Texas Oil and Gas: The Kingmakers

[TexasTowelie]

By Carol Morgan

I’ve been following the activities of Lubbock’s Oil and Gas Committee and was rather underwhelmed to see that the committee rejected the health and safety recommendations of the more community-minded individuals on the committee.

When over half of the individuals on this board make their living from oil and gas activity, why would we expect them to display anything but rigid economic self-interest? I had to laugh when one of the members suggested that the Railroad Commission’s oversight of problematic wells were sufficient and that Lubbock doesn’t need an inspector.

Someone should remind him that Texas’ oil and gas industry purchased the office of Texas Railroad Commissioner for Christi Craddick. The price tag was $600,000. And they plan on getting their money’s worth.

Was it grand irony or perfect timing when Ms. Craddick spontaneously appeared unannounced on our local Fox station, making the proclamation that fracking is safe? If that’s so, why are so many cities creating laws to ban the practice? Four days ago, the United States Geological Service declared that the record number of Oklahoma tremors raises the possibility of damaging earthquakes. Is fracking to blame?

In a strange déjà vu of 2012, the energy monarchy is purchasing the office of Land Commissioner for George P. Bush. His campaign war chest now totals $2.2 million, with a significant portion of that money furnished by the same industry he'll be forced to regulate if he wins. A glance at the names of his top donors is like a who’s who of Texas’ rich and famous.

More at http://lubbockonline.com/interact/blog-post/carol-morgan/2014-05-07/texas-oil-and-gas-kingmakers#.U2popSgbHJU .

[justhanginon]

1. Legal corruption!

Anything corporations want in this country is for sale courtesy of five stupids on what is laughingly referred to as the Supreme Court and a congress that lives for their campaign contributions.
American exceptionalism as the world laughs at us and we have to live with it.