By Matt Smith/msmith@trcle.com
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State Rep. Rob Orr, R-Burleson, joined with other members of the Texas Legislature and Fort Worth Mayor Mike Moncrief on Monday to announce that the state will increase the air quality monitoring network in the Barnett Shale.
The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality presently has seven automated gas chromatograph monitors operating in the Barnett Shale region. Members of the Texas Legislature have directed TCEQ to add eight more monitors to the area.
The monitors operate around the clock, measuring levels of more than 45 volatile organic compounds, including benzene. The emissions data collected from these monitors is used to evaluate current air quality conditions in the region and posted online.
Legislators have also directed TCEQ to contract with a third party to assist in the evaluation of the data.
“The Barnett Shale has brought positive economic benefits to our area, but with these benefits have come a need to monitor a variety of issues,” Orr said. “One of these is the quality of the air we breathe. These increased monitoring stations will provide additional data that our citizens deserve.”
State Sen. Troy Fraser, R-Horseshoe Bay, who also serves as chairman on the Senate Committee on Natural Resources, said information collected by the additional monitors will help legislators create better environmental policies.
“We can make positive changes without overburdening our residents and businesses financially,” Fraser said.
State Rep. Byron Cook, R-Corsicana, said the additional monitors will help businesses identify and address pollution sources quickly, which will lead to improved air quality.
Cook chairs the House Committee on Environmental Regulation.
“The additional air monitors will offer Texans greater transparency about the air quality in the Barnett Shale region because more scientific data will be available to the public, in real time, via TCEQ’s website,” Cook said.
Locations remained to be determined, but officials hope to have the monitors in place by year’s end, said Andy Saenz, TCEQ communications director.
“We’re looking at maps to determine the most concentrated areas [of gas well sites], and where people are,” Saenz said. “Also taking into account meteorology, wind patterns and directions.”
In addition to allowing residents to check air conditions online any time of the day, the monitors help to quickly identify problem situations, Saenz said.
“We know immediately if there’s a problem or a leak and can get inspectors out and call the company,” Saenz said. “A lot of times those situations are a simple maintenance issue and easy to fix, but this way we don’t have to wait months or weeks for lab results.”
Orr said he wants to make sure at least some of the monitors are placed in Johnson County.
“We have one at the [Cleburne Regional Airport] that monitors ozone, but not benzene and these other compounds people are concerned about,” Orr said. “I was talking to Bryan Shaw [TCEQ agency chairman] Monday and told him we need monitors out here because Johnson County is the second-largest gas producer in Texas.”
Orr said that TCEQ officials told him and other legislators that they have several sources in their budget from which to pull to fund purchase of the monitors.
“The reason we asked for a third party to assist with collecting and analyzing the data is to make sure we ensure the integrity and transparency of the data,” Orr said.
Orr stressed that universities, not the gas and energy companies, will be handling those duties.
University of Texas officials oversee the operation and data collection of the monitors presently up and running, Saenz said.
“For the monitors coming in, we’re probably going to be looking at TCU, UTA and UNT,” Orr said. “The reason, in regards to UT, is that we don’t want to overload any one university.”
At least one Johnson County family has alleged that gas-well drilling activities led to an increase in petroleum by-products, including benzene, toluene, xylene, barium and iron.
Jim and Linda Scoma filed suit in the 413th District Court against Chesapeake Energy in June.
The Scomas claim that drilling activities by Chesapeake contaminated their well-water supply.
Julie Wilson, Chesapeake’s vice president for corporate development, said the company does not comment on pending litigation.
No hearing date has been set, court officials said Wednesday.
