The Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) is conducting another cancer cluster study after the recent UT Study by Rachael Rawlins was release a couple of weeks ago. Rawlins', a UT lecturer and professor, study was published in the Virginia Environmental Law Journal. The study questioned federal and state guidelines related to natural gas drilling and its possible health effects.
Rawlins' study also questioned results of a 2010 cancer cluster investigation conducted by the DSHS back in 2010. Parents of children diagnosed with leukemia were concerned that their child was not included in the original study which would make the numbers greater than what the state had used for their research. Also, as noted in many previous posts, the DSHS stated the elevated 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.
The original study results left many of us questioning who the DSHS is really there to protect.
Click here to read the recent article in the Flower Mound Leader.
Showing posts with label leukemia and other cancers. Show all posts
Showing posts with label leukemia and other cancers. Show all posts
Monday, April 14, 2014
Tuesday, April 1, 2014
New UT Study Flower Mound Cancer Study
UT has just released a study on the Flower Mound Cancer Cluster. If you remember, the original study was conducted by the state back in early 2010. Of course the state study was incomplete because it did not include quite a bit of data that needed to be taken into consideration. In addition to the lack of complete data, the state basically dismissed some of the alarming conclusions by blaming it on population growth and economic demographics.
Back in 2010, Eric Miller, the DSHS epidemiologist who conducted the analysis stated,
“We found nothing in the data to indicate the community is at higher risk for these types of cancers. However, we understand residents’ concerns and will continue to analyze new cancer data from these two areas.”
"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."
“Flower Mound’s significant population increase alone could account for a higher average number of cancer cases between 2007 and 2009,”
I received an email from someone in the Texas Department of Health Services stating that before the state study was released, it traveled all the way to the governor's office. Anyone surprised? That should say a lot about what ended up being released to the public and the many concerned families who had children and others diagnosed with cancer in our area.
In 2011, The Denton Record Chronicle published an article stating that breast cancer was on the rise in Flower Mound. Yet the state hasn't revisited this issue since they released their study.
The UT study recommends increased government monitoring of health impact studies and regulations of air pollution. Something many of us have been pleading for since the start of drilling on the Barnett Shale. Hopefully the UT Study will open the dialog again about this very important issue that in the past has been so easily dismissed and swept under the rug.
Back in 2010, Eric Miller, the DSHS epidemiologist who conducted the analysis stated,
“We found nothing in the data to indicate the community is at higher risk for these types of cancers. However, we understand residents’ concerns and will continue to analyze new cancer data from these two areas.”
"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."
“Flower Mound’s significant population increase alone could account for a higher average number of cancer cases between 2007 and 2009,”
I received an email from someone in the Texas Department of Health Services stating that before the state study was released, it traveled all the way to the governor's office. Anyone surprised? That should say a lot about what ended up being released to the public and the many concerned families who had children and others diagnosed with cancer in our area.
In 2011, The Denton Record Chronicle published an article stating that breast cancer was on the rise in Flower Mound. Yet the state hasn't revisited this issue since they released their study.
The UT study recommends increased government monitoring of health impact studies and regulations of air pollution. Something many of us have been pleading for since the start of drilling on the Barnett Shale. Hopefully the UT Study will open the dialog again about this very important issue that in the past has been so easily dismissed and swept under the rug.
Friday, April 26, 2013
It Is Election Season and We Haven’t Forgotten!
We had planned to stay quiet this election season until
we saw Mike Walker accuse his opponent Joy Bowen of being pro drilling.
Seriously, are you kidding?
No matter how you feel about gas drilling, the Flower Mound Oil and Gas ordinance must be followed. That is why we fought so hard to make it stronger. If a pad site meets the criteria in the ordinance, it will be approved. Of course Mr. Walker and his supporters twisted Joy Bowen's statements in an attempt to take attention away from his own gas drilling history.
