This is one of the first fines the state has givening for violating air rules in the Barnett Shale. The state plans to use the money for more air monitors.
Well site fine to aid environment
February 23, 2011
By Peggy Heinkel-Wolfe
I submitted comments on behalf of Texas OGAP but the directions for submitting comments said one thing on one website and another on a different website. If you followed directions from the wrong website, your comments were refused without providing notice to the commenter. Nice way to work with the public, TCEQ
This was actually THREE violations that the state rolled into ONE violation. In a phone conversation with me, Tim said that he’ll just let all his traffic tickets roll into on and only pay the one ticket since that worked so well for Aruba.
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 an insult. The revenue from ONE Barnett Shale well is around 14 million. What is 35k going to do to get Aruba to change their corporate culture? Nothing. As long as compliance is just a small line item, (and not even a significant one at that) nothing will change.
WOW! $35K–that's nothing. I'll bet Big Gas "spills more than that before they get to the second course"! And also the WCEQ has thier VAYS in fooling and misleading the peasants–it's hard to make complaints to the WCEQ! Everything is clean!
What about mandating Aruba do vapor recovery since they've had so many infractions? Or, better yet, shutting them down since they've demonstrated they're a habitual criminal and have not shown one sign of remorse?
Ha, Ha! I'll bet the Aruba executives are laughing their butts off around the executive wash room–laughing about how easy it is to buy off the state agencies in Tx.!
The TCEQ..or WCEQ as our friend from the south says…has stated in this hearing and prior (Tony Walker quoted in the WCM) that "At the discretion of the Exec Director (Mark Vickery) that the TCEQ could refer the case to the AG. My response has been the same every time-What are you waiting for? Do we need an actual body count? How many violations must occur before you'll take this step? Not that we should expect anything from the AG, who isn't exactly looking out for our best interests, either. It makes me wonder why Vickery isn't passing the buck when he knows what the outcome will be.
By the way, our extensive public comments are now part of the official record-if you have an interest, just file a PIR for them. Make a request for ALL documents from the TCEQ Hearing on Feb 23 related to Aruba Petroleum.
Why the AG? From what little I know about the situation, the AG is representing the TCEQ and other public agencies/officials!!!! I doubt that the AG will "get after" Aruba!
You're right- the AG will do nothing except to ignore this. So why is the TCEQ referring this to the AG? So they can say they did something. After all, one would think that if it was referred to the Attorney General, one might also think this was serious, and the AG would seek justice. The reality is, the AG will keep this one the bottom of the stack, the TCEQ can claim they've done everything they can, and Mr. Abbott will ignore it. Keep in mind, Mr. Abbott is the same guy who is leading the charge against suing the EPA, as well as tort reform-but he only decided this reform was necessary AFTER he settled his own personal lawsuit. I'll be holding my breath waiting for the AG to take action.
To Tim R above. The WCEQ is referring the situation to the AG to get help from the AG against YOU! The WCEQ and the AG is a Team abainst you. Don't forget that! YOur tax money at work.
Trust me, the $35K was like a sucker punch to the gut for Aruba.
Keep fighting the good fight!