By: Francisco Diaz, The Laredo Sun
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
"Unfortunately both the federal and state government have laws that prevent us to act like we would like to,” said President of Rio Grande International Study Center, Victor Oliveros.
He said waste spills from Eagle Ford Shale have been consistently recorded in the streets of Laredo, but little can be done because the companies involved in this industry are not required to disclose the chemicals they use.
"Both the federal environmental protection agency and state governments have laws that protect these industries and are not required to disclose the chemicals used to extract gas and oil," he said.
For this reason, when a waste spill is recorded, firefighters limit the cleaning with the support of the Texas Department of Transportation to reduce the danger to the community.
Environmental activist groups have requested that these companies use at least closed vehicles so that the waste does not leak when braking abruptly at an intersection.
Director of the Rio Grande International Study Center, Tricia Cortez, said there is fear that these wastes will reach a storm drain and will go directly to the Rio Grande contributing to contamination.
At least one or two spills are recorded in Laredo each week, a situation that has authorities worried.
The Eagle Ford Shale industry covers a corridor 50 miles wide by 400 miles long that has provoked intense development in many counties, including Webb, but has also increased the risks of contamination.
"We are vigilant to any risk and so we will continue to protect our river as we can,” said Oliveros.
Edited by: C.R.
Comments
- Spelling errorby Rosemarie Buchanan, 09/10/2012 13:30
+0endagering? Did someone change the spelling of "endangering"? How did this typo get past the editor? ;-)
