State Data Supports Conclusions of EDF/SMU study on Barnett Shale Emissions
Posting thanks to Charlie Murphy.
from the desk of Al Armendariz, Ph.D.
May 27, 2009
Dallas, Texas
STATE DATA SUPPORTS CONCLUSIONS OF EDF/SMU STUDY ON
BARNETT SHALE EMISSIONS
Oil and gas sector emissions in the Dallas-Fort Worth area are significant,
but cost-effective solutions are available to reduce the environmental impact
and increase revenue for oil and gas producers.
From 2004 to 2007, officials from the Texas Commission on Environmental
Quality (TCEQ) worked to develop the latest version of the clean air plan for the
Dallas-Fort Worth metropolitan area, with input from other stakeholders
including US EPA, local and regional governments, the business community,
EDF, and other environmental groups. In May 2007, at the hearing when the
TCEQ adopted the clean air plan, testimony was presented which indicated that
oil and gas sector sources in the Barnett Shale area around the city of Fort Worth
were greatly underestimated in the clean air plan. This testimony cast serious
doubt on the accuracy of the photochemical modeling at the core of the state’s
plan. Nonetheless, the TCEQ commissioners adopted the plan.
In the state’s May 2007 clean air plan, oil and gas sources in the 9-county DFW
metropolitan area were estimated to produce only 26 tons per day (tpd) of smog-
forming nitrogen oxides and volatile organic emissions.
There is a common misconception that all the natural gas being produced in the
Barnett Shale is “clean” gas, with no impact to the environment. While it is true
that the use of natural gas for electricity generation results in much lower
emissions of sulfur, mercury, and greenhouse gases compared to coal, the
production (upstream) and processing and transport (midstream) parts of the
natural gas sector can have very large environmental impacts. The official
records from the Texas Railroad Commission demonstrate that oil/gas activity in
the approximately 20 counties of the Barnett Shale area produces hundreds of
thousands of barrels of condensate liquid and crude oil, which are stored in
thousands of above-ground tanks that vent to the atmosphere.
Since May 2007, independent efforts were undertaken by both the TCEQ and
SMU/EDF to estimate the real magnitude of oil and gas sector emissions. The
SMU/EDF effort was lead by me and coordinated by Dr. Ramon Alvarez of the
Austin office of EDF.
The new data compiled by the TCEQ after May 2007 estimates that smog-
forming emissions in the 9-county D-FW metropolitan area were approximately
90 tpd. This new data also estimated that emissions for the entire 19-counties of
the Barnett Shale area were approximately 200 tons per day.
These updated state results are extremely consistent with the independently-
produced results of the SMU/EDF study that I released in January 2009. For the
2007 calendar year, I estimated emissions in the 9-county metropolitan area to be
112 tpd on average and I estimated estimates for the entire 19-county Barnett
Shale area to be 191 tpd on average. These numbers are within 10-20% of the
TCEQ estimates (90 vs 100, 200 vs 191).
In my report I also accounted for the increase in VOC and HAP emissions that
occurs on peak summer days because of heating of volatile compounds in
storage tanks. I estimated emissions to be 165 tpd in the 9-county metro area and
307 tpd in the entire Barnett Shale area during a hot summer day.
The fact that separate efforts by the TCEQ and SMU/EDF to correct the
emissions inventory for oil/gas sector sources in the D-FW area are coming to
the same approximate answer is satisfying. Claims earlier this year by some gas
company representatives that my estimates were too high by a factor of 5 or
more appear to be completely unsupportable.
While it would have been best to have the updated TCEQ data in the emissions
inventory and photochemical computer modeling prior to TCEQ adoption of the
DFW clean air plan in May 2007, it is clear that in the future, state and federal
regulators will have a more accurate picture of the true magnitude of emissions
from the oil/gas sector in this part of Texas.
It is unfortunate that the oil and gas sector chose to lobby against common sense
measures that were introduced in the Texas Legislature this year that would
have both reduced emissions, plus resulted in increased revenue to producers
from the capture of excess hydrocarbons that are otherwise being vented to the
atmosphere.
Nonetheless, I hope the industry realizes that the days of venting methane and
hydrocarbons to the atmosphere are probably numbered. If I was their lobbyist, I
would be strongly advising them to take all necessary measures to reduce
emissions starting today, to give themselves time, lessen the impact that future
initiatives are bound to require, and help protect the environment.
Emissions inventory, references, and additional information can be found at:
http://lyle.smu.edu/~aja/barnett-shale.html
NEW STUDENT VACCINE REQUIREMENTS FOR 2009-2010 SCHOOL YEAR
There are new vaccine requirements for students entering Fort Worth ISD schools for the 2009-2010 school years. The Texas Department of Health and Human Services made the vaccine changes to bring state elementary and secondary schools more in line with recommendations by the Centers for Disease Control.
