I’ll have more later on last night’s public meeting in DISH, Texas, but I can’t wait to post this alarming fact:
since 2006!
Denton County has high levels of hydrocarbons in the air–the highest levels in the entire Barnett Shale. DISH, a tiny town in Denton County has amazing levels of carcinogens and toxins in the air. Last night, TCEQ officials talked about their “enforcement arm” but apparently someone industry has twisted that arm off.
UPDATE: See the Denton Record Chronicle report by Peggy Heinkel-Wolfe. This report accurately captures the atmosphere at the meeting last night.
Dish official wants Congressional investigation
TCEQ, Railroad Commission pressed for answers to air quality concerns
Additionally:
Here’s something that made my eyes bug out:
Poison citizens with toxins >>>>>>>>>> Let the facility blow up
Of course that gas is a) full of the toxins that are making the DISH residents sick and b) full of methane the most powerful GHG. NOTE: DISH is not unique. The same type “events” occur at all compressor stations.
A 7-day intensive testing is planned for next month. DISH residents were extremely angry to learn the testing would be funded by industry and conducted by a TCEQ crony company TCEQ has worked with previously.
Mayor Tillman wanted the record to state that he is opposed to any input from industry.
100% of the DISH residents echoed Mayor Tillman’s opposition so the TCEQ said they would consider any environmental testing companies submitted by DISH.
Why not have Alisa Rich, Wolf Eagle Environmental, do the testing? Clearly, DISH residents do not trust TCEQ and the agency should not find that shocking. They do trust Rich and, since the TCEQ will monitor the testing, I can’t see why they would object. If TCEQ wants to show good faith toward mending relationships with the people they serve, they will hire Wolfe Eagle to do the 7-day intensive testing.
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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That last slide shows O&G production as a much bigger source of NOx than vehicles.
HC's + NOx + Sunlight = Ozone.
Tap dances won't change chemistry.
Nothing about carbon disulphide is in the 2 news pieces about this Meeting I've looked at.
After hearing about Wolfe Eagle vs. TCEQ benzene readings, I think the US EPA should audit regional and state environmental agencies for competence and accuracy in their monitoring.
If a regional/state agency flunks, they should be REQUIRED to use a independent certified tester.
DISH, and a water pollution case in Missouri, call into question how competent government agencies can be about testing.
Mayor Tillman stated that should TCEQ find they are unable to handle the situation, they should step aside and let EPA take over.
Having dealt with TCEQ for many years in our small business, I am not surprised by anything they do – or don't do, as the case may be. This agency is totally "owned" by big bidness – petrochemical and others who swell the campaign coffers of the Texas right. It has been my experience that when an ordinary Texan breaks one of their loosey-goosey rules, woe be to him who does not know an influential Republican! The wrath of the TCEQ will descend upon his head in a righteous fury.