This has got to be one of the dumbest bills we have seen. So dumb it died, therefore it gets attached to another bill. Someone has got to get the gas and oil companies out of Washington.
(By the way, how do you think the Trinity project passed??)
Speak up!
Saturday, May 30, 2009
Who is Al Armendariz?
He's someone our leaders should have listened to years ago...
We found this online as a word document, it originally was posted in the Fort Worth Star-Telegram daily newspaper.
Region’s clean- air plan is flawed, engineer reports
By Scott Streater
Source: Fort Worth Star-Telegram
Credit: Star-Telegram staff writer
Saturday, December 15, 2007
Edition: Tarrant, Section: Metro, Page B9
* The state says that waiting to put the plan into effect would do more harm than good.
The Dallas-Fort Worth area will never meet federal clean- air standards unless the state targets ozone-forming pollution from cement plants, natural gas compressor engines and other sources that affect Tarrant and Denton counties.
That’s one of the findings in a new study by Al Armendariz, a Southern Methodist University chemical engineer who has advised local advocates on ozone issues. Armendariz analyzed ozone patterns over the past 10 years and found that pollution levels have remained the same or risen slightly in Tarrant and Denton counties as they decreased elsewhere.
He attributed this to the increase in compressor engines used to produce natural gas in the Barnett Shale and to the cement plants in Ellis County, southeast of Fort Worth.
Yet a state clean- air plan for the Dallas-Fort Worth region mostly focuses on pollution that affects Frisco, in Collin County, even though the highest ozone levels in the past five years have been recorded in Tarrant County.
Armendariz said the state needs a new plan focusing on "those sources that affect Tarrant County and Denton County, because those are the sources that are putting everybody above the federal standard."
State regulators say revising the plan would take months and delay efforts to clean the air.
"Our thought process is we need to move forward as quickly as possible to bring the area into compliance," said Andy Saenz, a spokesman for the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality.
Ozone problems
The study
Al Armendariz, a chemical engineer at Southern Methodist University, studied ozone patterns and ozone-forming pollutants over the past 10 years and concluded that a state plan for reducing ozone in Dallas-Fort Worth is flawed. Armendariz shared his study this week with the Environmental Protection Agency’s regional office in Dallas. The EPA, which has expressed concern about the state plan, will not comment until it has finished its review of the plan, EPA spokesman Dave Bary said.
The problem
Armendariz’s study lists two main reasons that ozone-forming pollutant levels have remained steady, particularly in Tarrant County:
Gas compressor engines: The state has already conceded that it seriously undercounted the engines being used to compress natural gas produced in the Barnett Shale. It is trying to get a more accurate count. The state plan calls for emission controls on these engines.
Cement plants: While automakers and coal-fired power plants have been forced to cut emissions significantly in the past decade, the cement plants in Ellis County have not achieved similar reductions, according to Armendariz’s study. The state plan calls for those plants to cut emissions by 40 percent.
The solution
Armendariz said the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality must completely revise the State Implementation Plan that it approved in May. Armendariz compared Texas’ plan with nine others and determined it "has the weakest computer modeling of any in the country." The problem, he said, is that the model is based on a sequence of high-ozone days in August 1999, when levels were highest in Frisco and Denton. That information is an "abnormality" within the past decade, he said. State regulators say the plan offers the best chance for the D-FW region to meet clean- air standards for the first time in decades.
The cement industry
The three cement kilns in Midlothian — Ash Grove Cement, Holcim and TXI Operations — are the largest industrial sources of ozone-forming pollution in Dallas-Fort Worth. But industry officials say they are making significant strides in reducing pollution. Ash Grove and Holcim have installed equipment in the last two years that can chemically alter some emissions into harmless water vapor. This has allowed Holcim to cut emissions of nitrogen oxides — the principal manmade component of ozone — by half in the past year, Holcim spokeswoman Susana Duarte de Suarez said. Ash Grove said it has slashed such emissions by nearly half since 1995 and is installing controls that will cut 30 percent more by next year.
Local action
The state plan has been widely criticized as weak. In July, Tarrant County Judge Glen Whitley asked Richard Greene, the EPA’s regional administrator, to strengthen the plan, in part because he wants cement plants cut pollution more. In September, Dallas County Judge Jim Foster asked Gov. Rick Perry to make the state plan stronger.
