Blowing in the Wind

The Fort Worth Star-Telegram daily newspaper says Al Armendariz was right about the pollution. They then went on to say no one is going to do anything about it. Here are some of the most amusing statements in the article. It would be funny, if it weren't so sad...

"State environmental officials say that an SMU researcher was correct: Gas drilling in the Barnett Shale contributes about as much air pollution to the Dallas-Fort Worth area as car and truck traffic.

But the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality doesn’t plan on taking any action about chemicals released during gas drilling because they typically happen in rural areas, not in the immediate metro area, where the EPA is forcing state and local governments to control air pollution."

Last we checked there were wells popping up all over Fort Worth (15oo permits) and the surrounding cities. Is the metroplex now considered rural?

"Focus stays on vehicles-

The commission believes it’s easier to address ozone by reducing the amount of nitrous oxides. The easiest way to do that is to reduce pollution from cars and trucks. The volatile organic compounds can be toxic, but they’re harder to control, Morrow said.

Also, she said, "The biggest gas-producing counties in the Barnett Shale are contiguous to D-FW. However, the prevailing winds in the D-FW area are such that emissions from the Barnett Shale are carried away from the D-FW area."

What? Did they just say go after the drivers because it's easier? And the wind will just blow away all our troubles? (And make them someone else's.) You've got to be kidding.