Christopher
Moderator
This is something very interesting that happened here in Texas, Here is the link:
http://www.kiiitv.com/global/story.asp?S=14299474
Here is the story:
Texas agency: Gas driller didn't contaminate water
By RAMIT PLUSHNICK-MASTI
Associated Press
HOUSTON (AP) - Texas regulators determined Tuesday the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency was wrong when it concluded a gas driller had contaminated domestic water wells in North Texas.
The unanimous decision by the Railroad Commission of Texas marked the latest battle between state agencies and the EPA in a long, drawn out war that has evolved from disputes over environmental issues into a fierce debate about states' rights.
The Railroad Commission blasted the EPA, accusing it of shoddy testing methods and jumping to conclusions. Commissioner Michael Williams linked the agency to the crooked sheriff, Reggie Hammond, from the 1982 Eddie Murphy movie "48 Hours."
Range Resources' natural gas operations "have not contaminated and will not contaminate" the water wells in question, Railroad Commission chairwoman Elizabeth Jones said after the 3-0 vote.
In December, the EPA issued an emergency order demanding Range Resources of Forth Worth provide two families with clean drinking water, accusing the company of contaminating domestic water wells. A month later, when Range Resources failed to comply, the EPA asked the federal district court in Dallas to intervene. They are now awaiting a court date.
The EPA believes Range contributed to the contamination of the wells with benzene, methane and other toxic gases.
"The decision by the Texas Railroad Commission is not supported by EPA's independent, scientific investigation, which concluded that Range Resources Corporation and Range Production Company have contributed to the contamination of homeowners' drinking water wells," the EPA said in a statement issued shortly after the commission's decision.
"EPA stands by the order issued to Range Resources and seeks to secure Range's full compliance," it added.
Range denies its drilling operations in the Barnett Shale formation in Parker County - just west of Dallas - contaminated domestic water wells. Matt Pitzarella, a spokesman, said Range welcomes the opportunity and "very much look forward" to meeting the EPA in court.
"There's overwhelming evidence to suggest that this is an act of Mother Nature," Pitzarella said.
Range Resources and the Railroad Commission believe the water wells became contaminated by the Strawn formation, a shallow rock packed with natural gas that comingles with the aquifer that feeds the water wells in question. They argue Range's gas production from the Barnett Shale are a mile underground and thousands of feet of thick, impermeable rock separate the shale and the water wells.
"We at the Railroad Commission are very concerned about the environment and the water in Texas and we are determined to protect it," Commissioner David Porter said during the meeting.
"We don't want to destroy the economy for no good reason," he added, a common argument among state officials, including Gov. Rick Perry, that the EPA's rules are expensive and would stifle the economy and growth.
Copyright 2011 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
What are your thoughts on this???
http://www.kiiitv.com/global/story.asp?S=14299474
Here is the story:
Texas agency: Gas driller didn't contaminate water
By RAMIT PLUSHNICK-MASTI
Associated Press
HOUSTON (AP) - Texas regulators determined Tuesday the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency was wrong when it concluded a gas driller had contaminated domestic water wells in North Texas.
The unanimous decision by the Railroad Commission of Texas marked the latest battle between state agencies and the EPA in a long, drawn out war that has evolved from disputes over environmental issues into a fierce debate about states' rights.
The Railroad Commission blasted the EPA, accusing it of shoddy testing methods and jumping to conclusions. Commissioner Michael Williams linked the agency to the crooked sheriff, Reggie Hammond, from the 1982 Eddie Murphy movie "48 Hours."
Range Resources' natural gas operations "have not contaminated and will not contaminate" the water wells in question, Railroad Commission chairwoman Elizabeth Jones said after the 3-0 vote.
In December, the EPA issued an emergency order demanding Range Resources of Forth Worth provide two families with clean drinking water, accusing the company of contaminating domestic water wells. A month later, when Range Resources failed to comply, the EPA asked the federal district court in Dallas to intervene. They are now awaiting a court date.
The EPA believes Range contributed to the contamination of the wells with benzene, methane and other toxic gases.
"The decision by the Texas Railroad Commission is not supported by EPA's independent, scientific investigation, which concluded that Range Resources Corporation and Range Production Company have contributed to the contamination of homeowners' drinking water wells," the EPA said in a statement issued shortly after the commission's decision.
"EPA stands by the order issued to Range Resources and seeks to secure Range's full compliance," it added.
Range denies its drilling operations in the Barnett Shale formation in Parker County - just west of Dallas - contaminated domestic water wells. Matt Pitzarella, a spokesman, said Range welcomes the opportunity and "very much look forward" to meeting the EPA in court.
"There's overwhelming evidence to suggest that this is an act of Mother Nature," Pitzarella said.
Range Resources and the Railroad Commission believe the water wells became contaminated by the Strawn formation, a shallow rock packed with natural gas that comingles with the aquifer that feeds the water wells in question. They argue Range's gas production from the Barnett Shale are a mile underground and thousands of feet of thick, impermeable rock separate the shale and the water wells.
"We at the Railroad Commission are very concerned about the environment and the water in Texas and we are determined to protect it," Commissioner David Porter said during the meeting.
"We don't want to destroy the economy for no good reason," he added, a common argument among state officials, including Gov. Rick Perry, that the EPA's rules are expensive and would stifle the economy and growth.
Copyright 2011 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
What are your thoughts on this???