A summary of the changes includes:
- Students entering kindergarten will be required to have 2 doses of Hepatitis A and 2 doses of measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine.
- All students entering Kindergarten and 7th grade will be required to have 2 doses of varicella (Chickenpox) vaccine. A written statement from a parent (or legal guardian or managing conservator), school nurse, or physician attesting to a child’s positive history of varicella disease (chickenpox), or of varicella immunity, is acceptable in lieu of either dose of varicella vaccine.
- Students entering 7th grade now will be required to have at least one dose of meningococcal vaccine.
- Any 7th grader who has not had a tetanus-containing vaccine in the last 5 years will be required to have a tetanus, diphtheria and accellular pertussis-containing (Tdap) vaccine. Any student with a medical condition where pertussis is not recommended can have a tetanus-diphtheria (Td) vaccine.
In addition to the new vaccines required for the coming school year, there is a phase-in schedule of vaccines required for students through the 2021-2022 school years.
Additional information on vaccine requirements is available through the Fort Worth ISD Health Services Department. Visit www.fwisd.org/health or call 817-871-2190.
To view the Immunization Event Schedule: BeWiseImmunize2009Flyer Final Eng[1]
Source: FWISD.org
BACK 2 SCHOOL 411 NOW ONLINE
Fort Worth ISD schools will re-open is just a few short weeks. Students, parents and families can be better prepared for that first day by checking out the information available at http://www.fwisd.org/back2school.
The FWISD Back 2 School Web site has lots of important information needed to get back to class regardless of whether it’s pre-kindergarten or the last year of high school.
On the site you can find:
- Information about First Day Celebrations
- School supply lists
- Student Dress Code
- Transportation information (general information)
- How to arrange and pay for student meals
- And much, much more.
There is even information about the upcoming state Tax Free Holiday. This year the list of tax-free approved items has been expanded for school items.
Specific information on bus schedules for individual schools is available from the student’s home campus. Source: FWISD.org
July Yard of the Month
by Tatiana Wicke
Lynda McAdams and Minta Magers at 3934 Birchman are the winners of July’s Yard of the Month.
Minta is a life-long resident of Fort Worth, and Arlington Heights in particular. Her family moved into the ‘big city’ of Fort Worth in 1919 from the small town of Strawn (which is between Fort Worth and Abilene). Minta and her family lived with her Grandmother at the corner of Lowell and Montgomery (where the current Railhead restaurant is now) – they had a water station that serviced the first two streets of the surrounding neighborhood. In the early 1940s Minta’s family built the house next door and Lynda McAdams (then 2-years old) moved in with her family.
Lynda does most of the yard work and gardening for the house. Both of her grandmothers encouraged her to take an interest. Her love of gardening started back in kindergarten when her class planted pinto
beans in wet cotton to start the plants growing. She eventually brought the bean plants home and her father made her a space in the backyard to plant her beans.
Lynda recently retired from a local green house (where she worked for the last 10-years) and enjoyed bringing home new plants and flowers from work to plant in her garden. She used to rely on books for her gardening research and now watches a lot of gardening shows to learn new techniques. One tip? She uses banana peels to keep her roses happy and health! The roses are Minta’s favorite part of the garden.
Lynda prefers plants that grow in full-sun – the yard includes Banana trees, Cherry Tomato plants, Luna Hibiscus, Lilies, Bluebonnets, Larkspur, and Daisies. Lynda has a special fondness for the Esperanza flowers and the Bee Balms, but the Bird of Paradise tree remains her favorite because her son gave it to her. There is also a fennel plant which is great for raising butterflies; they have lots of eggs and caterpillars currently. For the shadiest part of the house, she planted Hostas. To keep everything watered, she waters for about 15 minutes most days and uses an automatic timer that is hooked up to her garden hose.
Minta and Lynda spend a lot of time on their front porch watching the cats play and listening to the water fountains and wind chimes. Sounds like the perfect way to enjoy all the hard work!
Congratulations again to Lynda and Minta who have won a $25 gift certificate to Archie’s Gardenland. And thank you for creating such a wonderful oasis for ALL to enjoy.
Provide Input on Crime Control and Prevention District
One final chance remains for Fort Worth residents to give their input on Crime Control and Prevention District (CCPD) programs and strategies. The final meeting will be at 7 p.m. Aug. 6 at the Fort Worth Police Training Center, 1000 Calvert St.
The CCPD was created in 1995 and renewed in 2000 and 2005, most recently for a five-year period.
A nine-member board of directors oversees the expenditure of CCPD funds that are derived from a half-cent of the city sales tax. The board is required to create an annual budget, which is subject to approval by the City Council, and also is required to develop a plan to help control and prevent crime. The board also evaluates programs funded by the district.
