Site search
sponsored by
Home
News
GLENWOOD SPRINGS, Colo. — When Joe Brown heard a radio program about oil shale a couple years ago, the University of Colorado senior decided other people needed to know about it. He decided to make a film about what he felt was an under-reported energy boom in the state and its effects on people and the land.
"I'd never made a film before," the history major said. But he had a friend who was a filmmaker who could advise him, and on a very low budget, about $10,000, he shot the 87-minute film over the course of about two years.
He started spending time on the West Slope, attending meetings on oil shale, seeing first hand the effect of a booming oil and gas industry on this part of the state.
The film includes interviews with representatives of some of the companies, such as Shell, that are involved in oil shale research studies. He also spoke to Andrew Gulliford, a history professor at Ft. Lewis College in Durango, who wrote the book, "Boomtown Blues," which chronicled the oil shale boom and bust of the 1980s in western Colorado.
He interviewed local energy advocate Randy Udall, whose Community Office For Resource Efficiency in Carbondale helps people make their homes and businesses more energy efficient. Udall speaks about the inefficiency of oil shale and the need to conserve energy.
Brown also spoke to several residents of the Silt area who have had health problems, they say, because of nearby oil and gas operations.
"I'm not opposed to oil and gas drilling," Brown said. "I just think it can be done better."
He will screen the film at 7 p.m. today at the Glenwood Springs Community Center and again on Saturday, May 12, at the Garfield County Fairgrounds in Rifle, at 7 p.m.
Contact Donna Gray: 945-8515, ext. 16605
dgray@postindependent.com
Post Independent, Glenwood Springs Colorado CO
"I'd never made a film before," the history major said. But he had a friend who was a filmmaker who could advise him, and on a very low budget, about $10,000, he shot the 87-minute film over the course of about two years.
He started spending time on the West Slope, attending meetings on oil shale, seeing first hand the effect of a booming oil and gas industry on this part of the state.
The film includes interviews with representatives of some of the companies, such as Shell, that are involved in oil shale research studies. He also spoke to Andrew Gulliford, a history professor at Ft. Lewis College in Durango, who wrote the book, "Boomtown Blues," which chronicled the oil shale boom and bust of the 1980s in western Colorado.
He interviewed local energy advocate Randy Udall, whose Community Office For Resource Efficiency in Carbondale helps people make their homes and businesses more energy efficient. Udall speaks about the inefficiency of oil shale and the need to conserve energy.
Brown also spoke to several residents of the Silt area who have had health problems, they say, because of nearby oil and gas operations.
"I'm not opposed to oil and gas drilling," Brown said. "I just think it can be done better."
He will screen the film at 7 p.m. today at the Glenwood Springs Community Center and again on Saturday, May 12, at the Garfield County Fairgrounds in Rifle, at 7 p.m.
Contact Donna Gray: 945-8515, ext. 16605
dgray@postindependent.com
Post Independent, Glenwood Springs Colorado CO
'National Sacrifice Zone'
What: A film that takes a critical look at the effects of Colorado's newest energy boom.
When: 7 p.m. today Where: Glenwood Springs Community Center |
