Thursday, September 4, 2014

Denton Chamber Should Support the Ban


The Denton Chamber of Commerce's decision to oppose the proposed ban on hydraulic fracturing contradicts its vision of promoting “the general welfare and prosperity” of Denton. I respect the Chamber and admire all the good they do for Denton. But they have made a mistake here and I urge them to reconsider their position.

Had they taken an objective look at fracking, they would find that it is a drag on our economy and an obstacle to future development. Fracking poses severe safety and health risks to the Denton community in order to extract mineral wealth that is primarily exported to non-local businesses and absentee mineral owners. Only 2% of the appraised mineral value is owned by Denton residents. Gas wells rapidly deplete in value – 90% in five years. Denton will be stuck for the long haul stewarding hundreds of blighted industrial sites of diminished value.

Shockingly, the Chamber based its decision solely on an industry-funded report by a group with a known record of extreme hyperbole when it comes to estimating the economic impacts of the oil and gas industry. Yet even if we accept the industry’s numbers, they actually confirm the economic case against fracking. They show that it is a miniscule part of our economy: it accounts for 0.2% of our gross revenue, 0.25% of our labor force, and 0.5% of our tax revenues. Fracking accounts for 0.17% of DISD’s budget, while dozens of gas wells right next to our schools emit thousands of pounds of toxic chemicals.

How is any of this good for our welfare and prosperity?

City Council member Kevin Roden rightly notes that a ban on fracking will have “no perceivable impact on our local economy.” Indeed, the ban will bring about an economic boom. It will add value to properties that would otherwise be devalued by nearby fracking operations. It will bring the economic benefits of cleaner air and water and safer neighborhoods. Most importantly, the ban will make Denton more attractive to the skilled workforce we need to support higher-paying jobs and drive our economy forward. A city that allows a poisonous industry less than 200 feet from homes is not an attractive place to move. Without the ban, the workforce we need will find jobs, and spend their money, elsewhere.

It’s disappointing that the Chamber failed to consider the full picture. Like the industry they only thought about the costs of a ban and didn’t see how that flea is dwarfed by the elephant of economic benefits that a ban will bring.

The Chamber advocates “reasonable regulations,” but this too is just a restatement of an industry talking-point. The fact is that the City of Denton worked for three years attempting to craft regulations that would both permit fracking and protect the health, safety, and welfare of her citizens. Yet at every turn, the industry failed to compromise. They insist on fracking as many wells as they want closer than 200 feet from homes and schools on the 30% of our city’s land area already permitted for fracking. We actually have a reasonable ordinance on the books. The problem is that it doesn’t apply to anything, because fracking is vested under older laws. We were just closing the barn doors after the cows got out. Further calls for working on regulations can only shut the door tighter but not corral the herd.
 
Finally, the Chamber incorrectly claims that state law “guarantees” that property owners can access their minerals. Like most rights, mineral ownership is qualified, not absolute. Besides, the proposed ban is actually less restrictive than other valid ordinances in Texas, because it is only a ban on hydraulic fracturing, not drilling. An independent law firm has concluded that the proposed ban is legal.

The ban is the only reasonable option available to us. Without it, we will see the wholesale industrialization of Denton’s neighborhoods by an activity that pumps all the benefits out of town and dumps all the costs on us. On November 4th, we need to pass the ban on fracking in the name of promoting Denton’s welfare and prosperity.  

9 comments:

  1. It is hard to believe there are people living in the City of Denton who do not believe in such a basic human right as clean air.
    If I were a member of the Chamber of Commerce I would turn in my membership and disavow this one sided fracking industry rhetoric. It is hard to believe this is the voice of the business community in Denton.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Why the Denton Chamber even gives Industry the time of day anymore is my question; The City has spent over $100,000, hired a pro-industry gas well administrator, created a gas well commission and allowed not only pro-industry people to sit on the commission, but also one that is drill-at-all costs and isn't even a resident of Denton-to provide guidance and make recommendations for the Chamber to consider.

    Then there's one aloof and dishonest operator in particular, EagleRidge, who has violated the law and God knows how many of those 'reasonable regulations' with wild abandon. When ShaleTest and Earthworks got together and got FLIR video footage of one of their sites in clear violation of again, those 'reasonable regulations', EagleRidge's Mark Grawe dismissed the assertions that what the FLIR was picking up was "Heat". Not one person in authority called him on it, and certainly not Denton Chamber or Gas Well Administrator Darren Groth. And that blowout they had, that went unreported for some 14 hours? Groth, TCEQ, TRRC and the Denton Chamber absent. Apparently these things take months to 'investigate'. In the meantime, EagleRidge operates exactly how they want to, and entirely on their terms.

    Why Denton puts up with such dishonesty and continues to give Industry a seat at the table is really beyond me.

    ReplyDelete
  3. The chamber did the right thing by letting the ban go to a vote. Let the people decide, not just the council.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The Chamber didn't let the ban go to the vote - the Council did that. At issue here is how people should vote and they miscalculated that badly.

      Delete
  4. As usual Adam you have nailed on the critical points that voters need to be aware of.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Good information. Thanks for the work you do on an issue that is just gotten on my radar. I'll be voting for the ban.

    ReplyDelete
  6. I agree ban would little effect on our economy, unless you count the millions that it will cost for the city to defend its position! If your attorney advised you not to do something at your job & you ignored their advice, would you still keep your job?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. "City Attorney Anita Burgess told the council that staff researched the issue and believed the city could tap its risk bonds, should the Texas Oil and Gas Association or other industry group sue over the ordinance. The city has about $4 million available in its risk bonds, which the city attorney called a substantial resource." from: http://www.dentonrc.com/local-news/local-news-headlines/20140731-factors-could-impact-wallets.ece

      Delete
    2. Point was that Ms. Burgess had previously advised Council not to pass a ban! Please keep throwing around the $4 million dollar number so loosely, like somehow having bonds available to tap makes it ok.

      Delete