EARTHWORKS PRESS RELEASE: FEB 4, 2014
CONTACTS:
Alan Septoff, 202-887-1872×105, aseptoff@earthworksaction.org
Lauren Pagel, 202-887-1872×107, lpagel@earthworksaction.org
Steve Lipsky, 817-988-9643
Congress investigates EPA’s Texas “overreach”, ignores EPA & impacted communities
House Science Committee avoids the facts on fracking-related impacts
Washington, D.C. & Weatherford, TX – The House Science, Space and Technology Committee will hold a hearing on February 5th entitled “Examining the Science of EPA Overreach: A Case Study in Texas.” On the agenda: Region 6’s intervention to protect Parker County residents whose drinking water was polluted by fracking-enabled methane gas development.
In 2012 Senator James Inhofe asked the Environmental Protection Agency’s Inspector General to investigate Region 6’s intervention. Although the IG released its findings late last year, they were not invited to testify. The IG’s report concluded Region 6 was fully justified in acting to protect area residents from pollution linked to Range Resources’ gas drilling.
“If the Science Committee majority wants to know if EPA overreached in Texas, why don’t they ask the people who investigated the matter,” asked Earthworks Policy Director Lauren Pagel. She continued, “Whether it’s climate change or fracking, this committee ignores the science they don’t like when it undermines the conclusions they’ve already reached.”
Region 6 was legally allowed to intervene only after Texas regulators refused to act to protect affected residents.
“The House Science Committee is doing the American public a huge disservice,” said Steve Lipsky of Weatherford, Texas, whose polluted water prompted EPA to act, and who was also not invited to testify. He continued, “Anyone who thinks EPA is overreaching should have to drink my and some of my neighbors’ water, or sleep at night knowing your house could explode from dangerous methane.”
The Obama administration also stands accused of ignoring science indicating that fracking-enabled oil and gas production has harmed drinking water. The same day as the hearing, affected citizens are calling for President Obama to reopen investigations in Parker County, Texas, Pavillion, Wyoming, and Dimock, Pennsylvania.
“President Obama and Congress need to let the facts speak for themselves,” said Steve Lipsky. He continued, “Our health and safety depend on it. The more they pretend oil and gas pollution isn’t a problem, the more opposition grows. It’s happening across the country, and now here in Texas.”
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More Information
NOTE: Steve Lipsky, although not invited, will attend the Science Cmte hearing, and will be available for media interviews.
Steve Lipsky: Letter to House Science Cmte Ranking Member Eddie Bernice Johnson – http://bit.ly/1gJr95z
EPA Inspector General: Response to Congressional Inquiry Regarding the EPA’s Emergency Order to the Range Resources Gas Drilling Company
Senator James Inhofe: Letter requesting EPA investigation of Region 6
http://bit.ly/1fLderROn February 5th at 1:30pm in 402 Cannon Bldg on Capitol Hill, affected citizens are holding an open briefing to discuss fracking-enabled oil and gas development’s impacts to communities. Steven Lipsky and Josh Fox of GASLAND will attend and speak, among other impacted community members.
Earthworks is dedicated to protecting communities and the environment from the impacts of irresponsible mineral and energy development while seeking sustainable solutions.
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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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They have the facts it is plain as day the polution is rampid and all for greed. If they do not stop this it will be to far beyond repair if we are not already there. It is time to impeach, and start throwing people out of office. Money is not worth the dammage these people are causing. It is plain to see we need to take back our country and start shutting businesses like this down.
Obviously Obama’s agenda has never been about global warming. .he’s completely killing off the coal industry, but ignores the effects of fracking.
Looks as if there won’t be any victims of the water contamination for that committee meeting ~ Oil and Gas industry regulators from Texas and industry-leaning witnesses, only.
Also, Democrat Marc Veasey of Fort Worth is on that committee. Mr. Lipsky’s letter should go to him, too, and ALL the committee members. Hopefully, Rep. Veasey will have the chance to ask some good questions. When linking over there it looks as if the House meeting will have a quality video feed. Seems that our state (TX) should be able to get that kind of quality, too, since we are supposedly doing so well!
Oh, and Representative Steve Stockman is on that committee!
Committee Members of the House of Representatives’ Science, Space and Technology Committee
It appears that this meeting is designed to be an excellent day for the oil and gas industry.
WCGasette recently posted..Breaking News…The Town Hall Commences in Azle, TX
Our gubment at work—tax money is being wasted at every turn in the road. The so called “regulators” at all levels are a big waste of tax money. Shut ’em down and save tax money!
I’m not surprised that hydraulic fracturing (i.e., fracking) has some unintended consequences for homeowners living near drill sites, but any type of human activity — even leaving your house in the morning — has risks associated with it. Why should energy production be a different? Unfortunately, our society demands for more affordable electricity then can be supplied with renewable sources such as solar or wind power. Environmentalists may not want to hear this but it is, unfortunately, all too true.
Oh how I love these kind of comments!
You seem to be saying that because we demand energy, it’s okay to contaminate some people’s water. Would you like to step up and do your part? How about trading places with someone who has explosive levels of methane in their water or water laced with known fracking chemicals? It doesn’t need to be a permanent exchange. We can set up a rotation with all the people who think like you.
About those risks: Most of the time, I can choose which risks I want to take. In this case, the landowners were not given the choice. I’m not sure how many takers you would have if they were given a fully disclosed choice.
If I choose to drive on the highway and someone crashes into my vehicle, there is insurance to compensate me for my loss. The same goes from most other risks.
In this case, the industry contaminates water and walks away leaving the landowner little recourse. That’s not right and it’s not the American way.