Looking Back On Gas In 2009

Bozeman Montana Gas Explosion March 5, 2009

A natural gas explosion levels two city blocks. The cause, a leak in the main service line. One woman killed, buildings and businesses destroyed, monetary costs $276,000. Bozeman seeking reimbursement from NorthWestern Energy.

HWY 79 Carthage Texas Natural Gas Explosion

Feburary 11, 2009, explosion at natural gas processing plant sparks grass and trees causing a fire on the Texas HWY.

Natural Gas Explosion Forestville MD May 2009

May 7, 2009, someone smells gas at the Penn-Mar Shopping Center. Natural gas was discovered spewing from the ground which then erupted into a fire and an explosion.

June 8, 2009 Preacher's Home In Dallas Explodes

Undetermined as to how the blast managed to occur, last minute change in plans saved pastor's life.

Natural Gas Explosion Rhode Island May 10 2009

Driver ruptures gas line, leak fills room in an apartment building that houses the electrical equipment, fire breaks out.

ConAgra Foods Natural Gas Explosion June 9 2009

Blast kills three and injures scores of others in North Carolina.

Buda Home Natural Gas Explosion August 2009

Fortunate that home owner was outside doing yard work when home exploded.

Oregon Home Leveled Natural Gas Explosion

On the night of August 7, 2009, a blast could be felt blocks away, home completely destroyed.

Grand Rapids Natural Gas Build Up Blows

Debris flies and neighbor's windows are blown out when vacant home explodes from natural gas build up.

October 15 2009 3 Injured Natural Gas Explosion

Gas line explodes while man tries to light the furnace in a Milwaukee home.

Where will the next one be?

The "New Energy Army" Pickens' Pushovers

I don't pretend to know everything, or even much about a little, BUT I sure know the difference between CLEAN energy and a DANGEROUS substitute. Pickens gets praised for creating an army to fight against using foreign oil. This fight includes increased natural gas drilling in the United States. How does that translate into "NEW ENERGY"? Does this NEW ENERGY ARMY wear blinders and are they being led around by the gonads? I'm gonna put this into terms that some of my fellow Texans can understand: Your prize bull is fixin' to be castrated! Bet that sent cold shivers down your spine!

I've blogged before about how many natural gas explosions does it take to convince you that natural gas drilling, miles of pipelines, venting into the atmosphere...is not safe. Natural gas is not an alternative energy. Natural gas is not a clean energy.

I know what you're saying, "Atleast Pickens has a plan." But do you really understand the full implications of the Pickens' Plan or HR 1835? Here's the letter that encourages your representative to support it:

Please support the NAT GAS Act of 2009 Complete the form below to encourage your U.S. Representative and your U.S. Senators to support the NAT GAS Act of 2009. This legislation has almost all of the elements for natural gas that we have been pushing for in the Pickens Plan. It extends the tax credit for natural gas used as a transportation fuel. It provides a tax credit for 80 percent of the additional cost when purchasing a dedicated natural gas vehicle. It extends the tax credit for the installation of natural gas refueling pumps. It creates incentives for the major manufacturers to sell natural gas vehicles (which they already produce for overseas markets) in the United States.

Extends a tax credit for whom? For big industry...that's who. The Pickens' Plan calls for the extension of the Production Tax Credit (PTC) which is government aid to big industry. This particular tax credit is directly linked to Wind Energy, it paid for a significant portion of new wind energy systems, and yet with all this government aid, American businesses still farmed out the work to China instead of reinvesting in American jobs.

None of this is being done to benefit the citizens of America. We're being used and abused, and dealt a defeating blow. Your representatives are mistaken by supporting this bill, it's not for the good of the Nation, only for a select few.

This bill also calls for the use of eminent domain. We've seen abuses of this starting back in the 50's and 60's with the passage of the Federal Aid HWY Act, President Eisenhower stated that this one act would change the face of America, and it did. Abuses of eminent domain continue today from useless entertainment facilities to big bullies of the oil and gas industry, forcing their will upon us.

I was scolded recently by a friend, who asked why I had to get government to force others to agree with my opinion. I don't know why I'm still smoldering over that comment. Maybe it's because the alternative is that corporations are buying government to ensure that their will be forced upon us. I'm only trying to put a monkey wrench into the machine.

Sierra's Response To Stop Pushing The Picken's Plan

I have a bad habit of expressing my opinion, often. The other day Don Young sent an email giving us some information about the Sierra Club and their position on Natural Gas drilling. There was also a subtle suggestion that maybe we should email the club and let them know how we feel about their position on the matter of drilling. Well, I did just that and here's the response:

Dear Joely,

Thank you for contacting the Sierra Club and for your comments. I will be sure to pass them along.

