Flower Mound Citizens Against Urban Drilling

Titan/Hilliard Field Update

2011-12-20T13:27:00.003-06:00

We have received some phone calls and emails regarding the recent activity on Hilliard Field. Here is what we know.

Titan is in the process of installing an enclosed gas lift compressor and a dehydration unit. The compressor will be natural gas fired.

Click here for a description of different types of compression.

According to the Oil and Gas Glossary, to meet pipeline requirements, the water vapor in natural gas must be removed. This is why dehydration is needed.

We recently went to the Texas Railroad Commission mapsite to see if any production has been posted for the Titan/Hilliard site. As of today, no production has been recorded. Many articles we have read stated that gas lift can be brought in to increase production in lower producing gas wells, extra tight formations, and older gas wells. We have no idea which of these may be the case at the Hilliard site.

According to the town of Flower Mound Environmental Services Department, The gas lift compressor may be operated intermittently as needed. At this time, there is no way of knowing how long the gas lift will be necessary. The town will be monitoring the site to make sure Titan is in compliance with our noise level regulations. If you have a complaint about noise, call the town. Flower Mound's Oil and Gas Inspector will be inspecting for compliance with all applicable Town requirements every month. In between these monthly inspections, our inspector will routinely visit sites, performing “spot checks”. A special thank you to our Oil and Gas Inspector for taking the time to quickly answer all the questions submitted. If you have a concern, or question, we encourage you to contact our Inspector at jonathan.powell@flower-mound.com.

The last issue we have received emails on is sometimes residents smell natural gas when passing by the Titan/Hilliard site. It has been confirmed that Titan has been treating the gas with Mercaptan (natural gas odor) since the end of October. We are not sure if that is what residents are smelling.

Most important, if you smell any odors or experience any health effects, call the Town AND contact TCEQ immediately. The information for TCEQ is on the right hand side of the blog.

Williams Rule 37 against LISD Hearing Next Week

2011-12-08T14:58:00.001-06:00

The hearing for the Williams Rule 37 Exception against LISD (Lewisville Independent School District) will be held next Friday, December 16th, at 9:00 am.

As of now, it appears LISD is still going through with the protest even though they voted at their last Trustee Meeting in November to solicit bids to sign gas leases near two of their properties. Both properties are located in Lewisville. One of the sites sits right on the Flower Mound/Lewisville border.

The hearing is for the site near the Flower Mound border.

Click here for info on the TRC hearing.

Williams Rule 37 Hearing Against Town of Flower Mound Postponed

2011-12-07T11:28:00.003-06:00

William's attorney has requested a postponement of the December 14th Rule 37 Exception hearing against the Town of Flower Mound. Attorney John Camp claimed postponing the hearing was necessary to prepare evidence for the hearing. The Town of Flower Mound has agreed to the postponement. Both parties must agree on a new hearing date by December 21st, if they cannot agree by then, the Texas Railroad Commission Examiner will set a new hearing date for them.

The assigned legal examiner is the same one that heard both Titan cases.

Click here for the TRC document.

Natural Gas Market Gets Drilled, Titan Well Likely in the Red

2011-12-05T17:51:00.001-06:00

Natural gas prices hit their lowest level since late 2009 in the last few days dipping as low as $2.56/mcf. Due to new and more easily accessible liquid rich shale plays in Texas and across the nation, the natural gas industry is fast becoming a victim of their own success.

Although the break-even price for natural gas development in the Barnett Shale varies from company to company, the general consensus seems to be $5 is the minimum for larger operators to hope to make a profit. Some smaller operators with less overhead can achieve profitability at a lower price point.

Based on sworn testimony and submitted exhibits at recent Railroad Commission hearings in Austin, it is possible at current levels, Titan’s 1H well on the Hilliard South Unit may not be profitable. Click here to see calculations and assumptions. At $3.50/mcf, the well loses roughly $460,000.

LISD To Discuss and Consider Signing Gas Leases

2011-11-10T21:44:00.000-06:00

The LISD Board of Trustees is asking for the opportunity to seek proposals for signing gas leases with Titan Operating and Williams.

The Regular meeting is this coming Monday, November 14th, and will begin at 6:00 PM in the Bolin Administrative Center, 1565 W. Main Street, Lewisville, Texas. Immediately after opening, the Board of Trustees will convene in Closed Session and will return to Open Session at 7:00 PM.

Click here for the agenda.

If you read the action item, it appears they may be leaning towards signing. Of course, indicating that there will be drilling anyway and they will most likely lose the Rule 37 exceptions currently being requested with the Texas Railroad Commission. We have heard that line before.

This does not include signing a lease for the LISD properties near the Hilliard Pad Site. Using the excuse that drilling will happen any way is not the case at Hilliard. Without the leasing of many of the properties near Hilliard, a significant amount of wells could be prevented from being drilled.

Click here for the action item.

If you live near one of these properties, NOW is the time to voice your opinions. SHOW UP and contact the Board of Trustees.

Click here for the contact info.

"Good Neighbor" Williams Receives Penalty and Violation From EPA

2011-11-03T10:38:00.000-05:00

One of our "good neighbors', Williams received a penalty and will be forced to reduce their emissions from gas production sites in Colorado. The EPA also issued a penalty and violation to Conoco Phillips.

Hello EPA, we need you here in Flower Mound. In the past 2 months, there have been close to 20 odor and health complaints to the TCEQ for gas drilling production sites here in FloMo. Over 90 percent of those have been at a Williams gas production site!!!!!!!

The TCEQ can't seem to find anything yet we have residents complaining of health effects ranging from nose bleeds, respiratory problems, dizziness, headaches, digestive issues etc.

Here is a press release we received from the EPA.

Agreements with Williams and ConocoPhillips resolve alleged Clean Air Act violations on Southern Ute Reservation
Companies to pay penalties, improve emission controls, and conserve gas at production facilities
Contact: Joshua Rickard, 303-312-6460; Richard Mylott, 303-312-6654

(Denver, Colo. – November 2, 2011) The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency today announced agreements with two gas production companies resolving alleged violations of the Clean Air Act on the Southern Ute Reservation in Colorado’s San Juan Basin. The agreements, outlined in separate consent decrees with Williams and ConocoPhillips, will reduce emissions of air pollutants from a gas plant and compressor stations.

“These agreements will ensure that steps are taken to monitor and reduce emissions of harmful volatile organic compounds from several production facilities on the Southern Ute Reservation,” said Mike Gaydosh, director of EPA’s enforcement program in Denver. “These and other air pollutants can contribute to unhealthy air quality and impair visibility.”

Under an agreement with Houston-based ConocoPhillips, the company will pay a penalty of $198,000 to resolve alleged Clean Air Act violations at the Southern Ute Compressor Station. The station removes water and compresses natural gas for transportation through high pressure gas pipelines. The violations were discovered during a self-audit conducted by ConocoPhillips and disclosed to EPA.

ConocoPhillips will also conduct mitigation projects at the station, including the replacement of "high-bleed" pneumatics with "low-bleed" or "no-bleed" pneumatics at well sites that feed into the station. In addition, the company will conduct an infrared camera survey of the compressor station to identify leaking components and will retrofit a compressor engine with an oxidation catalyst to reduce emissions.

Measures taken as a result of the settlement will reduce emissions of volatile organic compounds by 137 tons per year, hazardous air pollutants like formaldehyde and benzene by 90 tons per year, and carbon monoxide by 33 tons per year. These measures will also conserve 5.5 million cubic feet of gas annually, enough to heat 80 homes.

In a separate agreement with EPA, Williams, a natural gas production company based in Tulsa, Okla., has agreed to pay a $50,000 penalty and expand a leak detection program at the Ignacio Gas Plant on the Southern Ute Reservation. The settlement resolves alleged Clean Air Act violations at the gas plant and the Ute E compressor station. Violations were discovered through inspections conducted by EPA.

In addition to the penalty, Williams has agreed to implement an infrared camera leak-detection and repair program to identify fugitive emissions sources. The expected annual emission reductions associated with these measures include approximately 14,000 lbs of volatile organic compounds.

The Ignacio Gas Plant gathers and processes field gas for transportation. The Ute E compressor station compresses field gas for transportation through a gathering line.

The facilities affected by both agreements are located in the San Juan Basin near Durango, Colo., within the exterior boundaries of the Southern Ute Indian Reservation.

Help EPA protect our nation's land, air and water by reporting violations: http://www.epa.gov/tips/

Spilliams....Repeat Offender

2011-10-24T08:51:00.000-05:00

There has been yet another spill out in West Flower Mound at a Williams site.

According to information from the town of Flower Mound, (see page 8-9 of drilling ordinance) this is the 6th spill at a Williams gas drilling pad site "REPORTED" to the town. Of course it rained very hard on Saturday night and who knows if any of the spill spread from the site.

Let's go back to the summer of 2009 when many West Flower Mound residents came to Town Hall professing their love and admiration for Williams. The cause of the latest spill?
"The spill occurred due to a failed weld in a line transporting fluids."

The West Flower Mound residents begged for the town to allow Williams the opportunity to run waste water pipelines from their pad sites to a Centralized Collection Facility. Some of us argued that accidents happen like.....welds failing! Williams is NOT a "good neighbor". In fact if you and I continued to spill toxic waste, we would be heavily fined or in jail!!!

But folks, it isn't just spills. In a little over a year and a half, close to 90 odor and health complaints have been made to the TCEQ just in Flower Mound alone. Every one of those complaints has been at or near gas drilling production sites. A majority of those complaints have been near Williams sites.

Cancer rates in the Barnett Shale Counties are on the rise.

If Texas Railroad Commission is wondering why so many people are refusing to sign leases resulting in Rule 37 applications and Forced Pooling applications, they need to look no further than our backyards. Contamination, air quality issues and health issues being reported by the citizens living on the Barnett Shale are clearly being overlooked. Many feel our state agencies responsible for regulating the industry are not doing their job. Not signing a lease has become the only way residents can "try" to protect themselves.

Good neighbors or the neighbors from hell?

Could LISD Allow Hilliard And Other Sites Near Schools To Become Another Scenic Rd.?

2011-10-07T09:31:00.001-05:00

Just this week, news surfaced about Titan Operating filing a request for a Rule 37 exception to come within 47 feet of LISD's Killough Campus (located near McGee and 407 in Lewisville). That isn't a shock but what is alarming is Titan is still actively making offers to LISD for leasing their land. This article in the Flower Mound Leader says 1 million and an post on Whosplayin mentioned 1 1/2 million.

Did you know that your children's health and safety may be sold for 1 to 1 1/2 million dollars?

We don't know about anyone else but we can't think of an amount that would be worth it. It would be thoughtless and careless to allow more gas drilling near our schools. It has been highly publicized that LISD has been approached over and over again to sign gas leases. In fact, LISD signed gas leases in 2007 but luckliy those leases expired. Are some of our elected School Board Members considering signing again?

We already know that not signing a lease is the best protection from gas drilling occurring near our schools and homes. Now with the supersized padsites, the less signed leases can mean less wells. It has been proven over and over again. This has been debated before.

In some cases drilling may be already going on but with more leased acreage comes more wells, more tanks, more compressors. With all this equipment comes more emissions and traffic.

It becomes a big pot of toxic soup. If you don't believe us just drive out to Scenic Dr. and 1171 in West Flower Mound.

Frankly, the fact that people are worried about LISD "leaving money on the table" or "getting screwed out of royalties", is sickening and insulting by putting greed before our children. The oil and gas industry really doesn't care about our children. If they really wanted to help out Texas schools, they wouldn't be requesting 185 million dollars in "tax refunds" that will require almost half of the refund money come from Texas school funds.

If LISD does NOT sign a lease for the property adjacent to the south of Hilliard Field, NO additional drilling can occur to the South or South East. We believe that would eliminate 5-6 wells based on a 20-24 well estimate given to the Flower Mound Oil and Gas Board of Appeals in May 2010. We also know that many residents to the East, North East and South West have not signed leases. That will eliminate even more wells or at least force Titan to apply for many more Rule 37 exceptions.

Do you want this near your child's school?

LISD must continue to protest the Rule 37 like the town of Flower Mound did in the Rule 37 request by Williams. Williams ended up withdrawing their Rule 37 request.

This is a ploy to get LISD to sign leases. LISD needs to stand up to the gas companies!

Speak up now before it is too late.

Go to the LISD website and find out the dates and times for the School Board Meetings.

Contact the School Board Members and let them know how you feel.

If you are interested in getting the word out to your friends and neighbors by an organized effort, please contact us at stopthedrilling@gmail.com

When Doctors Are Concerned, We Should All Be Concerned

2011-10-06T09:22:00.002-05:00

"More than 250 pediatricians, family practitioners, endocrinologists, oncologists and other doctors, along with the Medical Societies of at least seven upstate counties and the regional office of the American Academy of Pediatricians, wrote to Governor Cuomo, warning that the state of New York has failed to analyze public health impacts of hydraulic fracturing in its rush to approve permits for drilling."

Click here for info and to read the letter.

Those of us living on the Barnett Shale have been asking why comprehensive health studies were never performed before all the drilling and fracking begin close to 10 years ago. Of course, our Texas Department of Health Services likes to make excuses for all the increase of health issues in north Texas.

Click here for map of the massive increase of wells since 2003 in the Barnett Shale.

Dallas Citizen Group Releases Recommendations For Gas Drilling

2011-10-06T09:00:00.001-05:00

Dallas resident Raymond Crawford presented the Dallas City Council with recommendations put together by local citizen groups. They are quite impressive. Great job Dallas.

We will keep our fingers crossed that the Dallas Drilling Task Force and City Council accept and vote to implement all of the recommendations.

Click here to read the recommendations.

Titan Operating Tells TRC OneThing, Tells Local Press Something Else

2011-10-05T18:16:00.003-05:00

In a letter to the Texas Railroad Commission, dated May 20, 2011, Titan Operating stated they would like the TRC to expedite their Rule 37 ruling because "at this time, however, the Commission's decision on the Hilliard South Unit application is more urgently needed to allow Titan an opportunity to satisfy it's lease and conservation obligations".

