Threats and intimidation by the gas companies didn't seem to work in Colleyville.
Mayor pro tem Jon Ayers said:
The city's tightened rules on drilling and pipeline construction is an effort to balance rights: "The right of the producer to get the resource out of the ground. The right of the citizens to recoup the royalty interest. But also the rights of the city to have a safe and environmentally sound city."
Ayers described the rights of gas pipeline companies as "pretty broad." He suggested the council leave the pipeline provisions in the revised ordinance. "If we can't enforce them, then the gas pipeline [companies] need to take us to court and tell us that we can't," he said.
Councilman Mike Taylors thoughts on this matter:
Taylor said sometimes ordinances will be challenged, but it is best to pass the entire gas ordinance as a "safety net," since not all of it might be struck down. "We don't knowingly or wantingly want to sit here and make stupid laws, a law that would get us into legal battles that cost the taxpayers money," he said.
Remember, Flower Mound Oil & Gas Ordinance already stood up in court when Red Oak Gas challenged the denials of numerous variances for the River Walk location back in 2008. The case was dismissed in August 2009.
Click here to read entire article in the Colleyville Courier
Our Mission: To work in a legal, ethical, and civil manner to stop urban gas drilling in the highly residential areas of North Texas. We are not against all gas drilling, but rather that which will adversely affect the public safety, the enjoyment of our homes, and our overall quality of life. We support the need for better regulation and accountability of the Oil & Gas Industry in rural and urban areas of Texas.
That's the kind of attitude and action we expect from our "city fathers/mothers". Way to go, Colleyville, for not going "the Fort Worth way".
ReplyDeleteFM, make our ordinance strong too so we have a "safety net".
ReplyDeleteDon't let variances weaken our ordinance