Breathers Beware
An Arlington gas well is a cash cow for UTA but a nightmare for neighbors.
Wednesday, 10 March 2010 09:26 JASON JOYCE
An important quote from this article:
David Manis, a technical specialist in TCEQ’s Field Operations Support, confirmed that the TCEQ analysis is primarily concerned with exposure effects over approximately a one-hour period. “To really get an accurate look at long-term emission levels would require longer-term monitoring — maybe a year or more,” he said.
Some residents of the shale have been exposed to these toxins for many years. More monitoring is no longer an acceptable answer.
EDIT: The point I want to make is that according to Dr. Hunnicutt, TCEQ, a year of exposure to benzene can cause cancer. High levels of hydrocarbons were first detected in North Texas by University of California in a 2003 study and reported in the DRC in 2006 in “Cars not only culprit for smog.” To continue monitoring without taking any enforcement action to stop the emissions is simply reckless endangerment.
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 have told the UTA alumni office I will not come near their campus (or give money) while this drilling is going on. I read they do not receive much revenue from it anyway, especially compared to the liability and damage done-and the NEGATIVE PR!!!
At least the pollution and death is going towards a good cause. A school. It's a shame that it has to be something like a gas rig to help fund a school. 2 problems rolled into one. Heh. I love our Texas.
Actually, to correct the anonymous comment above, UTA receives quite a bit from the wells.
At the time the first six wells were placed in production in late 2008, UTA was anticipating gas royalties of around $50-$100M over the next ten years.
They're in the process now of preparing another 16 wells for production on the same site.
Not entirely sure how that impacts UTA's royalties (and won't be until the university is ready to announce it) as the university has said these will primarily benefit those with mineral leases living near the university.
Additionally, the quote you guys excerpt was actually part of a longer one from Manis that was edited for conciseness.
His quote is referring to the fact that current TCEQ air sampling utilizes sample canisters that "represent a specific point in time" and therefore aren't really appropriate for estimating long-term exposure levels.
Thank you for the additional information, Jason. I read quite a while back that UTA's royalties were in the tens of millions.
The quote from TCEQ is important for several reasons. They need to stop studying and start curtailing. I've been complaining because TCEQ wants to make the air contamination only about the benzene when there are quite a few harmful toxins including carcinogens and neurotoxins.
Oh, and, Jason, thank you for this informative article. It pulled me in from beginning to the last word.
I too cut off A&M from donations. Screw 'em. Go get the money from Big Gas!
Unfortunately, the TCEQ's answer to virtually everything is 'additional study is needed.' This is nothing moren than a stall tactic, because even the corrupt idiots in Austin know that drilling-and more importantly-the emissins-have spiraled out of control. The genie is out of the bottle, and they know it. The longer they can delay action, and the more they can study it, the better off industry is.
Oh yes, the TCEQ is INDUSTRY FRIENDLY!!! Believe you me! For the ordinary citizen they are WORTHLESS!!
I made the "not much money" post. As I remember, UTA said they were disappointed in the royalties last year at $500,000. Sorry if I'm sincerely wrong!
No need for apologies.
With the amount of information to wade through and whatnot, confusion happens easily.
I think you may have picked up the $500,000 number from articles reporting UTA's first royalty check, which they received at the end of Jan. 2009.
That check was for the first 30 days of production, approximately. The actual amount was $528,495.
UTA receives a 26-27% royalty.
And thank you, Sharon. Particularly for your blog which has directed me to some great contacts, some of whom contributed their expertise for this story and others in the past.
BTW, where is all this "help" we were going to get from the EPA?? Haven't heard a peep out of 'em in Big Booger–nothing!
Have you contacted them? They have the new hotline number (look in the right column). Trust me, they are paying attention. You might need to get some nieghbors to raise a ruccous. Come to the EPA Hearing next Tuesday. Send me information. We'll get their attention.
If they change the ozone standards it will help us all. Even Booger County might end up on the non attainment list. Then they will change their mind about cracking down on Big Gas.
I can't get Carizzo to tell me if they R finished with well 22 at UTA, or if they have another 6 more at that same location that they have been at for almost three years now. I live downwind pretty close and experienced a "tight jar" nervousness for about 3 to 5 months after production began, my son became lethergic for ten days in February 2010. This sucks!