However, in an article dated August 12, 2011 for the Flower Mound leader, Titan"s Mr. Schumacher said Titan does not have any expiring leases resulting from the Rule 37 process.

So why the urgency if no leases were going to expire?

As of today, the well might not be producing so "held-by-production" may not apply.

Which statement is accurate? You can't have it both ways Titan.

Get Ready For More Birdie And Butterfly Ads

2011-10-05T08:43:00.000-05:00

Yes, now Conoco Phillips is launching a drill baby drill campaign.

It seems all the real life stories of contamination, health issues, and decreased property values are proving to be a huge obstacle for the gas industry to overcome.

Click here to read article.

Oil Refineries may win. Texas schools could lose.

2011-09-26T22:52:00.001-05:00

Texas Commission on Environmental Quality may give oil refineries giant tax refunds. Yes, and half of that tax refund money would come from Texas Schools. It sounds unbelievable but it could happen. If the tax refunds are granted, the total could be as much as 135 million dollars!!!!

If a three-member commission appointed by Gov. Rick Perry grants the refunds, nearly half the money would be taken from schools.

Disgusting....

Sue Thy Neighbor?

2011-09-23T17:43:00.000-05:00

Living on the Barnett Shale, it is common to blame the gas drilling company. In fact, many residents have gone as far as suing gas companies. But suing your neighbor for signing a lease and allowing industrial activity that results in air pollution, health issues, noise, and lower property values?

Click here to read an interesting article about it.

One line in this article didn't surprise us at all.....

states like Texas and West Virginia don't favor such lawsuits

We do know that gas drilling activity does effect health and the air we breathe, that has been well documented in the local news, on this site and many others in the area.

We have reported on gas drilling and property values in the past.

Click here and here.

It is a very good question. Should those that sign leases be held accountable when there is a problem like a leak, a spill, a fire, people getting sick or loss of property values?

Gas Executive Sounds Warning On Cementing Of Gas Wells

2011-09-21T18:23:00.000-05:00

This isn't the first time a gas executive has expressed concern about cement failure for well casings. We have posted info on this before. Lee Fuller, Vice President of the Independent Petroleum Association of America admits that even with best practices that contamination may occur. He said the cement casing will deteriorate over time, wells will need to be re-worked periodically and even when it done the cement may be flawed and there may still be failures.

Now Paul Smith, Executive Vice President of North American Operations for Talisman Energy gave this warning during a speech to industry group Marcellus Shale Coalition.

Smith said....
“However, industry must recognize that reported cases of gas migration into water tables can occur as the result of ineffective well design and cementing practices.”

Click here to read a great piece on cracking cement.

Since we don't have any long term studies, how do we really know what the life of a "cement casing job" is?

MORE VARIANCE ABUSE

2011-09-20T12:20:00.000-05:00

Last night the town council voted 3 to 2 allowing Mr. Hilliard a variance to put up a power pole and over 300 feet of power lines on his property. The voting went as follows for (Hayden, Stephenson, and Wise) and 2 against (Filidoro and Lyda).

The town requires all power lines be buried BY ORDINANCE. It is mostly for AESTHETIC reasons but safety and disruption of service during storms or high winds are a concern too.

Sec. 90-423. - Underground utilities.

All existing overhead utilities, save and except transmission facilities identified herein below, and all new utility extensions shall be placed underground in conjunction with the development or redevelopment of a property, subject to the following provisions:

(1) Each of the utility companies shall be responsible for developing administrative policies and cost reimbursement procedures for the installation and extension of their underground utilities. Nothing in this section shall prohibit or restrict any utility company from recovering the difference in cost of overhead facilities and underground facilities in accordance with the provisions of such utility company's approved tariff. No utility company shall be required to begin construction of underground facilities unless and until the customer, owner, developer and/or party requesting such facilities has made arrangements satisfactory to the specific utility company for the payment of such difference between the cost of overhead utilities and underground facilities.

(2) All electrical, telephone, data transmission, and cable television support equipment (transformers, amplifiers, switching devices, etc.) necessary for underground installation shall be pedestal- and/or pad-mounted or placed underground, and the difference in cost of such facilities shall be paid to the installing utility in accordance with provisions established in subsection (a)(1).

(3) In those cases where temporary overhead service is necessary (e.g., emergency repairs, construction field offices, etc.) these installations shall not be in service for a period exceeding six months.

(4) Transmission facilities as indicated in exhibit A are not required to be placed underground upon the development or redevelopment of the properties containing such facilities.

(5) Exceptions to the standards contained in this section may be granted by the town council subsequent to a public hearing scheduled upon request of the owner or developer.

Click here to watch video from last night's meeting. Go to Item 11.

There are already enough power poles and power lines on this property (on 2499). Why do we need anymore? The only way Mr. Hilliard would have to bury power lines in the future is if his home and the land it sits on is included in a new development. So basically it could be there forever. As if the giant pad site, dust, diesel smoke, trucks etc on Hilliard field wasn't aesthetically ugly enough!

Maybe some feel this is trivial but one of the biggest complaints in the past has been about the consequences of variances. It was a very important issue with the Oil and Gas Advisory Board. The constant granting of variances, or variance abuse as we like to call it, continues to weaken all our ordinances.

A few questions:

We realize some of you don't care about appearance but what about the danger of MORE power lines being near a natural gas production site?

and

Isn't it variance abuse that has created most of the gas drilling mess here in Flower Mound?

Here are just few articles out of many articles about fires from power lines and issues with down power lines.

Click here.

Click here. During one of the many storms we experience there were numerous calls for down power lines.

In addition, the fire department received several calls for fire alarms and down power lines during the storm.

Click here. One more example.

A fallen power line apparently started one Oklahoma blaze

Many homes and schools are near this site. Just think about a fast moving brush fire.

We could go on but you get the picture.

Just Another Day In Paradise.......

2011-09-12T22:39:00.002-05:00

Williams Withdraws One Rule 37, Keeps 3 Others In Play

2011-09-07T16:47:00.000-05:00

Williams recently withdrew one Rule 37 action pending against the Town of Flower Mound on the Ace unit located in Lewisville, but still has 3 more pending completely contained within Flower Mound borders, all on the Bob Smith B East lease. Two of these are against individual homeowners (Wells 5H and 6H) and the final Rule 37 action (Well 8H) is against the Town of Flower Mound.

The town, as in the first withdrawn Rule 37, has filed a protest opposing the filing. This begs the question, why not withdraw from ALL Rule 37’s Williams?

If the rule is good enough to follow and abide by in Lewisville, why not in Flower Mound as well?

Houseplants can imporove indoor air

2011-09-05T17:23:00.001-05:00

We have found many studies on the benefits of houseplants. The best one is a NASA conducted back in the 80's. This study showed some plants can remove benzene, formaldehyde, trichloroethylene, carbon monoxide and other chemicals from indoor air. Some plants Click here and here to see other studies and lists of the top air purifying plants. Some plants are more effective than others by removing up to 90% of chemicals in the air!

Since fracking is about to begin at Hilliard, this may be a decorative way to keep your indoor air clean. (No, we are not joking.) Many stores are having sales on plants and pots. This weekend we hit Garden Ridge, Calloways, Walmart, Lowes, and Home Depot. Every store had 50% or buy one get one. We found some great deals.

We also had a permanent HEPA filter added to our air conditioning and heating units.

If you want to see what we might be experiencing in the coming weeks, drive to FM 3040 and Ace Rd. in Lewisville. Or better yet, watch this video.Don't forget the TCEQ odor and air complaint system located on the right side of the blog.

Flower Mound and surrounding communities breast cancer rates on the rise

2011-08-31T11:35:00.000-05:00

The Denton Record Chronicle published this article about the rising numbers of breast cancer in communities on the Barnett Shale. It will be interesting to see what the State of Texas does with this information. Just to jog some memories, Back in early 2010, the State of Texas did their own cancer cluster study for leukemia, thyroid cancer, lymphoma, and breast cancer here in Flower Mound. We all remember what came of that......

After finding an elevated number of breast cancer in Flower Mound, the Texas Department of Health Services said the breast cancer result could be due to overall population increases in Flower Mound and the likelihood that women in this area are more frequently screened for breast cancer.

Just to clarify this excuse, if a woman doesn't get screened and doesn't know she has breast cancer, she is less likely to die from it? Wow, our insurance companies would be happy to hear that.

Frack Schedule Set For Titan/Hilliard Site in Flower Mound

2011-08-31T10:25:00.000-05:00

The town of Flower Mound has posted the fracking schedule for the Hilliard Property.

Fracking is scheduled to begin September 12th and end September 27th.

Click here to review.

You may want to keep the TCEQ information handy.

Report all suspicious odors and health issues (even if no odor is present)

EPA Proposed New Air-Emission Rules For Oil and Gas Drilling

2011-08-23T09:28:00.000-05:00

The EPA has released their proposed New Air-Emission Rules for Oil and Gas Drilling to the Federal Register. This is the time to comment. We have posted some links below for you to read the proposed rules and a link to the page for commenting.

If you have a whole lot of time, click here for proposed rules doc.

If you just want the important stuff, click here for the fact sheet.

Click here for a nice EPA presentation.

Click here to read the Regulatory Impact Analysis.

And the most important of all....click here to submit a comment.

Does the TCEQ know their @$$ from a hole in the ground?

2011-08-21T14:08:00.001-05:00

So much going on here in Barnett Shale country. We don't even know where to begin.

There is something in the air in Argyle and Bartonville. Dibromoethane or EDB, a known carcinogen, has been found present in air in these communities 6 times since December 2010. It seems that the TCEQ is in denial. Residents and ABC Alliance members are asking for the EPA to conduct an investigation asap. Below is a paragraph from the post.

The Alliance would like an immediate investigation done by the EPA to determine the source of the EDB and provide for its elimination. It seems like a reasonable request, but now TCEQ state investigators are denying that their scientific testing techniques were ever scientific and it is possible that the detected carcinogen was never detected at all. One mistake in testing we could understand, or maybe even two mistakes in detection. But this carcinogen was detected SIX TIMES.

The Denton Record Chronicle reports on this issue.

This community is no stranger to health effects from living near gas drilling production facilities. Click here to read some of the health issues documented by the residents in Argyle and Bartonville.

Texas Sharon talks about the TCEQ's admission that they lack the science to be sure what we are breathing long-term. And asks a good question. "Is the TCEQ trying to preempt a scandal?"

Another Texas agency failing the citizens. Oh and our Governor wants a moratorium on all regulations across this country!!! We are in trouble folks.

You may want to keep the TCEQ complaint info handy

2011-08-18T18:30:00.001-05:00

We may be getting fracked again here in FloMo so don't forget to keep the TCEQ odor and health complaint info handy.

In 2010, we found close to 60 odor and health complaints on the TCEQ website made by residents right here in Flower Mound. No violations have been issued to date. We understand it can be disappointing at times. Our advice is keep calling and reporting. Even if the odor or symptoms go away by the time the TCEQ shows up. Log times, symptoms, and description of odors.

Persistence pays off. Just this year, the TCEQ issued fines for air quality violations against an energy company drilling on the Barnett Shale. In one of the articles below, it states that the fines issued in March of this year were the first ever on the BS. Recently another was issued.

Click here and here to read about these cases.

The TCEQ complaint info is located on the right had side of the blog.

Gas and Oil shale drilling coming to a neighborhood near you?

2011-08-17T14:38:00.002-05:00

Gas and Oil Shale drilling coming to a neighborhood near you? Click here for 3 good maps of shales in North America.

Want to give them a piece of your mind?

2011-08-09T15:44:00.000-05:00

We have received emails asking us if letting the Texas Railroad Commission know how you feel about Rule 37's is okay. You always have the right to voice your concerns.

Here is some info we would like to share.

If your letter is general in nature and you just want to voice your opinion on the Rule 37 process, you may want to send your email to:
Chairman Elizabeth Ames Jones: commissioner.elizabethjones@rrc.state.tx.us

If the letter is specifically about the Flower Mound/Titan Rule 37's, you may want to send an email to:
Colin Lineberry: colin.lineberry@rrc.state.tx.us

Please Note:
If you may be a part of a Rule 37 in the future and plan to file a formal protest to appear at a hearing in Austin if needed, let the Commission know.

One more danger with gas drilling

2011-08-07T09:52:00.004-05:00

Read the post from a gas and oil blog. We thought this info might be important.

http://scrapper.media.mit.edu/wiki/Talk:WellWatch

Hello: My name is Carl L. Mc Williams, I AM married to Karen and we live in Garfield County, Colorado. There are over 10,000 active CH4 (methane) gas wells inside Garfield County, Colorado.

I spent one full year working on these CH4 wells. I was employed by LONKAR US LTD. a Canadian company and I worked on a "swabbing rig". We were not part of the exploration (drilling). We serviced existing and producing natural gas wells. A swabbing rig is a "workover-rig" and our purpose was to remove water from the well that had stopped the flow of natural gas in a producing well. It turns out that the water we were removing was residual "fracing" water and we were never informed of the benzene and other chemicals that exist in this "production water". In March of 2008, my swabbing rig was working on a well site where the gas company had reused the same "fracing" fluids in an attempt to save money. The problem with that is the reusing of "fracing" fluids causes the manifestation of H2S, (Hydrogen Sulfide Gas) which, in doses above 50 ppm for 30 minutes is deadly. My co-worker died and I spent three months in workers-comp recovery. My employer and the billion dollar energy company basically lied and covered-up their gross negligence in ordering my co-worker and I to expose ourselves to the deadly H2S without proper safety equipment, such as supplied-air-respirators. Federal OSHA fined my employer. I blew the whistle to OSHA and was fired for doing so. My whistleblower case with OSHA is still pending and I have been black-balled from the industry.

That said, I do want to bring to your attention a very deadly practice that is taking place on every "fracing" job site. "Fracing" uses silica sand in the "fracing mix". The truck drivers, pulling "sand-cans" (box-car-size-trailers) full of silica sand arrive at the well site and using high pressure pumps unload from the "sand-cans" the silica sand into the "fracing tanks". During this process there is created a silica sand dust cloud that is much more dangerous than asbestos. Just as cut glass will lacerate the flesh of your arm, this silica sand dust is an airborne particulate, that when breathed into the lungs will cause lung damage that is a quicker death than asbestos exposure and extremely painful for the victim. I informed Federal OSHA of this danger to Americans but nothing has happened from OSHA yet.

