Gas drilling company threatens lawsuit against Texas Campaign for the Environment by Claire St. Amant, March 13, 2013, Dallas Culture Map UPDATE: Michael Anderson, an attorney for Trinity East Energy, spoke with CultureMap on March 12. The story has been changed to reflect that interview. As the debate over the permissibility of natural gas drilling on Dallas parklands rages on, Trinity East Energy is picking a new fight. The Keystone Exploration subsidiary alleges that Texas Campaign for the Environment is spreading “baseless and groundless attacks” against the company. In a February 25 cease and desist letter to TCE program director Zac Trahan, Trinity East took issue with the following statement: “This gas company has already drilled a well along the Trinity River and had a casing failure that may have contaminated underground water aquifers.” An attorney for Trinity East Energy called TCE’s actions “unlawful and, at minimum, defamation under Texas law.” Public documents show that a casing failure did occur in an Irving well operated by Trinity East, but attorney Michael Anderson called the allegation of possible water contamination “absolutely false.” Anderson said that Trinity East was in compliance with Texas Commission on Environmental Quality rules, which are designed to protect fresh water aquifers even in the event of a casing failure. “TCE’s actions are unlawful and constitute, at minimum, defamation under Texas law,” Anderson wrote. “In the event TCE continues to persist in its unlawful activity, Trinity East will have no choice but to file suit.” In a March 11 letter, Trahan responded to Anderson’s claims. “It is, by now, well-known that the purpose of casing a well is to protect groundwater,” Trahan wrote. “Thus, when a casing failure occurs, it is not unreasonable to question whether this casing failure has placed groundwater resources at risk of contamination.” Trahan went on to say that there are few studies and no independent ones that show the effect of the casing failure. The statement in question presents the possibility of contamination but does not say that it definitely occurred. Although not willing to retract or correct his initial comments on the Irving well, Trahan did offer the following supplemental information. “This gas company has already drilled a well along the Trinity River that had a casing failure beneath our underground aquifers. The company reported that no groundwater contamination occurred as a result of this instance. No independent testing was required to verify whether our aquifers are fully protected.” Anderson says that statement doesn’t satisfy his client but its first priority is to move forward with Trinity East’s drilling applications before the City Plan Commission and the City Council. “Trinity East doesn’t mind having a fair discussion dealing with facts,” Anderson says. “What it doesn’t want are false statements out in the public.” [Emphasis added] Energy company seeking Dallas drilling permits threatens to sue environmentalists by The Dallas Morning News, March 13, 2013 The energy company at the center of an emotional debate over gas drilling in Dallas has threatened to sue an environmental group, saying the group made “verifiably false” statements about a 2008 well-casing failure. A lawyer for Trinity East Energy wrote last month to the Texas Campaign for the Environment….
-
Recent Posts
- “Unwelcome Guests.” Alberta’s Danielle Smith & her “100-person convoy of oil crony delegates” at COP28 December 2, 2023
- Murderous Fuck Henry Kissinger’s Obit November 30, 2023
- If men could get pregnant, … November 30, 2023
- Killer Water: The toxic legacy of Canada’s oil sands industry for Indigenous communities. Complete documentary November 29, 2023
- Excellent quote on AER by Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation Chief Allan Adam: “I would like the (regulator) to immediately cease what they’re doing…They’re not credible enough to do anything.” November 27, 2023
- “NDP, go frack free,” chant 250 citizens outside BC 2023 New Democratic Party convention in Victoria; Resolution to end fracking sponsored by 14 electoral district associations did not reach the floor, as usual. November 20, 2023
- Frac’ing harms seniors. UC Berkeley epidemiologist David González: best way to protect health is by eliminating the hazard — ban new wells and phase out existing fossil fuel development. Frac’d resident Ray Kemble: “This industry is basically killing us” November 18, 2023
- Alberta: Methane leaks still leaking more than official estimates (of course), threatening life on earth; UCP led by “Take Back Alberta” Extreme Right Anti-Science Anti-Earth Religious Party (TBA) and AER still lying, letting companies avoid clean up (more than $300B in liabilities). UCP/TBA solution? Ban wind and solar. November 16, 2023
- Hayes Carll: “This is why your whole world is on fire…why you can’t drink from your own springs.” November 16, 2023
- New study: Frac compressor pollution harms health. Dear Encana/Ovintiv/Lynx/AER/UCP & TBA et al: Shut up frac compressors and stop poisoning us, our loved ones, homes, livestock, wildlife; stop harming our health! November 15, 2023
- CEOs: Easily replaced with AI, or more fairly (i.e. not old rich white man biased) and law-abiding, a mop. May as well automate politicians too. November 15, 2023
- Racist Canada shits on Remembrance Day, votes *for* Israel’s illegal settlements taken by military force on Palestinian lands; Doctors without Borders reports sniper shooting patients inside Gaza hospital. November 12, 2023
- Frac Compendium 9: From 65 studies to “an avalanche” of nearly 2,500 showing evidence of harm from frac’ing. Dr. Sandra Steingraber: “Fracking resembles lead paint or indoor smoking — no rules or regulations can make these practices safe.” November 12, 2023
- Frac’ing ‘generation 3’ rock requires injecting captured carbon to make more oil flow. No wonder companies, lobby groups, regulators, gov’ts and Env NGOs are conning the world with Net Zero miracles via high risk Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS). November 9, 2023
- Texas: Sound Resources Solutions chemical explosion injures at least one worker; highly flammable toxic products used/made at the plant include: xylene, toluene, acetone, methy ethyl ketone, phosphoric acid, acetic acid, sulfuric acid 93, various isoproply alcohols, hexane, etc. Residents within 5 mile radius ordered to shelter in place and turn off HVAC systems. Homes, schools, hospitals, workplaces will not be able to keep toxic chemical fumes out. November 8, 2023