Hawk Dunlap: Thank You, Austin. Here’s My Promise
Our safety and livelihoods are at stake. That's why I’m running for the Railroad Commission.
by Hawk Dunlap
In recent days, I’ve been honored to receive endorsements from major papers across Texas, including the Austin American-Statesman:
“Hawk Dunlap is not a politician. He’s an outsider, a renegade, a veteran West Texas oil and gas man looking to shake things up in the Texas Railroad Commission… We believe his no-nonsense, common-sense advocacy for Texans — and willingness to raise a ruckus on social media if need be — provides just the dose of accountability the Railroad Commission needs.”
While the race is a Republican primary, it's one every voter should take part in. Thanks to our open primaries, you can vote in whichever you choose. I encourage all Texas voters -- from the most devoted Republicans to the most devoted Democrats and everyone in between -- to show up, even if you don’t usually vote. And when you get there, say you want to take part in the GOP primary this time around.
Why? Because the position I’m running for should be entirely non-partisan. If any race can pull Texans together, it’s this one. There's nothing “red” or “blue” about the dangers Texas is facing from abandoned oil wells.
The Texas Railroad Commission (RRC) has nothing to do with railroads. Its job is to regulate oil and gas.
The toxic nightmares devastating Texas are the RRC’s responsibility. It’s failing miserably. Orphaned, unplugged wells are leaking, turning swaths of beautiful land into uninhabitable danger zones. Farms and crops are ruined. Water supplies are threatened.
I spent decades cleaning up oil fields all over the world, and never thought I’d find some of the world’s worst disasters here at home. I’ll clean them up here if given the chance.
Early voting is under way from Feb. 17 on. Election Day is March 3. Find voting locations here.
Zombie wells found near Austin
The Houston Chronicle has just published an interactive map of 500 potential zombie wells -- ones that have long been dead, then suddenly spring back to life as geysers shooting liquid poison 100 feet into the air.
“Pressure-driven wastewater from the oil industry, injected into disposal wells, is straining decades-old cement well plugs — often proving more than they can handle,” the Chronicle explained. “New data reveal the highest injection amounts around at-risk wells are in Guadalupe and Caldwell counties, east of Austin and San Antonio.”
The RRC cleans up one site here or there and gives itself a giant pat on the back. Meanwhile, the problems get worse. I’ve spent recent years traveling around the state helping people whose livelihoods have been destroyed by the RRC’s incompetence.
A study found at least 20 wells in one oilfield alone “were releasing dangerous amounts of hydrogen sulfide gas,” the Texas Tribune reported. Austin residents reported smelling it in the air. Yet the RRC drags continues to drag its feet. What a coincidence that, as the Houston Chronicle reported recently, “Oil money flows into Texas Railroad Commission campaigns.”
Now, the problems are about to expand exponentially.
Data centers and a water supply crisis
A map shows 38 data centers are already up and running around Austin, KVUE reported. Many more are coming, including massive facilities. The planned size for one of these alone recently doubled to 3,000 acres.
These centers consume astronomical amounts of water -- millions of gallons per day. Meanwhile, Texas is looking to “tighten water use efficiency in the face of worsening drought,” the Austin Chronicle reports. Austin is planning to expand water conservation and reuse projects this year.
This is a recipe for disaster. But the RRC can help to solve it -- if I’m elected. Texas’ oil and gas industry generates 30 million barrels of produced water every day. We have the technology to clean it for use in data centers, instead of injecting it back into the ground, where it causes all kinds of problems.
“Republicans eager to address a multi-billion-dollar burden on Texas taxpayers — not to mention an urgent threat to natural resources and public health — should give him their vote in the March 3 primary,” the Statesman wrote about me.
I’d add this: not just Republicans. The Democratic ticket in the RRC race is uncontested. To have a shot at delivering the changes we need, I need to win the primary. Unfortunately, few voters usually take part in these primaries. But that makes your vote even more impactful.
If you have questions, reach out on my social media channels (links below). I try to speak with every voter I can. Here’s a brief Facebook video to learn more about me and my candidacy.
If you’re in a position to help support, click here. To get involved, click here. Most importantly, vote right away.
I know politicians often say this, but remember -- I’m no politician. I’m a Texan like you. And I can tell you: The Railroad Commission race matters to all of us. Our future really does depend on it.