ARLINGTON, Texas — In this city known as the “American Dream City,” characterized by its amusement parks and sports venues, residents are acutely aware of the oil and gas infrastructure that resides inconspicuously among homes, schools, and local businesses. Oil and gas wells, alongside compressor stations, are integrated into the community, but they come with an environmental cost, including the emission of methane, a potent greenhouse gas that exacerbates climate change by trapping heat in the atmosphere. This methane often escapes along with other harmful chemicals, such as volatile organic compounds, which contribute to air quality issues and pose significant risks to public health.
Earlier this year, a new federal climate regulation was finalized that aims to significantly cut methane emissions from oil and gas operations across many regions, including Texas. This new rule mandates that operators identify and repair methane leaks while putting limits on flaring, which is the practice of burning off excess natural gas. To comply with the rule, operators are required to monitor emissions from both existing and new well sites, which reflects a substantial regulatory shift in the industry.
States are currently tasked with developing implementation plans for this federal guidance. In Texas, public input on these plans is being collected until December 31. Arlington residents, where approximately 400 gas wells and 50 drilling sites exist, urge the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) to take more comprehensive actions than the federal minimum requirements and to implement the plan before the potential policy shifts that could occur with a new presidential administration.
Community members shared their concerns at a recent public meeting, emphasizing the critical nature of air quality. A resident suffering from severe asthma noted how the issue is a matter of life and death and called for a stronger focus on public health over economic considerations. Another resident highlighted the proximity of infrastructure to educational facilities and daycares, advocating for swift action to protect community health amidst the challenges posed by urban fracking.
Fracking activities in Arlington began two decades ago with the adoption of horizontal drilling techniques to exploit natural gas reserves in the Barnett Shale. Currently, more than 1 million inhabitants in Tarrant County reside within a half mile of a gas well. Environmental advocates argue that air pollution from oil and gas activities disproportionately affects low-income neighborhoods, particularly those with significant populations of color.
Efforts to ban fracking in nearby areas have met with resistance. A notable attempt occurred about ten years ago in Denton when the city voted to ban the practice, only to see the state legislature quickly nullify the local ordinance, affirming a broader Texas law that prevents cities from enacting such bans.
Research indicates that living in proximity to oil and gas wells increases the risk of various health issues, including cardiovascular diseases, respiratory problems, and mental health concerns, largely due to the pollution produced in these areas. Residents have frequently reported illness attributes and unpleasant odors associated with the gas operations, leading to a call for accountability and effective solutions from local regulators.
The new methane rule aims to rectify these issues by addressing methane emissions, which account for roughly 16% of global emissions. Notably, as methane persists in the atmosphere for decades, reducing its release can yield faster results in moderating global temperatures compared to other greenhouse gases. The oil and gas sector, particularly in Texas—which accounted for 42% of the nation’s oil production last year—stands to face stringent oversight under the new regulations.
The regulations will come with directives for both new and existing equipment, focusing heavily on curtailing leaks, which are the primary sources of methane emissions in the industry. Operators will be required to conduct thorough inspections using advanced technologies to identify problematic equipment that needs amendments. Additionally, companies will need to minimize flaring, a common practice where excess natural gas is combusted, sometimes resulting in uncontrolled methane emissions.
Although the Texas Railroad Commission regulates the state’s oil and gas industry, it has permitted thousands of flaring and venting requests in recent years. Under the federally mandated rule, newly constructed wells must cease routine flaring, with existing wells limited to scenarios where capturing the gas is deemed unfeasible.
As the energy sector focuses on emissions reduction, the impact of federal policies remains a point of contention. With estimates suggesting the EPA’s new regulations could eliminate 58 million tons of methane emissions nationally by 2038, advocates emphasize that successful implementation could yield health benefits worth up to $98 billion.
As discussions surrounding climate policy evolve, leaders within the oil and gas industry express hope that any new administration will consider stakeholder feedback and allow existing progress in emissions reduction to continue. However, uncertainty looms over how the next presidential term, particularly under a potential Trump administration, might influence these recent regulatory advancements.
Some experts argue that if the new administration were to deregulate the methane rule, it could face significant challenges, given the industry’s growing commitment to emission reductions and increasing global demand for cleaner production practices. Additionally, the potential for compliance issues arises from known staffing shortages within the TCEQ, raising questions about the effectiveness of any future regulations. Criticism suggests that robust standards must be enforced effectively to ensure they yield the expected environmental benefits.
### **Conclusion**
As Texas prepares for a crucial period of regulatory changes, the community continues to grapple with the realities of living near oil and gas operations, pushing for comprehensive safeguards that prioritize public health amid the broader context of climate change initiatives.