CEC Director writes Freestone County Times editor:

Ms. Karen Leidy    

Editor, Freestone County Times

401 East Commerce St.

Fairfield, Texas 75840

December 29, 2009


Subject: Letter to the Editor: What’s the Hurry with Air Monitor Installation?

Since the budget meetings in July and August of 2007, we citizens have been trying to get an air monitor station installed in Freestone County. That’s almost two and a half years ago. Again, in 2009 budget meetings, an air monitor was approved by the Commissioners’ Court. Why can’t the Commissioners’ Court get it done? I believe there is a continuing conspiracy against our people to not get the air monitor installed. Our elected county officials responsible for getting the project completed should hear from each of you by way of a phone call, letter or speaking up at the next Commissioners’ Court meeting 9:00 a.m. January 4th, 2010. What is their schedule for getting it done? I provided a schedule, but it has been ignored.


How long are our citizens going to remain complacent and wait on someone else to insure the air monitor project is done expeditiously? Our citizens think they are not affected . Why? They don’t see, feel or taste the pollution, so they assume it’s not there. Yet the large number of deaths due to cancer continues year after year. Relay for Life won’t stop the cancer. We must get to the root cause?



We have been briefed by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) that Freestone County is the most polluted county in Texas. Why is this? Because we have Big Brown I and II, the dirtiest, most polluting coal fired electric power plant in Texas that emits 76,000 to 96,000 tons per year of Sulfur Dioxide alone. Now add to that 130 natural gas compressor stations with no stacks that are allowed to emit 35,250 tons per year of toxic pollutants via a permit by rule that the public does not get to comment on.



All of these pollutants amount to a 50 pound feed sack of toxic pollutants in every Freestone County resident’s face every day. A properly installed air monitor will prove that our air does not meet national air standards.


Then what? The company’s responsible for the pollution must clean up the air. This will create jobs in our county. Cancer deaths and asthma will be cut dramatically in Freestone County.


If Commissioner’ Court continues to drag its feet, Big Brown I and II will be able to renew its current high level of emissions air permit because we won’t have air monitor data to make the clean-up happen. We will be condemned to cancer and asthma for another five years. That’s the time period of a renewed air permit.

Our citizens should Call, write or attend the meeting and demand a schedule for completion of the air monitor installation. It’s been put off too long.

Sincerely,

Charles E. Morgan, P.E. , Inactive

Executive Director,

Citizens for Environmental Clean – Up (CEC)

                                   XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
                                   Wake -up and smell the gas
                                            Tri-County Area

                                                                                                                                  

A Fracking Mischaracterization

             ProPublica  ... By: Paul Steiger 
   ProPublica has been reporting on
this method of obtaining natural
gas for 18 months. Lead reporter
Abrahm Lustgarten has researched
and written over 50 stories. The
fact that some gas industries want
to deny, are significant risks to
the water supply. Read more:
 http://www.propublica.org/feature/propublicas-drilling-coverage-what-investors-business-daily-missed-1223

Texas State Government Responds to Results

of DISH Health Survey
Earthworks  Press Release
 TCEQ acknowledged the need for new
protections for citizens living in the
Barnett Shale. They must now respond
to odor complaints within 12 hours,
and all other complaints in the same day.
We must pay attention to what actions
were taken to get these results here.
In 2007, the County approved funds
for an air monitor. Lack of action, let
these funds expire. In 2009 with the help
from COPPS,and CEC we again received
budget approval for an air monitor,
months have passed, so far we've
accomplished only delay, delay. Help
protect our health, stand with us to
determine our air safety, Let's tell
the EPA we are concerned about our
children's future,and the health and
well being of all.
Read full press release here:
http://earthworksaction.org/PR_DISH_HealthSurveyRelease_TCEQ.cfm

