FW CanDo!

Since its founding in 2005, FWCanDo has warned that, all things considered, gas drilling may turn out to be a Net Loss, at least for urban dwellers. Some recent news reports tend to back up that claim.

In 2006, FWCanDo warned that by signing a gas lease the average homeowner may be subject to, among other things:

-Income taxes
-Property taxes
-Mortgage fees
-Increased homeowners insurance
-Increased electric bills
-Air and water pollution and soil contamination
-Loss of green space
-Parkland compromised
-Reduced quality of life
-Risk of catastrophic accidents

In the rush to "cash in", few people have bothered to consider even the taxes owed on gas well income, much less environmental, safety and quality of life issues that also have value. As the water begins to clear and excitement is tempered by common sense, the concept that urban gas drilling is a "we all win" scenario, is showing signs of being nothing more than a corporate slogan.

For example, the increased demand for natural gas powered energy generating plants, fueled in part by the Barnett Shale, has caused a 20% increase in your electric bill. There goes a substantial cut of your monthly royalty payment. This is only one of many other hidden costs.

Two years on, we are supposed to be smarter. Are we? Is it right that gas wells are allowed closer to our homes and parks than "gentlemen's clubs"? Are you prepared for the inevitable gas well "accident" in your neighborhood that will cost human lives? Do you trust the industry to tell you the truth about environmental impacts? Do you have confidence in the mayor of Fort Worth and other elected officials, who are making personal fortunes from urban gas drilling, to look out for the greater good?

You still have a choice. Please think twice before getting in bed with unregulated gas drillers. The best advice is still, Just Say NO To Urban Gas Drilling. For more "good" news, check out the following news reports.

For a dose of property tax reality, read this:

http://startelegram.typepad.com/barnett_shale/2008/03/price-barnett-s.ht...

For news about how natural gas prices deplete you gas well income, read these:

http://www.star-telegram.com/metro_news/story/533282.html

http://www.star-telegram.com/225/story/533280.html

For news about how gas wells impact parks and green space, read these:

http://startelegram.typepad.com/barnett_shale/2008/03/chesapeake-rig.htm...

http://www.star-telegram.com/metro_news/story/512021.html

For news about environmental and health impacts, read these:

http://www.earthworksaction.org/Health%20and%20Toxics.cfm

http://www.endocrinedisruption.com/

http://startelegram.typepad.com/barnett_shale/air_quality/index.html

Image: The Drive-Buy
Roger Bunch
mixed media