Pass them along to whom?

It is true that there are serious concerns about the environmental hazards linked to certain kinds of natural gas extraction.

Does anyone know of any kind of natural gas extraction that doesn't pose an environmental hazard?

The Sierra Club opposes ALL coal bed methane extraction because it poses unacceptable risks to water quality in shallow aquifers. The Sierra Club also opposes deep shale gas projects using hydraulic fracturing, unless it can be demonstrated that drinking water aquifers and surface waters will be adequately protected from contamination.

Has there ever been adequate information that guarantees the aquifers can be protected from contamination?

Here is our policy on Natural Gas Fracturing:
http://www.sierraclub.org/policy/conservation/NaturalGasFracturing.pdf

If its production is governed by a rigorous regulatory structure and best practices to minimize environmental damage are utilized, deep shale gas can be an acceptable transition fuel supported by the Sierra Club.

Have I missed a memo? When did this happen? There is a regulatory structure in place governing natural gas drilling? And this regulatory entity does this rigorously? Have I been out of the loop? I thought it was the natural gas companies that were out of the loop...

As the industry matures, best practices must be quickly assimilated into the regulatory regime--and they must be followed even in jurisdictions where lower standards may be permitted by state and federal law.

Best practices? Then why is it that they're running around with Chesapeake Energy? We all know that Chesapeake Energy isn't practicing best practices. What responsible company in their right mind would run a 16" odorless gas line under people's houses in their front yards where their children play when an alternate route, a safer one away from people's homes has been identified and offered by the city of Ft Worth?

Here are additional links to our polices related to natural gas:
http://www.sierraclub.org/policy/conservation/onshore.aspx Onshore Oil & Gas

http://www.sierraclub.org/policy/conservation/energy.pdf Energy Resources Policy

Your support of the Sierra Club is greatly appreciated. Please let us know if you have any additional questions or concerns.

Best Regards,

David Perry
Sierra Club Information

Apparently the Sierra Club didn't really read my email. Because I distinctly remember stating that I didn't support them, and yet David Perry thanks me for my support. I don't think the Sierra Club has a clue as to what is really going on. Shame on you, David Perry.

Barnett Shale Report

I read the Emissions from Natural Gas Production in the Barnett Shale Area and Opportunities for Cost-Effective Improvements report by: Al Armendariz, Ph.D., Department of Environmental and Civil Engineering, Southern Methodist University. It was a whopping 45 pages long, but it was well worth the time I took to read.

Of course, a lot of the terminology I didn't understand, but the report made some comparisons to help out lay people like myself. The gist of what I read confirms that the oil and gas industry are polluting the air, soil and water of DISH. Here's an example of what I'm referring to:


"In addition, predicted 2009 emissions of greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide and methane were approximately 33,000 tons per day of CO2 equivalent. This is roughly equivalent to the expected greenhouse gas impact from two 750 MW coal-fired power plants. The three anthropogenic greenhouse gases of greatest concern, carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide, are emitted from oil and gas sources in the Barnett Shale area."

I thought the reason we are doing away with coal and going natural gas was because it was a cleaner fuel. Did I miss something? I'm confused. These emissions are just from the DISH area...this isn't including all emissions from all over the United States. So, from what I understand, it's as if DISH has TWO coal-fired power plants.

"HAP emissions, which include toxic compounds such as formaldehyde and benzene, are expected to increase. These activities are significant sources of the ozone and fine particulate precursors, as well as very large sources of greenhouse gases, mostly from methane venting during well completions. Greenhouse gas emissions are estimated to be greater than 4000 CO2 equivalent tons per year. "

The reason the emissions are expected to increase is because of the plan to increase drilling. Well, didn't see that one coming did ya?

There are three basic types of pollutants wreaking havoc with DISH; compressor engines, well completions, and gas venting. What I like about this report is that not only does it point out that the pollution is being created by the oil and gas industry, but that pollution reducing options are available for these companies. I'm not so sure that these companies would be interested in self regulation, it'll probably take federal or state law to intervene.

"Unless companies bring special equipment to the well site to capture the natural gas and liquids that are produced during well completions, these gases will be vented to the atmosphere or flared."

You'd also think that probably these pollution reducing methods would be costly, but oddly enough...they're not. In fact, from what I've read, the methods would increase profit for the gas and oil industry! Well, hell's bells, darlin'! What are they waiting for?

"Estimates were made of the costs where switching from IC engines to electric motors for compression. With an IC engine capital cost factor of $750/hp in 2009 dollars, the cost of a 500 hp compressor engine would be approximately $370,000. With an electric motor cost factor of $700/kW, the cost of 500 hp of electrically-powered compression would be approximately $260,000."