We asked Joy Bowen for her stance on drilling. Here is what she told us. Joy Bowen supports our extremely protective and nationally recognized drilling ordinance. Joy Bowen has stated to us that she would never vote to weaken the ordinance and would always be open to making it even stronger as new technology presents itself. Joy Bowen has never signed a gas lease. Joy Bowen has never supported putting wells near homes, schools, parks, and hospitals. In 2010 Joy Bowen, along with 6000 other residents, signed the Flower Mound Cares Petition to stop the Centralized Collection Facility. We can’t say the same about her opponent.
UPDATE: We found this map of the proposed wells on Bridlewood Golf Course.
Click here to read previous posts on this blog about Mrs. Levenick.
Eben Burnham-Snyder, a spokesman for House Natural Resources Committee Ranking Member Rep. Edward Markey said “Sending more of our natural gas resources abroad, instead of keeping more of it here for consumers and manufacturers and providing a diverse energy supply, is not a policy to make us more energy secure…[it] makes us less independent, not more.”
Berman added, “These companies have stupidly, imprudently overproduced their own product to the point they can’t make money at the price they’ve created themselves. So now they’re looking for a solution to that problem, and they’ve managed to convince a number of idiots in Congress that this is a good idea.”
Tad Patzek, chairman of the Department of Petroleum and Geosystems Engineering at the University of Texas said “We are at that stage right now and it’s only going to get worse,” he said. “We will be encroaching more and more on where people live.”
Mark Wise place3@flower-mound.com
Flower Mound don’t take a gamble on protecting the Oil and Gas ordinance and the health, safety and quality of life of all in our wonderful community.
Early Voting - April 29, 2013 through May 4, 2013, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. May 6-7, 2013, 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Election Day - May 11, 2013, 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
We will only post comments from real people. If we can't verify that a name is real, we have the right to refuse posting the comment. We will not post any inflammatory or crude comments. We have the right to refuse posting any or all comments. We are not responsible for the comments and opinions of others.
No matter how you feel about gas drilling, the Flower Mound Oil and Gas ordinance must be followed. That is why we fought so hard to make it stronger. If a pad site meets the criteria in the ordinance, it will be approved. Of course Mr. Walker and his supporters twisted Joy Bowen's statements in an attempt to take attention away from his own gas drilling history.
We asked Joy Bowen for her stance on drilling. Here is what she told us. Joy Bowen supports our extremely protective and nationally recognized drilling ordinance. Joy Bowen has stated to us that she would never vote to weaken the ordinance and would always be open to making it even stronger as new technology presents itself. Joy Bowen has never signed a gas lease. Joy Bowen has never supported putting wells near homes, schools, parks, and hospitals. In 2010 Joy Bowen, along with 6000 other residents, signed the Flower Mound Cares Petition to stop the Centralized Collection Facility. We can’t say the same about her opponent.
Mike Walker was appointed to the Oil and Gas Board of
Appeals in 2006. During his service, he voted to grant many variances. The most
disturbing vote was in mid-2008 when he was the only member to vote for all
variance requests at the Riverwalk property. This is the property where our new
hospital sits. One of the variances on which he voted YES would have allowed a pad site 695 feet from a day care center and 312 feet from a public park. Click here and go to page 151 to read the variances and how Mr. Walker voted.
In 2008, as a board member on the Bridlewood HOA, he
participated in meetings with Williams Production. The purpose of these meetings was to explore putting gas
wells on Bridlewood Golf Course in the middle of homes and schools. The meetings were
conducted secretly without input or notification of residents and despite Bridlewood's HOA
documents defining Bridlewood as a non-drilling community. Outraged Bridlewood residents voted to recall Mr. Walker in 2008.
Even with 62% of the voting members in favor of recalling him, he refused to
step down based on a technicality. For documentation, click here, here, here, here and here. Mr. Walker continued to serve on the Oil and Gas Board of Appeals. His service on the board was to vote for granting or
denying variance requests, exactly what Williams would need to drill in
Bridlewood. Yet, he met with the gas drilling company anyway? His tenure on his HOA Board and the Oil and Gas Board of
Appeals is marred by his record of poor judgment, lack of transparency and
appearance of conflict of interest. All the above links to documents came from the blog, Bridlewood Quality of Life Coalition.UPDATE: We found this map of the proposed wells on Bridlewood Golf Course.