Why you should care
Ozone can trigger asthma attacks and aggravate emphysema, bronchitis and other respiratory problems. Children, older adults, people with respiratory problems and those who work outside are at greatest risk. Dallas-Fort Worth does not meet federal ozone standards and faces a 2010 deadline to meet them or face severe federal sanctions.
We found this online as a word document, it originally was posted in the Fort Worth Star-Telegram daily newspaper.
Region’s clean- air plan is flawed, engineer reports
By Scott Streater
Source: Fort Worth Star-Telegram
Credit: Star-Telegram staff writer
Saturday, December 15, 2007
Edition: Tarrant, Section: Metro, Page B9
* The state says that waiting to put the plan into effect would do more harm than good.
The Dallas-Fort Worth area will never meet federal clean- air standards unless the state targets ozone-forming pollution from cement plants, natural gas compressor engines and other sources that affect Tarrant and Denton counties.
That’s one of the findings in a new study by Al Armendariz, a Southern Methodist University chemical engineer who has advised local advocates on ozone issues. Armendariz analyzed ozone patterns over the past 10 years and found that pollution levels have remained the same or risen slightly in Tarrant and Denton counties as they decreased elsewhere.
He attributed this to the increase in compressor engines used to produce natural gas in the Barnett Shale and to the cement plants in Ellis County, southeast of Fort Worth.
Yet a state clean- air plan for the Dallas-Fort Worth region mostly focuses on pollution that affects Frisco, in Collin County, even though the highest ozone levels in the past five years have been recorded in Tarrant County.
Armendariz said the state needs a new plan focusing on "those sources that affect Tarrant County and Denton County, because those are the sources that are putting everybody above the federal standard."
State regulators say revising the plan would take months and delay efforts to clean the air.
"Our thought process is we need to move forward as quickly as possible to bring the area into compliance," said Andy Saenz, a spokesman for the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality.
Ozone problems
The study
Al Armendariz, a chemical engineer at Southern Methodist University, studied ozone patterns and ozone-forming pollutants over the past 10 years and concluded that a state plan for reducing ozone in Dallas-Fort Worth is flawed. Armendariz shared his study this week with the Environmental Protection Agency’s regional office in Dallas. The EPA, which has expressed concern about the state plan, will not comment until it has finished its review of the plan, EPA spokesman Dave Bary said.
The problem
Armendariz’s study lists two main reasons that ozone-forming pollutant levels have remained steady, particularly in Tarrant County:
Gas compressor engines: The state has already conceded that it seriously undercounted the engines being used to compress natural gas produced in the Barnett Shale. It is trying to get a more accurate count. The state plan calls for emission controls on these engines.
Cement plants: While automakers and coal-fired power plants have been forced to cut emissions significantly in the past decade, the cement plants in Ellis County have not achieved similar reductions, according to Armendariz’s study. The state plan calls for those plants to cut emissions by 40 percent.
The solution
Armendariz said the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality must completely revise the State Implementation Plan that it approved in May. Armendariz compared Texas’ plan with nine others and determined it "has the weakest computer modeling of any in the country." The problem, he said, is that the model is based on a sequence of high-ozone days in August 1999, when levels were highest in Frisco and Denton. That information is an "abnormality" within the past decade, he said. State regulators say the plan offers the best chance for the D-FW region to meet clean- air standards for the first time in decades.
The cement industry
The three cement kilns in Midlothian — Ash Grove Cement, Holcim and TXI Operations — are the largest industrial sources of ozone-forming pollution in Dallas-Fort Worth. But industry officials say they are making significant strides in reducing pollution. Ash Grove and Holcim have installed equipment in the last two years that can chemically alter some emissions into harmless water vapor. This has allowed Holcim to cut emissions of nitrogen oxides — the principal manmade component of ozone — by half in the past year, Holcim spokeswoman Susana Duarte de Suarez said. Ash Grove said it has slashed such emissions by nearly half since 1995 and is installing controls that will cut 30 percent more by next year.
