This?
Or This?
Saturday, May 8, 2010
Friday, May 7, 2010
Yet Another Gas Developer Supports Jody for Re-Election !!
Yesterday afternoon Mayor Smith was spotted placing her campaign signs all over the office park on 2499 (near Spinks) where Cherokee Horn is located. As long-time blog readers will recall, Cherokee Horn was the good folks that introduced me to urban gas drilling with their proposal to place a dozen wells in the Northshore Club--some as close as 500 feet from my house. (Many thanks as I needed a new hobby and so I've spent the past 2-1/2 years working to educate Flower Mound residents that "yes, in fact gas wells could be drilled 500 feet from your house!")
Back to the signs....Assuming Ms. Smith had permission to place the signs on this property, we can only assume that she has been endorsed by YET ANOTHER GAS DEVELOPER!!
Hmm...maybe those signs really weren't specific to Cherokee Horn. There's a church in the back of that property. So maybe ...???
Nahh...she's also placed signs all along the parking lot facing the Cherokee Horn offices. Here's a picture of that, as well. CLICK HERE
Can't wait to see who's next to offer their support. One can only hope it's BP:
CLICK HERE
Thursday, May 6, 2010
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
Questions
Polls open in just over 60 hours for arguably one of the most important elections in the history of our Town, yet I still have questions:
--Why did Mayor Smith use a false allegation as the centerpiece of her campaign? No one really believes that her opponent advocated turning 2499 into a toll road. Was "Progress/Integrity/Experience" just not working?
--Why has Mayor Smith repeatedly stated that she has apologized for the "Hineygate" episode, when she has not?
--Why has Williams decided to "educate" the citizens of Flower Mound within weeks of this critical Town election?
--Why does Williams continue to assert that they will not attempt to influence the outcome of Saturday's elections, yet their "citizen outreach" is focused on registered voters?
--Why should the 95% of residences in Flower Mound that have not signed a gas lease be concerned that Mayor Smith and her two running mates--Gerald Robinson and Bryan Webb (SRW)--have signed leases considering the focal point of this election is gas drilling? (And that Melissa Northern, Al Filidoro, and Steve Lyda (NFL) have not signed gas leases.)
--Why does Mayor Smith's latest finance report fail to disclose the source of $23,272.77 that was spent on behalf of her campaign?
--Why is Mayor Smith personally funding the majority of Mr. Robinson and Mr. Webb's campaigns?
--Why did Mr. Robinson fail to disclose over $10K in campaign expenditures in his April 30th finance report? (Mr. Robinson is a Certified Financial Planner.)
--Why did Mr. Webb similarly fail to disclose almost $11K in campaign expenditures in his April 30th finance report?
--Why haven't ethics violations been filed by the Town's self-declared protector of everything ethical? (A call to an attorney at the Texas Ethics Commission yesterday verified that in fact all three of the SRW candidates have likely committed ethics violations.)
--Why should we trust a slate of candidates that cannot (or will not) properly complete a simple campaign finance report?
--What real accomplishments does Mr. Robinson have that would warrant him calling himself the environmental candidate?
--Why has Mr. Webb jumped from one Town board to another?
--Why did Mayor Smith, Mr. Robinson, and Mr. Webb dismiss the results of the petition effort (over 6,000 signatures) by saying that the matter should be decided upon by the voters in November? Haven't 6,000 registered voters already spoken? Apparently golf isn't the only sport that allows for mulligans.
I could go on, but I've got to get ready for my next dose of education from Williams. Their "Town Hall" starts soon. I sure hope they let me ask a question.
--Why did Mayor Smith use a false allegation as the centerpiece of her campaign? No one really believes that her opponent advocated turning 2499 into a toll road. Was "Progress/Integrity/Experience" just not working?
--Why has Mayor Smith repeatedly stated that she has apologized for the "Hineygate" episode, when she has not?
--Why has Williams decided to "educate" the citizens of Flower Mound within weeks of this critical Town election?
--Why does Williams continue to assert that they will not attempt to influence the outcome of Saturday's elections, yet their "citizen outreach" is focused on registered voters?
--Why should the 95% of residences in Flower Mound that have not signed a gas lease be concerned that Mayor Smith and her two running mates--Gerald Robinson and Bryan Webb (SRW)--have signed leases considering the focal point of this election is gas drilling? (And that Melissa Northern, Al Filidoro, and Steve Lyda (NFL) have not signed gas leases.)
--Why does Mayor Smith's latest finance report fail to disclose the source of $23,272.77 that was spent on behalf of her campaign?
--Why is Mayor Smith personally funding the majority of Mr. Robinson and Mr. Webb's campaigns?
