A 2008 state audit found that about 40 percent of the oil and gas wells in Texas had not been inspected in five years.
Texas Railroad Commission says there is no evidence of water contamination in Texas from drilling and it’s easy to say that because the Texas Railroad Commission does not test groundwater for contamination.
Jeff Weems, who is uncontested in the Democratic primary, said the commission missed a change to balance the need for environmental stewardship as the Barnett Shale was being developed.
“The time to develop sensible regulations and engage in active monitoring of water use, injection wells, noise and emission concerns, inner city drilling and gathering line locations was years ago,” Weems said.
“The commissioners must undertake immediately a comprehensive review of all of the rules and regulations for Barnett Shale activities that affect the communities there.”
To that, Texas Railroad Commissioner Carrillo says:
“In terms of just going out randomly and starting to test for groundwater pollution, I’d have to have a lot more information.”
How do you get the “information” if you never test?
About Sharon Wilson
Sharon Wilson is considered a leading citizen expert on the impacts of shale oil and gas extraction. She is the go-to person whether it’s top EPA officials from D.C., national and international news networks, or residents facing the shock of eminent domain and the devastating environmental effects of natural gas development in their backyards.
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Hi Sharon
Just in case you hadn't caught wind of this, Amy Goodman at DemocracyNow did a piece on the upcoming investigation of fracking by Congress.
"Congress to Investigate Safety of Natural Gas Drilling Practice Known as Hydraulic Fracturing
The top Democrats on the House Committee on Energy and Commerce have asked eight oil-field companies to disclose the chemicals they’ve used and the wells they’ve drilled in over the past four years. Last week, Waxman also revealed two of the largest gas drilling companies have pumped hundreds of thousands of gallons of diesel-based fluids into the ground in violation of a voluntary agreement with the Environmental Protection Agency."
Link at my name.
I comment a lot (and check daily) over at nprcheck.blogspot.com if you ever want to reach me.
Thanks for what you do.
Nate
Yeah, I've been trying to listen to the Democracy Now piece all day. Maybe now that everyone else is sleeping.
Thanks! Love your blog.
Love the Carrillo comment! A true Lapdog that RRC. The only information Carrillo needs is to know when to hit the road–and that's long overdue. Ha.
You need more information Carrillo, it's water, your body is comprised mostly of it, it gives life to everything on the planet, and we can't live without it. In fact, you couldn't get your precious Barnett Shale gas without it, so why don't you respect it. It seems to be doing quite nicely for you, how about a little reciprocity?
Sharon did you send your article regarding Benzene in Denton Creek watershed to Carrillo. I would think it would be enough information regarding water pollution to at least start investigating? I sent all the pictures of the flaring at Rayzor Ranch to RRC and they opened it and sent it right back. I guess that was to much information!
To scubawithdogs above. Know that the RRC DOES NOT WANT ANYTHING BAD IN THE RECORD THAT THE OPERATORS ARE DOING!!!!!!!!!!!! They will do anything to make sure that this data is NOT in the public record at the RRC. Trust me. Check me out.
Well I sent the video and pictures to many organizations who are interested. I am not foolish enough to think the RRC is going to say thanks and give me a great big pat on the back. The RRC cannot say they were not aware of the situation at Rayzor Ranch because I know they saw it. It was just an FYI for them.
I agree with you, scubawithdogs above. As an ordinary citizen in Tx, if you are dealing with the RRC, treat it only as entertainment, kind of like going to the movies–there will be no results; but, there is no admission fee. Only entertainment! Almost the same for the TCEQ.