Wise County couple gets $3 million in fracking suit
A Wise County couple has been awarded $3 million by a Dallas jury after suing a gas drilling company for contaminating its land.
Bob and Lisa Parr sued Aruba Petroleum in Plano in 2011, claiming spills and emissions from the companys natural gas wells had contaminated their 40-acre ranch in Decatur. They claimed the pollution had made them sick, as well as their pets and livestock. And at times they were forced to evacuate the property.
During the trial in Dallas County court, attorneys for Aruba argued they were in compliance with state environmental regulations and due to the high volume of wells around the Parrs property it was impossible to prove they were responsible.
Natural gas development has long been prevalent in Wise County with hundreds of wells drilled and currently operated by dozens of companies. Aruba is just one of those operators. Aruba is an experienced oil and gas operator that is in compliance within the air quality limits set by the Texas Railroad Commission and the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, a statement from the company read.
More at http://bizbeatblog.dallasnews.com/2014/04/wise-county-gets-3-million-in-fracking-suit.html/ .