--Why did Mr. Robinson fail to disclose over $10K in campaign expenditures in his April 30th finance report? (Mr. Robinson is a Certified Financial Planner.)
--Why did Mr. Webb similarly fail to disclose almost $11K in campaign expenditures in his April 30th finance report?
--Why haven't ethics violations been filed by the Town's self-declared protector of everything ethical? (A call to an attorney at the Texas Ethics Commission yesterday verified that in fact all three of the SRW candidates have likely committed ethics violations.)
--Why should we trust a slate of candidates that cannot (or will not) properly complete a simple campaign finance report?
--What real accomplishments does Mr. Robinson have that would warrant him calling himself the environmental candidate?
--Why has Mr. Webb jumped from one Town board to another?
--Why did Mayor Smith, Mr. Robinson, and Mr. Webb dismiss the results of the petition effort (over 6,000 signatures) by saying that the matter should be decided upon by the voters in November? Haven't 6,000 registered voters already spoken? Apparently golf isn't the only sport that allows for mulligans.
I could go on, but I've got to get ready for my next dose of education from Williams. Their "Town Hall" starts soon. I sure hope they let me ask a question.
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
Natural Gas Drilling Toxics Exceed State Standards
Below is a press release from TXOGAP and Earthworks. This is just another reason we need to keep fighting for better drilling practices. Flower Mound is mentioned in this press release.
For Immediate RELEASE: May 4, 2010
Contacts: Wilma Subra, EARTHWORKS, 337-367-2216
Gwen Lachelt, EARTHWORKS, 505-469-0380
Sharon Wilson, Texas OGAP, 940-389-1622
More info and links at end of release
Natural Gas Drilling Toxics Exceed State Standards
Air quality testing shows extreme greenhouse gas and chemical emissions; debunks clean energy myth
DISH, TX, 5/4 – Final results released today indicate that the gas drilling industry is polluting the air of the Dallas-Fort Worth metropolitan region with toxic emissions in excess of state limits. A team of environmental scientists who conducted independent air quality tests in March 2010 released the results. Preliminary results released immediately after the March tests, now corroborated, showed alarming levels of toxic chemical and greenhouse gas emissions that threaten human health and the environment.
"These definitive results not only show extreme methane emissions from gas well sites but also startling levels of chemicals that pose public health risks," said Wilma Subra, EARTHWORKS board member, environmental scientist and MacArthur "Genius" Grant recipient.
The March tests employed a new technology that enables drive-through emissions testing on shale gas drilling and pumping facilities – without leaving the vehicle or slowing down from normal driving speeds. They were backed up with traditional air canister sampling – the results of which were released today.
Methane is a potent greenhouse gas that is between twenty and thirty times more effective at trapping heat in the Earth's atmosphere than carbon dioxide. In addition to methane, fifteen volatile organic compounds (VOCs) were detected in the air in association with the methane emissions downwind from the DISH Compressor Station Complex during the undercover testing in March. VOCs are organic chemical compounds which have significant vapor pressures and which can affect the environment and human health. The levels of Carbon Disulfide, Dimethyl Disulfide, Methylethyl Disulfide, Benzene, m&p-Xylene exceeded the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) standards.
The team also measured emissions at two locations in Flower Mound, Texas. Five VOCs were detected at Scenic Road and seven at the Williams Tank Farm. The Scenic Road Carbon Disulfide emissions were in excess of TCEQ levels and the Williams location showed Benzene and Toluene, known carcinogens, along with other VOCs.
DISH residents suffer a host of air-quality-related illnesses, including respiratory ailments and headaches, brain disorders, pre-cancerous lesions and impairment of motor skills. A community health survey conducted by EARTHWORKS and the Texas Oil & Gas Accountability Project shows an alarming 61% of those health effects were directly attributed to natural gas industry emissions. Recent testing by the state found elevated levels of toxins in the blood, urine and water of DISH residents.
A survey of Flower Mound residents has yet to be performed.
"The technology exists today that would reduce these emissions by 90%, and industry can afford to use it," stated Sharon Wilson of the Texas Oil & Gas Accountability Project. "EARTHWORKS and Texas OGAP call on TCEQ to protect public health and require that industry employ the highest levels of control technology as set forth in Drill-Right Texas: Best Oil and Gas Development Practices for Texas."
"As our country struggles to address climate change, natural gas is being promoted as a clean energy solution," said Wilson. "Natural gas is anything but clean and industry must be required to use technology that is already available to mitigate its impacts."
Texas OGAP will work with communities statewide to prevent and minimize the impacts caused by energy development.
EARTHWORKS has 29,000 members nationwide, and offices in California, Colorado, Montana, New Mexico, Texas and Washington, D.C.
