A Point of View
Responsible Drilling --what is it and why now?
Industry is campaigning for what they call "responsible drilling", yet that notion has not been defined by industry. How can industry practice what has not been preached? With living so close to gaswell property, people have been worn down with days of thick deisel and sulphur fumes in the air making it difficult to go for a simple walk without breathing it in, not being able to sleep at night for the relentless roar of drilling, curfew violation so that even the few precious moments of peace cannot be found, infringement upon property with foam or other debri from fracked gas wells landing in yards, trees, roofs and parking lots, flaring across from parks, blow downs and blow outs, and even worse, TCEQ footage of violations captured on FLIR video of emissions of VOC into the air drifting towards a daycare, school and homes. How responsible is that?
Surburban drilling is a whole new ball game. Nobody told that to industry? They are so use to being out in the country, fracking that earth to produce gas for the welfare and need of our country( let's not forget the $$$ to be had for exporting it), they didnt think that moving in next door to homes would mean that operations just might need to be modified some to accomodate people now living and breathing next to them? The only golden rule and common mainstay of industry bylaws are that minerals of the property be fully and effectively exploited ( Exploit-- to use for one's own ends and profit).You know, we dont even think about building homes and schools next to incinerators, factories or other industrial uses--- What kind of good neighbor is that?
So here we are. Industry has been allowed to go unregulated for years, they dont understand what the fuss is about. And the audacity of it all-- people must be terroists or activist for wanting laws and regulations in place for gas well drilling and fracking. This is Texas-- oil and gas go hand in hand like BBQ and Lonestar beer! With gas well operations soaring up to 272 gaswells humming along next door to homes and schools, communities are waking up to the increase of these industrial uses affecting their quality of life and investments and wondering how the hell they crept into backyards and parks in the first place.
This is Texas and we are an opinionated bunch! And we have collided! We also have the ability to work together to establish laws and regulations that will allow for responsible drilling and what that should look like. We have the ability to set the precedence for others to follow. But first--industry needs to define "Responsible Drilling" and abide by that! What a first that will be for Texas---
Industry is campaigning for what they call "responsible drilling", yet that notion has not been defined by industry. How can industry practice what has not been preached? With living so close to gaswell property, people have been worn down with days of thick deisel and sulphur fumes in the air making it difficult to go for a simple walk without breathing it in, not being able to sleep at night for the relentless roar of drilling, curfew violation so that even the few precious moments of peace cannot be found, infringement upon property with foam or other debri from fracked gas wells landing in yards, trees, roofs and parking lots, flaring across from parks, blow downs and blow outs, and even worse, TCEQ footage of violations captured on FLIR video of emissions of VOC into the air drifting towards a daycare, school and homes. How responsible is that?
Surburban drilling is a whole new ball game. Nobody told that to industry? They are so use to being out in the country, fracking that earth to produce gas for the welfare and need of our country( let's not forget the $$$ to be had for exporting it), they didnt think that moving in next door to homes would mean that operations just might need to be modified some to accomodate people now living and breathing next to them? The only golden rule and common mainstay of industry bylaws are that minerals of the property be fully and effectively exploited ( Exploit-- to use for one's own ends and profit).You know, we dont even think about building homes and schools next to incinerators, factories or other industrial uses--- What kind of good neighbor is that?
So here we are. Industry has been allowed to go unregulated for years, they dont understand what the fuss is about. And the audacity of it all-- people must be terroists or activist for wanting laws and regulations in place for gas well drilling and fracking. This is Texas-- oil and gas go hand in hand like BBQ and Lonestar beer! With gas well operations soaring up to 272 gaswells humming along next door to homes and schools, communities are waking up to the increase of these industrial uses affecting their quality of life and investments and wondering how the hell they crept into backyards and parks in the first place.
This is Texas and we are an opinionated bunch! And we have collided! We also have the ability to work together to establish laws and regulations that will allow for responsible drilling and what that should look like. We have the ability to set the precedence for others to follow. But first--industry needs to define "Responsible Drilling" and abide by that! What a first that will be for Texas---
We Are Not Alone
Post by admin Oct 6, 2014
Mansfield parents and citizens are not alone with concerns and posing questions to our leaders regarding the safety of children and homes becoming a common place for the industrial business of gas and oil drilling near homes, schools and daycares. To add to the fire are the assuming ideas, that we don't or won't know better. Industry, our government, state and city leaders need to understand as one parent put it from the Mars parent group "we are an intelligent and thoughtful group capable of reasoning through data to understand the implications." Please read this letter above, it is exactly what binds us together!
