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EPA Dallas head resigns
By dwray in The nature of things
April 30, 2012

Fracking sure is a touchy subject.

In December 2010, the Environmental Protection Agency ordered Range Resources to take immediate steps to protect the families in two homes in Parker County. The residents were living near fracked wells and had noticed a change in their water soon after the wells were fracked.

Anyways, so after the Texas Railroad Commission declined to act Al Armendariz, administrator for the EPA’s Region 6 office in Dallas, did.

However, the thing is, video has surfaced with Armendariz saying he is going to "crucify" major violators in the oil and natural gas business about the same time the Range orders about fixing those water wells went out.

The RRC decried his actions and called for his resignation. Now, after the EPA withdrew their allegations earlier this year - stating that they wanted to research this issue, not litigate it - Armendariz has resigned.

And nobody is happier about it than Railroad Commissioner Barry Porter:

“In March, when the EPA vacated the emergency order against Range Resources, I called for the resignation of Dr. Armendariz,” said Commissioner Porter. “The EPA’s faulty science in persecuting Range Resources, compounded by his inflammatory and prejudicial comments about crucifying oil companies, is a very clear indication that Dr. Armendariz is not the right person for such an important position.”

“My sincere hope is that the Obama Administration will appoint as a replacement a professional who is able to work with the Railroad Commission to preserve our state’s natural resources and environmental treasures while responsibly promoting development for the continued economic vitality of all Texans.”

In case it wasn't clear, he's pretty happy about this. At the same time, it's an intriguing development, when you pair it with the EPA 's withdrawal of the Range Resources allegations.

It's just interesting is all.