-- ENDS --
Links and information:
For Immediate RELEASE: May 4, 2010
Contacts: Wilma Subra, EARTHWORKS, 337-367-2216
Gwen Lachelt, EARTHWORKS, 505-469-0380
Sharon Wilson, Texas OGAP, 940-389-1622
More info and links at end of release
Natural Gas Drilling Toxics Exceed State Standards
Air quality testing shows extreme greenhouse gas and chemical emissions; debunks clean energy myth
DISH, TX, 5/4 – Final results released today indicate that the gas drilling industry is polluting the air of the Dallas-Fort Worth metropolitan region with toxic emissions in excess of state limits. A team of environmental scientists who conducted independent air quality tests in March 2010 released the results. Preliminary results released immediately after the March tests, now corroborated, showed alarming levels of toxic chemical and greenhouse gas emissions that threaten human health and the environment.
"These definitive results not only show extreme methane emissions from gas well sites but also startling levels of chemicals that pose public health risks," said Wilma Subra, EARTHWORKS board member, environmental scientist and MacArthur "Genius" Grant recipient.
The March tests employed a new technology that enables drive-through emissions testing on shale gas drilling and pumping facilities – without leaving the vehicle or slowing down from normal driving speeds. They were backed up with traditional air canister sampling – the results of which were released today.
Methane is a potent greenhouse gas that is between twenty and thirty times more effective at trapping heat in the Earth's atmosphere than carbon dioxide. In addition to methane, fifteen volatile organic compounds (VOCs) were detected in the air in association with the methane emissions downwind from the DISH Compressor Station Complex during the undercover testing in March. VOCs are organic chemical compounds which have significant vapor pressures and which can affect the environment and human health. The levels of Carbon Disulfide, Dimethyl Disulfide, Methylethyl Disulfide, Benzene, m&p-Xylene exceeded the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) standards.
The team also measured emissions at two locations in Flower Mound, Texas. Five VOCs were detected at Scenic Road and seven at the Williams Tank Farm. The Scenic Road Carbon Disulfide emissions were in excess of TCEQ levels and the Williams location showed Benzene and Toluene, known carcinogens, along with other VOCs.
DISH residents suffer a host of air-quality-related illnesses, including respiratory ailments and headaches, brain disorders, pre-cancerous lesions and impairment of motor skills. A community health survey conducted by EARTHWORKS and the Texas Oil & Gas Accountability Project shows an alarming 61% of those health effects were directly attributed to natural gas industry emissions. Recent testing by the state found elevated levels of toxins in the blood, urine and water of DISH residents.
A survey of Flower Mound residents has yet to be performed.
"The technology exists today that would reduce these emissions by 90%, and industry can afford to use it," stated Sharon Wilson of the Texas Oil & Gas Accountability Project. "EARTHWORKS and Texas OGAP call on TCEQ to protect public health and require that industry employ the highest levels of control technology as set forth in Drill-Right Texas: Best Oil and Gas Development Practices for Texas."
"As our country struggles to address climate change, natural gas is being promoted as a clean energy solution," said Wilson. "Natural gas is anything but clean and industry must be required to use technology that is already available to mitigate its impacts."
Texas OGAP will work with communities statewide to prevent and minimize the impacts caused by energy development.
EARTHWORKS has 29,000 members nationwide, and offices in California, Colorado, Montana, New Mexico, Texas and Washington, D.C.
-- ENDS --
Links and information:
May 4th final canister results analysis
- DISH - by Wilma Subra
- Flower Mound - by Wilma Subra
March initial Picarro technology analysis
- DISH methane emissions - by Wilma Subra
- Flower Mound methane emissions mapping - by Alisa Rich, Wolf Eagle Environmental
- DISH/Flower Mound findings and technical information on Picarro technology - by Chris Rella, Picarro, Inc.
DRILL-RIGHT TEXAS: Best Oil & Gas Development Practices for Texas
Texas.OGAP [at] earthworksaction [dot] org
texasogap.earthworksaction.org
Contacts:
Wilma Subra, EARTHWORKS Board Member, 337-367-2216
Gwen Lachelt, Director of EARTHWORKS Oil & Gas Accountability Project
Sharon Wilson, Texas OGAP, 940-389-1622
Numbers of People Ignored
** Over 600 people at the January 21st Town Hall
** Over 6,000 petition signers
** Over 95% of households who have NOT signed a gas lease
And yet they say that they want to let the people determine the outcome? Which people? There has never been a more clear cut reason to get out and vote in this week's election.
Show them that in fact, they DO have to listen to Town residents.
Do it today before early voting ends at 7:00pm.
Sunday, May 2, 2010
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