We can’t forget Jean Levenick’s gas drilling record. Mrs. Levenick
and her husband signed a gas lease
with Williams back in February 2009. In January 2010, she refused to recuse
herself from discussions and voted to amend the ordinance to allow for the
zoning of a Centralized Collection Facility. Why recuse herself? The only company
advocating for a CCF at the time was Williams! The same company she signed a
gas lease with. Here are her comments from the meeting minutes.
“Mayor Pro Tem Levenick stated that the process tonight would lay
the groundwork to process a future application. She stated there had been so many
emails and so much information. She read a portion of an email about leukemia clusters,
and asked people to stop sending out false information.”
In spring of 2010, after 6000 residents signed the Flower
Mound Cares Moratorium and CCF petition, it was presented to the
Town Council. Mrs. Levenick voted NOT to accept the petition. The no vote would
forced the town to hold a special election. The no vote would delay the
moratorium from going into effect and could have allowed a company, most likely
Williams, to put in an application for a CCF. Click here for
meeting minutes. Read pages 17 through 20.
As fate would have it, there was some controversy and Jean Levenick decided not to run for office again. A new council majority was elected and they immediately accepted the petition.
This open letter written by one of our local journalist said it all.
As fate would have it, there was some controversy and Jean Levenick decided not to run for office again. A new council majority was elected and they immediately accepted the petition.
This open letter written by one of our local journalist said it all.
We met Tami Ryan and asked her how she feels about
gas drilling and our protective ordinance. Here are her answers. Tami Ryan also signed the Flower Mound Cares Petition in 2010. Tami Ryan is opposed to weakening the
ordinance and is committed to protecting the health, safety, and quality of
life of our residents.
With the industry pushing for LNG exports, we need to
make sure we have the right people in office to assure our community will
always have the best protections in place. Here are a few paragraphs from a recent article that sum up the LNG export issue.Eben Burnham-Snyder, a spokesman for House Natural Resources Committee Ranking Member Rep. Edward Markey said “Sending more of our natural gas resources abroad, instead of keeping more of it here for consumers and manufacturers and providing a diverse energy supply, is not a policy to make us more energy secure…[it] makes us less independent, not more.”
Berman added, “These companies have stupidly, imprudently overproduced their own product to the point they can’t make money at the price they’ve created themselves. So now they’re looking for a solution to that problem, and they’ve managed to convince a number of idiots in Congress that this is a good idea.”
Tad Patzek, chairman of the Department of Petroleum and Geosystems Engineering at the University of Texas said “We are at that stage right now and it’s only going to get worse,” he said. “We will be encroaching more and more on where people live.”
People of Flower Mound, we cannot afford to vote for
candidates that have failed us in the past when it comes to gas drilling. Do your research before voting.
Here is the candidate slate for 2013.
Place
1
Joy Bowen http://electjoybowen.com/
Mike Walker http://walkerforfm.com/
Place
3 (Uncontested Race)Mark Wise place3@flower-mound.com
Place
5
Tami Ryan http://www.tamiryanfortc.com/#Flower Mound don’t take a gamble on protecting the Oil and Gas ordinance and the health, safety and quality of life of all in our wonderful community.
Early Voting - April 29, 2013 through May 4, 2013, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. May 6-7, 2013, 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Election Day - May 11, 2013, 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
We will only post comments from real people. If we can't verify that a name is real, we have the right to refuse posting the comment. We will not post any inflammatory or crude comments. We have the right to refuse posting any or all comments. We are not responsible for the comments and opinions of others.
Sunday, May 20, 2012
"Special" Flower Mound Town Council Meeting, Tuesday, May 22nd
A "special" Town Council meeting will be held Tuesday, May 22nd from 6:00pm to 8:00pm. The meeting will take place at Fire Station # 1 located at 3838 Forums Drive, FM, TX.