Post by admin Oct 6, 2014
Mansfield parents and citizens are not alone with concerns and posing questions to our leaders regarding the safety of children and homes becoming a common place for the industrial business of gas and oil drilling near homes, schools and daycares. To add to the fire are the assuming ideas, that we don't or won't know better. Industry, our government, state and city leaders need to understand as one parent put it from the Mars parent group "we are an intelligent and thoughtful group capable of reasoning through data to understand the implications." Please read this letter above, it is exactly what binds us together!
Posted by Admin Oct 6, 2014
Did you know?
Mansfield has approved 512 total gaswells to be drilled. There are 206 that have been drilled and 306 that are left to be drilled.
Did you Know?
Mansfield Land Use Plan is mostly an academic exercise that has no real connection to how the city actually handles zoning.
Did You Know?
Mansfield has no limits on the amount of land that can be devoted to drilling, nor does it have zoning that would prohibit drilling/compressors from any particular area of town.
Did you know?
Mansfield has approved 512 total gaswells to be drilled. There are 206 that have been drilled and 306 that are left to be drilled.
Did you Know?
Mansfield Land Use Plan is mostly an academic exercise that has no real connection to how the city actually handles zoning.
Did You Know?
Mansfield has no limits on the amount of land that can be devoted to drilling, nor does it have zoning that would prohibit drilling/compressors from any particular area of town.
Did You Know?
Posted by Admin, Oct 5, 2014
There are 7 members of the council including the mayor. Interesting facts:
**Stephen Lindsey; place 3. Sr. Dir. of Gov't Affairs & Community Relations for Quicksilver Resources. Quicksilver Inc is an oil and gas exploration and production company based in Fort Worth, Texas
**Larry Broseh; place 7. President, Cam Tech Inc.--but also business operator of Drill King Manufacturer of DTH Hammers, Hammer Bits, Hole Openers and Drilling Supplies for various applications including oil and gas exploration
Should they be voting on on gas and oil related business?
Reponsibility of our elected Council
Posted By Admin Oct 5, 2014
It is our local govenment's responsibility and duty to provide for the common quality of life and property of its residents. The ordinances are vague and minimal in providing adequate support to our protected use.
Mansfield needs to adopt and revise Chapter 114: Gas Well Drilling and Production to contain ordinances that are protective of its citizens.
Posted by Admin, Oct 5, 2014
There are 7 members of the council including the mayor. Interesting facts:
**Stephen Lindsey; place 3. Sr. Dir. of Gov't Affairs & Community Relations for Quicksilver Resources. Quicksilver Inc is an oil and gas exploration and production company based in Fort Worth, Texas
**Larry Broseh; place 7. President, Cam Tech Inc.--but also business operator of Drill King Manufacturer of DTH Hammers, Hammer Bits, Hole Openers and Drilling Supplies for various applications including oil and gas exploration
Should they be voting on on gas and oil related business?
Reponsibility of our elected Council
Posted By Admin Oct 5, 2014
It is our local govenment's responsibility and duty to provide for the common quality of life and property of its residents. The ordinances are vague and minimal in providing adequate support to our protected use.
Mansfield needs to adopt and revise Chapter 114: Gas Well Drilling and Production to contain ordinances that are protective of its citizens.
Will someone tell me the story again-I have forgotten
Tax a lake with the brutal summer heat and abuse it by taking millions of water
for fracking, and the consequences are devastating to Pappy Elkins Lake. Not just from the point of ruining the ecosystem that triggered a massive fish kill, but destroying a place for people to come, play and enjoy the water--that may never be again what it was. These are the times that divide people from all the good stories that industry tells us about natural gas benefits. I am sure that natural gas burns cleaner than coal. And we all know it costs less and will make us independent of terrorist nations. BUT I have to say, industry needs to step back and see what is being destroyed and ruined in the process. What other burdens are being place on the atmoshphere with needless burning off of millions of cubic feet of methane into the ozone--heating our atmoshere 20x hotter can carbon dioxide; surburban drilling that is polluting our neighborhoods with emission ranging from diesal to benzene to methane-- and lets not forget silica. The noise pollution of a constant railroad train roar day in and day out so we cant enjoy our porches; taking away millions of gallons of water that is well--just simply gone; injecting chemicals beneath the surface to the point that earthquake activity occurs in places never before; running pipeline or drilling on a landowners property without their permission, in the name of divine right for natural gas exploration. Since when did it become alright for our society to take from the earth, destroy--and not replace or develop tools to lessen the affects? Since when did we become so callouse that we can put up a "Happy Children at Play" sign less than10 feet from a gas pipeline warning sign and think nothing about it? Please forgive me--but I need the industry to tell me again the benefits of natural gas because I have forgotten-