Look at that, over $100,000 in savings!


"While flaring emissions from tanks in the Barnett Shale would provide substantial environmental benefits, especially in terms of VOC and methane emissions, capturing these hydrocarbons and directing them into the natural gas and condensate distribution systems would provide both an environmental benefit and a very large potential revenue stream to oil and gas producers."

Not only would the flaring benefit our environment, BUT it would also provide increased profit!

"Emissions of ozone and fine particle smog forming compounds (NOx and VOC) will be approximately 191 tons per day on an annual average basis in 2009...greater than the combined emissions from the major airports and on-road motor vehicles in the D-FW metropolitan area."

That's a lot of pollution! Very harmful stuff being released into the air, water and soil. The report offers suggestions for controlling and reducing emissions significantly and these methods are cost effective. You know, a few weeks ago I solved the health care crisis by creating a health bank that everyone pays into, instead of paying exorbitant insurance rates. Now, I think I've solved the employment crisis. The oil and gas industry can hire lots of people to use the "green completions" to capture methane and VOC compounds during well completions, phase in electric motors as an alternative to internal-combustion engines, install condensate tanks with vapor recovery units, and replace high-bleed pneumatic valves and fittings.

I'm thinking that big oil and gas should be leaders in the industry and set a good example by implementing these emission reducing methods, hiring and training of new employees, and cleaning up the environment.

American Citizens Are Unhappy With Chesapeake Energy

Yesterday I didn't get much accomplished outdoors, it was too dang windy! I did however manage to muck up something quite simple, but my computer hero repaired my error and the blunder ended up leading us to an even better solution. I also blogged about a natural gas line explosion in San Antonio which I then made a prediction for those residents on Carter Avenue over in Fort Worth. You see, somehow someway our GOVERNMENT has declared that natural gas and oil companies are synonymous with public utilities. At first glance, you're thinking...so what? What's the big deal? I know, we never see the "full" picture until much later...isn't that always the case? Now, what this means is that Chesapeake (and I'm dropping the last name--Energy) gets the right of way to put natural gas pipelines--again, don't confuse these suckers with the small one inch lines that pipe natural gas to homes for heating and cooking--anywhere they want! Here's a pretty cool comment that my blogging prompted yesterday:

"Nicely put CT/CT. I checked out the report from the local SA tv station and IT BLEW MY MIND--the flame shot up to 3-4 stories high and charred a vehicle parked at least 40-50 yards away. Those homes on Carter Ave. are just 4-10 yards away. Forget about finding evidence and remains if such were to happen. Plus such a major explosion will probably trigger and spread to other pipelines FROM UTILITIES like the 1-inch gas and water pipelines criss-crossing the whole neighborhood. I see why Steve D. had used the expression "insult and injury"--I would feel insulted and denigraded too when realizing that CHK AND THE CITY were viewing my life and those of my children, families, friends and neighbors as expendable--cheap enough to take the "risk" of cramming these down those poor people's throats simply for money and power. Have they no shame or any sense of decency? Do people owning stock, leasing land, and doing any kind of business with this company (and city) know what heartless and inhumane practices they're engaging in? If child labor to make tennis shoes is morally unacceptable, then CHK's conduct on Carter Ave. is......?"

I agree with the correlation...if it's immoral to put children at risk by having them manufacture tennis shoes then shouldn't it also be correct in thinking that putting a highly pressurized natural gas pipeline under their tennis shoed feet also be immoral? Gives one something to ponder...

Push.PickensPlan.com More Like Naive 77 To Me

Came across another proud supporter of the Pickens Natural Gas Plan. Geez, don't these people actually read anything besides propaganda?

"You know the numbers on natural gas: 2,000 trillion cubic feet of reserves in the continental United States; more than 100 years worth — enough to fuel our heavy truck fleet, provide electrical power to our homes and businesses, plenty for cooking and heating, and more than enough remaining for other crucial uses like fertilizer and chemical production"

Yikes! Lucy, we got some 'splaining to do. Natural gas is not an alternative energy, it's a FOSSIL FUEL! Natural gas is not CLEAN it's dirty! Natural gas is not SAFE it causes explosions which causes deaths!

The New York Times Joe Niocera Is In Pickens Back Pocket

Okay, for those of you who love the idea of oil and gas drilling...you know, the Drill Baby, Drill, shrill...please do not read this.

For the rest of you, please read on.

I read a rather disturbing reply by Joe Nocera regarding comments made on his previous opinion in The New York Times. Well, at first I thought that he was just uneducated on the matter of natural gas fracking...but it turns out that he is Picken's lackey. Please tell me you have not forgotten T. Boone Pickens.

