It’s not every day that a country gal ends up on MSNBC, Morning Joe, Ali Velshi, and Lawrence O’Donnell all on the same day while out in the Texas fracking zone.
Cal Perry and his team braved 110° West Texas heat to tell the story of out of control oil and gas extraction in the Permian Basin. I’ve been in front of a camera plenty of times before, but this was a next level professional team that wants to get the story right while having a little fun.
At around 10:30am, we found the unlit flare in Cal’s report. When a flare is not lit, it vents raw methane and hydrocarbon gas instead of burning it. Lauren Pagel, Earthworks’ Policy Director, whipped out her phone and got this video.
One of three unlit #oilandgas flares within one mile. Taken with an iPhone held up to the LCD screen on a FLIR GF 320 optical gas imaging camera. #methane is 86 X more potent at warming our planet than CO2. We must stop the #fracking expansion. pic.twitter.com/UCpuNRyZJv
— TXsharon (@TXsharon) August 19, 2019
What the MSNBC Story Did Not Tell You.
Lauren and I went back at around 5:30 pm that same day, and the flare was still unlit, so we recorded another video.
And the next day, 30-hours later here it is, still blasting methane and volatile organic compounds into the air.
Today, every site with tank emissions, many with unlit flares.
Video from yesterday taken at @ 10:30, and here is today @ 3:30. Call it 30 hours straight, so far.
Making invisible #methane blasting from unlit #oilandgas flares visible.
FFS stop #Fracking pic.twitter.com/V3y3wITt52
— TXsharon (@TXsharon) August 20, 2019
There is no telling if or when they ever got the damn thing lit.
In case you need a reminder of why it is criminal for operators to be so neglegant, read this:
The Global Warming Potential of Methane is Damn Important.
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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Kim says
Thank you for putting yourself out there to get these emissions….eat food grade charcoal to detox every so often, thanks.
Eulaine Hall says
I don’t know how you do it, Sharon, but thank the Good Lord you are insane enough to keep the faith . You’ll win this war. O&G has met it’s match with you.
Shannon says
Yes, thank you for getting this information! Now I’m going to send it off to my state rep. Keep up the good work!
Lisa Barrett says
Your tenacity is beyond admirable. Keep shining a light on evil and corruption, brave warrior. I enjoy your fearlessness immensely!