Tax a lake with the brutal summer heat and abuse it by taking millions of water
for fracking, and the consequences are devastating to Pappy Elkins Lake. Not just from the point of ruining the ecosystem that triggered a massive fish kill, but destroying a place for people to come, play and enjoy the water--that may never be again what it was. These are the times that divide people from all the good stories that industry tells us about natural gas benefits. I am sure that natural gas burns cleaner than coal. And we all know it costs less and will make us independent of terrorist nations. BUT I have to say, industry needs to step back and see what is being destroyed and ruined in the process. What other burdens are being place on the atmoshphere with needless burning off of millions of cubic feet of methane into the ozone--heating our atmoshere 20x hotter can carbon dioxide; surburban drilling that is polluting our neighborhoods with emission ranging from diesal to benzene to methane-- and lets not forget silica. The noise pollution of a constant railroad train roar day in and day out so we cant enjoy our porches; taking away millions of gallons of water that is well--just simply gone; injecting chemicals beneath the surface to the point that earthquake activity occurs in places never before; running pipeline or drilling on a landowners property without their permission, in the name of divine right for natural gas exploration. Since when did it become alright for our society to take from the earth, destroy--and not replace or develop tools to lessen the affects? Since when did we become so callouse that we can put up a "Happy Children at Play" sign less than10 feet from a gas pipeline warning sign and think nothing about it? Please forgive me--but I need the industry to tell me again the benefits of natural gas because I have forgotten-
Pro and Cons of Hydraulic Fracturing
Posted by Admin; August 17, 2014
There is alot of debate and controversy surrounding the benefits to our economy related to gas and oil production with the use of Hydraulic Fracturing. The U.S is polarized between an industy that has a "go for the gusto" but is suspicious about the needs for regulatory oversight mentality and enviromentalist that point to corruption and irreversable and damaging pollution effects to the environment. Below are the Pros and Cons of the argument. What has been taken is the bigger picture for each area. At the end of this debate is a poll. You decide which is important-
Pro
* U.S. energy production increase (However, foreign companies are buying leases. The gas will be sold on the international market to highest bidders.)
* U.S Energy less dependent economically, politically on unstable countries
* New company investments--ie chemical providers, equipment suppliers
* Millions of New Jobs( mostly related to industry)
* "Bridge fuel" that proponents claim will burn cleaner and produce less carbon emissions than coal until U.S is able to harness the power of wind, solar and hydro energy
Con
* Short-term jobs for a few local people
* Short-term increased customers for local businesses
* Profit for a few land owners; profit for a few mineral rights owners
* Loss of property values
* Loss of county property tax revenues
* Greatly increased traffic and accidents
* Increased road damage from large trucks
* Increased need to repair roads ( who is responsible?)
* Destruction of the peaceful enjoyment of our home
* Risks to mortgages and property insurance (Banks have refused to issue mortgages on properties wher fracking leases have been sold; lenders have claimed breach of contract when leases have been sold; insurance companies have refused to cover land and structures.)
* Poisoned drinking water supplies thru leaks into aquifiers
* Loss of Millions of gallons of clean water per well fracturing
* Disease-causing chemicals (93 percent of identified chemicals are dangerous: 25 percent cancer; 37 percent endocrine disruptors; 52 percent neurotoxins)
* Radioactive waste ( radioactive, toxic chemical liquid from fracking operations sprayed on our roads, dumped in
lakes.)
* Accidental spills and criminal dumping (documented in every state with fracking operations.)
* Earthquakes ( Texas , Oklahoma, Arkansas, Ohio and West Virginia have recently reported earthquakes linked to fracking operations. Ohio is receiving waste fluids from other states' fracking ops)
* Unregulated, minimal oversight (Unlike any other extractive industry with major environmental impacts, horizontal hydro-fracking was exempted from oversight of the Clean Water Act and Clean Air Act.)
* Inadequate legal protections for landowners (If you sign a lease with a gas/oil company or if your neighbor does you are entering into a long relationship with a corporation that habitually falsifies information when
it believes it will increase its profit to do so.
Posted by Admin; August 17, 2014
There is alot of debate and controversy surrounding the benefits to our economy related to gas and oil production with the use of Hydraulic Fracturing. The U.S is polarized between an industy that has a "go for the gusto" but is suspicious about the needs for regulatory oversight mentality and enviromentalist that point to corruption and irreversable and damaging pollution effects to the environment. Below are the Pros and Cons of the argument. What has been taken is the bigger picture for each area. At the end of this debate is a poll. You decide which is important-
Pro
* U.S. energy production increase (However, foreign companies are buying leases. The gas will be sold on the international market to highest bidders.)
