Domestic Drilling Pollution Pictures
This is the same sludge pond I posted about HERE. (More pictures and back-story at that link)
It still has a strong stench of sewage from where the drilling company dumped their sewage. It also has a strong chemical and hydrocarbon smell.
I called TCEQ and the EPA which was a major time suck. They couldn’t do anything about this; and they weren’t overly interested. I guess I’ll call the Texas Railroad Commission next which will be another major time suck.
Just this week, I was called a “Knucklehead” and a “Radical” by Will Brackett, Managing Editor of the Powell Barnett Shale Newsletter Shill. I think it’s clear that the radicals are the corporations that practice this kind of environmental abuse. From the comments on that post, they might have come out better striking a match at one of their well sites.
I’m not a wastewater technician, but I would bet my pet nanny goat that the solids floating in that pond are, at least partially, human feces.
Nice lining job, eh?
Sludge pits/ponds are used to hold exploration and production (E&P) waste.
- benzene
- hydrocarbons
- radioactive materials
- heavy metals
- other cancer-causing, toxic substances
exempts E&P waste
from federal hazardous waste regulations.
These sludge ponds are everywhere. Everyday I see cows drinking from them—dairy cows and beef cattle. I’ve seen them overflow during heavy rains.
Pits endanger birds, wildlife and livestock.
Pollution from pits occurs in a variety of ways:
- Evaporation releases chemicals (benzene) and volatile hydrocarbons into the air.
- Unlined pits leach chemicals into soil causing soil and groundwater contamination.
- Lined pits leach chemicals through tears in liner and through improperly installed liners.
- During rain, pits overflow and contaminate soil and surface water.
Regulation of pits and pit cleanup is extremely lax. Most of the pits I see every day have remained for many years
Oil and gas enjoys broad exemptions from our environmental laws.
- Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act
- Resource Conservation and Recovery Act
- Safe Drinking Water Act
- Clean Water Act
- Clean Air Act
- National Environmental Policy Act
- Toxic Release Inventory under the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act
Closing the exemptions and loopholes along with pushing for clean, renewable energy sources will help keep us safe and protect our environment for future generations.
Repeal Oil and Gas Exemptions
Comments
TXsharon
July 25, 2008 - 13:59
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Repeal Oil and Gas Exemptions
I don't think we can stop the Drill and Burn Domestic Agenda right now. So, let's get the exemptions repealed.
Bluedaze
Bluedaze
standingup
July 25, 2008 - 14:04
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I can't believe
they aren't at least required to fence these off to keep any livestock or wildlife from access.
TXsharon
July 25, 2008 - 18:09
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Some states have fencing regulation
and some require netting, but not Texas, my Texas. =(
Bluedaze
Bluedaze
cho
July 25, 2008 - 14:17
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What is frightening is that the times are such
that folks, wanting to hold on to their SUVs and gas hogs, will see nothing wrong with a few sludge ponds.
Any family that has lost a family member to leukemia -- linked to benzene -- can tell you the horror show of this.
susie dow
July 25, 2008 - 14:42
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DNA
That brings to mind the recent article and discussion regarding DNA and PTSD. What is all of this doing to our DNA? What is being passed on to children and their children? Do we really know? Or is there an EPA study rotting away on a shelf somewhere because it might hurt the feelings of the oil industry?
As a species, we would be much better off without our excessive dependence on oil. We need alternatives and we need them now, before it's too late.
Sigh. But I'm just preaching to the choir. Those who really need to listen refuse to hear.
cho
July 25, 2008 - 15:33
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I have been sighing a lot too.
but if folks just keep plugging away...
Sometimes research projects -- like the Missing Man, Enron, others -- take several years. But they do seep (sorry TXSharon, poor word choice on my part) into the collective conscious.
Ilona and Defuning and JimStaro and all those folks plugging away on PTSD have truly raised the average Americans' conscious and conscience about the plight of our veterans.
Who knows what effect this commentary of TXSharon's will have... or her next one? Cumulative, drop by drop.
TXsharon
July 25, 2008 - 18:18
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I'm thinking about a series
Domestic Drilling Deevastation 101.
Sometimes, as with posts like these:
How Barnett Shale Drilling Thwarts the Pursuit of Happiness
For Some Barnett Shale Residents, It's a Third World Country
Poisoned Aquifer: Barnett Shale, fracing up our water.
there is just too much information and people get overwhelmed or bored. =) I think I need to break it down.
Here is the bottom line though:
The Domestic Drilling Agenda: How We Can Protect Ourselves From the Environmental Devastation
Bluedaze
Bluedaze
TXsharon
July 25, 2008 - 18:10
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There is a group that studies endrocrine
systems and drilling pollution. Startling findings.
Bluedaze
Bluedaze
GreyHawk
July 25, 2008 - 18:35
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TXSharon has received a threat on her blog now.
From here:
The commenter's IP has been logged; apparently, it's someone who follows her blog and makes rude comments from time to time.
I think the comment above qualifies as "domestic terrorism" under today's laws, tho...mmmm.