FORT WORTH — Families living near natural gas facilities in North Texas want to know what's in the emissions they can't see.
On Monday, a half-dozen politicians — led by State Sen. Troy Fraser and State Rep. Byron Cook — promised that more answers are coming.
"We are here today instructing TCEQ [Texas Commission on Environmental Quality] to install an additional eight air monitors," Fraser said.
Thanks and congratulations continued, with never a mention of the cost: $2 million up-front. Who's going to pay for the air monitors?
"We have instructed TCEQ to find a funding source," Fraser told News 8.
Options include a special fund set aside by the state legislature for emissions reductions, and forcing gas drilling companies to underwrite the expense.
"If the industry comes forward and writes a check for monitors, immediately some alarm bells go off in our communities," said Texas Rep. Byron Cook, chair of the House Committee on Environmental Regulation.
State Sen. Wendy Davis said she would rather see fines and permit fees increased.
Air monitors give communities an idea of the average air quality near a small area, but the results still leave questions about possible pollutants in an entire community.
E-mail chawes@wfaa.com