Local action
The state plan has been widely criticized as weak. In July, Tarrant County Judge Glen Whitley asked Richard Greene, the EPA’s regional administrator, to strengthen the plan, in part because he wants cement plants cut pollution more. In September, Dallas County Judge Jim Foster asked Gov. Rick Perry to make the state plan stronger.
Why you should care
Ozone can trigger asthma attacks and aggravate emphysema, bronchitis and other respiratory problems. Children, older adults, people with respiratory problems and those who work outside are at greatest risk. Dallas-Fort Worth does not meet federal ozone standards and faces a 2010 deadline to meet them or face severe federal sanctions.
Friday, May 29, 2009
Clyde's Two Cents
If you haven't read Clyde's comments lately, you should.
We keep hearing how Fort Worth is in financial trouble but when you attend council meetings, it sounds like we have all the money in the world.
We still have issue with spending millions to move so many things that are "in the way" of the Trinity project. If it ain't broke (and you are) don't fix it. We aren't the only ones...
"Next on Mr. Harwood's list of essentials was the police and fire training facility which will be in the way of Trinity Uptown. Therefore it will be necessary to build a new facility utilizing 75-300 acres (a rather flexible estimate) elsewhere about town. A previous estimate of the cost was in the stimulus request and amounted to $111,000,000. That would buy a helluva training facility. We'll see what it costs when we spend our own money. Harwood indicated a need to have an operating firing range within 2.5 years, dependent on Trinity Uptown construction."
We keep hearing how Fort Worth is in financial trouble but when you attend council meetings, it sounds like we have all the money in the world.
We still have issue with spending millions to move so many things that are "in the way" of the Trinity project. If it ain't broke (and you are) don't fix it. We aren't the only ones...
"Next on Mr. Harwood's list of essentials was the police and fire training facility which will be in the way of Trinity Uptown. Therefore it will be necessary to build a new facility utilizing 75-300 acres (a rather flexible estimate) elsewhere about town. A previous estimate of the cost was in the stimulus request and amounted to $111,000,000. That would buy a helluva training facility. We'll see what it costs when we spend our own money. Harwood indicated a need to have an operating firing range within 2.5 years, dependent on Trinity Uptown construction."
This just in
We received this email Don Young sent out to the masses, it is a must read.
The gas industry has been misleading us. No one that has had dealings with the gas industry and their hired politicians are surprised.
The "clean natural gas" myth has been debunked by none other than the State of Texas.
Mike Moncrief, Ed Ireland, Chesapeake, XTO and other environmental criminals were wrong.
Barnett Shale gas is now, officially, just another dirty fossil fuel and a major contributor to DFW smog.
How much?
200 TONS per day !!!!!
Dr. Al Armendariz of SMU, the Environmental Defense Fund and the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) all agree that oil and gas development in the Barnett Shale is about equal to all the vehicles in the 9 county DFW Metroplex.
This particular study is ONLY about air quality.
When you factor in the water and safety issues, greenspace destruction and other quality of life issues, natural gas production is a significant endangerment to public health and safety.
Environmental Justice has been denied to people, pets and wildlife in the Barnett Shale.
Now the jig is up.
We are ready for some justice.
DY
Read Dr. Armendaiz' press release and TCEQ data results below:
http://lyle.smu.edu/~aja/barnett-shale.html
"God bless Fort Worth, Texas. Help us save some of it."
The gas industry has been misleading us. No one that has had dealings with the gas industry and their hired politicians are surprised.
The "clean natural gas" myth has been debunked by none other than the State of Texas.
Mike Moncrief, Ed Ireland, Chesapeake, XTO and other environmental criminals were wrong.
Barnett Shale gas is now, officially, just another dirty fossil fuel and a major contributor to DFW smog.
How much?
200 TONS per day !!!!!
Dr. Al Armendariz of SMU, the Environmental Defense Fund and the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) all agree that oil and gas development in the Barnett Shale is about equal to all the vehicles in the 9 county DFW Metroplex.
This particular study is ONLY about air quality.
When you factor in the water and safety issues, greenspace destruction and other quality of life issues, natural gas production is a significant endangerment to public health and safety.
Environmental Justice has been denied to people, pets and wildlife in the Barnett Shale.
Now the jig is up.
We are ready for some justice.
