Today and tomorrow are important days in the push toward improved monitoring of the oil and gas industry.
First off, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is updating its air quality regulations regarding oil and gas and will listen to residents from noon to 4 pm and 6 to 10 pm today at Arlington City Hall, 101 W Abram St.
“It is our chance to tell EPA about the air emissions — the pollution, the odors, the noxious chemicals released into our communities — and emphatically ask them to tighten their controls on these emissions,” the North Central Texas Communities Alliance (NCTCA) said in a statement.
We must demand accountability from the gas drilling industry and this is your opportunity to let the EPA know that you support their efforts to thoroughly study the effects on our water supplies,” the statement continued. “We must also demand full disclosure of the chemicals used in the hydraulic fracturing process, as well as supporting the use of recycling the water used in the fracking process.”
Residents seeking tighter controls on drillers are also planning to attend tomorrow’s Fort Worth City Council meeting at 7 pm at City Hall, 1000 Throckmorton St.
The Council is considering a contract for a company to study air quality around drilling sites in the city.
The NCTCA is seeking to keep the city’s Air Quality Study Committee in place to participate in the air study process.
“Mike Moncrief has stated that he thinks the work of this very important committee is finished and that the city staff would conclude the work,” the NCTCA said today. “Please follow up with the council members and/or show up on Tuesday to let them know that any study controlled by city staff will be unacceptable — that is not a part of the resolution they passed and presented to the public.”
