NORTH TEXAS (CBSDFW.COM) – First, the scientific credibility of a recent University of Texas study on fracking was questioned. Now, there are concerns centered on the special panel convened to review the study's findings.
The controversial UT study came into question when it was revealed the lead investigator, Chip Groat, was actually a board member of a natural gas exploration company.
"And not only is he a board member but he has received close to $2 million in cash and stock compensation as a board member, including over $400,000 last year," explained Public Accountability Initiative (PAI) Director Kevin Conner. "So this is a major conflict of interest."
While many applaud the convening of the review panel, organizations PAI are also questioning the appointment of review panel chair, Norm Augustine.
Augustine is a former ConocoPhillips board member and a donor to the UT Energy Department that published the study.
Speaking on Augustine's current status, Conner said, "He continues to have a major stake in this industry and it seems really inappropriate to name him as the chair of this review panel. The independence of the panel, in our minds, is really in question given the connection."
Conner went on to further ask, "Could they really not find someone who isn't making millions of dollars off of the practice of fracking to chair an independent review panel of this report? It doesn't pass the "smell test"; the credibility of this review is really compromised."
Augustine is a part of a three-person panel scheduled with the task of reviewing findings from the UT study that concluded there was little to no connection between fracking and groundwater contamination.
Fracking involves pumping pressurized water, sand and chemicals underground to open fissures and improve the flow of oil and gas to the surface. It's used to improve productivity in gas reserves all over the U.S., including the Barnett Shale in North Texas.
Earth moving equipment and natural gas containers are viewed at a hydraulic fracturing site. (credit: Spencer Platt/Getty Images)