What caught my eye about Nocera's opinion was this line:

In Texas and Oklahoma, it has been used for decades, with nobody complaining much about environmental degradation.

Really? NOBODY has complained MUCH? Well, I know for damn certain I have complained A LOT and I live in Texas.

Then, Mr. Informative lists the three main reasons and quickly dispels them without an ounce of back up or provided research.

fracking supposedly allows gas and dangerous chemicals to seep into the water supply. This is pretty implausible.

Well, if I remember correctly I just read an article about an EPA study concluding that fracking has contaminated drinking water. And you know what else? THE NEW YORK TIMES also reported on the same story! Hey, Joe? Do ya not read anything else besides your own bloated arrogant opinions?

The second problem is the disposal of the chemical waste.

Yeah, no kidding. This is a problem and no, Joe, they do not all bury it under the ground in spill proof containers, there are reports of it being dumped late at night off of county roads or kept in big open pits lined with plastic.

natural gas is dirtier than coal.

He quickly dismisses this as a biased opinion. What I find rather ironic (or maybe moronic) is that at the end of the article he then admits that there are problems with natural gas drilling and fracking the Shale, but that with best drilling practices and with strong state regulation (bahahaha, snort, choke...ouch) we, America (covers heart and sheds a tear) can finally end our dependence on foreign oil...and his cliched rhetoric doesn't stop there...

while diminishing the strategic importance of the Middle East, where American soldiers continue to die.

Of course, I wanted to leave my comment on his article, but due to the outpouring of outrage about his uniformed ignorant rant...he is no longer accepting comments.

Carter Avenue Foreshadowed

A peaceful San Antonio neighborhood sees it's children off to school on a Wednesday morning. Yards are watered, dishes cleared and washed after breakfast and the usual morning routines are in play. What's so different about this neighborhood from other Texas neighborhoods? Along the public road, below the surface runs a 24" natural gas pipeline. Close to the size that Chesapeake Energy wants and plans on running under the homes on Carter Avenue in Fort Worth, Texas.

The events that transpired at 10:15AM, May 6th in 2009, rocked the Greystone subdivision with a cataclysmic force that not only shut the neighborhood down, but the adjacent streets as well. The gas line exploded. What if, it had been a Saturday morning, and our children were not at school, but playing outside? What if the pipeline was run under the homes instead of along the public road? Can you ever be guaranteed safety in your own home, your yard, the street that you live on?

Accidents do happen. That's why being proactive instead of reactive is the best possible course of action. Why can't Chesapeake Energy, a private natural gas company...NOT A PUBLIC UTILITY...take the alternate route proposed? Why do they insist on running a dangerous, highly pressurized, 16" natural gas pipeline under the homes and children on Carter Avenue? Why do they insist on putting American Citizens lives in danger?

Remember, "We the People" grant what limited power government has. As a society of free people we have lost sight of the fact that we are indeed the ones who have the final say so through the power of free speech and our franchise. We will no longer cowtow to the powers that be in Cow Town.

Converting A Classic To Use Natural Gas

That's Mark Trott, another one of Pickens' Pushover Puppets. He thinks it's real cool to convert a Pontiac GTO to use natural gas. Oh, yes...it's no longer a gas guzzling, emission producing dinosaur of a vehicle.

"No matter what happens, the trip is on and the car will keep rolling. It’s their call for independence from foreign oil, the creation of new jobs and the reduction of our carbon footprint."

But these gearheads have no idea of the carbon footprint being left behind by the big oil & gas companies. All they see is the end result and they're calling it "GREEN". How tragically wrong they are. Push the Pickens' Plan doesn't inform you of all the dirty deeds and bullying tactics of the oil and gas companies, and why would it? I'll tell ya why, because Boone T. Pickens IS BIG OIL & GAS!!! So, PLEASE...continue to make this guy FILTHY rich!

Tsk...Tsk...Tsk...Hutchison is such a Cop Out!

