Update: Paxton Community meeting will be held Monday, August 5th at 6:00 PM at the Methodist Church in Paxton. A representative from the oil and gas disposal company, R360 Environmental Solutions of Texas LLC will be present.
July 24, 2019 - We need your help! R360 Environmental Solutions of Texas LLC, an oil and gas waste disposal provider has filed for a permit with the Texas Railroad Commission to build a waste facility on 112 acres in Paxton, Texas, located on the NE corner of US Hwy 84 and FM 699.
This application asks that the facility be permitted to accept and treat and/or dispose of the following oil and gas waste:
- water base drilling fluid and the associated cuttings
- oil base drilling fluids and the associated cuttings
- tank bottoms from gas plants, crude oil reclamation plants, and crude oil production and separation facilitates
- waste material from produced water collecting pits
- produced formation sand
- non-injectable waste waters
- soil contaminated with produced water, crude oil, or condensate
- solid wastes from gas dehydration and sweetening
- iron sulfide
- spent activated carbon and other filtering and separation media
- liners from pits that contained exempt oil and waste, and
- inert waste as defined by Statewide Rule 8, such as uncontaminated concrete or wood
Below are just a few of the potential effects that community residents are concerned about:
- contamination of Paxton Water Supply, Corp
- contamination of private water wells, fresh water ponds and creeks
- contamination of soil bordering the facility
- depletion of our underground water supply (private water wells) by high volume water consumption
- air quality — potential toxins that are absorbed in our bodies by skin and lungs
- Sabine River and all waterways downstream
- effects on our livestock and wildlife
- traffic at the intersection of US Hwy 84 and FM 699
- decline in property values
- the overall health of not only ourselves, but our children and grandchildren to come
-A note on air quality - this waste doesn't just stink — the EPA and others have found that the fumes contain chemicals known to be hazardous to human health, including volatile organic compounds like benzene. But, because oil & gas waste is exempt from federal hazardous waste regulations, most states don’t require monitoring waste pit air emissions. It’s impossible to know whether chemicals are drifting into the air at levels that could affect human health.
How can you help:
- Contact the Railroad Commission of Texas (first and most important, due to application of permit we only have a few days to get these protest letters to the Railroad Commission - the first one listed), then the Railroad Commissioners, Senator and State Representative stating your concerns about this facility being put in your area - you must include why you do not want this facility in your area with legitimate reasons (you cannot put “Because I don’t want it” … they will just disregard those letters). You must include specific reasons, such as ones listed above.
- Sign the petition that will be sent to the Texas Railroad Commissioner, State Senator & State Representative.
- Help financially to retain and keep this lawyer who is fighting for our cause. We are not rich and will never have as much money as this company, but we can voice our concerns and let the government officials that represent know that we care about our future.
- Get the word out! Share this with your family and friends in your community.
Technical Permitting Section, Oil and Gas Division, Railroad Commission of Texas -
PO Box 12967 Austin, Texas 78711 (envelopes need to be addressed as written above)
- Railroad Commissioner Wayne Christian - 512-463-7131 - wayne.christian@rrc.texas.gov
- Railroad Commissioner Christi Craddick - 512-463-7140 - Christi.craddick@rrc.texas.gov
- Railroad Commissioner Ryan Sitton - 512-463-7147 - ryan.sitton@rrc.texas.gov
- Chris Paddie (State Representative) - Austin Office 512-463-0556 (Toll Free 877-839-2709) District Address: 102 West Houston St, Marshall, Texas 75670 Office #: 903-935-1141
- Robert Nichols (State Senator) - Austin Office 512-463-0103 (Toll Free 800-959-8633) District Address: 202 East Pilar St, Suite 309, Nacogdoches, Texas 75961 Office #: 936-564-4252
- Louie Gohmert (US Congressman) - 866-535-6302
Please feel free to copy & share with everyone that could be affected. We want to help preserve our area for future generations to come!
Any questions or concerns about the information provided, please feel free to contact me at: 936-332-9293 (text or call) email lgsblessed@yahoo.com.