Therefore, I am informing you folks. The gas drilling industry has an expression: "WELL-FIELD-TRASH". The corporate officers of the natural gas industry considers all of their well workers to be "TRASH". The worker safety-protection measures on these gas well sites is non-existent. Pass the word about the silica sand dust these Americans are breathing.

Carl Mc Williams Silt Mesa, Colorado,
email: mcwilliams@balance-energy.us

RRC Examiner rules for Titan in Rule 37’s – Big Government crushes the little guy, again.

2011-08-04T20:12:00.000-05:00

The Texas Railroad Commission has issued a pfd (Proposal for Decision) which paves the way for Titan Operating to take the minerals of 17 Flower Mound homeowners. The only step left is for Commission itself to bless the decision, a near certainty. You know, the commission whose chairperson’s Husband and Daddy run Venus Exploration. With objectivity like that on legal issues, well, let’s just say it would never fly in a REAL legal setting, or on any city council, county government, or any other sort of governing body.

FMCAUD is proud to have helped these 17 Flower Mound homeowners stand up against this heavy handed government intrusion and theft of property these homeowners had legal title to. We should all be outraged when government takes anything from an individual. It is a road to less Democracy and less individual rights.

FMCAUD looks forward to protesting the next 20-22 probable Rule 37 hearings in Austin on this site and any other site in the Metroplex Titan feels the desire to steal private property from.

SEC asking Industry for records on claims of long term productivity

2011-07-30T13:36:00.002-05:00

The SEC wants proof that gas wells will continue to produce for decades. Last night while channel surfing, I came across a segment on Fox News. The host mentioned how the New York Times had a reporter out to get the industry. Well sounds like that reporter, Ian Urbina, may have been dead on with his article about the future of natural gas.
Texas Sharon gives more details. Click here to go to her new website.

Industry downplays benefit of tighter ozone standards

2011-07-29T09:55:00.000-05:00

It didn't take long for the industry to get their panties in a bunch about the EPA's proposed air pollution standards for gas and oil production. Anyone surprised the industry is trying to downplay the EPA statements about the benefits of tighter ozone requirements? It's all about money folks!

They don't think our health has value.

Click here for the article.

EPA Proposes Air Pollution Standards for Oil and Gas Production

2011-07-28T14:33:00.003-05:00

Hallelujah. There is hope for cleaner air in the future!!
See press release from the EPA

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

July 28. 2011

EPA Proposes Air Pollution Standards for Oil and Gas Production

Cost-effective, flexible standards rely on operators' ability to capture and sell natural gas that currently escapes, threatens air quality

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today proposed standards to reduce harmful air pollution from oil and gas drilling operations. These proposed updated standards - which are being issued in response to a court order - would rely on cost-effective existing technologies to reduce emissions that contribute to smog pollution and can cause cancer while supporting the administration’s priority of continuing to expand safe and responsible domestic oil and gas production. The standards would leverage operators' ability to capture and sell natural gas that currently escapes into the air, resulting in more efficient operations while reducing harmful emissions that can impact air quality in surrounding areas and nearby states.

"This administration has been clear that natural gas is a key component of our clean energy future, and the steps announced today will help ensure responsible production of this domestic energy source," said Gina McCarthy, assistant administrator for EPA's Office of Air and Radiation. "Reducing these emissions will help cut toxic pollution that can increase cancer risks and smog that can cause asthma attacks and premature death - all while giving these operators additional product to bring to market.”

Today’s proposal would cut smog-forming volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions from several types of processes and equipment used in the oil and gas industry, including a 95 percent reduction in VOCs emitted during the completion of new and modified hydraulically fractured wells. This dramatic reduction would largely be accomplished by capturing natural gas that currently escapes to the air and making that gas available for sale through technologies and processes already in use by several companies and required in some states.

Natural gas production in the U.S. is growing, with more than 25,000 new and existing wells fractured or re-fractured each year. The VOC reductions in the proposal are expected to help reduce ozone nonattainment problems in many areas where oil and gas production occurs. In addition, the VOC reductions would yield a significant environmental benefit by reducing methane emissions from new and modified wells. Methane, the primary constituent of natural gas, is a potent greenhouse gas - more than 20 times more potent than carbon dioxide. Today’s proposed changes also would reduce cancer risks from emissions of several air toxics, including benzene.

EPA’s analysis of the proposed changes, which also include requirements for storage tanks and other equipment, show they are highly cost-effective, with a net savings to the industry of tens of millions of dollars annually from the value of natural gas that would no longer escape to the air. Today’s proposal includes reviews of four air regulations for the oil and natural gas industry as required by the Clean Air Act: a new source performance standard for VOCs from equipment leaks at gas processing plants; a new source performance standard for sulfur dioxide emissions from gas processing plants; an air toxics standard for oil and natural gas production; and an air toxics standard for natural gas transmission and storage.

EPA is under a consent decree requiring the agency to sign a proposal by July 28, 2011 and take final action by Feb. 28, 2012. As part of the public comment period, EPA will hold three public hearings, in the Dallas, Denver and Pittsburgh areas. Details on the hearings will be announced soon.

More information: http://epa.gov/airquality/oilandgas/

Barnett Shale Map shows massive increase of wells drilled.

2011-07-27T06:56:00.002-05:00

From 1997 to 2009, the number of natural gas wells has grown from a few hundred to over 10,000. Included in the article is an animated map showing the massive increase of wells on the Barnett Shale.

The black dots on the map are the vertical wells.You can see that most of the wells drilled before 2003 were vertical. The red dots indicate horizontal wells. The number of the horizontal wells grew after 2003.

Be sure to click on the map.
Click here for article.

The Flower Mound Town Council, the Oil and Gas Advisory Board and the Petition Ordinance: The Real Facts

2011-07-26T15:53:00.000-05:00

The email was forwarded to us by Flower Mound Council Member Filidoro

The Flower Mound Town Council, the Oil and Gas Advisory Board and the Petition Ordinance: The Real Facts

In the spring of 2010, more than 6,000 Town residents signed a petition and submitted a draft ordinance for the Flower Mound Town Council to consider a moratorium on permits for centralized natural gas facilities and natural gas pipelines. After more than a year of detailed review by the Town’s Oil and Gas Advisory Board and the Town Council, on July 18, 2011, the Town Council adopted comprehensive new ordinances addressing natural gas drilling in the Town as well as new standards for natural gas pipelines. Additionally, the Town Council repealed the centralized natural gas facilities zoning ordinance, approved by the previous council in January 2010. Despite the sweeping new changes to the face of natural gas drilling operations in the Town, over the last several weeks, a few Town residents have complained that the Flower Mound Town Council was not “committed to executing the petition mandate” and that last year’s petition was “hijacked” and “used for political agendas.” An objective review of the facts shows, however, that every portion of the 2010 petition was fully honored and that the current Town Council’s actions in all respects were in compliance with the petition ordinance.

What specifically did the 2010 petition ordinance mandate, and how did this Town Council respond?

1. Section 2(A) of the petition ordinance provided that “the acceptance and processing of applications for oil and gas and/or produced water pipeline permits . . . are hereby temporarily suspended, effective immediately upon passage of this Ordinance.” Similarly, Section 2(B) of the petition ordinance provided that “the acceptance and processing of applications for Specific Use Permits . . . for the construction of any “Centralized Natural Gas Compression Facility,” “Centralized Natural Gas Lift Facility,” or “Centralized Natural Gas Produced Water Storage Facility” . . . are hereby temporarily suspended, effective immediately upon passage of this Ordinance.”

The Town Council’s Response: On June 7, 2010, the Town Council approved Ordinance No. 38-10, which ordinance adopted the petition ordinance in its entirety, including the moratoriums referenced in Sections 2(A) and 2(B) of the petition ordinance.

2. Section 2(C) of the petition ordinance provided that “the aforesaid suspensions shall continue in effect until the completion of the review process and Council action upon any regulatory amendments found to be appropriate, provided such suspension shall terminate 180 [days] after the passage of this Ordinance unless the Town Council has not then completed its review and acted upon any amendments to such regulations. In that event the suspension shall be extended once for a period of sixty days by action of the Town Council.”

The Town Council’s Response: Town Ordinance No. 38-10 adopted the language contained in Section 2(C) of the petition ordinance.

3. Section 3(A) of the petition ordinance provided for the appointment of a 12-member Oil and Gas Advisory Board within 30 days of the adoption of the ordinance (Section 3(A)). The OGAB was to consist of (i) 8 Town property owners, some of whom owned their minerals and some of whom did not (Section 3(A)(1)) and (ii) 4 members who are “mineral lessors, independent experts . . . and a third party mediator without any financial or professional ties to the Town of Flower Mound or the oil and gas industry” (Section 3(A)(2)).

The Town Council’s Response: On July 6, 2010, the Town Council appointed 12 members to the OGAB and 4 alternates also were named, all in compliance with Section 3(A) of the petition ordinance.

4. Section 3(B) of the petition ordinance provided that “the Board shall conduct public hearings to identify the concerns of the citizens of the Town regarding (1) Centralized Natural Gas Compression Facilities, Centralized Natural Gas Lift Facilities, and Centralized Natural Gas Produced Water Facilities . . . and (2) oil and gas and/or produced water pipelines.” Section 3(C) of the petition ordinance required at least one public hearing on the OGAB’s findings relative to centralized facilities and oil and gas pipelines as well as recommendations “as to any amendments to the Code of Ordinances of the Town.”

The Town Council’s Response: The OGAB held multiple public hearings to solicit citizen input. After an extensive number of meetings throughout the late summer and fall of 2010, the OGAB presented its preliminary report to the Town Council on January 20, 2011. Additional public hearings were held on February 10 and February 12, 2011, to solicit further citizen comments on the proposed OGAB recommendations. The OGAB’s Final Recommendations were presented to the Town Council on February 28, 2011, and were discussed at the March 21, 2011, Town Council meeting. At that time, since several OGAB members considered there were additional outstanding items, a public comment period was designated from April 1 to April 18, and two additional public comment meetings were held on April 7 and April 12, 2011. After the presentation of draft ordinances, the Town Council held public hearings on June 20, 2011, and July 18, 2011.

5. The second Section 3(B) in the petition ordinance (there were two sections numbered 3(B) in the petition ordinance) provided that “upon completion of such public hearings, the Board shall assess the Town’s existing ordinances regulating centralized processing facilities and oil and gas pipelines with the objectives of (1) addressing the concerns of the citizens identified in public hearings; (2) recognizing any appropriate restrictions on the location of such facilities and pipelines and (3) balancing the rights of surface owners with rights of mineral rights owners while preserving the integrity of Flower Mound’s Master Plan and Smart Growth principles. Other factors which may be considered are impacts on the following: economic development, tax receipts, property values, air quality surface and subsurface water flows. Particular matters may be delegated to appropriate boards and commissions and/or staff to develop recommendations for referral back to the Board and/or Town Council.”

The Town Council’s Response: The oil and gas drilling and pipeline ordinances adopted on July 18, 2011, addressed all of the expressed concerns. Several matters were delegated to Town staff to address through the retention of experts (Integra and Kleinfelder, for example) in a comprehensive overhaul of the Town’s natural gas ordinances. Specific references were made to such studies and the topics referenced in Section 3(B) of the petition ordinance.

6. Section 3(D) of the petition ordinance provided that “the Council may expand the scope of the review as it deems appropriate.”

The Town Council’s Response: In adopting Ordinance No.39-10 (also on June 7, 2010), the Town Council extended the moratorium to include all permits related to natural gas drilling in the Town above and beyond the moratorium referenced in the petition ordinance. The Council also made detailed findings that oil and natural gas exploration, drilling and operations involve or otherwise impact the Town’s environment, infrastructure and related public health, welfare and safety matters, including noise issues, road repair issues due to use of heavy equipment, site security and signage issues, issues related to operating hours, venting of gas, fire suppression issues, lighting issues, containment systems, hazardous materials management, spill issues, operator insurance issues, environmental impairment matters and other regulatory issues. That ordinance also provided that due to the many issues related to oil and natural gas exploration, drilling and operations, “the Town is in the process of studying those issues and formulating modified regulations to address the multitudinous land usage, environmental and public health, welfare and safety matters related to such exploration, drilling and operations.” At that June 7 meeting, several residents stated that it was prudent to review the oil and gas ordinances and that increased setbacks were necessary.

After reviewing the petition ordinance in detail—according to its exact words—and comparing those words to the actions of this Town Council, how can anyone honestly contend that this Council did not “follow the requirements as they are clearly laid out in the petition ordinance” and that the petition ordinance “didn’t accomplish what it was written for”? This Council followed the petition ordinance line-by-line, section-by-section, and as result, with incredible diligence and hard work by the Advisory Board, Town staff and this Council, adopted outstanding new ordinances that are reflective of the values of Flower Mound, its residents, and all 6,000 voters who signed the petition in 2010.

UPDATED: Flower Mound New Oil and Gas Ordinance gets some publicity

2011-07-21T18:10:00.003-05:00

Here is a segment of the new ordinance on NBC 5. Click here

Newspaper articles:

Pegasus News click here. This one best described the reason for the repealing in its entirety and a zoning amendment that fired up residents and got them to back the petition. Now there will be a double layer of approval for any Centralized Collection Facilities and Centralized Compression Facilities.

Star Newspaper click here.

Dallas Morning News click here. Requires a subscription.

Cross Timbers Gazette click here. This also describeds the reason for the repeal.

We will update as we find more articles.

My Flower Mound Oil and Gas Advisory Board Experience

2011-07-20T20:17:00.000-05:00

Serving on boards really isn't a new thing for me. I have served on countless PTA Boards, Committees and HOA Boards. But the Oil and Gas Advisory Board was quite a different experience. The board was made up of many different members, each brought with them different perspectives, points of view and ideas. Our job was to ultimately come up with recommendations for the Flower Mound Oil and Gas Ordinance and Pipeline Ordinance. This meant sharing information and discussing ideas. It also meant that as board members, we had to decide as a majority what to eventually put into the recommendations.