A while ago, I sent a pleasant email to Kaye Bailey Hutchinson, pleading with her to consider co-sponsoring the FRAC Act. Here's my email:

I urge you to co-sponsor H.R. 2766/S. 1215 to repeal the exemption for hydraulic fracturing in the Safe Drinking Water
Act and require public disclosure of the chemicals used in hydraulic fracturing fluids. This exemption, also known as the "Halliburton Loophole," means that hydraulic fracturing, an increasingly common aspect of the oil and gas production process, is not subject to the same standards as other industries when it comes to protecting underground sources of drinking water. It is one of several environmental loopholes granted to the oil and gas production industry. Hydraulic fracturing involves the injection of fluids, often containing toxic chemicals, into oil or gas wells at very high pressure. This technique fractures the underground formation and can cause underground sources of drinking water to become contaminated. Other forms of underground injection are regulated under the Safe Drinking Water Act to protect drinking water, but in 2005 Congress exempted hydraulic fracturing from the act to benefit Halliburton and other oil and gas companies. I am concerned that some families have already experienced drinking water contamination linked to hydraulic fracturing operations. Communities across the country are suffering from pollution caused by the oil and gas industry. We should hold this industry to the same standards as any other and close the Halliburton Loophole, and all other loopholes, to achieve consistent federal oversight. Natural gas may be an important part of our energy portfolio, but the right balance needs to be established between oil and
gas development and protection of our precious natural
resources, including clean air and clean water. This legislation is simple, straightforward and reasonable, and I hope you will co-sponsor it. Every American deserves clean drinking water. Sincerely, Joely Trujillo P O BOX 337 Wink, TX 79789

And here's how she responded:

Thank you for contacting me regarding S. 1215, the Fracturing Responsibility and Awareness of Chemicals Act (FRAC). I welcome your thoughts and comments. On June 9, 2009, Senator Robert Casey Jr. (D-PA) introduced S. 1215. Hydraulic fracturing pumps large volume fluids into a formation. The formation warms and causes a high-pressure combustion to increase oil production. The FRAC Act would amend the Safe Drinking Water Act to require companies to disclose the chemicals they use in their hydraulic fracturing processes. On the same day the legislation was introduced, the FRAC Act was referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works, on which I do not serve. Should S. 1215 come for consideration before the full Senate, please be assured that I will keep your comments in mind. I appreciate hearing from you, and I hope that you will not hesitate to contact me on any issue that is important to you. Sincerely, Kay Bailey Hutchison United States Senator

I've read and re-read this email several times, and for the life of me...I can't figure out if she's for it or against it. So, I sent a follow up email asking her to clarify her position:

As your constituent and a supporter of the work of the League of
Conservation Voters, I just became aware of your poor environmental voting record in the 2005 National Environmental Scorecard. I am deeply disappointed that you consistently voted against commonsense environmental protections. When it comes to protecting our air, water and natural heritage from corporate polluters and developing a forward-looking energy policy, we need a Member of Congress who will stand up and do the right thing. You conveniently told me that you do not serve on the FRAC Act committee, while omitting vital information: "On the same day the legislation was introduced, the FRAC Act was referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works, on which I do not serve. Should S. 1215 come for consideration before the full Senate, please be assured that I will keep your comments in mind." What comments of mine will you keep in mind? That the toxic water used in fracturing is deadly? I'm curious to know your feelings on the FRAC Act and what way you plan on voting. I believe that as MY STATE
representative in the senate, I have a right to know. You owe me full disclosure. I am hoping that your constituency and I can count on you to represent our views and vote to protect the environment more frequently in the key debates expected in the second session of the 109th Congress. Sincerely, Joely Trujillo

I can't wait to get a response. It's like waiting to open Christmas presents!

Main Gas Line Rupture Imperial Texas

Final Wildcat Football game of the season, finds us traveling to McCamey, Texas. During the pep rally, the principal made an announcement that we should all avoid the highway next to the gas plant in Imperial, Texas. Seems that the main gas line ruptured.

Daddy and I did just that, took an alternate route avoiding the gas plant. Watched the game, a close defeat, 48 to 40 and then headed back home. On the way to McCamey, daddy and I talked about the dangerous side effects of natural gas. He remembered how'd they found one of our local boys a few years back over come and passed out in his truck near a gas well.

You'd think with the main gas line rupturing at a major gas plant, I'm thinking Arco, that there'd be something on the local news. So far, I've not come across anything on the television, internet or in the Odessa American. Back in February when a gas line ruptured at a Carthage gas plant owned and operated by DCP Midstream, it caused an explosion. The plant employees and people living within a mile and half were evacuated.

We only got the information to avoid the area because we were going out to play some football, I wonder if the locals know anything about it?

My Heart Sings With Joy!

Just the other day, I was telling a good friend or rather asking, have our collective voices finally been heard? Apparently, when the choir sings in unison people do listen and respond.

I'm probably a bit late on breaking this earthshaking information, but in my world my day after work has just begun. I received not one, not two, not three...BUT four emails all about this same story.

There's some sort of environmental group, that has finally come to the conclusion that maybe, just maybe...natural gas isn't the "clean" energy it's been touted to be. HOORAY!