The meeting is not on the town calendar but is on the agenda and minutes page in the government section of the town website. Click here to see agenda.
This meeting will be conducted by the new town council. Please pay attention to the items to be discussed.
Item #5 is a discussion about the newly adopted charter amendments and item #14 is about the newly adopted Oil and Gas Ordinance along with pending litigation.
The meeting is not on the town calendar but is on the agenda and minutes page in the government section of the town website. Click here to see agenda.
This meeting will be conducted by the new town council. Please pay attention to the items to be discussed.
Item #5 is a discussion about the newly adopted charter amendments and item #14 is about the newly adopted Oil and Gas Ordinance along with pending litigation.
Friday, May 18, 2012
Atlas Resources Acquires Titan Operating Barnett Shales Assets
Atlas Resource Partners acquired Titan Operating Barnett shale assets. This includes proved reserves in the Barnett shale in the Fort Worth basin and what Atlas claims could be 335 potential undeveloped drilling locations. Nothing has been said whether this includes the Hilliard and Powell sites here in Flower Mound but most likely it does.
Wow, 335 potential undeveloped drilling locations? It is hard to believe that there could possibly that many locations that have not been drilled in this area.
Good thing we have a strong Oil and Gas Ordinance in Flower Mound. Let's hope it stays that way.
Click here to read article.
Click here to read about Atlas' Corporate Executives.
Wow, 335 potential undeveloped drilling locations? It is hard to believe that there could possibly that many locations that have not been drilled in this area.
Good thing we have a strong Oil and Gas Ordinance in Flower Mound. Let's hope it stays that way.
Click here to read article.
Click here to read about Atlas' Corporate Executives.
Thursday, November 3, 2011
"Good Neighbor" Williams Receives Penalty and Violation From EPA
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/
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/
Monday, October 24, 2011
Spilliams....Repeat Offender
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!!!
"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?
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?
I
Thursday, October 6, 2011
When Doctors Are Concerned, We Should All Be Concerned
"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.
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
Get Ready For More Birdie And Butterfly Ads
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.
Monday, September 12, 2011
Monday, September 5, 2011
Houseplants can imporove indoor air
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.
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.
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
Flower Mound and surrounding communities breast cancer rates on the rise
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.
Sunday, August 21, 2011
Does the TCEQ know their @$$ from a hole in the ground?
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.
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.
Friday, July 29, 2011
Industry downplays benefit of tighter ozone standards
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.
They don't think our health has value.
Click here for the article.
Thursday, July 28, 2011
EPA Proposes Air Pollution Standards for Oil and Gas Production
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/
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/
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
Gas Drilling....The Next Asbestos?
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.
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.
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
Music, Cocktails and Gas
The Dallas Observer and the Oak Cliff Conservation League is sponsoring a showing of the movie Gasland. June 27th @ 7:00pm. See info below.
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Monday, June 20, 2011
Industry Propaganda Comes In Many Shapes and Now Color
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.
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.
Sunday, June 5, 2011
Kids Speak: National Ad Campaign to Expose Impacts of Natural Gas Drilling
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.
FRACKING: CHILDREN'S VOICES FROM ACROSS THE NATION
For more on the video submission guidelines, go to the link on TXSharon's site.
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
CAMPAIGN AGAINST HB 3105 AND SB875
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
Rep. Dennis Bonnen -
Dennis.Bonnen@house.state.tx.us
Members:
Rep. Dan Branch - Dan.Branch@house.state.tx.us
mailto:Garnet.Coleman@house.state.tx.us
Rep. Byron Cook - Byron.Cook@house.state.tx.us
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
Eddie.Lucio@house.state.tx.us
Rep. Allan Ritter - Allan.Ritter@house.state.tx.us
Eddie.Rodriguez@house.state.tx.us
Rep. Burt R. Solomons - Burt.Solomons@house.state.tx.us
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
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