We had mineral owners, non mineral owners, industry experts who were also residents of Flower Mound and one moderator. I can honestly say that not one member got everything they wanted, including me. That in no way discredits the recommendations we brought forth. If we all agreed on everything right from the beginning, then why bother with 12 members and 6 months of meetings?

I want to make it clear that I never felt manipulated by the Town Council. I believe it is an insult to assume that we, the advisory board members, are ignorant enough to allow someone to manipulate us. I keep hearing that we "didn't have experts." I realized I would be remiss to overlook the expertise of the members and residents on the board that work in the Oil and Gas industry. Their input proved to be a valuable tool.

Each member brought their knowledge, experience, and love for our community to the table. It was an honor to serve on the Advisory Board with my fellow members. I have the utmost respect and admiration for all of them. Looking back, I am pleased with the outcome and our recommendations. I am proud to say Flower Mound now has one of the strongest ordinances on the Barnett Shale and most likely the nation.
Tammi Vajda

Approved!!!! Flower Mound New Oil and Gas Ordinance

2011-07-18T21:55:00.006-05:00

Earlier this evening, the Flower Mound Town Council voted to accept the new Oil and Gas Ordinance and Pipeline Ordinance. The vote went as follows for all items.

Council Members Filidoro, Lyda, Wise and Hayden voted in favor of accepting and adopting the new ordinances. Council Member Stephenson stated "present". We looked up what it means when a council member states "present" during a vote. We believe it means the same as abstain. Click here.

Here are the items.

9. Public Hearing to consider approval of an ordinance amending Chapter 34 of the Code of Ordinances by repealing existing Article VII, “Oil and Natural Gas Well Drilling and Production Operations,” and adopting a new Article VII, “Oil and Natural Gas Well Drilling and Production Operations.”
Passed 4-1 abstention

10. Public Hearing to consider approval of an ordinance amending Chapter 34 of the Code of Ordinances by repealing existing Article VIII, “Oil and Gas Pipeline Standards,” and adopting a new Article VIII, “Oil and Gas Pipeline Standards,” and adopting a new Article IX, “Vested rights/preemption determination.”
Passed 4-1 abstention

11. LDR 02-10 – Repeal of Zoning Ordinance Regarding Centralized Natural Gas Production Facilities
Public Hearing to consider an amendment to the Land Development Regulations (LDR 02-10) by amending Section 98-2 (Definitions), Section 98-273 (Agricultural District Specific Uses), and Section 98-952 (Use Classifications) to repeal the provisions contained in said sections related to Centralized Natural Gas Compression Facilities, Centralized Natural Gas Lift Facilities, and Centralized Natural Gas Produced Water Storage Facilities; and to consider adopting an ordinance providing for said amendment. (The Planning and Zoning Commission recommended approval by a vote of 7 to 0 at its July 11, 2011, meeting.)
Passed 4-1 abstention

Mandatory vapor recovery was not included in the ordinance. The town felt to "demand" it outright may not hold up in the court of law but put together an emission plan that they feel will accomplish better emission controls.

This ordinance received accolades from many experts and attorneys.

Jim Bradbury, who is an oil and gas attorney in Ft. Worth, who served on the FW drilling task force and who is a steering committee member for Texas OGAP called the ordinance “brilliant, exhaustive work.” He said the pipeline ordinance is “impressive and stout.” He said the task force did “a very thorough and good job.”

Bruce Baizel is the lead attorney for Earthworks’ OGAP. He said, “Overall, this is one of the strongest town ordinances I have reviewed.”

Many thanks to Sharon Wilson and Gary Hogan for showing up and speaking tonight.

Thanks to all the experts that reviewed the ordinance including the Texas Oil and Gas Accountability Project and Earthworks.

Thank you to all the advisory board members, including the industry experts on the board for your valuable input and information.

After close to 4 years of hard work, we are very happy to see stronger regulations in place. We are lucky to have elected officials in place that are willing to protect all residents. Whether you are a non mineral owner, a mineral owner that hasn't signed a lease or a mineral owner that has chosen to lease, the best drilling practices are in place to protect your health, safety and property values.

Click here to watch the video from the Town Council Meeting.

FMCAUD helps residents in Colleyville against Titan Operating Rule 37

2011-07-15T15:10:00.000-05:00

Titan Operating has filed yet another Rule 37 against homeowners in Colleyville. This is Titan Operating’s second Rule 37 in Tarrant County, in addition to the two pending Rule 37’s in Flower Mound, and one scheduled for hearing in Lewisville.

Titan withdrew from another Rule 37 in Lewisville earlier this year. FMCAUD had committed to helping homeowners in all areas of North Texas protect their private property/mineral rights from confiscation by Titan Operating LLC. No matter what your opinions on other neighborhood gas drilling issues, the vast majority of Texans believe staunchly in individual private property rights. Rule 37’s are one of the most egregious threats to private property rights in Texas. Your only “choices” are to sign a lease against your will or likely have your property taken with no hearing to quantify and compensate you for the value of the property taken from you.

Approximately 1.6 million dollars of revenue is at stake. When there is that kind of money at risk, who wouldn't justify it with a little theft?

Water: Fracking sucks more than you think!

2011-07-12T14:56:00.001-05:00

This is a great post from TXSharon's site.
Water: Fracking sucks more than you think!

UPDATED....EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson announced a strong new clean air rule

2011-07-07T17:52:00.001-05:00

This is the first article we have found but I am sure there will be plenty.

Favorite paragraph from this article.

Texas, by contrast, will have to reduce more pollution than in the initial proposal, which required the state's power plants only to address summertime smog-forming pollution.

Click here for article but more info to come.

Here is an article in the New York Times. Click here.

Click here to read rule.

DFW Has A Gas Problem!! Sound off at the TCEQ DFW Smog Plan Hearing

2011-07-01T13:01:00.003-05:00

Natural gas is the cleanest of all the fossil fuels...okay MAYBE (THATS A BIG MAYBE) to burn but certainly not when being extracted. The process uses millions of gallons of water that will never be returned to the water cycle. Many cases of contamination of water wells and sources are documented even though the industry continues to deny it.

The biggest issue facing North Texas is our air quality.

The industry and some of our state officials deny that the gas drilling process does not affect our air quality. The industry refuses to use vapor recover or emission control. Why? Because they don't have to. It is not mandated by state or federal government making it difficult for municipalities to demand it. On July 13th, the Fort Worth air study will be released. This could prove to be very important when it comes to enforcing vapor and emission control. Today, the Star Telegram reported that 68% of the gas well sites tested leak! Those conducting the study expected less than 25% to be leaking.
TXSharon has the article on her site. Click here to read.

Eat Up and Sound Off For Clean Air

Thursday, July 14th, the TCEQ will be holding a public meeting for the DFW Smog Plan at Arlington City Hall, 101 W. Abram. There will be two sessions. 10:30 am and 6:30 am. The most exciting will be the 6:30 pm session. Downwinders At Risk has a fun event planned. We encourage all to show up, have some fun, and speak up. Demand the gas industry be added to the DFW Air Plan.
Click here for the Downwinders At Risk details.

Like a good neighbor....Williams tries to steal your minerals

2011-06-29T10:46:00.000-05:00

Adding on to their attempt to steal minerals from the Town of Flower Mound, Williams has scheduled two Rule 37 hearings, both to take place (likely in the same hearing) on July 27, 2011. The Rule 37 hearings are for the 5H and 6H wells on the Dr. Bob Smith B East pad against two Flower Mound home/mineral owners.

Oddly enough, you won't find anything in the "Corporate Responsibility" section of their website about taking minerals that aren't theirs. It appears as homeowners, the "choices" are to sign a lease against your will or likely have your property taken. As some of the industry folks and those who regulate them like to say, "There are consequences for not signing."

I think the Mafia uses that line too.

Shale gas....Not the Big Deal after all?

2011-06-26T10:36:00.000-05:00

By now most of you have seen this article about how shale gas is not the big deal the industry wants us to think it is. The article mentions Deborah Rogers. If you have not had an opportunity to hear her talk about the "shale's", you are missing out. She has a great perspective and is loaded with information to back it up.

Click here to see Deborah Rogers speech at the Earthwork's-Oil and Gas Accountability Project's Oil & Gas Summit in Pittsburgh in November 2010.

Another Environmental Issue With Gas Drilling

2011-06-24T17:25:00.000-05:00

We believe more attention should be brought to this issue. Mining for fracking sand.
Click here to read more.

Gas Drilling....The Next Asbestos?

2011-06-22T08:51:00.003-05:00

Many of us from the beginning of this fight have said we are worried about the long term effects of natural gas drilling on our health and quality of life. This is an interesting little article about just that.
Click here to read about Shale Gas - Next Asbestos.

No wonder our elected officials in Austin keep trying to take the right to sue away from us.

Flower Mound Town Council Extends Moratorium and Discusses Ordinances

2011-06-21T13:19:00.002-05:00

Last night Flower Mound Town Council voted to extend the gas drilling moratorium until the proposed new Oil and Gas Ordinance is discussed and voted in. Matt Woods, Director of Environmental Resources, gave a great presentation of the recommendations by the Oil & Gas Advisory Board. The Oil & Gas Advisory board recommendations addressed many concerns about regulation and protection for the residents of Flower Mound.

For those of you that missed the Flower Mound Town Council meeting last night, click here to watch. The town has it broken into sections.

Music, Cocktails and Gas

2011-06-21T11:52:00.000-05:00

The Dallas Observer and the Oak Cliff Conservation League is sponsoring a showing of the movie Gasland. June 27th @ 7:00pm. See info below.

Industry Propaganda Comes In Many Shapes and Now Color

2011-06-20T09:45:00.000-05:00

Apparently the industry is having a hard time getting adults to buy the "gas drilling is safe" idea so they have started to target kids. Talisman Energy out of Calgary has put together a coloring book called "Talismans Terry's Energy Adventure"! Terry is a cute and lovable Fracosaurus!

Click here for your very own copy to print off for your kids.

Oh yeah, you might want to add the part where it explains how much water is used and contaminated. Oh yeah, don't forget to draw a pretty picture of the thick black smoke coming from all the trucks and equipment. Maybe add a nice drawing of a gas mask that can be colored and cut out.

Gas Drilling Impact On Mortgages......

2011-06-19T14:01:00.002-05:00

An interesting article appeared in the New York Capitol News about fracking and mortgages. A task force was commissioned by Tomkin County to look at Mortgages and Gas Drilling. Click here to read Task Force Report. After reading the report, it got us thinking about what a big issue this will most likely become for many of us living near gas drilling. No. 4 on the list was concerning.

4) Secondary Market requirements state (Freddie Mac guide 39.4 (m)) that lenders must warrant the following, each of which would not be possible with gas/oil leases in place. These leases restrict use of the property by the borrower and there is not reliable data to support what impact a gas lease has on value or marketability:
a. . ..must not interfere with the use and enjoyment of any present or proposed improvements on the mortgaged premises or with the use and enjoyment of the balance of the Mortgage Premises not occupied by improvements.
b. . ..must not affect the marketability of the Mortgaged Premises
c. . ..must have no or minimal effect on the value of the Mortgaged Premises
d. . ..must be commonly acceptable to private institutional Mortgage investors in the area ...
Banks could not warrant any of these issues due to lack or comparable sales and details regarding gas leases attached to other properties.

We can only assume that as time goes on that this could impact all of us on the shale. We spoke with local Real Estate Agents and they have started to see documents at closing in the last year where the seller has to sign an affidavit that states that the minerals are not leased and there is not drilling on the premises. This is a document coming from the lender. There is also concern among some of the local agents we spoke with that the mineral leases will impact the ability for a seller to sell their home given the reduced ability to get a mortgage on that property for a prospective buyer. This is not a good thing unless your mineral payments are greater than the value of your home or land you are selling. We already know that unless you own a large piece of property and have signed surface and mineral rights, the "mailbox money" is no where close to the value of your home. Even then, if you do not sell your mineral rights with your property, that would devalue the property for the future buyer. Also as seen in a previous post from last year, this issue has caused some lenders to refuse to finance or re-finance the property. We received info from one of our friends on the Marcellus Shale about property owners having difficulty with lenders financing properties that have surface and sub-surface gas drilling activity or existing mineral leases. Click here to read all about it.

Flower Mound Town Council to Discuss Oil & Gas and Pipeline Ordinances

2011-06-17T08:52:00.001-05:00

Monday, June 20th, the Town Council will review and discuss the draft Oil and Gas and Pipeline Ordinances/related Comparison Charts at their meeting. No items will be considered for adoption at this meeting. For more info the pipeline ordinance and the oil and gas ordinance, click here.

The Oil and Gas Advisory Board met for 6 months. In the beginning the meetings were twice a month and then moved to weekly meetings. A lot of great recommendations were submitted. The town recognizes that there is still some work to do. It is important the the residents continue to submit comments and ideas.

Titan waives the white flag and gives up on $350,000 in top-line Revenue in Lewisville.

2011-06-13T20:00:00.002-05:00

FMCAUD has been working with several other communities on gas drilling issues including Rule 37’s. In a recent case in Lewisville, a homeowner had filed a Rule 37 protest for the B & H (NE) Unit. Titan modified the permit with the RRC to shorten their well lateral by ~120’ (roughly equivalent to $350,000 in revenue at current market prices) in order to avoid a hearing with the RRC in Austin. In exchange for Titan not to drill directly under her property, this particular homeowner offered to negotiate for a waiver to forgo the hearing. Titan chose to not negotiate with this homeowner, citing FMCAUD’s likely action to contact other mineral owners in the area, even though a written agreement was subsequently offered not to take any additional action on this particular well.

What business would give up on sure revenue (and profit) and why? We have many theories, but we would like to hear yours.

No...the are not fracking on Hilliard.

2011-06-13T13:48:00.009-05:00

The rig on Hilliard is not for fracking. It is work-over rig on site doing routine gas well maintenance. For more info on Workover Rigs click here.

The town will be adding info on this to the Gas Well Status Report.

The rig will be on the Hilliard site for about a week.

