TCEQ: Enabler of the drunken Big Gas Mafia

Undoubtedly, Aruba Petroleum is the best example of the worst Big Gas Mafia operator. But, Aruba is like the raging alcoholic who can’t or won’t stop destructive behaviors because they have an enabler. TCEQ is their enabler.

Intervention needed!

Here’s a video taken by TCEQ of the Envirotherm Flare on the Ruggiero property:

I would provide the results of the air testing but TCEQ decided it was not necessary to take an air sample to see what the heck is coming out of that thing.

I can’t even remember when the TCEQ conducted the inspection where they took this video–it’s been that long ago–but Christine just received Investigation Report #803402 on June 6, 2011. I do remember the flare was shooting flames and black sooty smoke out the top several feet high on the day I took Cynthia Giles, members of her office and the EPA Region 6 Administrator on a tour. They were quite impressed with the show.

I can’t get the investigation report to download so I’ll have to post it later, but HERE is the signed order.

Christine’s response to the TCEQ should make everything crystal clear.

Thank you Ms.Taylor,

Attached is the Agreed Order for Docket Number 2010-0365-AIR-E signed by Aruba Petroleum on June 30, 2010. The flare referenced in the materials you have provided with this investigation report was installed on April 13, 2010 as a result of the attached Agreed Order and was acknowledged by the TCEQ Executive Director as a remedy.

I emailed a link to this complaint and recommended NOV [notice of violation] to Jennifer Cook with the TCEQ during the comment phase of the AO [agreed order] last year. I questioned why the Executive Director would acknowledge a piece of equipment installed incorrectly with a pending NOV as a remedy to an Enforcement Action, especially when it required a citizen complaint to point out that it was not operating properly . I could never get anyone to understand why this was an issue.
This TCEQ Agreed Order “recognizes” the installation of a flare as a remedy. But the TCEQ did nothing to confirm that the flare was installed correctly. Then, when citizens complained that it was installed incorrectly, the TCEQ treated it as a separate incident and finally after a year and a half, released this investigation report today.

Please let me know what steps the TCEQ took to determine that the attached Agreed Order was complied with. Also, please let know how the TCEQ determined that this NOV was not a violation of the attached Agreed Order. I would also like an explanation as to why an air sample was never taken as a result of this complaint.
At some point, I would also appreciate an explanation as to how a complaint filed on 05/07/2010 for a potential violation of a TCEQ Agreed Order which resulted in a fine of $35,500 can be finally completed and provided to me today.
Sincerely,

Christine Ruggiero

Background: The day this flare started operating, the Allison Community had a spike in CO2. The Parr family, including the dog, had some dramatic health impacts within a short time after it started operating.

Tomorrow, learn about your new full-time job if you live in the Barnett Shale.

Please note: There is a huge difference between a practicing alcoholic and a recovering alcoholic. Recovering alcoholics are some of the most responsible, ethical people I know. Even if the TCEQ stopped enabling the Big Gas Mafia and demanded they sober up, we would still be a mafia. I think the FBI is needed for that one.

Please attend the TCEQ public hearing on July 14th in Arlington. Governor Rick Perry will be serving up some beans before the hearing.

TCEQ Public Hearing: Get relief for our bad Texas gas problem