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EPA: Real-Time Enforcement at DFW Area Energy Extraction Facilities

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If TCEQ can’t do it,
EPA can!

Thank you EPA!

Real-Time Enforcement at DFW Area Energy Extraction Facilities

Increased oil and gas exploration production in the Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) Barnett Shale area has led to an increase in public concerns about the possible air pollution impact on public health of nearby communities.

Recent inspections of oil and gas facilities in the area by the EPA’s enforcement officers using a new innovative tool, the Forward Looking Infra-Red (FLIR™) camera, have identified numerous emissions of hazardous air pollutants. The camera’s infra-red technology allows enforcement officers to ‘see’ emissions that are otherwise not visible to the human-eye.

As a result of EPA’s inspections, citations were issued by enforcement officers requiring facilities to immediately fix, repair or replace equipment and certify compliance with the Clean Air Act (CAA). Air pollutants often escape from poorly maintained or open storage tanks.

They have taken 3 enforcement actions and it’s it interesting that these 3 are repeat offenders:

Enforcement actions have been taken at the the following (3) oil and gas facilities in the DFW area with links to related documents:

Next up: Our “good neighbors” in Argyle, Flower Mound, Bartonville and DISH

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.

Comments

  1. Anonymous says

    I will probably get a well deserved "Try to keep up", but all of these reference "Clean Air Act" violations. While we all know that fracing is exempt from the "Clean Air Act", metering stations, compressors, etc. are not?

  2. TXsharon says

    Metering stations and etc. are permitted by rule which is a rubber stamp permit. The emission sources are not aggregated so industry can have multiple facilities adjacent to each other that are all permitted separately. Industry gets to estimate what they think their emissions might be but the EPA has determined that their emissions may be under estimated by 30%.

    Does that help?

  3. Anonymous says

    Some. The PBR is state law, not a federal law like the Clean Air Act. I'm assuming that the Feds are usurping Texas and issuing citations much to industry shagrin. I guess the pro-drilling crowd forgot to add the exemptions to all federal laws for air. Oh well, Texas decided to poke the 900 pound gorilla in the room in the eye. They shouldn't be surprised at the result, there is always a bigger fish. Texas may not care about its citizens, likewise the Federal Gov't doesn't give a rats ass about Texas laws. What comes around goes around.

  4. TadGhostHole says

    Shouldn't they be fined for the initial violation in addition to being forced to correct it immediately? Just imagine what kind of a world we'd live in if the EPA trained local law enforcement to do this work… It would finally give the FMPD something worthwhile to do instead of sucking money off of motorists constantly. Im sure their pimped out police cruisers already have FLIR cameras to catch teenagers smoking pot in fields.

  5. Anonymous says

    Buhahahahaha. Stop! Sometimes I swear only Air Force One has more electronics equipment. They can probably triangulate a parking violation in 2 seconds flat. All joking aside, they are good people and it would be extremely helpful to all FM residents if they could help enforce local ordinances. After all, emissions from gas wells will keep as many of us up at night as will barking dogs or a loud stereo.

  6. TXsharon says

    They are using the General Duty Clause and Risk Management Program under the Clean Air Act – it is a unique way to address unpermitted air releases.