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July 29, 2010 · Texas environmentalists and the natural gas industry are reacting to new proposed regulations that could change oil and gas drilling in the state. The focus of the regulations is to reduce air pollution caused when companies use new technology to extract natural gas trapped in deep shales.
This has become a major concern in the Fort Worth area where the Barnett Shale is. But Luke Metzger of Environment Texas says the new rules don’t go far enough to fix many of the problems.
“The biggest problem is that it’s only for new permits of shale gas drilling and completely ignores the existing gas wells that are seriously polluting much of Texas,” said Metzger. Metzger said the rules came about after angry residents who live in the Barnett Shale region began to organize and demand change.
But Justin Furnace, President of the Texas Independent Producers and Royalty Owners Association, says these new regulations will hurt the businesses that drill the shale. “A lot of these companies are kind of small – family owned businesses so anytime you add an extensive layer of regulation on to them – it’s going to add to the cost,” said Furnace.
Texas Commission on Environmental Quality rules will enter a one-month public comment phase on August 13.
Both sides say they will be active trying to either weaken or strengthen the rules.
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