DY
Read Dr. Armendaiz' press release and TCEQ data results below:
http://lyle.smu.edu/~aja/barnett-shale.html
"God bless Fort Worth, Texas. Help us save some of it."
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
District 3 Run Off
Once there were 7, now we are down to 2.
Zim Zimmerman and Eric Fox.
All but one of the previous candidates are supporting Zim.
Mrs. Silcox supports Zim, so does Don Woodard.
Moncrief and Kay Granger support Fox.
Lots of good letters and info on Zim's site.
VOTE!!!!!
Zim Zimmerman and Eric Fox.
All but one of the previous candidates are supporting Zim.
Mrs. Silcox supports Zim, so does Don Woodard.
Moncrief and Kay Granger support Fox.
Lots of good letters and info on Zim's site.
VOTE!!!!!
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Money MIA
The Fort Worth Star-Telegram newspaper is full of interesting items of late.
The Editorial Board saying they are embarrassed by mayor and council due to the latest HUD fiasco, saying "few officials realized it or they ignored it or, worse yet, perhaps didn’t care enough to do something about it."
This coming from the same Editorial Board that supported all Fort Worth incumbents for relection this month?
"In addition, the government’s concern over the HUD allocation has caused officials to wonder whether the city is capable of handling money it would receive from the federal stimulus package".
Does this mean the government is catching on to what the people have been saying?
The newspaper also claims Fort Worth's budget is now $61 billion dollars short and growing. "Unlike the federal government, cities are prohibited by law from running deficits. The options for closing the gap aren’t pleasant.
This year’s budget shortfall is presenting a reality check for Fort Worth politicians and the populace. You can’t spend more than you bring in, and if you aren’t bringing in as much as before, you have two options: Raise taxes or cut services".
The Editorial Board saying they are embarrassed by mayor and council due to the latest HUD fiasco, saying "few officials realized it or they ignored it or, worse yet, perhaps didn’t care enough to do something about it."
This coming from the same Editorial Board that supported all Fort Worth incumbents for relection this month?
"In addition, the government’s concern over the HUD allocation has caused officials to wonder whether the city is capable of handling money it would receive from the federal stimulus package".
Does this mean the government is catching on to what the people have been saying?
The newspaper also claims Fort Worth's budget is now $61 billion dollars short and growing. "Unlike the federal government, cities are prohibited by law from running deficits. The options for closing the gap aren’t pleasant.
This year’s budget shortfall is presenting a reality check for Fort Worth politicians and the populace. You can’t spend more than you bring in, and if you aren’t bringing in as much as before, you have two options: Raise taxes or cut services".
Memorial Day MIA
We attended the 80th annual Memorial Day service at Mount Olivet in Fort Worth last night. It was a somber ceremony on the beautiful grounds with many Veterans groups and families in attendance.
Jungas Jordan was there "on behalf of Mike Moncrief". The mayor was too busy to attend forums prior to the election (he did make it to one). Were we surprised he was too busy to pay his respect for those who paid the ultimate price for our freedom?
We asked the question yesterday if those who serve are bothered by the lack of voter participation. The speaker last night mentioned something along the same lines. He said we were in attendance because we felt it with every fiber of our being, it was something we must do, just like voting.
Later on the news we heard the sad statistic, 1/3 of Americans do not know what Memorial Day is for. How is this possible?
One of the veterans gave an interview, we liked what he had to say.
Bruscino is a member of the Lone Star Chapter of Paralyzed Veterans of America. He said he was there to honor the war dead, which is what the holiday is all about. Forty years after he was paralyzed, the veteran admits he feels much more appreciated in 2009 than during wartime. "I'd say that was one of the lessons that people learned: that veterans were doing their jobs. And, if they want to get mad at somebody, get mad at the politicians, not the veterans."
Jungas Jordan was there "on behalf of Mike Moncrief". The mayor was too busy to attend forums prior to the election (he did make it to one). Were we surprised he was too busy to pay his respect for those who paid the ultimate price for our freedom?
We asked the question yesterday if those who serve are bothered by the lack of voter participation. The speaker last night mentioned something along the same lines. He said we were in attendance because we felt it with every fiber of our being, it was something we must do, just like voting.
