Verified: frackers think status quo is “responsible drilling”

Yesterday residents in Denton were treated to yet another mailer from the people who support “Responsible Drilling.” This one, from the wife of one of the two board members, was particularly offensive.

See larger version HERE

The mailer reminded me of a quote I saw yesterday in a video about the BP spill.

“Somebody ought to feel something other than greed.”

The family depicted in the picture above is one of the rare Denton mineral owners who actually lives in Denton. Their minerals are valued at more than the entire Denton Independent School District.

• Average annual mineral value held by DISD (from DCAD): $143,00
• Annual mineral value held by Jones Family Trust (DCAD) : $169,000

So, while the Jones family sends out deceptive mailers leading Denton residents to believe schools will go bankrupt and park swings will break if a ban on fracking is passed, this family gains more from fracking than all the students in Denton schools.

The Jones family are big supporters of “Responsible Drilling” but, until yesterday they have failed to define what that means.

When asked in an interview with the Dallas Business Journal to describe his idea of “Responsible Drilling”, Bobby Jones the treasurer of Denton Tax Payers for a Strong Economy had this to say:

“I guess I don’t see where it falls on the oil companies,” said Bobby Jones who has a pad site within 300 feet of his home. “They haven’t done anything wrong.”

There you have it Denton voters! “Responsible Drilling” means more of the same and the “Responsible Drilling” supporters believe the “oil companies” have no responsibility and have done nothing wrong.

Mr. and Mrs. Jones, according to the complaints logged with the state, your Denton neighbors disagree.

Searching the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality’s complaints from last Halloween to this Halloween yielded hundreds of complaints. Here is a sampling from the Southridge neighborhood where fracking occurred on the Acme Brick site:

Does this look like “Responsible Drilling” to you?

The complaintant states there is black smoke outside and there is a bad smell in their living room.

Does this look like “Responsible Drilling” to you?

STRONG ODOR FROM 9:15 AM THAT LAST APPROXIMATELY 15 MINUTES. ODOR INDUCES EXTREME HEADACHES.

Does this look like “Responsible Drilling” to you?

EXHAUST SMELL WAS SO STRONG THAT IT BURNED THEIR EYES.

Does this look like “Responsible Drilling” to you?

DUST IS GETTING IN EYES AND THROATS CAUSING ITCHING AND BURNING SENSATIONS OCCURRING BETWEEN THE HOURS OF ~6:00 AM-~7:00 PM.

A sampling of the complaints from the Meadows of Hickory Creek and Vintage nieghborhoods:

Does this look like “Responsible Drilling” to you?

SORE THROAT, TROUBLE IN BREATHING, COUGHING AND HEADACHES DUE TO EMISSIONS FROM GAS WELL DRILLING SITE.

Does this look like “Responsible Drilling” to you?

SORE THROAT, FATIGUE, NAUSEA AND BAD HEADACHES DUE TO EMISSIONS FROM ALLEGED SOURCE.

Does this look like “Responsible Drilling” to you?

COMPLAINANT WAS WALKING IN NEIGHBORHOOD AND IS NOW EXPERIENCING BURNING LUNGS, SORE THROAT, COUGHING AND A DIFFICULT TIME THEIR CATCHING BREATH.

Does this look like “Responsible Drilling” to you?

THE COMPLAINANT ALLEGED THAT A LARGE ABOUT OF FUMES WERE BEING GENERATED BY THE FACILITY AND THESE EMISSIONS WERE CLEARLY VISIBLE. COMPLAINANT ALLEGES THAT THE FACILITY IS CAUSING HEADACHES, WATERY EYES, AND SINUS ISSUES. ALL OF WHICH HAVE NOT BEEN PREVIOUS ISSUES.

Does this look like “Responsible Drilling” to you?

NEARBY DRILLING RIG CAUSING STRONG CHEMICAL ODORS, EYES IRRITATION, AND HEADACHES.
THERE IS A FOG OF EMISSIONS IN THE AIR MAKING IT HARD TO BREATH

Does this look like “Responsible Drilling” to you?

DIESEL FUMES. THE COMPLAINANT STATED THAT OUSIDE THE SMELL WAS VERY STRONG ALMOST MAKING THEM FAINT.

Does this look like “Responsible Drilling” to you?

FUMES THAT LEAVE A BITTER TASTE IN THEIR MOUTH AND THE FUMES HAVING A SULFURIC SMELL AND ROTTEN EGGS SMELL.

Does this look like “Responsible Drilling” to you?

OVERPOWERING CHEMICAL ODOR WHILE WALKING OUTSIDE FOR 10 MINUTES, EXPERIENCED A PIERCING HEADACHE AND NAUSEA, THROAT IRRITATION, AND EYE BURNING

There are hundreds of complaints like these listed at the TCEQ website.

How about this? Does this look like “Responsible Drilling” to you?

Does this look like “Responsible Drilling” to you?

How about this? This child has a fracking site 200′ from his bedroom. Does this look like “Responsible Drilling” to you?

If you don’t want fracking in your backyard, vote FOR the proposition to prohibit hydraulic fracturing in the city limits of Denton.

UPDATE: While you’re here, don’t miss my conversation with Randy Sorrells at the polls in Denton.

UPDATE: Vote to keep this sign out of your backyard.