Aruba Petroleum Gas Well Compressor Noise

from : Bluedaze.com ...Barnett Shale
   See and Hear for yourself, this can damage
your health. Click on Vibroacoustic Disease
to see our brochure. Long time exposure
has been linked to learning disabilities in
children. The small town of Dish,Tx. has eleven
compressor stations. Freestone County has
130. More..:http://txsharon.blogspot.com/2009/12/aruba-petroleum-barnett-shale-gas-well_18.html

Exxon can void purchase of XTO

Clause in deal allows exit if drilling
method, 'fracking,' is restricted
   Dallas Morning News..By: Dave Michaels
                         and Elizabeth Souder
Citizens for Environmental Clean-Up
sets the record straight: the Exxon
back out clause is purely
industry spin aided by lazy
journalism
because there is nothing in the
'Frac Act' or anywhere else
about banning hydraulic
fracturing.
 
More:http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/bus/stories/DN-exxon_17bus.ART0.State.Edition1.3dbdbdc.html    

Denton County Consultant Sentenced

Texas Emissions Reduction Plan Investigation
                 TCEQ   terp@tceq.state.tx.us
   The Texas Commission for Enviro-
mental Quality announced the recent
conviction of a Denton County man,
as a result of a forgery investigation
conducted by the TCEQ Environ-
mental Crimes Unit.
On Nov. 24, 2009 Claude Dean (C.D.)
Stang, owner of Texas Grant Writers,
of Aubrey, Texas was sentenced to 
five years in prison for his role in forging
signatures on the condition and use form
on Texas Emissions Reduction Plan
grant applications.
  During the investigation, it was found
that Stang Was charging up to $600 per
piece of equipment to assist potential
applicants in filling out the TCEQ's
Emissions Incentive Grant applications.
The investigation revealed that Stang
and his employees were falsifying bid
quotes from Fairfield Tractor.

That Tap Water Is Legal But May Be Unhealthy

   The New York Times..... By: Charles Duhigg

   The thirty-five year old federal law
regulating tap water is so out of
date that the water Americans drink
can pose what scientist say are ser-
ious health risks - and still be legal.
   All told more than 62 million
have been exposed since 2004 to
drinking water that did not meet
at least one commonly used
government health guide line in-
tended to help protect people from
cancer or serious disease.
More: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/17/us/17water.html?_r=1&th&emc=th 

CEC December Meeting Canceled

We will have our next meeting
 Jan. 21, 2010. (Third Thursday)

Wishing A Very Merry
      Christmas To All!!!

Revolving Door: Climate Edition

               Mother Jones....Josh Harkinson
SMOKE SCREEN released by the Citizens
for Responsibility and Ethics reveals that
20 former Bush appointees have taken jobs
in government relations and lobbying.
Exxon,coal,and chemicals.Read more:
http://motherjones.com/blue-marble/2009/12/how-bush-insiders-are-influencing-climate-debate

In Exxon Deal Signs of the New Gusher

      New York Times...By:  Jad Mouawad & Clifford Krauss
Exxon Mobil has purchased XTO for
31 Billion. This acqusition extends
Exxon's bet that fossil fuels will
remain a critical part of our Nation's
energy supplies for decades.

Shale gas drilling poses some en-
vironmental concerns in the com-
munities where it occurs.

XTO reported a 23 percent jump
in gas production in the third
quarter. Exxon will assume XTO's
10 Billion in debt as part of the deal.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/15/business/energy-environment/15exxon.html?th&emc=th

Hydraulic Fracturing Natural Gas Boom Hits Obstacle

Groundwater Contamination
      Blogging Stocks.... By: Joseph Lazzaro
Perhaps Initial euphoria over prospects
for a massive increase in natural
gas supply~~both in the U.S. and
globally~~ were a bit premature.
The reason, new technologies such
as hydraulic fracturing to access
the gas are causing environmental
problems. Mainly, drinking water wells
and water supplies.The New York
Times reported. The incidence of
groundwater contamination is thin
but, environmental groups say
that's because government has
been slow to monitor and not
looking hard enough for contami-
nation.
   ENERGY ANAYLSIS:
Obviously a setback for natural
gas, as new technology must be
sensitive to drinking water sup-
plies. A comparatively cheap
energy but not worth contamin-
ating wells or groundwater.
Investors should take a wait
and see approach, pending an
EPA review to see if the new
technology can be made safe.
 http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/12/10/hydraulic-fracturing-natural-gas-boom-hits-obstacle-groundwater/

