hearing in Austin, was attended
by CEC Director, Charles Morgan
and secretary Sharon Ward
and friends, Mr. and Mrs.
Lionel Milberger of Robertson
County. We were unable to
stay for TCEQ hearing which
didn't end untill 11:45p.m..
Both Mr. Morgan, and Mr.
Milberger spoke. Their main
concerns were: Public notice
to property owners,and adjacent
property owners prior to con-struction and drilling. Allowed
distances to oil and gas facilities
to residences, churches and schools
sufficient to protect peoples'
health and safety. Effect of drilling
and operations on property
valuation. Public access to RRC
user friendly website and locations
of maps of proposed and of oil and
existing gas wells and compressor stations.
The RRC should not be funded by the
public, but earn its keep by assessment
of fines and fees on the industry they
regulate. Out of 80,000 complaints
only 496 were taken to enforcement.
Noise issue: noise law to protect rural
citizens. RRC Commissioners are
elected and should not be allowed
to accept campaign contributions
from those entities it regulates. Oil
and Gas contributed about $100,000
to our representative, Mr. Cook,
Chairman of the Texas Legislature's
Environmental Committee.
Fracking Process: Develop rules
to protect our aquifers if we are to have
potable water to sustain our
population.
Results from this hearing due mid- January.
Thanks Sierra Club for our pix.
http://texasgreenreport.wordpress.com/2010/12/16/wow-wow-wow-at-the-sunset-hearing/
