State Rep. Jim Keffer of Eastland, chair of the Texas House Committee on Energy Resources, last week introduced a bill to require limited disclosure of the chemicals used in hydraulic fracturing of natural gas wells. Since Texas currently has no disclosure requirements, we’d like to be able to say HB 3328 is a step forward – but we can’t.
Why? Because, as Jim Hightower says, “The water won’t clear up until we get the hogs out of the creek.”
I have a lot more to say about this bill on EARTHblog.
It is hard to believe Rep. Keffer is after genuine disclosure and holding oil and gas companies accountable considering his comment in the Texas Tribune calling the EPA “reckless” and accusing them of a “cavalier” attitude for requiring Range Resources to prove their gas did not contaminate water wells in Parker County.
As Molly Ivins said: “Good thing we’ve still got politics in Texas – finest form of free entertainment ever invented.”
About Sharon Wilson
Sharon Wilson is considered a leading citizen expert on the impacts of shale oil and gas extraction. She is the go-to person whether it’s top EPA officials from D.C., national and international news networks, or residents facing the shock of eminent domain and the devastating environmental effects of natural gas development in their backyards.
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Is anyone else surprised by the Texas legislature? I liked them better when they were wasting time banning synthetic marijuana and taxing soda. I find it fascinating how none of these bills are ever covered in saaaay the Dallas Morning News. Seriously all of these absurd bills to give natural gas more power are never printed in mainstream papers. There is absolutely no way our representatives are ignorant to the dangers of fracking. In fact this recent influx of bills to protect the gas mafia proves they know the jig is up unless they can rig the game further. Also a bill should be immediately destroyed if it is written by the industry it seeks to keep in check. DUH!
Al Armendariz is right we have no lobbyists.
Not that I even had to look but in the Texas Legislature section of DMN today I have to read about the importance of passing an anti-bullying bill!!! Really Dallas Morning News?? Writing about an anti-bullying bill is more important than whether or not the environmental bullies can continue to cite trade bully secrets while pumping toxic chemicals into our ground??!?! Texas is so cracked out and fracked out its not even funny anymore. Can anyone explain to me who pays the Dallas Morning News to look the other way constantly on Oil and Gas coverage?
Tad ole buddy you are so correct–none of the 3 branches of our guvment' at any level, is there to help us the peasants against O&G pollution!