TCEQ Gives Green Light To Another Texas Coal Plant

Public Citizen ~ Texas VOX  .....by citizensarah

  The dramatic irony of TCEQ to grant NRG
Limestone Coal Plant an air permit just when
leaders of the world are meeting to save our
planet from global warming. Texas gives the
green light to build another mercury spewing
asthma inducing coal plant.

  Next legislation session TCEQ will undergo
the Sunset Review process, which will give
us a chance to reform TCEQ permitting process.

If allowed to continue, NRG will release:
2,102 tons per year SO2 forms smog
1,752 TPY of NOX forms ozone
1,226 TPY of particulate matter which
causes respiratory illness.
140 pounds PY of Mercury which causes
birth defects and developmental problems
in children
Full story: http://texasvox.org/2009/12/09/tceq-gives-green-light-to-another-texas-coal-plant/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+TexasvoxTheVoiceOfPublicCitizenInTexas+%28TexasVox%3A+The+Voice+of+Public+Citizen+in+Texas%29
CEC also a party in case against this permit.

TCEQ HOLDS WATER HEARING

       Corsicana Daily Sun.........Bob Belcher

A public hearing on a water discharge permit for a proposed
Power Plant in Navarro County at Dawson Auditorium on
Monday night brought out about 125 people.
The hearing conducted by TCEQ had a question and comments
for regulators and plant developers.

CEC's Director and several members were present. Our Director
Charles Morgan called for the permit to be "held to the
highest standards" in protecting the environment.
Vicky Prater of COPPS said"we do not want our land, water,
and childrens' lives affected."

Corsicana Mayor Buster Brown, Lindsey King speaking for Navarro County Board of Realators, and Lee McCleary economic developer
for city and county are in favor of the plant.
MORE:http://www.corsicanadailysun.com/local/local_story_342100150.html    

Air tests at Natural Gas drilling sites fuels concerns

Barnett Shale....From Dallas Morning News

   Tests showing high concentrations of benzene and
other toxic chemicals in the air, near drill sites and
other facilities have brought new focus on the natural
gas industry and public health. Cities, counties, and
the states' environmental agency are anxiously await-
ing an analysis of regional testing and any potential
actions that could follow. Long term exposure to
benzene in the air can cause leukemia.
Dish test emissions shows levels of chemicals exceeding
TCEQ limits. Read full story here.. http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/news/localnews/stories/120409dnmetdrilling.3f39993.html

Natural Gas Drilling Harms Eyes Causes Tumors

Destroys Air: The Ugly Truth Behind the 'Natural' Energy Source
 from...Planet Green  by: Rachel Cernansky

With exemptions from the most fundamental evironmental protect-
tions including the Clean Air and Safe Drinking Water Acts, the
oil and gas industry has been able to get away with polluting land,
air and water supplies - and getting people sick every step of the
way. The industry relies on a method called hydraulic fracturing
or fracing to access most of the gas reserves underground, is not
required to disclose types or amounts of chemicals used while
drilling. Making it difficult for scientist, and doctors to find ill effects
on the environment and human health.

According to Dr. Theo Colburn 2-BE a chemical used in emulsifing
can enter the home through a water well, which means it will be in
water used for drinking, bathing, showering, doing laundry and dishes.
More regulation is needed, solutions already exsist. Read more
here http://planetgreen.discovery.com/food-health/gas-drilling-harms-eyes.