Sometimes thinking of Range Resources reminds me of Shakespeare.

Something is rotten in the state of Denmark. ~Marcellus
speaking to Horatio in Shakespeare’s Hamlet.

 

When I get a link to this news story, I will provide it. Right now it’s subscription only.  LINK

Former Pa. Gov. Rendell pressed EPA in Range pollution case, emails show
Mike Soraghan, E&E reporter
Published: Tuesday, February 5, 2013

Former Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell interceded with then-U.S. EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson on behalf of Range Resources Corp. to settle the oil and gas company’s high-profile Texas water contamination case, emails obtained by EnergyWire show.

An EPA attorney wrote that Rendell, acting as a “spokesman for Range,” met with Jackson in 2011 and “proposed certain terms to the administrator.” But the case didn’t settle for more than a year after that.

What a nice guy that Rendell is to “intercede” on behalf of a billion dollar corporation just because he’s a good guy like Greg.

Pitzarella wouldn’t confirm any relationship with Rendell and said he was definitely never hired by the company.

“I don’t know the extent of the governor’s involvement in energy-related matters, but he never functioned as a spokesperson of Range,” Pitzarella said.

The emails also make it clear that the EPA did not back away from the case because of anything to do with their science, all of which we have yet to see. They use words like “shameful” and express sorrow at what Dr. Armendariz was experiencing.

Range continues to deny everything based on their science, which we have yet to see because it’s “proprietary.”

“We’re pleased that once EPA headquarters became engaged and they reviewed the facts and science they decided to not settle the case, but to fully withdraw their order,” Pitzarella said. “This is consistent with state regulators who also determined Range to not cause or contribute to a long-standing, well-documented matter of naturally occurring methane.”

“The lady doth protest too much, methinks” ~Queen Gertrude
speaking to Hamlet’s mother in Shakespeare’s, Hamlet.

Regarding this part:

Days after that, and a week before the case was dropped, Armendariz urged the EPA attorneys in Washington to make Range dial back its aggressive tactics in related state court fights. It appears to be a reference to Range’s decision to subpoena Sharon Wilson, a blogger and Earthworks activist involved in the case.

First, for clarity, I was never “involved in the case” any more than Mike Soraghan who, like me, has only written about this case. Range tried their damnedest to involv me but they were unsuccessful. Second, I appreciate the concern but I’ve had my “big girl panties” on for quite some time now.