First, let’s be clear about what is in our report: Reckless Endangerment while Fracking the Eagle Ford Shale. The TCEQ found air pollution so dangerous that they hauled ass outta there without warning the residents. And they did this not once but TWICE. Also, the emissions were not and are not a one-time event as the TCEQ would have you believe.
Alan Septoff of Earthworks responded to TCEQ and to Energy In Depth’s response to our report. I was hoping that you could read his response made as a comment on EID’s website. But, as per usual, they would not allow his comment.
Here is our response:
Rather than respond on the substance, EID chose to attack Earthworks.
To paraphrase Isaac Asimov, ad hominem attacks are the last refuge of those without a leg to stand on.
The central revelations of the report are not in dispute:
- That TCEQ investigators found conditions so dangerous that they evacuated themselves
- That TCEQ did not penalize the responsible operator
- That TCEQ did not warn nearby residents (and when we say “nearby” we mean “within literal shouting distance”)
TCEQ had the chance to dispute them, but did not and could not because the facts are drawn from TCEQ’s own records.
EID quotes TCEQ’s response as refuting our conclusions:
Read the complete response HERE
This is what it looks like to live with fracking and shale oil and gas development in Texas:
UPDATE: After I posted and tweeted this blog post, EID posted Alan’s comment.
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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The TCEQ treats the polluters as their customers! What else is there to say?
Exactly!
If not criminal, then certainly immoral. I’m not shocked anymore, just increasingly disgusted, outraged. Are the families safe? Have they and as many living creatures been evacuated as humanly possible?
The Cerny family is still trapped. And, there are more trapped people who are starting to come forward.
My heart is breaking. We need a safe place when the TCEQ jumps ship and leaves people behind. I have thought a lot about this. We have levels of danger in our fracking zones, and at some point soon, we’ve got to figure out a way to get hose out who are in imminent danger. We have escape plans for other planned disasters. I know money is an issue and there are mountains to climb in this, but if we can get stars like Mark Ruffalo and Alec Baldwin protecting NY, and our other artists, then surely we can get a system together to provide immediate, emergency shelter if needed. For goodness sakes, there are lives at stake, I don’t have to tell you this, you are fighting this with everything you have, and I’m just trying to start over. It’s finally a little safer here, so I feel better about passing it along. I just want people to be able to breathe, bathe, have water to drink, and go to bed and know that they will wake up, and so will their family and pets. Our star power can help us. I’m sorry I couldn’t speak Saturday, I was so overwhelmed seeing everyone, I had to use so much nitro, I had to step out and re-group. I wanted to speak up, but I have to be careful with emotions, they bring on attacks. darn heart stuff! When I saw Bob & Lisa walk up, my friend that I brought, had tears in his eyes, I had told him their story. I will update you later, but I have secured possible funds to help with a Denton County safe house if we can get one. Thanks Sharon, I hope maybe you can stop by Saturday for a glass of wine and see what I fought 5 years for. We are close to our exit. Take care my friend.