This was the FIRST time a Texas charitable environmental group has pulled the plug on natural gas. The people over at the Sue Pope Fund agree that it's time for a Moratorium on new drilling.

Let's take a look at what troubles the Downwinders of the Sue Pope Fund:
1. Exemption from national environmental law
2. Increasing local air pollution problems
3. The use of LARGE amounts of CLEAN water
4. Lack of property rights for surface owners

Since the group will no longer be funding natural gas projects, I'm wondering if they would be willing to help surface owners who are in need of help right now. Such surface owners as Steve Doeung, the last man standing on Carter Ave.

The Gathering Line Oil & Gas Drilling News

Gathering Line - a special pipeline that transports gas from the field to the main pipeline.

The Gathering Line is a round-up of oil & gas drilling news brought to you by National Alliance for Drilling Reform (NA4DR), a broad alliance of grassroots activists from states across the nation that are affected with drilling development.

WWJD on Carter Avenue? TXsharon wants to know if Chesapeake Energy or anyone in Fort Worth government has stopped to consider the answer to that question. Bluedaze: DRILLING REFORM FOR TEXAS.

Some upstate NY landowners are wondering whether they can sell their property if it has a gas lease. Check out the Marcellus Effect for a short review and a link to interviews with realtors.

NEWS FROM PENNSYLVANIA: Laceyville, PA, Getting Nearly $100,000 in Gas Revenues: Is This Good News? Peacegirl at Gas Wells Are Not Our Friends combs the newspapers of Bradford and Susquehanna Counties in Pennsylvania and talks with local people from these areas to find out what is really happening. This week the focus is on Laceyville, Wyoming County, PA. Will the people of Laceyville survive the invasion of the gas industry?

How Many Natural Gas Explosions Does It Take?!! One Too Many! Read it at Cheap Tricks and Costly Truths.

For the first time in decades, New Mexico Senators sacrificed migrating big game with their vote to allow drilling during the winter in the Jicarilla Ranger District of the Carson National Forest. Drilling Santa Fe asks if we have forgotten the high price of deregulation and offers something for consideration.

All For One and One For All OR Is This When The Rest Of Us Tuck Our Tails And Run?

I've been keeping up somewhat with the goings on over in DISH and Mayor Tillman, along with the attacks on the Ruggieros by Aruba Petroleum, and let's not forget the mafiaesque tactics used against Durango by corrupt bankrupt Express Energy, and finally the eminent domain abuses and intimidation against Steve Doeung by Chesapeake and generally keeping up with the Wink Sink, illegal dumping of tanker contents and flaring. So, you can well imagine it gets pretty busy around here.

It's rather easy to read and sometimes make comments about issues that really rile us up. We become indignant and wish we could always do more. Haven't you ever just wanted to call up the offender and give them a piece of your mind? Tell them to back off, follow the rules, play a fair game, stop hiding behind big money? I know I have and guess what? I'll get to make two phone calls Thursday to do just that.

Remember the first person I mentioned? Mayor Tillman of DISH? He needs our help. We can sure appreciate a man, an elected official, that's truly looking out for and protecting the interests of the people in the town he's the mayor of. Believe me, not all towns are fortunate enough to have a decent hard working responsive mayor, just take Fort Worth's Mayor Moncrief for example...a really bad example.

It seems that because Mayor Tillman is doing his job, he's being threatened by the oil and gas industry. Here's just a bit of that threat:

"I have become a lightening rod for personal attacks by our friends in the Natural Gas Industry...the latest...they are threatening to file suit..." Read the story of the town of DISH and Mayor Tillman.

A quote that I see from Mayor Tillman "Together we bargain, divided we beg" is a call for unification and action. Please, support the efforts of Mayor Tillman and let the Natural Gas Industry know that they need to clean up DISH and then get out and leave those people alone.

I know what I'm going to do. I'm going to make a couple of quick phone calls. One to Patrick Nugent 512-478-2871 and then when I'm through with him I'm gonna call Celina Romero 512-472-8800. What does the good Mayor of DISH want us to tell these two BIG ENERGY supporters? Pure and simple, "Clean up your mess in DISH, TX and Leave Mayor Tillman and the people of DISH alone."

Holiday Hiatus

With school finally out for my kiddos, and the ex hubby coming in Christmas Eve, and with me still needing to get food supplies to make Pennsylvania Dutch Butterscotch Pie, I'm thinking that this will be the last blog for a few days. It's not that I don't love each and every one of you, because you know I do. It's just that well, this is a very special time of the year for me and the kids and I wouldn't trade it for anything in the world.