Last week, Heath Consultants, were on site. From Heath's website:

We are a manufacturer and consulting firm that provides a variety of products and services for the utility protection and damage prevention markets. Heath Consultants Incorporated was founded in 1933, with an initial focus on leak detection for the natural gas industry.
Through the years, Heath has expanded its products and services with a goal of becoming the world leader in utility protection and damage prevention. From portable gas detectors, confined space monitors, pipe and cable locators, to water leak detection equipment, Heath provides leading edge products and instruments. Gas leak investigation and inspections, underground utility damage prevention, water accountability and training are among the specialties which make Heath Consultants an expert in utility services. Innovation and an active research and development team consisting of engineers and marketing experts keep up with the ever changing market demands to provide state-of-the-art services and products.

As of today, no fracking schedule has been submitted by Titan. No ruling has been handed down on the Rule 37 protests either.

Thinking of moving off the Barnett Shale……..

2011-06-13T13:10:00.003-05:00

We have put together a list States that currently have drilling activity, have had drilling activity in the past, about to have drilling, being looked at for drilling and have gas transmission pipelines running through them.

Why worry about the past? Communities sprout up all the time and some are in areas where some type of drilling or mining has happened many years before. Most people would want to know what went on before they got there.

Why worry about what is about to happen or what could happen? Just ask many of us in the Barnett Shale how important that question is. Most of us had no idea what was below us when we moved here.

List of States that currently have drilling or have had drilling:

Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, New York, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, West Virginia, Wyoming

States about to be hit by drilling

North Carolina.
http://reesenews.org/2011/06/06/nc-counties-could-face-natural-gas-drilling/16418/

South Carolina.
https://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=227969367215560#!/

States with gas and oil leases signed and being looked at but no drilling activity

Oregon and Washington State. http://www.blm.gov/or/landsrealty/oilandgas.php
“Thick basalt flows overlay the potential reservoirs, making exploration and development costly. With rising gas prices, advances in technology, and the lack of previous development, there has been a dramatic interest in oil and gas leases in Oregon and Washington in the past few years. Half of the revenue derived from leasing and royalties is returned to the state where the leases are located. Currently there are more than 300 federal leases representing about 500,000 acres in Oregon and Washington. There are currently no active oil and gas drilling or exploration sites in Oregon or Washington.”

Minnesota and Wisconsin. http://www.geo.umn.edu/mgs/rift_gas/explore.htm
This u-tube video explains why this area of Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Iowa has potential for drilling. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=07kmGZ4MTJE

Don’t count out under the Great Lakes. The United States largest fresh water resource. http://www.lrc.usace.army.mil/GrtLakes/OilGas/info.html

You can add the following states that have transmission pipelines, which would include the above states. Remember, where there is a pipeline, there will compressor stations.

Missouri and Georgia. http://www.spectraenergy.com/Operations/US-Transmission/Pipeline-Assets/Texas-Eastern-Transmission/

Virginia. http://www.spectraenergy.com/Operations/US-Transmission/Pipeline-Assets/East-Tennessee-Natural-Gas/

Watch where you move if you’re going to New Jersey, Delaware, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, and Connecticut. http://www.spectraenergy.com/Operations/US-Transmission/Pipeline-Assets/Algonquin-Gas-Transmission/

Include Maryland, New Hampshire and Maine. http://www.spectraenergy.com/Operations/US-Transmission/Pipeline-Assets/Maritimes-Northeast-Pipeline/

Add Illinois. Keystone brings hot, corrosive crude from the Tar Sands of Canada. This map also includes the new proposed Keystone XL route. http://www.transcanada.com/images/content/Pipeline_Projects/KeystoneXL_Map_hd.jpg

Plans for more pipelines. http://www.spectraenergy.com/Operations/New-Projects/

Natural Gas Storage

Natural gas is stored in two basic ways – compressed in tanks as liquefied natural gas (LNG) or in large underground storage facilities such as depleted gas wells, salt caverns or rock caverns, abandoned mines, and aquifers.

This map was as of 12/2007. The amount of gas storage has increased since this map. Texas alone has added gas storage facilities. http://www.eia.gov/pub/oil_gas/natural_gas/analysis_publications/ngpipeline/undrgrndstor_map.html

This is a good map of Williams Transco pipelines which shows gas storage areas as well. http://www.williams.com/docs/assetmap_gp.pdf

I think that leaves Vermont, who currently gets their natural gas from Canada and others. And Hawaii. I couldn’t find a map with their gas transmission pipelines but we have to assume they are present.

EPA Webinar June 15 - Guidance Development on Permitting the Use of Diesel Fuels in Hydraulic Fracturing

2011-06-06T17:38:00.000-05:00

EPA is hosting a public informational webinar on June 15, 2011, from 2:00 - 5:00 pm Eastern Daylight Time, to discuss and to solicit input on a guidance the Agency is developing to assist the Underground Injection Control Program in issuing permits for the use of diesel fuels in oil and gas hydraulic fracturing. The webinar is open to the public, and all interested stakeholders are invited to attend. Stakeholders interested in attending the webinar are invited to pre-register at this website, https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/854776506 at least three (3) days in advance. Pre-registering for the meeting will allow EPA to improve meeting planning.

The webinar will begin with a presentation by the EPA Office of Ground Water and Drinking Water on the Underground Injection Control program and possible approaches the Agency may recommend in a guidance for permitting the use of diesel fuels in hydraulic fracturing activities related to oil and natural gas extraction. EPA will answer questions and take comments submitted by webinar attendees for the remainder of the webinar.

Persons who are successfully registered for the webinar via the website, https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/854776506, may (1) submit questions and comments to EPA during the online registration process and during the webinar, or (2) submit written comments to mailto:thydraulic.fracturing@epa.gov by June 29, 2011. Due to time limits, EPA may not be able to answer every question submitted during the registration process and during the webinar. Persons wishing to contribute written comments to EPA regarding the development of permitting guidance for oil and gas hydraulic fracturing activities using diesel fuels may also send written comments mailto:hydraulic.fracturing@epa.gov with the words "Diesel Fuels Guidance Comments" in the subject line by June 29, 2011. EPA will not provide individual responses to written comments received by email.

For more information and registration link, please see http://www.epa.gov/hydraulicfracturing.

Gas well blow out injures one in Wise County

2011-06-06T15:35:00.000-05:00

At 9:00 am this morning, a gas well blew out in Decatur. One worker was transported to John Peter Smith Hospital via helicopter with a broken leg and possible head injuries. Customers in the Lowe's nearby said they felt shaking and heard a loud noise.

Click here for story in the Wise County Messenger.

This is the second incident in Wise County in a few days. This past weekend several thousand barrels of crude oil spilled at an Enterprise Products gathering site.

Two very good examples why gas and oil production should not be anywhere near where people live, work, go to school, and farm. This industry needs to be better regulated to insure the health and safety of all citizens of the shale.

Kids Speak: National Ad Campaign to Expose Impacts of Natural Gas Drilling

2011-06-05T11:12:00.000-05:00

Kids Speak: The National Ad Campaign to Expose Impacts of Natural Gas Drilling will allow many children living on gas patches across America to share their stories on living near gas production. ]

FRACKING: CHILDREN'S VOICES FROM ACROSS THE NATION

For more on the video submission guidelines, go to the link on TXSharon's site.

Texas Railroad Commission Gets One Right

2011-06-02T21:18:00.001-05:00

Texas Railroad Commission Examiner rules against Chesapeake Operating. Here is a PFD (Proposal for Decision) against Chesapeake Operating which denies a Rule 37 request for two cases. The denial is due to a lack of legal notice as determined by a RRC Legal Examiner. In this particular case, there were several possible protestants who could not be reached via snail mail. Procedure in this case is to notify the parties involved via a “newspaper of general circulation.” Chesapeake chose the “Forth Worth Commercial Recorder”. After all, who DOESN’T get the Ft. Worth Commercial Recorder? In short, the legal examiner determined that this publication was not legally sufficient as notice. The examiner goes on to cite case law in Texas to justify his opinion and even mentions the 14th Amendment (due process). We would also suggest consulting the 5th Amendment of the Bill of Rights, specifically the taking of private property without just compensation, something routinely done during Rule 37 rulings.

While the Commissioners themselves may well reverse this examiners opinion, or Chesapeake may simply be allowed to post notification in an appropriate newspaper, we applaud the Commission examiner for his well researched opinion. It has never been the intent of FMCAUD to “stick it to anyone”, but we do expect fair (that means industry has to lose a few now and then) and honest hearings in Austin when private property is at stake. Just maybe, this is a start.

TAKE ACTION NOW Urgent: SB 875......it's back!

2011-05-25T22:07:00.001-05:00

Sharon Wilson posted an action alert for SB875. Demand our elected officials protect the citizens of Texas not the oil & gas companies.
Click here for more info and to take action NOW.

Here is Texas Legislative Member info links.
House
http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/MnuHouse.aspx

Senate
http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/MnuSenate.aspx

UPDATE: Williams vs. Flower Mound – Round 3

2011-05-19T09:56:00.001-05:00

We have been told the Town will be protesting the Rule 37. Thanks to Council Member Filidoro for speaking with us on the phone this morning.

First it was a CCF, then a pipeline easement. Learning nothing from the first two engagements, Williams is now attempting to steal minerals from the Town of Flower Mound. Williams has applied for a Rule 37 on Town owned property near the water treatment plan, Town Fleet Service Center, and Bakersfield Park. The proposed well will be drilled from Williams “Ace” pad site, which is located in Lewisville.

A protest from the Town of Flower Mound and the associated hearing at the Railroad Commission in Austin is likely. Due to severe budget constraints at the RRC, no retiring staff or open positions are currently being filled, causing a backlog of work for the resource starved regulatory agency.

If a protest is filed by the Town of Flower Mound, Williams will have 3 choices.

1) Abandon the well.
2) Proceed with a hearing in Austin.
3) Shorten their well lateral to not encroach on Town owned minerals

Option 1 is unlikely. Option 2 means more bad press for Williams in Flower Mound. Option 3 is the most likely as it allows them to drill the lion share of their proposed lateral run and avoid the bad press which will likely ensue if they move forward with the Rule 37.

The Town has until June 1st, Close-of-Business to file a protest, otherwise the application will be approved administratively by the Texas Railroad Commission.

Williams fracking schedule for June and July

2011-05-19T09:39:00.000-05:00

Williams will be fracking 10 wells on the Cummings site during the months of June and July. This location is located north of 1171 and east of Red Rock Lane in West Flower Mound. For those of you who are chemically sensitive beware and watch the wind direction. Those with respiratory problems get your inhalers ready!

Click here for the schedule.

Southlake...we feel your pain.

2011-05-18T10:41:00.000-05:00

Things seem to be heating up in Southlake. Without any current well sites to visualize or experience the real impact of drilling nears homes, schools, and business, some people just don't "get it". There is a group of pro drilling residents that want Southlake to ease up on safe drilling practices. Some people just want their "mailbox money" without carefully looking at the issues related to gas drilling.

Most people won't hire a contractor to do work at their home that did not use the best practices. So why do so many allow gas companies to come and drill and because they get a check they don't demand accountablilty? Why for a few dollars would they not want all precautions to be taken for the safety and health of their families along with the protection of one of their most important assets....their home?

Money doesn't talk, it swears. --Bob Dylan

Click here to read the story in the Star Telegram

"Who can be against clean air?"

2011-05-18T07:28:00.000-05:00

Our very own Al Filidoro said it at the recent Town Council Meeting. Here is an article from Downwinders at Risk about the cities that have adopted the Fair Share Plan resolution. Flower Mound approved a resolution Monday night and Southlake discussed it last night. Southlake will put it to a vote on June 7th.

Click here for the article.

News from Flower Mound Council

2011-05-17T09:48:00.000-05:00

Last night the Flower Mound Town Council continued their commitment to protecting the residents of Flower Mound. They unanimously approved a resolution for the Fair Share For Clean Air. Flower Mound will join Dish and Dallas County. Tonight the Southlake Town Council will consider a resolution as well.

In addition to the Fair Share Plan resolution, the council approved to renew their contract with Solutions for Local Control, LLC, for legislative consulting services from June 1, 2011, through June 1, 2013, and ratify payments made to date for the 82nd legislative session. All council members were in favor. Solutions for Local Control has been working very hard with the Mayor and Council on this legislative session.

A special thanks to Jim Schermbeck for coming out last night to talk about the Fair Share For Clean Air. He is committed to all of us having clean air!

Flower Mound Moving Forward. Fair Share For Clean Air Plan

2011-05-16T11:04:00.000-05:00

This is a reminder of the Flower Mound Town Council Meeting tonight. The Flower Mound Town Council will consider approval of a resolution for the Downwinders At Risk Fair Share For Clean Air Plan.

The State of Texas must submit a new clean air plan by the end of 2011. TCEQ has made some cuts but still needs to cut over 140 tons of VOC's per day. The Fair Share for Clean Air asks the TCEQ to look at the gas drilling industry to cut the additional VOC's needed.

Click here for more info.

Flower Mound Election Results

2011-05-14T23:04:00.000-05:00

Place 1
Kendra Stephenson 1,268 50.82%
Jeff Whittaker           1,227 49.18%

Place 3
Mark Wise          1892 93.62%
Elwood Leonard    129   6.38%

Place 5
Tom Hayden

Congratulations to the winning candidates

DFW Fair Share Plan Resolution On Agenda For Flower Mound

2011-05-13T19:36:00.000-05:00

Monday night, the Flower Mound Town Council will consider approval of a resolution for the Downwinders At Risk Fair Share For Clean Air Plan.

The State of Texas must submit a new clean air plan by the end of 2011. TCEQ has made some cuts but still needs to cut over 140 tons of VOC's per day. The Fair Share for Clean Air asks the TCEQ to look at the gas drilling industry to cut the additional VOC's needed.

Click here for Peggy Heinkel-Wolfe's article in the Denton Record Chronicle.

Click here for the Flower Mound Town Council Agenda.

