Natural Gas Information for Bartonville, TX
Natural Gas Drilling EPA Tip Line
Tip line number (toll free): 877-919-4372
Anonymous tips: eyesondrilling@epa.gov
Texas Commission on Environmental Quality: 817-588-5800
Texas Railroad Commission: 940-723-2153
Neighbors, Mayor and Town Council Members,
This email includes information in regards to Education and Safety of Natural Gas Drilling. Please take note of phone numbers and email addresses. It’s a lot of information, so I have highlighted what I consider the important aspects.
One important thing that I learned, which is potentially dangerous is that on pages 22-23 of Ordinance 461-08 Gas Drilling Regulations is
Direct Link:
http://www.townofbartonville.com/file
/Ordinance%20461-08%20Amend%20Zoning%20-%20Gas%20Regs.pdf
“Operators shall provide the Town and the Fire Chief, or his assigns, forty-eight (48) hours notice following any of the following events:
1.
A Hazardous Materials release or incident;
2.
Shutting in of a well for safety reasons;
3.
Flaring of a well for safety reasons;
4.
Completion of drilling activities; or
5.
Initialization of production activities.
There is an informative meeting tomorrow night at the Southlake Town Hall; Here’s the link:
>> The North Central Texas Communities Alliance will be holding a public>> meeting this Thursday, April 29, at the Southlake Town Hall, rooms C>> and D, located at 1400 South Main Street, Southlake.>> >> The Gas Drilling 101 meeting will discuss the issues of Health,>> Safety and Property Rights as they relate to Barnett Shale gas>> drilling and its effect on residents of the area.>> >> The meeting starts at 7 PM and is free and open to the public.>>
Here’s some very important information to follow if you smell gas, or another gas related smell:
> If you live in or visit anywhere in the Barnett Shale and encounter an> odor you suspect is related to natural gas activity in any way, the> Texas Commission for Environmental Quality (TCEQ) wants to know about it.>
> TCEQ has stated publicly that they investigate ALL complaints and will> dispatch a field inspector to your door within 12 hours of your complaint.>
Documentation is a critical first step to obtain the essential data.> Your report will enable TCEQ to take enforcement action to stop toxic> emissions.>
> Here’s all you need to do.> > >
Step 1- Print out the attached Odor Log and Nuisance Affidavit forms.> > Step 2- Fill out the simple forms, to the best of your recollection,> immediately after encountering an odor.>
> Step 3- Call the toll-free TCEQ Complaint Hotline and register your> complaint.> > 1-888-777-3186> > >
Step 4- When a TCEQ agent arrives, request their ID and hand them the> forms. Keep copies for your records.> >
Step 5- Keep a personal record of your experience with the TCEQ for> future reference.
Here’s contact information in case you see any thing illegal or suspicious or simply unsafe at any of the drilling sites:
> http://www.epa.gov/region03/marcellus_shale/tipline.html
I know this is and can be a very emotional topic for myself and others. I want to provide information that can be valuable to help maintain the safety and health of our town and I promise to do my best to remove my emotions from it and present facts. Corinth is saying “NO”, Pennsylvania is saying “No”. It’s probably too late to say “No” here but we can easily say “NO” to the pipeline, and future drilling. All it takes on our part is making sure our Mayor and Town Council refuses permit applications.
Some interesting facts I learned. Rex W. Tillerson a neighbor and CEO of Exxon Mobile purchased XTO Gas in 2009. I also recently learned that he purchased that lovely Star Horse Farm off of 407. I noticed yesterday that there is already a gas well located behind the stables which is in addition to the large one that drilled there a few months ago. I learned that Exxon Mobile still owes 2009 taxes.
Yesterday when I was driving at Hawk Road and Kings where it intercepts with McMakin, that 3-way stop, I smelled a very obtrusive smell of gas where there is a big drill. Knowing what I know now I recognize that this odor contains high levels of toxins that can lead to nose bleeds, headaches and cancer. More importantly I noticed that this well is located up hill of one of Bartonville’s water wells. On both sides of the road there is standing water, which is quite clearly run off of water that comes off the hill. I have talked to Bartonville Water Supply Employees out in the field and have been educated that our water supply comes from all of these water wells. That there is a switch where they alternate from one well to another. What this means to me, is that at some point the water that feeds our homes could be downhill of this well, and I don’t know yet, but possibly others. I am researching this further.
I know this is a lot of information, I hope that it is helpful to you. I really only have our best interest as a community in mind. It’s easy to believe everything the gas companies are telling us, but their job is to turn a profit, and sometimes turning a profit means cutting corners. It’s our job, my job, to make sure they don’t cut corners and we are safe.
Thanks guys,Zoe Nance
Neighbors, Mayor and Town Council Member,
Here is an interesting link on implications of the environmental impact of natural gas drilling.
Zoe Nance