Santa has got some nice surprises which I can't wait to share with you when I get back. Also, I did manage in all the hectic running around to get over to Dr. Anna's and get another round of the HCG Diet. I'll be starting that on Christmas Day. I'm gonna do a better job of detailing and profiling my success on the diet and share my tricks & truths.

Just a few days ago, Annie and I were riding over to Kermit via the Kermit HWY. Well, the oil/gas smell was really bad that day, and I mentioned it and then Annie said, "I grew up here, so I don't even notice it." I replied, "That's what worries me baby girl. That you've become desensitized and you won't even know that it's harmful until it's too late." Then she said, "Well, thank goodness I have you, mom. You're like an underground hero." I asked her what she meant by that and she went on to explain that I'm doing things to protect her and other people, but they don't even know it. I'll have to say, she made me feel really good.

I may not truly be an underground hero, but I know a few folks that surely are. For instance, how about Durango? He has asked the FEDS to do something about Mayor Moncrief. His exact words are:


"THE MAYOR OF FORT WORTH, MIKE MONCRIEF, IS TAKING $600,000 A YEAR FROM NATURAL GAS DRILLERS WHO ARE ABUSING EMINENT DOMAIN TO TAKE FORT WORTH CITIZEN'S PROPERTY & POLLUTING THEIR AIR WITH DANGEROUS CHEMICALS WHILE STEALING WATER FROM THE TRINITY RIVER."

Then there's TXSharon. Wow, she champions the causes of all the people suffering from exploitation of the Oil & Gas Industry. How many times has she challenged the EPA to intervene in Texas and do it's job?

"Dear EPA, I know you are watching us in Texas.

We need federal intervention."

Finally, there's Don Young. He's my daughter's favorite underground hero. His unwavering Protection of the Tandy Hills has now been Annie's inspiration to plant her own Tall Grass Prairie. Here are Don Young's words:

"What makes Tandy Hills so special is the preservation of native wildflowers and grasses. Biologists say that this little slice of land is still very much as it was in presettlement times. I find that to be something of a miracle! A report by the Fort Worth Nature Center notes that the the quality of the prairie grasses covering these hills in an undisturbed state, are the best in Tarrant County, even better than the Nature Center. Another miracle! Tandy Hills and other city parks are by definition NOT places to drill for gas. City leaders need to be protecting the few places we have left, not allowing them to be burdened by shortsighted greed. To paraphrase an official with the Nature Center,"You don't play soccer in the Kimbell Art Museum and you don't drill for gas in a nature preserve."

A big thank you from Annie to all her Underground Heroes! You Rock!

Whose Agenda Shall It Be?

Join Texas OGAP

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I'm almost afraid to add this Texas OGAP widget to my blog. It may bring the worst out in one of my supposedly progressive friends. He's all up in arms that I'm trying to force government to force my agenda on people. And yet, in one of his blogs he readily admits that us Americans are so stupid that the only way we're going to fix anything is if the government yells FIRE!

He confuses me so much. Just the other day, he basically admitted that he was forced into marrying this German girl because the Republicans made it difficult to live with someone and...well, it gets all befuddled and confused and quite honestly I can't keep up. I'll admit, I'm not the brightest crayon in the box, I mean...I am a blonde.

What I'm really concerned with is this Pickens' Plan. It demands that the government fleet of vehicles be converted to Natural Gas while providing government welfare to support this endeavor. Doesn't seem quite fair to me, and where's my friend being all up in arms over this forced agenda? He hasn't said a word. Hmmm...beginning to wonder if this progressive friend of mine owns some natural gas stock.

A State Park WIth A Terrible Disease

When you think of a state park what comes to mind? Majestic peaked pathways to the sun by way of mountains? Calming crystal lakes lapping longingly against the sun baked shore? Dancing tall grasses hissing in the wind beckoning for a romantic interlude? Fresh meadows of fragrant wild flowers waltzing to whimsical music? William Blake, a poet from the mid 1700s recounts his encounter with nature untouched:

I slept in the Earth
In the silent night,
I murmur'd my fears
And I felt delight.

To see a World in a Grain of Sand
And a Heaven in a Wild Flower,
Hold Infinity in the palm of your hand
And Eternity in an hour.

I'm almost positive that when you go to a state park that you're not expecting to see this. "A veritable pincushion of drill pads, storage tanks, roads, clear cuts, holding ponds and pollution."

I had blogged about relationships previously and how sometimes things can move so quickly that you don't have time to consider the impact of all that's happening. That's what has happened in the Allegheny National Forest.