Some Friday Evening Fracking Funk

2011-05-13T12:48:00.000-05:00

Legislative Session Dates of Interest

2011-05-13T12:38:00.000-05:00

Monday, May 9, 2011 (119th day) Last day for house committees to report house bills and house joint resolutions [relates to House Rule 6, Sec. 16(a), requiring 36-hour layout of daily calendars prior to consideration, and House Rule 8, Sec. 13(b), the deadline for consideration]

Tuesday, May 10, 2011 (120th day) Deadline for house to distribute last House Daily Calendar with nonlocal house bills and joint resolutions [relates to House Rule 6, Sec. 16(a), requiring 36-hour layout of daily calendars prior to consideration]

Wednesday, May 11, 2011 (121st day) Deadline for house to distribute last House Local and Consent Calendar with consent house bills [relates to House Rule 6, Sec. 13, requiring 48-hour layout of local and consent calendars prior to consideration]

Thursday, May 12, 2011 (122nd day) Last day for house to consider non local house bills and joint resolutions on second reading [House Rule 8, Sec. 13(b)]

Friday, May 13, 2011 (123rd day) Last day for house to consider non local house bills and joint resolutions on third reading and to consider consent house bills on second and third reading [House Rule 8, Sec. 13(b)]

Wednesday, May 18, 2011 (128th day) Deadline for house to distribute last House Local and Consent Calendar with local house bills [relates to House Rule 6, Sec. 13, requiring 48-hour layout of local and consent calendars prior to consideration]

Friday, May 20, 2011 (130th day) Last day for house to consider local house bills [House Rule 8, Sec. 13(a)] First day senate can consider bills and resolutions the first day they are posted on the Intent Calendar [Senate Rules 5.14(b)]

Saturday, May 21, 2011 (131st day) Last day for house committees to report senate bills and senate joint resolutions [relates to House Rule 6, Sec. 16(a), requiring 36-hour layout of daily calendars prior to consideration, and House Rule 8, Sec. 13(c), the deadline for consideration]

Sunday, May 22, 2011 (132nd day) Deadline for house to distribute last House Daily Calendar with senate bills and joint resolutions [relates to House Rule 6, Sec. 16(a), requiring 36-hour layout of daily calendars prior to consideration]

Monday, May 23, 2011 (133rd day) Deadline for house to distribute last House Local and Consent Calendar with senate bills [relates to House Rule 6, Sec. 13, requiring 48-hour layout of local and consent calendars prior to consideration]

Tuesday, May 24, 2011 (134th day) Last day for house to consider senate bills and joint resolutions, other than local and consent, on second reading [House Rule 8, Sec. 13(c)]

Wednesday, May 25, 2011 (135th day) Last day for house to consider local and consent senate bills on second reading or any senate bills or joint resolutions on third reading [House Rule 8, Sec. 13(c)] Last day for senate to consider any bills or joint resolutions on third reading [Senate Rule 7.25; Senate Rule 10.01 subjects joint resolutions to the rules governing proceedings on bills]

Thursday, May 26, 2011 (136th day) Midnight deadline for house to print and distribute senate amendments [relates to House Rule 13, Sec. 5(a), requiring 24-hour layout of senate amendments prior to consideration]

Friday, May 27, 2011 (137th day) Last day for house to consider senate amendments [House Rule 8, Sec. 13(d)] Midnight deadline for senate to print and distribute senate copies of conference committee reports on tax, general appropriations, and reapportionment bills [relates to Senate Rule 12.09(a), requiring 48-hour layout of certain conference committee reports in regular session] Last day for senate committees to report all bills and joint resolutions [relates to Senate Rule 7.24(b), but note that the 135th day (two days earlier) is the last day for third reading in the senate; practical deadline for senate committees is before the 135th day; Senate Rule 10.01 subjects joint resolutions to the rules governing proceedings on bills]

Saturday, May 28, 2011 (138th day) Midnight deadline for house to distribute house copies of all conference committee reports [relates to House Rule 13, Sec. 10(a), requiring 24-hour layout of all conference committee reports] Midnight deadline for senate to print and distribute all conference committee reports other than those on tax, general appropriations, and reapportionment bills and all house amendments to senate bills and joint resolutions that did not go to a conference committee [relates to Senate Rule 12.09(b) and Senate Rule 7.21, requiring 24-hour layout of certain conference committee reports and house amendments to senate bills during the last 72 hours of a regular session; Senate Rule 10.01 subjects joint resolutions to the rules governing proceedings on bills]

Sunday, May 29, 2011 (139th day) Last day for house to adopt conference committee reports [House Rule 8, Sec. 13(e)] Last day for senate to concur in house amendments or adopt conference committee reports [relates to Senate Rule 7.25, limiting a vote on the passage of any bill during the last 24 hours of the session to correct an error in the bill]

Monday, May 30, 2011 (140th day) Last day of 82nd Regular Session; corrections onlyin house and senate [Sec. 24(b), Art. III, Texas Constitution]

Session Ends

Sunday, June 19, 2011 (20th day following final adjournment) Last day governor can sign or veto bills passed during theregular legislative session [Sec. 14, Art. IV, Texas Constitution]
Monday, August 29, 2011 (91st day following final adjournment) Date that bills without specific effective dates (that could notbe effective immediately) become law [Sec. 39, Art. III, Texas Constitution]

Monday, August 29, 2011 (91st day following final adjournment) Date that bills without specific effective dates (that could not be effective immediately) become law [Sec. 39, Art. III, Texas Constitution]

Click here for pdf of Session Dates of Interest

UPDATE ON HB 3105

2011-05-11T17:23:00.004-05:00

News from Austin is claiming HB 3105 didn't make it out of the House Calendar Committee to be heard on the house floor. This is great news but we must not stop watching this bill as it could be attached as an amendment to another bill.

When we get an idea of what bills HB 3105 could be attached to, we will share the information.

Don't let your guard down yet........

Click here to read more about HB 3105.

CAMPAIGN AGAINST HB 3105 AND SB875

2011-05-10T08:07:00.014-05:00

When a town puts together an Oil and Gas ordinance, they should have every right to enforce it without the threat of being sued by big money oil and gas.

If a city ordinance prohibits the drilling of an oil or gas well within a certain distance of a home or school, a landowner could bring a claim under the bill. The city would then have three choices: (1) pay the landowner for the money he thinks he could have made from the well; (2) waive the regulation and allow a gas well in the playground of a school or in your backyard; or (3) pay attorneys to litigate the claim. This type of law is commonly known as a “pay or waive” law.

House Committee on Calendars (C050)
Clerk: Jennifer Welch

Legislature: 82(R) - 2011
Phone: (512) 463-0758

Appointment Date: 1/24/2011
Room: EXT E2.148

Position Member

Chair:
Rep. Todd Hunter - Todd.Hunter@house.state.tx.us

Vice Chair:
Rep. Dennis Bonnen -

Dennis.Bonnen@house.state.tx.us

Members:
Rep. Dan Branch - Dan.Branch@house.state.tx.us

Rep. Garnet Coleman -

mailto:Garnet.Coleman@house.state.tx.us

Rep. Byron Cook - Byron.Cook@house.state.tx.us

Rep. Charlie Geren -

mailto:Charlie.Geren@house.state.tx.us

Rep. Jim Keffer - James.Keffer@house.state.tx.us

Rep. Tracy O. King -

Tracy.King@house.state.tx.us

Rep. Lois W. Kolkhorst - Lois.Kolkhorst@house.state.tx.us

Rep. Eddie Lucio III -

Eddie.Lucio@house.state.tx.us

Rep. Allan Ritter - Allan.Ritter@house.state.tx.us

Rep. Eddie Rodriguez -

Eddie.Rodriguez@house.state.tx.us

Rep. Burt R. Solomons - Burt.Solomons@house.state.tx.us

Rep. Vicki Truitt -

Vicki.Truitt@house.state.tx.us

Rep. John Zerwas - John.Zerwas@house.state.tx.us

Jennifer Welch - Jennifer.Welch_hc@house.state.tx.us

It’s current status: It left the House Environmental Committee May 5th, but as of Saturday has not arrived at the House calendars. Here are some points to strees during calls.

Include opposition to SB 875, the amendment to the water code that one that gives a free pass to pollution.

The testimony in Austin by Mr. Morris re. Red Oak/Riverwalk – 12 variances and what they were plus Timbercreek Elementary – how irresponsible it would have been to have allowed it – esp. 300’ from the hospital right on flood plain to a major tributary into the Trinity River.

Dallas’s & Houston’s drinking water reservoirs as examples.

One of the best arguments seems to possibly be how it left the committee – without being placed on the agenda.

Depression of Property Values would be increased and become statewide -- is a great and very real argument because that would have HUGE fiscal impact to the state, county and local govt. that the TX Municipal League did not address.

Fiscal impact to administration of court systems – local, state and federal

Fiscal impact to health care costs –lack of control will lead to irresponsible drilling practices, more emissions, accidents and spills near homes, schools, environmentally sensitive areas.

Unpopular with the vast majority of residents, especially since it may extend to right to regulate other businesses

Unconstitutional -- since it places right to gather minerals above rights to clean air, water, soil, safe and orderly environment which is opposite to prior court rulings over almost the last 100 years.

Click here for more info on HB 3105

No retirement package for this former gas executive

2011-05-06T11:45:00.002-05:00

Sheffield Nelson, the former CEO of the Arkansas Louisiana Gas Company is calling for a halt to hydraulic fracturing near lakes, rivers and streams in the State of Arkansas.

It does restore a very tiny bit of faith that there may be industry people out there that have a conscience. The Gas and Oil industry knows hydraulic fracturing is bad, really bad. Do you think any executives will speak up for the citizens of the shale here in Texas? Don't hold your breath! Even if they did, our elected officials down in Austin wouldn't listen. Their campaign funds have given them selective hearing.

Click here to read the story.

Don't Forget to Vote!!

2011-05-02T21:58:00.006-05:00

Early voting has started at the Flower Mound Police and Court Building.

Tuesday May 3rd through Saturday May 7th, 8:00 am - 5:00 pm.
Monday May 9th and Tuesday May 10th, 7:00 am - 7:00 pm.
Election day, Saturday, May 14th, 7:00 am to 7 pm

Flower Mound Place 1

Jeff Whittaker website
Kendra Stephenson website

Flower Mound Place 3

Mark Wise website
Elwood Leonard (write in candidate)

Flower Mound Place 5

Tom Hayden

LISD School Board Trustee Election
Place 6

Mike McDaniel
Amber Fulton

Click here for The Dallas Morning News voters guide info

Place 7

Carol Kyer
Reginald Johnson

Click here for the Dallas Morning News voters guide info

Congratulations to Sharon Wilson!

2011-05-02T10:09:00.003-05:00

Leading oil and gas reform organization expands presence in Gulf Region

Durango, CO, May 2nd --"We are very pleased to announce Texas Sharon as our Gulf Region Organizer, said Gwen Lachelt, Director and Founder of EARTHWORKS' Oil & Gas Accountability Project. Beginning today, Sharon Wilson, aka "Texas Sharon," the prolific and much-respected Bluedaze blogger, becomes a full-time organizer for the nation's leading oil and gas reform organization.

Ms. Wilson will lead the organization's campaign work in Texas, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama. "The Gulf Region Organizer position represents a milestone for us and we are honored to be adding our voice and expertise to the citizens' movement to reform gas drilling practices in this region", Lachelt stated.

Sharon Wilson is considered the leading citizen expert in the Texas Barnett Shale and the go-to person whether it's top EPA officials from D.C., major national news networks and national environmental organizations wanting an educational tour, or residents facing the shock of eminent domain and the devastating environmental effects of natural gas development in their backyards.

Sharon spent years educating others about environmental damage caused from weak regulation and lax enforcement before joining forces with the Oil and Gas Accountability Project (OGAP). She worked with the Texas OGAP steering committee for several months to write Drill-Right Texas: Best Oil and Gas Accountability Practices for Texas. Sharon joined OGAP as the part-time Texas organizer in January 2010. She helped neighborhoods all across the Barnett Shale organize and fight for drilling moratoria until city ordinances were updated. Working with impacted communities, she developed case studies of health impacts and presented those to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in North Carolina and then in D.C. These case studies were expanded and compiled with additional information in OGAP's latest report, Flowback: How the Texas Natural Gas Boom Affects Health and Safety.

EARTHWORKS' nationally-recognized Oil & Gas Accountability Project was created in 1999 to work with communities to prevent and reduce the impacts caused by energy development. In its first decade, OGAP boldly challenged the notion that natural gas is clean energy by exposing the industry practice of hydraulic fracturing, the widespread use of toxic drilling chemicals and the oil and gas industry's sweeping exemptions from U.S. environmental laws. OGAP has built a national network of diverse organizations addressing drilling issues and has pushed for the passage of precedent-setting laws and regulations protecting landowner rights, special places and public health from Alaska to New Mexico and beyond. OGAP's 2005 publication, Oil and Gas at Your Door? A Landowner's Guide to Oil and Gas Development, is considered the preeminent resource for landowners and communities facing drilling in their backyards.

"Conventional and newer shale gas drilling has a black eye in Texas and throughout the Gulf Region because it fails to respect communities and the environment," said Wilson. "My charge is to help reform state oil and gas regulations, educate and support impacted communities and promote EARTHWORKS' federal reform agenda which includes passing the FRAC Act to remove the exemption of fracturing from the Safe Drinking Water Act and achieve full disclosure of the chemicals used in drilling and fracturing fluids," Wilson stated.

"Sharon has the combination of skills, experience and energy to build on our great success working with communities to prevent and minimize the impacts caused by energy development, said Lachelt. "We are delighted that she is joining our team."

Before her organizing career, Wilson worked for the oil and gas industry for twelve years.

Update on HB 3105

2011-04-28T09:20:00.002-05:00

HB 3105 is on the move. Read the post below and then contact your elected officials NOW!!

Mayor Northern will be traveling to Austin to speak without legislators.
She will be happy to hand carry your letters and present them. You can drop them off at Town Hall until 11:00am, Monday, May 2nd.

Note, if you are a mineral owner it is important to say that when writing you opposition letter.

HB 3105 Bad Bad Bad!

2011-04-28T05:20:00.011-05:00

When a town puts together an Oil and Gas ordinance, they should have every right to enforce it without the threat of being sued by big money oil and gas.