* U.S Energy less dependent economically, politically on unstable countries
* New company investments--ie chemical providers, equipment suppliers
* Millions of New Jobs( mostly related to industry)
* "Bridge fuel" that proponents claim will burn cleaner and produce less carbon emissions than coal until U.S is able to harness the power of wind, solar and hydro energy
Con
* Short-term jobs for a few local people
* Short-term increased customers for local businesses
* Profit for a few land owners; profit for a few mineral rights owners
* Loss of property values
* Loss of county property tax revenues
* Greatly increased traffic and accidents
* Increased road damage from large trucks
* Increased need to repair roads ( who is responsible?)
* Destruction of the peaceful enjoyment of our home
* Risks to mortgages and property insurance (Banks have refused to issue mortgages on properties wher fracking leases have been sold; lenders have claimed breach of contract when leases have been sold; insurance companies have refused to cover land and structures.)
* Poisoned drinking water supplies thru leaks into aquifiers
* Loss of Millions of gallons of clean water per well fracturing
* Disease-causing chemicals (93 percent of identified chemicals are dangerous: 25 percent cancer; 37 percent endocrine disruptors; 52 percent neurotoxins)
* Radioactive waste ( radioactive, toxic chemical liquid from fracking operations sprayed on our roads, dumped in
lakes.)
* Accidental spills and criminal dumping (documented in every state with fracking operations.)
* Earthquakes ( Texas , Oklahoma, Arkansas, Ohio and West Virginia have recently reported earthquakes linked to fracking operations. Ohio is receiving waste fluids from other states' fracking ops)
* Unregulated, minimal oversight (Unlike any other extractive industry with major environmental impacts, horizontal hydro-fracking was exempted from oversight of the Clean Water Act and Clean Air Act.)
* Inadequate legal protections for landowners (If you sign a lease with a gas/oil company or if your neighbor does you are entering into a long relationship with a corporation that habitually falsifies information when
it believes it will increase its profit to do so.
Below is a poll concerning Hydraulic Fracturing. Please click the button below that matches your opinion related to Hydraulic Fracturing.
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To Whom it concerns:
-I am reaching out to you to explore the current inept gas production regulatory provisions related to protection of both the public and environment.
-I am not an activist. I enjoy the energy that natural gas exploration has afforded me and generations to come.
-I am just another person to step on in the name of Enhancing America's Energy Production that will fuel our country. Yet the US produced more energy this year than it imported and is looking to take its place as a major world contender in providing liguid natural gas to other countries at a much higher profitable dollar amount.
-I support government funds through taxation and purchase of retail goods. My family support the US military both now and in the past. I am a voter. I volunteer my time to help those in need. I went to school here, my children went to school here, my grandchildren go to school here. I work, play, live and breathe here. I have always given to maintain the "American Dream."
-I am nobody in the eyes of Federal and State government. However, there are thousands of nobodies, just like me that are asking our government to "be quiet for a minute and listen." Producing less energy is and never has been the issue. Threat of loss of gas production related jobs and loss of revenue if change is made is an old fear tactic and ineffective. The issues we speak of is finding the balance between need and greed; providing incentives and better tools to harvest our energy; provide adequate laws that protect.
We want our leaders to protect and conserve our natural resources that include our water, air, land, and--us. How much does that cost?
-I am reaching out to you to explore the current inept gas production regulatory provisions related to protection of both the public and environment.
-I am not an activist. I enjoy the energy that natural gas exploration has afforded me and generations to come.
-I am just another person to step on in the name of Enhancing America's Energy Production that will fuel our country. Yet the US produced more energy this year than it imported and is looking to take its place as a major world contender in providing liguid natural gas to other countries at a much higher profitable dollar amount.
-I support government funds through taxation and purchase of retail goods. My family support the US military both now and in the past. I am a voter. I volunteer my time to help those in need. I went to school here, my children went to school here, my grandchildren go to school here. I work, play, live and breathe here. I have always given to maintain the "American Dream."
-I am nobody in the eyes of Federal and State government. However, there are thousands of nobodies, just like me that are asking our government to "be quiet for a minute and listen." Producing less energy is and never has been the issue. Threat of loss of gas production related jobs and loss of revenue if change is made is an old fear tactic and ineffective. The issues we speak of is finding the balance between need and greed; providing incentives and better tools to harvest our energy; provide adequate laws that protect.
We want our leaders to protect and conserve our natural resources that include our water, air, land, and--us. How much does that cost?