I'm not sure why current management of the forest decided to go to bed with the natural gas and oil industry, but they found out quickly that is wasn't what they expected. In fact, the entire experience was rather painful and harmful. Upon realizing their horrible mistake, the Forest
Service demanded a complete stop to all drilling activities. Well, the Foresters found out that like a STD, somethings are hard to get rid of. How did the natural gas and oil drillers respond? Of course, they do what they always do, threatened us with the economy, dangled their gags of money in front of a few people...and you know what? It works. They got some of their bedroom buddies to sign a petition to allow them to continue their unsafe practices, so they can continue to spread the disease. Who they send this petition to, you ask? President Obama. Let's just hope that President Obama has protection.

This Sorta Thing Occasionally Happens

Me and my big mouth. Okay, I took the kids on a mini family vacation, birthday getaway back in October. APPARENTLY, I've mismanaged my account and am still trying to recover from the blunders I've made. How does this relate into me and my big mouth? Well, it's common knowledge that I live from pay check to pay check...most of us do. I've been playing catch up since the first of November and I think with the next employer installment into my checking account, I should have things back to normal.

Today, my darling Annie asked that I grill her some burgers since the weather was so nice. I responded, "You're going to have to wait until Thursday when I get paid. I grilled chicken yesterday and that's what we're going to have today." A little later, I noticed she was rather quiet and when I looked at her face, she had streams of tears silently cascading down her pink cheeks.

"What's wrong?" She blurted, "We're poor! We don't even have enough money to buy stuff from the grocery store to make hamburgers!" Oh my...sometimes, I guess I'm too forthcoming with my children and I don't shield them enough from the "real" world. I explained that we were far from being poor. I mean really, how many poor people have three televisions, two XBOX 360s, a portable gaming system, a rather fantavulous tree house, and not to mention took TWO vacations in one year?

The problem seemed more to do with instant gratification. These days we're not willing to delay gratification, prolong the experience, but we want everything NOW! Kinda like the oil and gas industry...cutting corners, poorly training, disregarding safety regulations just to get a job done.

I've got some friends that live in Commerce City, CO. Commerce City isn't the prettiest place in Colorado, it's the industrial hub of the North Denver area. My friends that live there were upset about a natural gas pipeline accident; just between you and me...Commerce City already smells terrible. The accident was frightening, but I suppose what caused them alarm was the nonchalant attitude of the company spokesman.

"The company says the men were doing what they were supposed to be doing and this sort of thing occasionally happens."

This sorta thing occasionally happens when safety regulations aren't followed, when training is poor, when companies aren't responsible, when people are reckless...what do you think would have been the response if the pipeline had been ignited by their carelessness and people died? Would it go something like this:

This sorta thing occasionally happens, gas lines rupture, gas lines explode and people die.

America Stuck on Stupid

Why is it that our competitors in Oil and Gas are looking into developing alternative energy and we're still stuck on stupid? It may not be the ideal energy situation, but it's a step in the right direction.

A 2.2 Billion dollar Hydrogen Power project could be completed as soon as 2014 and is expected to be the world's largest CCS Project. The carbon capture and storage project would split natural gas into hydrogen and carobon dioxide. The hydrogen would create a sellable 400 MW while the carbon dioxide would be injected into the oil fields, increasing oil production.

Plant location is expected to be in Shuweihat and is owned by Abu Dhabi's Masdar and BP. This government is preparing for a future beyond oil. What is our government doing? I know, still protecting Big Oil & Gas, allowing them to rape and pillage the land like the Vikings of yore, while leaving a path of devastation and destruction.

Think I'm kidding about the mayhem and destruction and basic lack of decency? Then check out the rude dishonrable unsafe practices of Aruba Petroleum.

Dancing With Old Man Winter

Coming off a two week holiday hiatus, has the kids and I back in school and soon to be facing the full onslaught of Old Man Winter. I've got my dancing shoes on and I'm ready to tango with the old fella. I've stocked up on a bit of water, organic chips and salsa, cans of water packed tuna, instant coffee, apples, oranges and I've made a few quarts of soup. I've wrapped exposed pipe, gave my trees a drink to insulate the ground, rounded up all the furry creatures and made cozy beds for them inside the house, left the shed door open for any wild creatures that may need to take shelter for the next two nights and have rented a movie just in case the worst case scenario presents itself.

Grandma Mohler phoned me just a few minutes ago. We wished each other a Happy New Year and then she began excitedly to tell me about a mishap, some sort of explosion by the airport near Jackson. She was worried because it was a gas line and her kitchen stove functions with natural gas. I found the article and read it, told her they had turned off the gas and extinguished the fire quickly. I also told her there were no injuries reported. She wanted to know who owned the company, I told her Gulf South and that they were based in Houston. She said, "Well, that figures, they do all sorts of things wrong in Texas."

Well, I didn't argue with her, I mean she is my grandma.