U.S. Carbon Emissions Falling to Two-Decade Low Thanks In Part to Natural Gas
By Christopher Martin
Carbon dioxide emissions will slip to the lowest since 1994 as U.S. utilities shift away from coal in favor of solar, wind and natural gas.
Read moreFive Questions about SMU’s New Azle Earthquake Study
Today, scientists from Southern Methodist University, the University of Texas, and the U.S. Geological Survey released a new research paper in the journal Nature Communications, entitled “Causal factors for seismicity near Azle, Texas.” Through a process of elimination, the researchers concluded that “brine production combined with wastewater disposal represent the most likely cause of recent seismicity near Azle.” However, several issues in the paper raise questions about its conclusion, including potentially major flaws related to subsurface pressure.
Read moreNorth Texas Property Values Increase as Natural Gas Production Grows
In recent years, opponents of natural gas production in North Texas have argued that drilling reduces home values. Frack Free Denton claimed “fracking has been shown to decrease nearby residential property values” as part of its number one reason to ban fracking. Mansfield Gas Well Awareness states on its home page that drilling in Mansfield “is a threat” to property values. Earthworks and the activist website EcoWatch have also said fracking decreases property values.
Read moreEnvironment Texas Wants to Ban Drilling with “Local Control”
The anti-energy group Environment Texas (ET) recently unveiled a letter to Governor Greg Abbott, Senator Troy Fraser and Representative Drew Darby, which makes a series of misleading and erroneous claims about two bills under consideration in Austin - HB 40 and SB 1165 - and the facts surrounding hydraulic fracturing (fracking).
Read moreNeeley: Don’t let local control undermine the Texas model
Texas has always been fiercely protective of its prerogatives as a state. From challenging federal regulatory overreach in court to maintaining our own electric grid, we are willing to go to great lengths to ensure we can chart our own political destiny.
Read moreMansfield council OKs tighter gas well restrictions
March 23, 2015
BY ROBERT CADWALLADER
MANSFIELD-- After a final public hearing, the Mansfield City Council Monday night unanimously approved tighter restrictions on gas well drilling but did not widen the city’s 600-foot minimum separation between gas and oil wells and the public.
The 6-0 vote, with Councilman Stephen Lindsey absent, culminates more than a year of public debate over how to protect against nuisance and potential health risks without stifling oil and gas development — and inviting litigation.
The mix of 25 speakers was almost evenly divided on the issue, as were the 19 resident nonspeakers who put their opinions on cards.
Overregulation threatens land owners
March 20, 2015
By Dee Davey
Mansfield is a great place to live. Money Magazine is one of the latest to rank Mansfield as one of the best places to live in America. Our strong economy attracts thousands of new residents, many of whom have started new businesses here.
But listening to some local activists, things in Mansfield are not so great. They claim natural gas drilling has reduced property values and ruined our quality of life.
I’ve been in Mansfield for 39 years and for long-time residents like me, we’ve watched Mansfield grow from a small quiet town and to continue on as a great hometown for the new neighbors who have moved here.
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