Spring at Fish Creek

Mother Nature has showered upon us bountiful rains this spring... 

Fish Creek, Southeast Arlington, TX  5-17-2015

Texas was dry.  People across the State had been praying for rain.  Barnhart, a small Texas town, ran out of water,  The oil and gas industry sucked massive quantities of this precious resource for fracking.   In case you missed it:

A Texas Tragedy:  Ample Oil, No Water.

Click Here to see the United States Drought Monitor.

During our epic drought in the summer of 2011, there were many strange water shenanigans happening in Arlington, Texas.  One church made a special deal with Chesapeake to supply them with water for fracking by running water pipelines from their decorative pond across the highway to a drill site.  Our City treated it as a cash cow by selling it to gas operators.  Grand Prairie had a water moratorium in place due to the drought, but that didn't stop Chesapeake.  They hauled Arlington water across the city line, violating the site stipulations for the Fulson Drill Site.  Here are those back stories:

Oh, My. 

What the Quack is Going On? 

  Local Cities Selling Water to Natural Gas Companies

While we've received copious amounts of rain this spring, and Fish Creek is full, the State is not yet out of the woods as far as the drought is concerned.   And citizens have a long battle ahead due to the recent power grab by our State and the industry because Governor Greg Abbott just signed HB40 into law today.   But the lakes and creeks are full, so for now we can enjoy this miraculous gift.  

    

 Spring.  Antonio Vivaldi

Railroad Commissioner to Visit Earthquake Alley

The Railroad Commission of Texas doesn't regulate railroads ~ not since the Federal government took over that role in the 1980's.  They do have jurisdiction over the Oil and Gas Industry.  One of their three Commissioners, David Porter, plans to visit residents in Azle, Texas this Thursday where he will host a  Town Hall meeting to discuss the recent quake swarm in that area.   

Scientists have recognized the correlation between hydrocarbon production and earthquakes since the 1960's ~ well, actually as far back as the 1920's.  So, if the injection of huge volumes of fluid at high pressure causes seismicity, why not shut down the operation ~ at least in residential communities?  

It's not that simple.  

First, the Railroad Commission doesn't believe in sound science ~ and even if they did ~  they do not have the jurisdiction to shut them down over seismic activity.   

Also, the balance between profits and public safety is tricky business ~ especially when such strong ties exist between the regulators and the industry they regulate.  David Porter began his CPA practice in Midland three decades ago providing accounting, financial and tax services for the Oil and Gas Industry. 

While we don't expect anything but a dog and pony show,  it is important for citizens to show up and voice their concerns.  Communities and public safety are AT RISK.  We believe the only way to turn this train around is to divest from fossil fuels and move towards a renewable energy future.  

In the meantime, make it your New Years' Resolution to purchase earthquake insurance!

There have been  30 North Texas Earthquakes Since November.

Town Hall Information:

Date:  Thursday, January 2, 2014

Time:   5:00 - 7:00 p.m.

Location:  Azle High School Auditorium, 1200 Boyd Road, Azle, TX

                           

HAPPY ROCKIN' NEW YEAR!! 

Frickin Frackin Wrinkles and a Pockmarked Face

Life on the shale takes a toll on the body and mind.  Residents have many sleepless nights due to loud industrial noise and bright lights shining into homes.  The process of extracting gas is dirty business.  Shale gas development creates serious environmental consequences which is why the oil and gas industry needed to obtain Federal exemptions from the Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, Safe Drinking Water Act, National Environment Policy Act, Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act, and Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act.  Click Here to see Exemptions for  Hydraulic Fracturing Under United States Federal Law.

Because the oil and gas industry enjoys such widespread exemptions, citizens near these mining sites no longer get to enjoy clean air.  Not only is air pollution detrimental to our health, but it makes our skin age prematurely. 

While intrinsic skin aging is largely affected by genetics and the passage of time, extrinsic skin aging occurs from exposure to the sun, smoking, and environmental pollution.  This is why living near multiple gas drill sites is not good for ladies (and men) who are concerned about maintaining a youthful appearance.  Since I just passed the turn of the century mark, I am becoming more self conscious about the health and appearance of my skin and have concerns that the North Texas smog will expedite the aging process. 

Our skin is the human body's largest organ.  It weighs about eight pounds and the average adult has 22 feet of it.  In much the same way as a dam's purpose is to retain large a body of water, the skin serves as a protective barrier to maintain fluid balance in our bodies.  Air pollution strips moisture away from the skin creating fine lines, wrinkles and loss of elasticity.  It also increases the risk for eczema,  rashes, acne and cancer.

So ladies ~ and gentlemen ~ if you live on the shale, be sure to apply a good moisturizer or skin barrier such as aloe vera with antioxidants.  It may take a long time to get the Federal Government to reverse the Halliburton Loophole.  If that ever happens, it will be nearly impossible for the industry to extract any more fossil fuels from Mother Earth.

Change happens through the power of grassroots involvement.  While a fracking ban is ideal, some cities have already opened the shale gas door.  In that case enacting a moratorium while strengthening local ordinances can keep the frackers at bay.  Just as skin serves as a protective barrier for the body, a local gas drilling ordinance should protect its citizens.   Ordinances written by industry contain so many loopholes they look like a pockmarked face and allows shale gas developers to damage our land leaving permanent scars. 

Photo by Amy Youngs

Think about it!