Bastrop County workers got caught dumping a diesel/oil mixture and paint cans into a hole in the ground, and TCEQ is apparently investigating the incident. County Commissioner David Goertz's explanation is golden:
"I told them we needed to dispose of the paint," Goertz said. "And somewhere in that conversation, it got in the hole."That excuse can work in all sorts of situations. "Sorry, honey, I told her I needed to dispose of my penis. And somewhere in that conversation, it got in the hole."
Given TCEQ's track record, we can expect the results of the investigation to be released six months from now, a minimal fine imposed, and that fine later reduced to a strongly-worded letter and three hours of detention.
Unfortunately I think this stems from sheer ignorance. I'm sure the workers in question thought it "wasn't a big deal". The truth is that releasing toxic chemicals into the environment in highly concentrated forms has far reaching effects, including (but certainly not limited to) bio-accumulation in the food-chain, and water-table contamination.
Training is key in this case. These guys should have known better because they should have been trained better.
You left out the part of the process where the Legislature passes a law making county and city governments exempt from onerous state environmental laws. Hey wait, was that oil, you say? That's the jurisdiction of the Railroad Commission unless they spill it in coastal waters where it becomes the responsibility of the Texas Land Office. OK, I know that oil spills are RRC only in regards to production and crude oil, but it is a mite confusing, regardless.
And TCEQ will let them build a boat dock or a wetland in lieu of fines.
There's also great unliklelihood of local prosecution, if the county could get the go-ahead from TCEQ. District Attorney Bryan Goertz prosecute County Commissioner David Goertz? Not very damn likely.
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Yeah TCEQ should shot em!
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