Remember the bill introduced last legislative session of 2009 trying to make it very costly and difficult for local government to rule where and how drilling is done in their towns? Oil and Gas spent "mucho money" lobbying for the bill to be passed and are spending big bucks again. This time the bill is HB 3105.

If a city ordinance prohibits the drilling of an oil or gas well within a certain distance of a home or school, a landowner could bring a claim under the bill. The city would then have three choices: (1) pay the landowner for the money he thinks he could have made from the well; (2) waive the regulation and allow a gas well in the playground of a school or in your backyard; or (3) pay attorneys to litigate the claim. This type of law is commonly known as a “pay or waive” law.

Roy Morris, a local attorney, owner of Founders Square, the southwest corner of 2499 and 3040,and the now bankrupt River Walk Property, testified in favor of the HB 2110 back in 2009 and just recently in favor of HB 3105. Both times he let it be known that Flower Mound is the reason for the bill. Thankfully HB 2110 died on the floor. Let's pray that HB 3105 dies as well.

Red Oak, Morris and his partners in River Walk sued the town of Flower Mound and its Oil and Gas Board of Appeals over denial of gas drilling variances in June of 2008. In August of 2009, the case was dismissed by Judge Carmen Rivera-Worley of the 16th Judicial District Court of Denton County. Our Oil and Gas Ordinance held up in court!!! This is why those in favor HB 3105 are working so hard to get this bill passed.

Click here to watch the video.
Mr. Morris testifies at about 4:41 into the video. Keep watching and you will see Mayor Northern and Dish Mayor Tillman testimonies against the bill. In the early part of the video, Mayor Northern testified in support of HB 3792,authored by Rep. Burnam, Municipal Authority to Regulate Gas Pipelines Located within the Municipality.

Click here to take action against HB 3105

How long is long distance?

2011-04-26T10:38:00.010-05:00

There has been much talk about long distant horizontal drilling lately. At this time, long distance drilling is suggested for areas surrounded by more rural space. OGAP has referenced this type of drilling in their best practices. On this OGAP page, they use La Plata County in Colorado as a example. La Plata County is a very rural area.

We have closely clustered communities in this area. With over 60,000 people here in Flower Mound and over 650,000 in Denton County, long distance drilling of laterals longer than 3000' to 5000' would be a huge challenge. Here are a few maps. One of Flower Mound and rural North Texas.

A picture is worth a thousand words.

Flower Mound

Rural North Texas

Flower Mound Candidate Events and Forums

2011-04-25T09:50:00.003-05:00

Flower Mound Town Council Candidate Forum
The Flower Mound Seniors In Motion Program Advisory Board will host a Town Council Candidate Forum at 12:30 p.m. on April 26 in the Community Activity Center, 1200 Gerault Road. The forum will focus on questions related to Flower Mound senior citizens. The event is free and open to the public. Lunch will be served at 12 p.m. for a fee of $4. Please RSVP to SIM Advisory Board President Bill House at 972.539.4282 by Monday, April 25.

LISD School Board Candidates
The Lewisville Task Force will be hosting a candidate meet & greet on April 26th at 6:30 pm at the new Arts Center in downtown Lewisville. Each candidate will be given 5 minutes to give their platform and 5 minutes to field questions from the audience. The last 30 minutes will be mingling with the candidates and attendees.

Info on candidates for Flower Mound Council Place 1

2011-04-23T16:44:00.004-05:00

Here are some links for the Flower Mound Council Place 1 candidates.
Click here for the Dallas Morning News Voters Guide.

Jeff Whittaker website: http://www.electjeffw.com/
Jeff Whittaker Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Jeffrey-Whittaker-For-Flower-Mound-Town-Council/198560690162841

Kendra Stephenson website: http://www.kendraforfm.com/
Kendra Stephenson Facebook page:
http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Kendra-Stephenson-For-Flower-Mound-Town-Council-Place-1/136512356418603?sk=info

Interesting Map of Areas with Fracking

2011-04-18T12:18:00.002-05:00

This is a great map of fracking across the United States. It shows a few accidents or issues with fracking. Click here for the article.

Legislative Update for bills the Town of Flower Mound is monitoring

2011-04-08T17:17:00.005-05:00

The 82nd legislative session in Austin is in full speed. This time around there are many bills that relate to the Oil and Gas industry. Some will have positive impacts if passed and some will have negative impacts if passed.

Many may not know that our Mayor Melissa Northern and the Town Council is working hard supporting the good bills and lobbying against the bad bills. Mayor Northern has made countless trips to Austin this session and met with a number of legislators including Senator Nelson, Senator Harris, Rep Parker and Rep Keffer.

Rep Keffer is the author of the HB 3105. HB 3105 would make a city regulation that damages, destroys, impairs, or prohibits development of a mineral interest subject to the Private Real Property Rights Preservation Act. Basically give the gas companies and mineral owners a green light to sue if they don't get their way. Even if they are not in compliance with city ordinances. What would most likely happen is municipalities would waive the regulations and allow a gas well in the playground of a school or in your backyard to avoid costly litigation. Mayor Northern testified against HB 3105 in front of the Energy Resource Committee. This bill is the ugly offspring of HB 2110 that was authored by Rep Hughes back in the 2009 81st legislative session. Click here for information on the fiscal impact HB 3105 on municipalities.

A Flower Mound citizen, developer, and lawyer, Roy Morris, testified in favor of this bill. Some may know him as one of the bankrupted River Walk partners. Although he may not have a stake in the surface rights of River Walk anymore, Mr. Morris made it clear he still owns the minerals under the River Walk property. Roy Morris supported and testified for HB 2110 in 2009. Mr. Morris is pushing for this bill to pass.

Click here to watch the video. Mr. Morris testifies at about 4:41 into the video. Keep watching and you will see Mayor Northern and Dish Mayor Tillman testimonies against the bill. In the early part of the video, Mayor Northern testified in support of HB 3792,authored by Rep. Burnam, Municipal Authority to Regulate Gas Pipelines Located within the Municipality.

Some Bills Mayor Northern and Flower Mound Town Council are supporting, opposing or monitoring are the following:

SB 18 authored by Senator Estes, Eminent Domain – allows eminent domain authority for private entities. The town sent a letter in opposition.

SB 527 authored by Senators Nelson, Harris, Fraser, Estes, Shapiro & West. Installation of 20 Air Monitors in North Texas. The town sent a letter in support.

SB 655 authored by Senator Heger. Creation of the Texas Oil & Gas Commission (and Abolition of Railroad Commission). The town is monitoring this bill.

SB 875 authored by Senator Fraser. Would take away a Texan’s right to sue a company for “nuisance” or “trespass” resulting from greenhouse gas emissions. the town is monitoring this bill.

SB 1293 authored by Senator Heger. Pipeline Safety – doubling penalties for violations relating to certain pipelines. The town is in support of this bill.

HB 279 authored by Reps. Geren, Schwertner,Zerwas, Orr & Sheffield. Eminent Domain – Companion to SB 18. The town is opposed to this bill.

HB 1145 authored by Reps. Parker, Geren & Nash. Funding for Air Monitors – Companion to SB 527. The town sent a letter in support.

HB 2125 authored by Rep Parker. Gas Well Inspections – Increased priority for Counties with population of 650,000+. Resolution in Support Adopted 3/21.

HB 2126 authored by Rep Parker. Doubling Penalties – for violations in urban natural gas producing counties. Resolution in Support Adopted 3/21.

HB 3105 authored by Rep Keffer. Private Real Property Rights Preservation Act – applying to certain governmental actions. Mayor Northern testified against the bill at hearing on 4/06. Resolution in Opposition Adopted 3/21. Letters and Resolution Sent to Members of Energy Resources Committee 3/25.

HB 3328 authored by Rep Keffer. Disclosure of Composition of Hydraulic Fracturing Fluids. The town is monitoring this bill.

HB 3792 authored by Rep. Burnam. Municipal Authority to Regulate Gas Pipelines Located within the Municipality. Mayor Northern testified in support of the bill at hearing on 4/06.

HJR 56 suthored by Rep. Solomans. Proposing a Constitutional Amendment to Restrict the Power of the Legislature to Mandate Requirements on Local Govts. Resolution in Support Adopted 3/07. Letters and Resolution Sent to Legislators 3/21.

Click here for more legislative info from the Town of Flower Mound website.

If there are amendments made to the above bills, the town may change their position on the bills.

LISD School Board Candidate Forum and Meet and Greet

2011-04-08T08:11:00.007-05:00

Here are two chances for you to get to know the LISD School Board Candidates.

LISD School Board Candidate Forum

Lewisville ISD Council of PTA's will host school board candidates on Thursday, April 22nd in the LISD Student Services Building at 400 W. Main St. in Old Town Lewisville. Submit questions for the candidates by email to cinnamon96003@yahoo.com

LISD Board Candidate Meet and Greet

The Lewisville Task Force will be hosting a candidate meet & greet on April 26th at 6:30 pm at the new Arts Center in downtown Lewisville. Each candidate will be given 5 minutes to give their platform and 5 minutes to field questions from the audience. The last 30 minutes will be mingling with the candidates and attendees.

It is that time of year again....Elections!

2011-04-07T09:09:00.011-05:00

Spring is here, time to plant flowers, clean out your closets, make plans for the summer and of course decide who you are going to vote for. Political season in Flower Mound has been a bit stormy in the past. Just like the weather this time of year. This time it is a little different.

Tom Hayden is running unopposed for Place 5. We supported Tom and always will. Tom has worked very hard to make Flower Mound a great place to live. He truly listens to the citizens, goes out of his way to educate himself on important issues and is not afraid to stand up for what he believes is best for the residents.

Mark Wise is running for Place 3. Mark has served on the Oil and Gas Board of Appeals and Board of Adjustment. He is also a board member of the Summit Club of Flower Mound where he serves as Board Secretary. He is a Systems Engineer with Cisco Systems. He has a degree in Specialized Technology in Computers and Electronics, Electronics Institute. His opponent, Elwood Leonard is running as a write in candidate.

Place 1 is an interesting race this year. Two great candidates are running. Kendra Stephenson and Jeff Whittaker. Both candidates have served our town and community by being on boards and commissions.

Kendra has served the community by being on the Flower Mound Board of Adjustments and Oil and Gas Board of Appeals, served two years as a court-appointed special advocate in Denton County for foster children, and was on the McKamy Sanctuary Home Owners Association Board, including two years as the board’s president. Kendra has 20 years of accounting, finance and business strategy with Fortune 500 companies and a MBA - University of Chicago (Marketing and strategy).

Jeff has served as a member of the Flower Mound Chamber of Commerce, the Flower Planning and Zoning, the Flower Mound Board of Governors Texas Health Resources Presbyterian Hospital of Flower Mound, was a Board Member Friends of the Flower Mound Public Library, and was a Mentor and Advisor Communities in Schools of North Texas. Jeff is a Certified Public Accountant and Financial Planner. He received a Master of Business Administration from the University of Dallas.

It would be impossible for us to endorse just one of these candidates for Place 1. They have worked hard for better drilling practices, an issue obviously near and dear to our hearts on this blog. What we do suggest is do your own research on both Kendra and Jeff. Both are very accessible and care about what the residents think. Then on May 14th, you decide who will serve Flower Mound better in Place 1.

Kendra Stephenson website

Mark Wise website

Jeff Whittaker website

Take Action Against HB 3105

2011-04-04T13:25:00.007-05:00

H.B. 3105 (Keffer) - Regulatory Takings/Oil and Gas would make a city regulation that damages, destroys, impairs, or prohibits development of a mineral interest subject to the Private Real Property Rights Preservation Act, which would:

(1) waive sovereign immunity to suit and liability for a regulatory taking;

(2) authorize a private real property owner to bring suit to determine whether the governmental action of a city results in a taking;

(3) require a city to prepare a "takings impact assessment" prior to imposing certain regulations; and

(4) require a city to post 30-days notice of the adoption of most regulations prior to adoption.

It has been set for a hearing on WEDNESDAY, March 6, at 2:00 p.m. (or on adjournment of the House) in the House Energy Resources Committee. Please contact your legislators and the members of the committee (the chair is the author) to express your opposition. http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/Committees/MembershipCmte.aspx?LegSess=82R&CmteCode=C250

Click here for a sample letter to send to the committee.

Click here for text on HB 3105.

Flower Mound to hold Community Meetings for Oil and Gas Ordinance

2011-04-04T00:57:00.000-05:00

The Town of Flower Mound will host community meetings to solicit public comment regarding the items from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. on April 7 at the Central Fire Station, 3838 Forums Drive, and from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. on April 12 at Fire Station No. 2, 4401 Shiloh Road. For additional information, please call 972.874.6354

BILL ALERT!!!! SB 875 Is On The Move!!!!

2011-03-18T19:02:00.004-05:00

Now is the time to let Austin know that this is a bad bill for the citizen's of Texas. The bill is on the move. The bill is scheduled for a public hearing on Tuesday, March 22, 2011.

Click here to see the history on this bill.

Take Action Now!!

Click here to go to the previous post with information on this SB 875 and how to contact Austin.

Rule 37 Action Alert from TXOGAP

2011-03-18T18:47:00.003-05:00

The Texas Railroad Commission is in the process of amending the Rule 37 exception. Of course the amendments will not be favorable for the average citizen but as usual, benefit the Gas and Oil Industry

As the rule stands today, the Texas Railroad Commission must notify you when the Gas or Oil Company files for the Rule 37 and before the Rule 37 is granted. The property owner affected by the Rule 37 has the right to a hearing. This new amendment may allow the TRC to administratively approve the exception, allow the drilling company to put everything in motion and then allow you a hearing.

It has tentatively approved a change to Rule 37 that would allow a driller to take your minerals, without your consent or payment, so long as they notify you after the fact.

All comments on the proposal may be submitted to Rules Coordinator, Office of General Counsel,Railroad Commission of Texas, P.O. Box 12967, Austin, Texas 78711-2967; online atwww.rrc.state.tx.us/rules/commentform.php; or by electronic mail to rulescoordinator@rrc.state.tx.us.Comments should refer to O&G Docket No. 20-0268564, and will be accepted until 12:00 p.m. (noon) on March 22, 2011.

Click here to take action.