The CCPD’s proposed budget for the 2010 fiscal year is $ 50,625,926.
- Some of the programs that receive funding from the CCPD include:
Neighborhood crime. Neighborhood patrol officers, neighborhood policing districts, police storefronts, CODE BLUE program, parks community policing.
Violent crimes and gangs. Zero Tolerance teams, Police Department gang unit, gang graffiti abatement, Comin’ Up program.
School safety and youth. After-school programs, Safe Haven program, school security initiative.
Police Department enhancements. Recruit training, high-mileage vehicle replacements, Special Operations Division vehicles, overtime pay for special events, technology infrastructure, mobile data computers, helicopter lease and equipment, video cameras in marked police vehicles, Taser program, Stockyards detail.
To learn more, visit the Police Department’s Web site
Survive in ’09 School Supply Drive
From now until August 9, the public is invited to drop off donations of school supplies at their neighborhood Kroger stores. CBS 11 and TXA 21 are partnering with Kroger to collect school supplies for students in need. Tarrant Area Food Bank and North Texas Food Bank will distribute the donated items to nonprofit agencies serving low-income families in the greater Fort Worth/Dallas area.
Arlington Heights nearest Kroger stores are at 9114 Camp Bowie West Blvd. and 6080 S. Hulen St. Visit www.kroger.com for additional stores and directions.
The drive is part of CBS 11 and TXA 21’s ongoing “Survive in 09″ project of news stories and community events focused on saving money, finding jobs, managing investments and debt, and dealing with stress.
Help improve FortWorthGov.org
The City of Fort Worth wants to know what’s important to you when it comes to the City of Fort Worth Web site, FortWorthGov.org. The totally anonymous Customer Centric Index survey is easy and takes just two minutes to complete.
Call for Jazz Fest Volunteers
That special time of the year is here again! The 7th annual festival is quickly approaching and we are delighted about the process of organizing and producing this event. Last year we celebrated a successful festival with your help. As a volunteer, you make up the backbone of the festival. Your support and dedication to the community promises to make this a successful year, too. Without you we cannot orchestrate this annual event. Camp Bowie District, Inc. certainly applauds and appreciates your participation!
This year’s event is scheduled for September 11-13, 2009. As usual, we are making improvements, and the talent line-up scheduled is diverse, exciting, and enchanting! This is going to be a great year. We need your help! Do not hesitate to come out and party while you work to serve our community.
The registration form, obligations, job descriptions, and rules are already to go. So, visit the website, http://www.fortworthjazz.com. Please pass the word on to your friends, co-workers and family. There is plenty of room for everyone! Completing online registration early ensures a better chance of getting your desired time slots. If for some reason you are not able to register online you may fax your registration to 817-737-0400. Please pay close attention to the obligations, responsibilities, and rules provided on the website. We want to be sure to maintain safety and legality to be able to move forward to another year of jazz.
Please go to www.fortworthjazz.com and sign up today!
If you have any questions you may visit our web site listed above, call our Jazz Hotline at 817.763.JAZZ (5299) or contact me directly.
Thank you,
Pamela Atchison
2009 Volunteer Coordinator
817-821-3065
Fort Worth Zoo Events
For the next week the Fort Worth Zoo will be celebrating the 1930s and its Animal Ambassador, the chimpanzee! Stop by the chimpanzee exhibit to learn exclusive information about the Zoo’s history and all of its wild residents! You can ‘adopt’ any of the Zoo’s Animal Ambassadors and contribute to the care and feeding of your animal for one full year. Adoption packages are available online. For more information and a full listing of the zoo’s 100th anniversary events, visit www.fortworthzoo.org
Safe Neighborhood Program Targets Code Violators
The second Safe Neighborhoods Initiative — a 90-day Code Compliance Department program that helps educate residents about health and safety issues — kicked off recently in a portion of the Diamond Hill neighborhood. Campaigns also are planned for portions of the Greater Historic Northside and Bomber Heights neighborhoods.
The Safe Neighborhoods Initiative is a team project, combining the efforts of residents and neighborhood groups with staff from all the divisions of Code Compliance. During campaigns, staff from Neighborhood Code Compliance, Illegal Dumping, Animal Care and Control and Consumer Health, with the help of police officers and other community partners, visit areas with a high number of code, animal and safety issues.
Each campaign has two phases. The first is an education emphasis, with staff working to help residents recognize issues and offer solutions to the challenges. The second phase may result in citations for residents who don’t comply with any needed changes brought to their attention during the initial visits.
Residents can help by making sure their property is clean and safe, and that all vehicles are in operating condition and not parked on front or side yards. Pet owners need to make sure their dogs and cats are currently vaccinated against rabies, licensed with the city and properly restrained.
To learn more, call 817-392-6347.
