Texas Mayor Stumps Against Hydrofracking

Calvin Tillman, the mayor of Dish, Texas (Pop. 181), spoke on the effects of natural gas drilling on his community in Binghamton and other towns in Western New York recently.

The event was sponsored by a coalition of local community organizations that included People for a Healthy Environment. 

Tillman, who spoke from experience rather than blind opposition, strongly attacked the oil and gas industry, which he depicted as coldly opportunistic, and ended with the following recommendations:

• Communities should insist on green technology and best practices, including systems that can capture emissions from compressors and treat gas before it is marketed;
• Regulations must ensure that areas like schoolyards and front yards are off-limits to industry hazards such as drilling, high pressure lines and compressors;
• Community organizations need to build coalitions to give local government --  the mayor, local community leaders -- a voice in the permitting process.

Drill Right Texas, a best practice report from Earthworks. 

In Washington, the federal Environmental Protection Agency is seeking a $30 million grant to study the environmental impacts of hydrofracking [Clean Skies.]

Texas earthquakes linked to hydrofracking [USA Today.]

Calvin Tillman has moved out of town [Alternet.]