Emergency air testing in DISH, Texas on December 13th reveals contaminants consistent with the previous study on August 17th.
When TCEQ failed to respond to calls from Mayor Tillman requesting assistance with a strong odor, he called Wolf Eagle Environmental and requested an emergency air emissions test.
Laboratory results confirmed the presence of multiple volatile organic compounds of Benzene, Chloromethane, Dichlorofluoromethane, Ethylbenzene, Toluene, 1,3,5-Trimethylbenzene, 1,2,4-Trimethylbenzene, m&p-Xylene, o-Xylenes, Isobutane, Carbon disulfide, unspeciated benzene group, unspeciated sulfide group, and numerous hydrocarbons (C5, C6, C12 unspeciated). Atmospheric concentrations of Methane were recorded at 5.8 ppmv.
The methane was considerably higher this time around at 5.8 ppmv compared to 2.6 ppmv in the August test. No only is methane the most powerful greenhouse gas–20 times more powerful than CO2,–it is also an asphyxiant and is highly flammable
In regard to the recent Fort Worth air testing by TCEQ, I found the following sentence particularly pertinent.
A 24-hour monitoring can represent a clearer or true daily exposure to fugitive emissions from industrial processes rather than a grab sample or 1-hour monitoring.
In the Fort Worth Testing, a 15 second sample was taken. I didn’t see any disclaimer on this report either.
The bottom line from this emergency testing:
to known carcinogens and neurotoxins.
DISH Mayor called for emergency testing after the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality refuses to respond to complaints of toxic odors in this tiny community.
DISH, TX — On December 13, 2009 the tiny town of DISH, TX was overcome with noxious fumes omitted near a natural gas compressor station.
DISH is located in the epicenter of the Barnett Shale gas play and is home to a megacomplex of compressor stations, as well as pipelines, metering stations, gathering lines and gas wells. The mayor of DISH called out to the Railroad Commission of Texas, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, and the operators of the compressor stations to get relief for the citizens of this tiny community. However, after hours of no response from the Railroad Commission of Texas, and refusal to respond to the complaint by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, Mayor Tillman called for emergency air sampling by Wolf Eagle Environmental. The results of the sample showed dangerous levels of carcinogens and nuerotoxins.
Laboratory results confirmed the presence of multiple volatile organic compounds including benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and o-xylenes. If you remember, DISH spent nearly 15% of its budget in August of 2009 for an air study after complaining for eighteen months to state regulatory agencies with no relief. The companies who have a stake in the compressor station include, Crosstex North Texas Gathering, Texas Midstream Gas Services (Chesapeake), Atmos Energy, Energy Transfer Company, and Enbridge Gathering. The latest report in its entirety is attached to this message for your convenience.
For More Information
Contacts
* Calvin Tillman, Mayor, DISH, TX
(940) 453-3640, tillman4council@aol.com.
* Town of DISH
5413 Tim Donald Road
DISH, Texas 76247
Links
* DISH, Texas Municipal Ambient Air Quality Study can be found online here: www.townofdish.com
Calvin Tillman
Mayor, DISH, TX
(940) 453-3640
“Those who say it can not be done, should get out of the way of those that are doing it”
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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This is a smoking gun. It always amazes me how hard it can be to prove what we all know is true. You can look at that equipment and smoke, vast amounts of water and slimy mud and KNOW a dirty deal is going down. So thankful residents have these results-though I'm sorry for the heartache, loss, and danger that is being endured.
Sure is interesting. It would be good to do similar testing in Big Booger! Many amine gas plants, treating equipment at well sites, and compressor stations. Bet same stuff is here.
I'm sure it's as bad or worse. There are many places like DISH
Although I've worked as a retail investigator for the last 20 years, an investigation in retail is the same outside retail-it's simply asking Who, What, Where, When, How and Why.
The 'investigators' from the TCEQ and 'Field Techs' from the TRRC that have been out to our place at least 4 times now – conducting investigations – have failed to conduct anywhere near a thorough investigation.
Setting air testing canisters out 30 feet away from the obvious source for 15 mins and taking a few pictures accomplishes nothing.
Sticking your finger in a puddle and tasting it and escorting the gas company supervisor around the source of the chemical leak asking HIM for information is laughable.
Pointing at the valve release that is spewing out a visible gas and reeks of propane and having the TCEQ Investigator asking ME if it's supposed to do that only proves incompetence.
When the TCEQ has not so much as made a mean face at an operator, much more have their 'enforcement division' shut one down, then I think it's self evident that corruption is rampant. The only question is, how far does the corruption reach and how high up does it go?
When the TRRC Commissioner accepts ANY money from energy companies is at minimum, creating an appearance of bias.
When the TRRC Commissioner has a legal team to advise him on anything he wants, but has to ask the AG instead for an opinion on an issue he should be competent to answer himself, we all know he's buying time-and telling us he's unfit for office.
When the energy companies are the ones funding the tests with their labs, we get the results they are paying for.
If the energy companies really wanted to solve these issues honestly and once and for all, they would involve the people affected, 3rd party professionals and experts across the spectrum that have no vested interest in the outcome to reach mutually agreeable solutions.
How right you are Tim! Both of these agencies need to be taken off of public funding. They should be allowed to go the to the industrial polluters and to O&G to get their funding. A bunch of tax money would be saved———AND nothing would change.
Dear Shiloh Chris,
As you know, I rarely ever refuse to post a comment but your latest comment is slanderous and full of misinformation that rivels that of Ed Ireland. Do your talking points come from him or Williams? Chris, you should try to get some new or even some original material.