EPA will shut down oil boom in Texas (Frisco, Roma: leasing, live)

[rwr]

The EPA Moderator cut: off-topic just received its' green light to start shutting down the Texas oil boom by yesterday's election results.
All of you people that are thinking about moving here or have recently moved hear for jobs might ought to keep that in mind. It's a sad day for our state and an even sadder day for our once great Republic.

[BobTex]

I'll wait and see but I suspect Texas is on the enemies list and it is clear that all fossil fuels are on that list. Doesn't bode well for Texas. Once we go over the cliff it won't matter anyway ... it'll be an electronic economy ... just step up and get your mark!

[Trainwreck20]

Eh, the courts spent most of last year reversing and overturning EPA actions and will continue to do so as long as they continue to lack founding in law. The courts, of course, can have bias one way or another, but they also tend to be filled by judges who are intelligent and have enough pride to read the laws and follow them. Some of the EPA attmepted actions were downright comical and most judges could not agree with them and keep a straight face.

[JoninATX]

Can't find anything about Moderator cut: orphaned the EPA wanting to shut down the oil boom here. If so that would put alot of people out of work and hurt the economy even more.

[Trainwreck20]

EPA Region 6 (which covers Texas and adjacent states) had a director that was very much an activist against fossil fuels in general. The statements that got him in 'trouble' (finally):
EPA Official's 'Philosophy' On Oil Companies: 'Crucify Them' - Just As Romans Crucified Conquered Citizens | CNSNews.com

He has since left the EPA and is working with the Sierra Club.

This statement is a pretty good summary:

That agenda, Inhofe said, is to “incite fear” in the public with unsubstantiated claims and “intimidate” oil and gas companies with threats of unjustified fines and penalties – then, quietly backtrack once the public’s perception has been firmly jaded against oil and natural gas.

Although his 'Romans and crucify' comments got him in the news, his actions against Range Resources is the actual action that was the beginning of his demise:

Armendariz was also responsible for the "emergency order" issued by his office against Range Resources for allegedly contaminating groundwater in Parker County -- an allegation since disproven. Recently, EPA voluntarily dismissed its suit seeking to enforce the emergency order, after the Texas Railroad Commission found that Range was not responsible for the methane in the contaminated water well.

(http://www.oilandgaslawyerblog.com/2...trator-al.html)

[BobTex]

Originally Posted by JoninATX

Can't find anything about Obama or the EPA wanting to shut down the oil boom here. If so that would put alot of people out of work and hurt the economy even more.

The present federal administration has that record of being anti fossil fuels. The pipeline coming from Canada to the Texas coast is an example. The shutting down of lease letting in offshore Texas as well as other areas for oil and gas exploration is also on the "record". Texas has a varied economy but do not underestimate the amount that we, as Texans, benefit from all aspects of fossil fuels!

[TX75007]

Keep in mind that Obama only got 60 million votes this time vs 69 million last time. Over 3 million Republican voters sat this one out vs last time and another 3 million sat out 2008 vs 2004.

Obama is in a very weak position as are the Democrats nationally. The GOP now controls 35 states in either the governorships or legislatures.

The state level is where the oil boom will be decided.

Fortunately most of the oil boom for fracking is on private or state lands. Texas has virtually no federal land. So it will be immune. the EPA can nibble around the edges. But they cannot change things.

The opening up of the Green River oil shale, which dwarfs the entire mideast, is moving ahead in Utah on state and private lands. Eventually the federal lands will open up too,

The leasing out of federal lands for oil shale development could erase our entire national debt.

I do agree that the region 6 EPA admin was in conspiracy with local and national green groups. I've been a long term significant donor to environmental causes and know how some in the movement think.

The railroading of the Exide plant in Frisco was a major environmental and social disaster. And is what some are planning for coal and oil.

[Trainwreck20]

So it will be immune. the EPA can nibble around the edges. But they cannot change things.

While the EPA can't do anything close to a 'cease and desist', they can make the process extremely litigious. Armendariz specifically intended this - make court costs eat up your profits, since the EPA doesn't have to worry about profit itself when deciding to litigate. Air pollution and water pollution (or the accusation of) are all firmly in the purview of the EPA, therefore they can come in and raise cane if they want, regardless of federal, private, or state land. If administered properly, this is an important oversight process that I don't technically have issues with; however, having done extensive work in the environmental arena across many states, the EPA has definitely put Texas on the fecal matter list. Other states (in the same region) are receiving way last scrutiny.

[Metro Matt]

Sounds like more left wing propaganda to me.

Texas will continue to be a major oil & energy producing state for as long as materials are made out of petroleum & we continue to rely on practical sources of energy in our every day lives. Obama & his cronies think dumping trillions of dollars of stimulus money into failed solar energy companies like Solyndra are the answer. Not every day is sunny not every day is windy so whats the EPA's solution to that huh?

Obama backed the Chevrolet Volt & it was a failure.

Technology for all electric cars just isn't there yet & neither is solar energy. We've all seen how those dinky solar path lights look that last maybe a month or two or three tops. I've seen lightning bugs brighter than those things!

[Minathebrat]

Originally Posted by TX75007

Keep in mind that Obama only got 60 million votes this time vs 69 million last time. Over 3 million Republican voters sat this one out vs last time and another 3 million sat out 2008 vs 2004.

Obama is in a very weak position as are the Democrats nationally. The GOP now controls 35 states in either the governorships or legislatures.

The state level is where the oil boom will be decided.

Fortunately most of the oil boom for fracking is on private or state lands. Texas has virtually no federal land. So it will be immune. the EPA can nibble around the edges. But they cannot change things.

This. From what I understand he can only control what is in Federal jurisdiction- offhore waters and on Federal land.