Earthworks Oil and Gas Accountablity Project Facebook Page

2011-03-15T08:40:00.002-05:00

For up to the minute info on gas drilling related issues, follow the OGAP on facebook.

Click here to go to the facebook page.

ATTENTION!!! Urgent message about SB 875 and your PROPERTY RIGHTS

2011-03-09T09:43:00.004-06:00

Only 148 people have taken this action so far. Please put this action on your blogs and your Facebook pages. Please forward to every Texan you know.

We need 10,000 people to take this action! http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/o/676/p/dia/action/public/?action_KEY=6101&tag=TXOGAPemail

This bill will effect the entire state of Texas! You need to understand that this bill means you will have NO RECOURSE against trespass onto your property of pollution--air, water, spills and underground trespass--from natural gas drilling, coal plants, mining, cement plants or any other industry. NO RECOURSE, folks! Any industry that is operating under a permit gets a pass under this bill.

Don't let Troy Fraser and his corporate croniestrample your property rights!
Tell your TX state senator to block SB 875
State senator Troy Fraser, chair of the Senate Committee on Natural Resources and renowned champion of corporate interests, recently introduced his latest bad idea, SB 875.

TAKE ACTION
Click here to tell the Texas Senate Natural Resources Committee to stop SB 875
In a nutshell: SB 875 allows Texas state permit holders to trample on your property rights
A permit -- for gas drilling, or anything else -- is supposed to make the permit-holder behave responsibly.

SB 875 turns that on its head – it makes a permit a “get out of jail free” card. No matter what the gas driller (or other permit holder) does -- if they’re holding a government permit, they can’t be held accountable under Texas nuisance law. If SB 875 becomes law, that is.

Pollution from industry can trespass onto your property all day and night, pollute it, make your family sick, kill your livestock, and industry only has to say “I was just following my permit or rule.”

TAKE ACTION: Tell the members of the Texas Senate Natural Resources Committee: protect our property rights, oppose SB 875!
Instructions:

Go to the action page.
Go to page bottom and enter your zip code so the system can find your Senator.
Read the sample letter that appears and edit it if possible.
Customized letters have greater impact.
Click "Send My Message" to fax your letter to our member of the Texas Natural Resources Committee.

For more information, go to the action page.

NOTE: only Texans who are represented by members of the committee can take action

Texas OGAP Bill Alert SB 875

2011-03-08T18:40:00.004-06:00

EARTHWORKS is sending out an Alert for SB 875. Forward this alert to all your contacts, please ask them to take the action which will send a fax to their representative. Please ask them to forward to their friends using the link at Texas OGAP. Please ask them to take it one step further and contact ALL the committee members and the committee clerk. Sign up on the right had side of the blog to receive Bill alerts from TXOGAP.

Troy Fraser 512-475-3732 Fax

Vice-Chair

Craig Estes (512) 463-8874 Fax

Members:
Bob Deuell (512) 463-7202 fax

Robert Duncan Fax: (512) 463-2424

Kevin Eltife (512) 475-3751 (Fax)

Glenn Hegar (512) 475-3736 (Fax)

Juan "Chuy" Hinojosa (512) 463-0229 Fax

Mike Jackson (512) 475-3727 Fax

Robert Nichols (512) 463-1526 Fax

Kel Seliger (512) 475-3733 fax

Carlos Uresti (512) 463-1017 Fax

Committee Clerk: Tatum Reagan – 512-463-6769

Flower Mound Oil & Gas Advisory Board Public Hearing

2011-02-11T08:42:00.003-06:00

Residents of Flower Mound....time is running out to let the Flower Mound Oil & Gas Advisory Board know how you feel and what you would like to see in the ordinance recommendations submitted to Town Council.

Saturday, February 12th, 9:00 am to Noon, you will have another opportunity to make a public comment. The Public Hearing will be held at Town Hall, 2121 Cross Timbers Road. Please show up and let your voice be heard.

The OGAB will hand their final recommendations to the Town Council. This is the most important thing to happen in this town for a long time. What ends up in the ordinance may affect your quality of life, health, wealth, and property values.

A Fracking Musical Interlude

2011-02-07T07:23:00.006-06:00

Thanks to our friends at The Marcellus Effect for sending us The Fracking Alphabet.

The Marcellus Effect: A Fracking Musical Interlude:

Some Titan Leases at Hilliard may be expiring...is yours?

2011-02-04T15:01:00.004-06:00

According to filings with Denton County and public record testimony at a recent Texas state hearing, a lease you signed with Titan Operating may be or might have already expired. Many leases were signed with effective dates of January 2008 with lease terms of only 3 years and contained language such as the following...."for as long as hydrocarbons are produced in payable quantities.". Here's the problem, although the Hilliard 1H North Unit and 1H South Unit wells have been drilled, they have not been completed nor are they producing, but don't take our word for it.

According to recent testimony from VP of Operations for Titan Operating, LLC, Chris Hammack, there maybe some issues with the leases as currently held.

From recorded public, sworn testimony....

Q. "And you said it was drilled and completed. So has it been completed?"
A. "It has not. I said it would be drilled and completed."

Q. "So is it producing now?"
A. "No, sir, it is not."

Q. "Has it produced anything?"
A. "No, sir, it has not."

Some may say that the "force majeure" clause may come into play, however, force majeure predicates itself on the fact that the event must be "outside the control"of Titan. In this particular case, the wells could have been completed and gas produced from the unit, but according to Mr. Hammock's own testimony, it has not. Since nothing precluded Titan from completing and producing from the unit under the Hilliard tract, it can easily be argued that force majeure does not apply.

If you have any questions and feel you deserve a new lease and new signing bonus, you can contact Titan Operating at 817-698-8000. You may want to have an attorney look over any offers made before signing.

Industry Asks Academy to Consider Gasland Ineligible For Oscar

2011-02-01T14:43:00.005-06:00

Energy in Depth (EID), the industry group that spends most of it's time fighting federal regulation of the Oil and Gas Industry, sent a letter to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences claiming Gasland should be ineligible for Best Documentary Oscar. This shouldn't come as a big surprise since EID is closely affiliated with the Independent Petroleum Association of America (IPAA). EID's Executive Director, Lee Fuller is the IPAA's Vice President of Government Affairs.

The letter states the following:

As found on the Academy’s official website, on a page entitled “Special Rules for the Documentary Awards,” a feature-length documentary film can only be considered eligible for Oscar consideration if, among many other things, it is a “theatrically released nonfiction motion picture dealing creatively with cultural, artistic, historical, social, scientific, economic or other subjects.” Importantly, the description also indicates that the film must maintain an “emphasis … on fact and not on fiction.” As we demonstrate below and in the attached, the film GasLand, which was nominated for an award in this category late last month, falls short of this description in a number of significant ways.

Click here to read EID's letter and their "Debunking Gasland" letter.

EID has been trying to discredit Gasland for months and months. Josh Fox released this "Affirming Gasland" back in September. We can only hope the Academy sees through the EID lies and awards Gasland this well-deserved honor.

The Gas and Oil Industry is getting desperate

2011-01-26T08:15:00.009-06:00

When you start using the children of your employees to push your propaganda, it is a sure sign of desperation.

Click here for more info on this "high level" video.

Spectra Energy is not the only company to do this. Chesapeake Energy is building a "Learning Center" at the Grapevine Mills Mall. This learning center will be near the new "Legoland"!

Click here to see the Grapevine, Texas Economic Development Update

One of our readers said they just took their kids to the Fort Worth Science and History Museum and the largest and most elaborate exhibit was the XTO Energy Blast!
From the Energy Blast Website

Guests to Energy Blast enter through a multi-sensory prehistoric undersea environment similar to Fort Worth 300 million years ago into the 4-D theater where they embark on Journey to the Center of the Barnett Shale, a 6-minute experience that tells the story of how natural gas formed within shale deposits of North Texas. This experience allows you to see, feel and hear this exciting story in a thrilling new way. The 4-D experience of the theater –known as the Devon Energy Theater – invokes the senses of sight, sound and touch to bring the history and science of shale deposits to life as you don 3-D glasses and blast off aboard “TimeCraft,” journeying back to prehistoric time. Here you discover how the Barnett Shale was formed and how geoscientists and petroleum engineers are using science and advanced technologies to extract the natural gas modern society needs.

As you exit the 4-D theater, you come face-to-face with a real 50,000-pound seismic vibroseis truck. Interactive stations placed around the truck mimic the methodology behind this vibrating truck, which sends sound waves a mile-and-a-half underground. The science is similar to an ultrasound. The sound waves bounce off of the rock strata a mile and a half underground. Geologists input that seismic data into powerful computers to create 3-D images, which allow them to see underground formations so they know exactly where gas deposits are located.

Yes folks this is for real. We didn't make this stuff up.

Click here to read info about the Fort Worth Exhibit

Dr. Armendariz: Watching out for all Texans

2011-01-24T12:21:00.004-06:00

The Houston Chronicle printed a great article about EPA Region 6 Administrator, Dr. Al Armendariz. It gives some great background on Dr. Al and why he is working so hard to protect the citizens of Texas

Dr. Al was born and raised in Texas. He is a Texan through and through. Which shows just because you are a real "Texan", you don't have to let the Oil and Gas Industry stomp all over our great state and the people of Texas.

Thanks Al.

Click here to read the article

They're Back!

2011-01-14T15:03:00.009-06:00

Yes folks, the landmen are a comin' again. Titan has hired a new company, Norwood Land Services, LLC to come around and blow smoke up our a$$e$.

Disclaimer #1: Don't be fooled by the dollar signs in the word a$$e$, they are offering the same lease Cherokee Horn was.

This means very little money. But if you sign they promise to stick around 5 to 7 years, drill up to 24 wells at Hilliard Field and drive your property values down.

Disclaimer #2: As it stands now, they are limited to the amount of wells that can be drilled because not enough people have signed.

Disclaimer #3: Decline in property values already proven by the Flower Mound Well Impact Study. This study was conducted before Titan started to drill on Hilliard at the gateway to our community.

Wait....that's not all, they will throw in 4 times more tank batteries and compressors. All this for the same low price.

You will be told you can sign on for this great deal or say no and and they will take your minerals anyway.

Disclaimer #4: Not completely true. To really "take" your minerals, they will have to file a Rule 37 with the Texas Railroad Commission. You can protest this and have a chance to stop the gas company from drilling within 330' of your property. It is a lengthy and expensive process for the DRILLING COMPANY.

If you take your chances and don't sign? You may miss out on a few pennies per day and of course the 24 wells, decline in your property value, 4 times more tank batteries and compressors!

Attorney General's office says it will continue to fight EPA

2011-01-13T08:50:00.005-06:00

Yesterday, Governor Perry and Co. lost another quest to force Texans to breathe toxic air!!!! For those of you that don't know the story, Governor Perry doesn't want the EPA to takeover the state's greenhouse gas permitting program.

But in an article in the Dallas Morning News, Lauren Bean, a spokeswoman for Attorney General Abbott, said that Texas will continue with several lawsuits that will challenge the EPA.

"While the court declined to proactively prohibit the EPA from continuing its federalization effort, today's ruling did not reach the heart of the State's claim and does not affect Texas' ability to continue pursuing its legal challenge against the agency," Bean said. "With the jobs and livelihoods of thousands of Texas families and businesses at risk, Texas will continue to challenge the EPA's unlawful overreach."

Great.... lets waste more taxpayer money when the state is facing a huge deficit!

Mark your calendars! Flower Mound Town Council Work Session January 20th, 6:00 p..m.

2011-01-12T09:58:00.004-06:00

The Flower Mound Town Council will meet on January 20th, for their first Work Session of 2011. It is possible the Oil & Gas Advisory Board will be presenting the town with their recommendations.

The Advisory Board was appointed back in July as part of the Flower Mound Cares Petition Drive. The petition called for a moratorium and an Advisory Board to review and make recommendations to the Oil & Gas related ordinances.

There will not be public participation at this meeting. If the Oil and Gas Advisory Board recommendations are presented on January 20th, it will mark the 30 day public comment period for the ordinance changes. Residents can address any issues during this time.

When:
January 20, 6pm – 10pm

Where:
Town Hall, 2121 Cross Timbers Road, Flower Mound, TX

IMPORTANT: Public Hearing on EPA taking away authority from Texas

2011-01-10T15:42:00.003-06:00

This hearing is on the EPA taking away the authority to enforce a portion of the Clean Air Act as it applies to Greenhouse Gases from the State of Texas. Texas is the only state refusing to abide by the law.

Governor Perry and the State of Texas have filed a stay and lawsuit to prevent the EPA from taking the authority away.

Texans have a right to breathe clean air like the rest of the nation.

This is your chance to comment and voice your opinion on this very important issue. Here is the info:

Date: January, 14, 2011, Friday
Time: 10:00 am to 7 pm or until the last registered speaker has spoken.
Place: Crowne Plaza Hotel in Downtown Dallas, 1015 Elm Street, Dallas, Texas
Phone: 214 742–5678

To request a speaking time slot, contact Pamela Long at EPA long.pam@epa.gov or call her at 919-541-0641.)

Attention Citizens of the Shale...keep the TCEQ odor complaint info with you at all times!

2011-01-07T18:22:00.005-06:00

Citizens here in Flower Mound, Lewisville, Double Oak, Argyle, Bartonville, Highland Village, and surrounding communities have been complaining about smelling odors and health issues. Even if the odor goes away, it should be reported!!!

We suggest you keep the following information handy so you can call in complaints to the TCEQ.
Program it into your phone, keep it in your wallet or purse. Whatever....just have it on you at all times.

Make sure to keep dates, times, description of the odors, and any health issues (whether or not you smell any odors.)

For all areas of the state, to submit a complaint you can:
TCEQ online form:
TCEQ toll-free at 888-777-3186
TCEQ e-mail cmplaint@tceq.state.tx.us

Click here for TCEQ odor complaint web page.

Josh Fox, Gasland Director, talks about whats fracking up our towns.

2011-01-07T13:38:00.003-06:00

Thanks Josh for opening the eyes of many across the country.

Are chemicals from the oil and gas industry affecting the health of some Americans?
Read about it at TXSharon's post BP spill workers, Barnett Shale residents same chemicals in blood