dec 7, 2012 9:09:32 AM Ignore MrLuigi Report Abuse controversy makes the world go 'round didn't you know?
olefin Champion Author Arkansas Posts:6,224 Points:752,465 Joined:Sep 2006	Message Posted: Dec 7, 2012 9:08:51 AM Ignore olefin Report Abuse Just another liberal professor. Fracking is safe. Fracking does not contaminate groundwater.... that's been proven 60 times, even by the EPA.
hwmillerster Champion Author Missouri Posts:6,924 Points:1,492,070 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Dec 7, 2012 9:08:31 AM Ignore hwmillerster Report Abuse Same old story: anyone who knows anything about fracking has a vested interest in seeing it done.
ruca2012 Champion Author San Diego Posts:1,200 Points:239,915 Joined:Oct 2012	Message Posted: Dec 7, 2012 9:08:15 AM Ignore ruca2012 Report Abuse the news lately has said that it causes environment damage and cattle have ben deadly sick not to mention human life
olebufnav Champion Author Omaha Posts:4,121 Points:1,049,730 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Dec 7, 2012 9:07:01 AM Ignore olebufnav Report Abuse Sounds like the last presidential campaign --- buy a poll to support anything...
Sapper08 Champion Author Indianapolis Posts:1,203 Points:347,980 Joined:Mar 2012	Message Posted: Dec 7, 2012 9:06:30 AM Ignore Sapper08 Report Abuse Fracking isn't the solution.
survken Champion Author Indiana Posts:2,571 Points:449,235 Joined:Jul 2010	Message Posted: Dec 7, 2012 9:06:19 AM Ignore survken Report Abuse Nobody know for sure.
pmc3 Champion Author Missouri Posts:3,609 Points:1,025,590 Joined:Mar 2010	Message Posted: Dec 7, 2012 9:06:17 AM Ignore pmc3 Report Abuse blah, blah, blah......
LarksNY Champion Author Albany Posts:1,464 Points:656,490 Joined:Jun 2006	Message Posted: Dec 7, 2012 9:05:04 AM Ignore LarksNY Report Abuse What the FRACK!!!! Another controversy around this???