Drilling seismicity; flood response; no secession

Drilling seismicity

Precision is the cornerstone of responsible energy production.

Likewise, the media should commit to accuracy when covering the industry.

In its Aug. 26 editorial, “Blame for earthquakes is enough to go around,” the Star-Telegram is incorrect to persist in declaring drilling an “accomplice” to seismic activity.

This is akin to saying spoons are an “accomplice” to obesity. It has no bearing in discussions about real solutions.

Drilling has been occurring in Texas for 100-plus years and is not part of legitimate conversations about seismic activity.

The industry, academics, lawmakers and regulators take seismicity seriously. The Texas Railroad Commission hired a seismologist and expanded its authority over disposal wells.

Historical seismicity is considered in disposal well applications. If a disposal well is causing seismic activity, the commission can shut it down.

Because of enhanced rules, more than half of disposal well applications have been rejected, withdrawn or require special conditions.

Lawmakers wisely appropriated $4.47 million for the University of Texas’ Bureau of Economic Geology to study seismicity.

Robust research, overseen by the state’s seismic and oil and natural gas experts, is essential to inform science-based policy.

Flood response

Leave it to Richard Greene to never miss a chance to take a shot at President Obama, even during a natural disaster. (“Louisiana floods expose bad behavior by Obama, media,” Sunday)

It has been well documented that Obama and FEMA officials were in contact with Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards from day one, and that Edwards specifically requested a delay in Obama’s visit so that every available resource could be directed toward rescue and recovery.

From all indications, FEMA has delivered and is assisting all those in need.

Kudos to Donald Trump, who showed up unannounced and, along with vice presidential candidate Mike Pence, unloaded Play-Doh from a truck for about 15 minutes and delivered a check to support the recovery effort.

His appearance did bring further attention to the tragedy.

Lessons were learned from the past disaster. The response was immediate.

One wonders: Were Obama to find a cure for cancer, what would Greene’s response be?

“Obama withheld cancer cure”?

Or perhaps “Obama, what took you so long?”

When you appoint well-qualified people to the Federal Emergency Management Agency, there is no need to rush to a Baton Rouge flood.

When you have Mike Brown running FEMA, of course President Bush had better be at the flood site following up.

If you are seeking a photo op, of course you rush down to Baton Rouge and get your picture taken like Donald Trump.

A presidential visit early on in a natural disaster actually disrupts recovery operations.

After the Katrina response, the GOP is trying to criticize Obama?

No secession

So much federal money is infused into the Texas economy that secession would leave the state bankrupt and a Third World nation.

We are stronger in the Republic than out.

I am an American and expect to die as such.

This story was originally published August 31, 2016 at 5:23 PM with the headline "Drilling seismicity; flood response; no secession."