Later on the news we heard the sad statistic, 1/3 of Americans do not know what Memorial Day is for. How is this possible?
One of the veterans gave an interview, we liked what he had to say.
Bruscino is a member of the Lone Star Chapter of Paralyzed Veterans of America. He said he was there to honor the war dead, which is what the holiday is all about. Forty years after he was paralyzed, the veteran admits he feels much more appreciated in 2009 than during wartime. "I'd say that was one of the lessons that people learned: that veterans were doing their jobs. And, if they want to get mad at somebody, get mad at the politicians, not the veterans."
Sunday, May 24, 2009
Moment of silence
On a local radio station today they named fallen soldiers from the metroplex. Their reading of the names is chilling. We are sure it is more so to the families of those lost. Hopefully it will remind some to pause and give thanks for all those things we take for granted. They ended the reading with, "Home of the free, courtesy of the brave". We agree and are very thankful to all serving, have served, and the families that have supported them while they did so.We wonder if soldiers are bothered that they protect a right and a freedom we posses but do not use? (We would ask those we know, but they happen to be busy protecting us at the moment, a special thanks to our Texas boys!) A right that many people were beaten, imprisoned and even died for. What would those involved think of today's elections? (6% voted).
It was important enough to die for, but those in the coming generations wont even use it? There were many people that we have to thank for our right to vote. People don't vote in their own city elections, why on earth not? These are as important as those in Washington.
When the polls open on Election Day, every citizen over the age of 18 will be able to cast a vote. It is a right we take for granted, one that defines our nation as a democracy. But universal suffrage — letting everyone vote — did not appear overnight with the ratification of our Constitution. Two hundred years ago, you had to be white, male, and wealthy in order to vote. The three people profiled on these pages dedicated their lives to changing that fact. Without them, suffrage might still be the privilege of a chosen few.
One of those dedicated was none other than Susan B. Anthony. She got in some legal trouble because she voted for a president in 1872. You can read her speech here.
Another sad mention for Memorial Day, kids attending school Monday. What? We have gotten the same response from everyone we told. "Are you kidding?" No, sadly, we are not.
How long was Fort Worth ISD out for Swine Flu? Did those kids have to make up all those days? Are the teachers going to get paid? (We think they should, but we also think kids shouldn't make up one day, especially if that day is Memorial Day). What, exactly, are we teaching them?
Friday, May 22, 2009
Waste water
The billboard ads up and down the freeways have clever little sayings designed to get you to conserve water.
The sidewalk asks you not to drown it, sweep it instead, or something like that.
Sounds like there are some streets that didn't see the ad.
The sidewalk asks you not to drown it, sweep it instead, or something like that.
Sounds like there are some streets that didn't see the ad.
Thursday, May 21, 2009
TX vs.OK
No, not football. Water.
What a tangled web...
WHO is JC Watts?
Last August the city of Irving was criticized for making a deal with Hugo, OK to purchase water. The mayor of Irving said he couldn't wait for the Tarrant Regional Water District or anyone else for something so crucial. Makes perfect sense to us.
The water district has spent their time and money on "more important" things like paying the Eppstein group to promote Trinity Uptown, paying lobbyist to secure more federal money for Trinity Uptown, and paying double the value for land needed for Trinity Uptown. (This week the water district agreed to spend $286,000 for a 0.3868 acre lot valued at $129,903).
Isn't their job to ensure we have water in the future and protect from flooding? Maybe the Irving mayor should run for the water board. We'd vote for him.
What a tangled web...
WHO is JC Watts?
Last August the city of Irving was criticized for making a deal with Hugo, OK to purchase water. The mayor of Irving said he couldn't wait for the Tarrant Regional Water District or anyone else for something so crucial. Makes perfect sense to us.
The water district has spent their time and money on "more important" things like paying the Eppstein group to promote Trinity Uptown, paying lobbyist to secure more federal money for Trinity Uptown, and paying double the value for land needed for Trinity Uptown. (This week the water district agreed to spend $286,000 for a 0.3868 acre lot valued at $129,903).
Isn't their job to ensure we have water in the future and protect from flooding? Maybe the Irving mayor should run for the water board. We'd vote for him.
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