Wednesday, December 10, 2008

Spilled Natural Gas Drilling Mud Kills 3 While Wise County Pipeline Explodes

Today's Don Young Report covers several issues. One being Tuesday's pipeline explosion in Wise County. Another being the transportation of drilling mud in Johnson County having caused three deaths.

Before I get to Don Young's message to the powers that be. And you. I'm going to give you 3 links.

You can watch video of the Wise County pipeline rupture here.

Click the above link, then click, "Click here to watch video footage," then hit the play button.

You can read a report of the Wise County pipeline rupture in the Wise County Register here.

You can read a report of drilling mud deadly accidents here.

And now Don Young's message to the powers that be. And you.

Dear Mayor, Council-members and staff-

In addition to Tuesday's pipeline rupture in Wise County, there is also a story from Johnson County that may interest you.

These two reports add to the steady stream of accidents involving gas drilling activities in and around Fort Worth. Hopefully, they will remind you that when you allow such dangerous activity there will be consequences. The only question is when and where and who pays to clean it up.

They should also remind you of your duty to put public safety far above your own self interests or threats from industry representatives and their lawyers. When in doubt, it's usually a good idea to err on the side of public safety and always go above and beyond state and federal standards.

PS: Does the current city budget include funds to clean up toxic drilling mud and other fluids spilled on public streets by anonymous drilling companies? What about hazmat crews to clean up the mud and also, NORM-laced drill pipes that may fall from trucks onto public right of ways? Finally, do FW firefighters and gas well inspectors now carry Geiger counters and hazmat suits in their trucks? How much does that cost?

Sincerely-
Don Young
FWCanDo
P.O. Box 470041
Fort Worth, TX 76147

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