WEATHERFORD - An open records request to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality regarding air quality results of benzene emissions from natural gas facilities in Parker County, has produced information Parker County Judge Mark Riley wants to make available to residents.
Riley’s office requested from the TCEQ “all records or documents pertaining to and directly from the air quality testing near natural gas operations in Parker County that took place in or within the surrounding months of August, 2009, where those tests specifically took place and who owns the wells. This request included but was not limited to requesting the levels of benzene that were found to be emitted into the air around the natural gas operations in Parker County and how those levels relate to the Effects Screening Level.”
“I have strong concerns about the levels of benzene, a cancer causing toxin that is being emitted from some of our Barnett Shale facilities in and around Parker County, according to the information provided by TCEQ,” Riley said. “When Dr. Michael Honeycutt, the head of the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality Toxicology Division, said in a recent interview on WFAA Channel 8 that he is shocked to see such high levels of benzene being emitted, I think you have to take it seriously.”
Riley said the safety of Parker County residents is his top priority.
“I know the state is looking into this and members of the legislature will be briefed soon,” he said. “In the meantime I want to make this information available to our residents.”
Residents who would like a copy of the information can obtain it by mailing a blank DVD-R and a self addressed envelope of suitable size with postage to Parker County Judge Mark Riley, Attn: Joel Kertok, One Courthouse Sq., Weatherford, Tx. 76086.
“Residents should keep in mind that this is raw data that has not been summarized into a simple explanation,” Riley said. “I just feel that it needs to be made available to the public.”
Riley said the county hopes to have the information available through a web site as soon as possible.
Local News
November 20, 2009
TCEQ report available through Judge's office
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