And now here's where things get really crazy. It just might be hard to tell the difference between a gas well inspector and a border patrol agent if you are down in the Eagle Ford Shale. The reason ~ it appears that David Porter, Railroad Commission Chairman, thinks that the Federal government is not doing a good job of protecting our border. Sergio Chapa, journalist with the San Antonio Biz Journal, writes:
"Calling the federal government "ineffective" on preventing the smuggling of drugs and illegal immigrants along the border, Texas Railroad Commission Chairman David Porter implemented several policy changes to keep inspectors safe in pipeline areas in deep South Texas where armed smugglers may potentially come into contact with energy company employees, regulators and landowners."Apparently, the need to clear land and build dirt roads to accommodate pipelines has created another type of conduit ~ an easy pathway to the United States for drug smugglers and illegal immigrants. The list of negative impacts from oil & gas extraction keeps growing.
The Railroad
Commission needs a name change!
It is puzzling to understand what they do as a regulatory body, and we have concerns about their commissioners and spokespeople.
It would seem more plausible that the Railroad Commission is becoming increasingly fearful of angry citizens who have been screwed by Oil & Gas and let down by their own government's willingness to protect them than they are of illegal immigrants or drug cartels. Using the border issue as an excuse to arm inspectors with deadly weapons helps with their agenda. It certainly appears to further empower our government that keeps getting bigger and bigger. Property owners who have been harmed by oil and gas or activists trying to make this State a better place to live may perceive this new rule as intimidating. It's all very scary. And bizarre.
There seems to be no end to the downside of fossil fuels. God help us. And God help Texas.
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