By Shelley Kofler, KERA News & Wire Services
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/kera/local-kera-953733.mp3
Dallas, TX – State Senator Wendy Davis has filed legislation that would require natural gas producers to add a traceable chemical to the fluid they use in drilling.
Davis is a Fort Worth democrat who says the unique "tracers" would allow regulators to determine whether a specific drilling company is responsible for groundwater contamination.
Davis: It is really meant to be protective of both sides of the issue- protective of driller who say their activity is not creating a problem for adjacent groundwater, and protective of landowners who are finding contaminants in their water but they're really left without the ability to determine with 100% accuracy whether it's the result of the drilling activity.
Senator Davis says it would be cheaper for industry to add chemical tracers to drilling fluid than to mount legal battles when falsely accused. But an industry group says the legislation is attempting to address a problem that doesn't exist.
The president of TIPRO, which represents independent oil and gas producers, claims there's no documented proof of fresh water contamination from drilling fluid. And TIPRO says the industry is still looking at whether the use of tracer fluids is feasible.
Texas birthplace of Eisenhower welcomes monument
The North Texas birthplace of Dwight D. Eisenhower honored his memory with a monument being dedicated on President's Day. Ceremonies were scheduled Monday afternoon in Denison to salute the late 34th U.S. president.
The President Dwight D. Eisenhower Veterans Monument featured a 16-foot bust sculpted by artist David Adickes. The monument also includes five flagpoles to represent the five branches of military service.
Eisenhower was born in 1890. He was elected president in November 1952 and went on to serve two terms. Eisenhower died in 1969.
Denison is a community of 25,000, located 65 miles north of Dallas.
The Dwight D. Eisenhower Presidential Library and Museum is in Abilene, Kan.
Texas poised to pass bill allowing guns on campus
Texas is preparing to give college students and professors the right to carry guns on campus, adding momentum to a national campaign to open this part of society to firearms.
More than half of the members of the Texas House are co-authors of a measure directing universities to allow concealed handguns. The Senate passed a similar bill in 2009 and is expected to do so again.
Republican Gov. Rick Perry, who sometimes packs a pistol when he jogs, says he supports the idea.
Texas is one of about a dozen states considering the idea and has become a prime battleground because of its gun culture and size. It would become the second state, following Utah, to pass such a broad-based law. Colorado gives colleges the option, and several allow handguns.