Thread by @TXsharon

THREAD
Editing the media: @grist
TRUE: "Cutting methane emissions is the fastest way to slow warming."
NOT TRUE: "three relatively cheap ways to tamp down on emissions."

Misleading terms used: seep/seepage/leak

grist.org/energy/cutting…

In 1995, I moved to a farm in Wise County where the “Father of #fracking” experimented with fracking.

I parked on the side of the road and I watched them, learned, documented, then researched.

My air turned brown and my water turned black.

earthisland.org/journal/index.…

For 20+ yrs, I directly observed #oilandgas operations. For 7+ years, I've made invisible #methane emissions visible with OGI technology.

I observed > formed questions > did research > formed a hypothesis > observed > collected data/evidence

Went public.
Got ridiculed.

leak

I was proven right when years later some scientist said it.

First I declared that #water used for #oilandgas was a permanent withdrawal from our active hydrologic cycle.

Ridicule > scientist confirms > I am 100% right.

earthworks.org/publications/n…

I rarely see emissions that could be accurately described as "seeps" or "leaks."

This is a leak and I only found it because I could get close.

This is a pipeline blowdown which is an allowed and routine release of methane.

This is NOT a fucking "leak" or "seepage."

I do not find "leaks" and "seeps." I found INTENTIONAL routine and allowed pressure releases, INTENTIONAL routine maintenance releases, INTENTIONAL dumping, equipment failures, emergency releases.

There are no easy fixes for methane releases. It will require CONSTANT monitoring, VIGILANT maintenance, 💰properly sized equipment, and an ARMY of motivated regulators ready to enforce regulations with meaningful penalties.

None of that is cheap or easy.

I 💯 am right

And most of all we must stop all new permits.