A new ProPublica article exposes deficiencies in oil and gas regulation and highlights Texas as the worst case scenario.
State Oil and Gas Regulators Are Spread Too Thin to Do Their Jobs
by Abrahm Lustgarten, ProPublica – December 30, 2009 12:38 pm EST
The imbalance between drilling growth and regulatory staffing levels could become a crucial factor as lawmakers and the public weigh how much environmental damage to expect in exchange for the benefits brought by the drilling boom.
Texas is WAY out of balance! See a graphic statistical comparison HERE.
The Lone Star Record
No state has more drilling than Texas, which has 273,660 wells and just 106 regulators to oversee them.
…Eighty-three of Texas’ regulatory staffers conduct field inspections, according to the commission, meaning each person is responsible for almost 3,300 wells, many of them requiring several visits in a year.
This article is excellent in that it addresses all the areas where our regulatory body falls short.
You can read about the injection well example used in the article HERE. I’m sad to say that the conditions at this site have improved very little. Below is a picture taken in May, 2009.
In great haste…
Update: To help further illustrate how lacking Texas regulation is:
Texas has NO regulation specific to hydraulic fracturing
Aruba Petroleum Still Fouling Barnett Shale Air
Click over to see the pictures of an Aruba Petroleum drilling rig turning the air black with diesel fumes. The rig has a device that prevents this type of pollution but Aruba Petroleum refuses to make sure the device is installed on the rig. They are recklessly exposing residents to massive amounts of diesel fumes and there is no regulation to stop it. Aruba Petroleum refuses to stop the emissions voluntarily despite all the recent news that Shale Gas Drilling Harms Human Health. That’s hubris so thick you could cut it with a knife!
Landfarms: Spreading Toxic Drilling Waste on Farmland
Drilling Waste Pit Liners too Toxic for Disposal
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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I am really disgusted by the unregulated gas drilling sites in Texas. UT arlington has even leased out acres of land to allow more drilling to take place!
I was an idiot to email Mr. Leblanc to help pass moratorium on drilling.
He told me I should have done proper homework before spreading the message!
I don't think I can entrust Texas officials to followsuit New York State. I feel really sickened by the current loopholes in Texas system. Corrupt.