Lets talk about gas.

Three things have happened today that make me think I need to clarify where I stand on the proposed Barnett Shale gas wells here in Lewisville.

The first thing was that this article came out for Wednesday's Lewisville Leader in which I was quoted saying that Cherokee Horn was making a "low-ball offer". I said that, and I stand behind that, based on what I know about the Barnett Shale at this point.

The second thing was that I've been told that some folks have hesitated to join our Willowgrove Yahoo Email Group because they first wanted to know where we stood.

The third thing was that I received an email from someone who got one of our flyers, but has already signed. This email basically accused me / us of spreading misinformation.

I am not the leader.
There is a small core group of concerned individuals around the neighborhoods who have independently and simultaneously begun efforts to organize the neighborhood. Early on, we hooked up and decided that it would be best to work together. We don't have a leader, just a group of organizers and volunteers, that I have tentatively referred to as a "steering committee". Before we start to bargain on behalf of our members, but after we have achieved a significant number of members, we should choose some leadership in a democratic manner. That's the only way we can hope to have some legitimacy at the bargaining table.

Therefore, what I've said on this blog, and in the Leader, constitutes the opinion of one guy who has taken a fairly close look at the information currently available. I am not infallible, and I don't speak for my fellow members, or my fellow steering committee persons. We are neighbors with similar interests, but I don't presume to speak for them.

Agnostic at this point
With regard to drilling, in general, and in our neighborhood, I don't have any dogmatic beliefs in that regard. I haven't decided to support or oppose it.

What I have decided is that if it happens, it should happen with the consent and support of an informed and well-compensated neighborhood.

I would give more weight to those property owners whose houses are closer to the drill sites. I would not want to subject my neighbors to an untenable co-existence with drilling rigs if they are not willing.

Consequences of Drilling
Recent history shows that there are definite risks associated with drilling. Some of the things that could happen would be catastrophic if they did. Other things would be just plain annoying. Many things are in-between or hard to measure.

When I've spoken about these consequences or risks, I've tried to stress that I don't do so because I'm trying to sell fear, but because I want to give my neighbors something they can research and make an informed decision about.

For instance, when we talk about noise from the drilling rigs, it's really hard to quantify that in a way that people can universally understand. What is loud and annoying to me, might be a pleasant drone to you. Only you can make that determination.

If I talk about truck traffic and torn up streets, I have no way to know how many trucks there might be, and how much damage might happen. I could tell you that my friend had 20 trucks lined up down the rural road near her house waiting to get in and frac a well. I couldn't tell you how common that is without more research.

Coalitions Needed, No Matter What You Think
I've played this thing out in my head many times in the past couple of weeks, and what I keep coming back to is that regardless of your position on this deal - now or in the future - joining together as a coalition of neighbors is to our mutual benefit.

I'll illustrate by the way of an example:

Positions:
Xavier is excited about the deal, and is anxious to get a signing bonus. He is willing to live with what he thinks will be minor inconveniences due to the drilling.

Yvonne is absolutely opposed to drilling in the neighborhood, because she is very concerned about devastating environmental effects.

Outcomes in the absence of a negotiated agreement by a coalition:

	Wells get Drilled	Wells get Stopped
Xavier	Gets paid, but below market. Consequences may come as a surprise. May be blamed for results.	Doesn't get paid. Resents anti-drilling neighbors. Never learns truth about exact consequences.
Yvonne	Doesn't get signing bonus. Royalties placed in escrow. Suffers same consequences from drilling. Resents pro-drilling neighbors, and feels ignored.	Doesn't get paid. Never learns truth about exact consequences. Is resented and may be ostracized by upset neighbors.

Outcomes with negotiated agreement by a coalition:

	Wells get Drilled	Wells get Stopped
Xavier	Gets paid well. No surprise consequences Compensated if something goes wrong.	Understands why not. Knows drilling consequences, but doesn't suffer them. Less resentment, because it was a negotiated process.
Yvonne	Gets paid well. No surprise consequences. Compensated if something goes wrong. Less resentment, because it was a negotiated process.	Knows drilling consequences, but doesn't suffer them. No guilt, because decision was reached by consensus.

Hope all of that helps to clarify things a bit. If you live in the affected area, please join our email group, and hold off on signing anything just yet.