Slashdot Mirror
Exxon Mobile CEO Sues To Stop Fracking Near His Texas Ranch
Hugh Pickens DOT Com writes "Exxon Mobile's CEO Rex Tillerson's day job is to do all he can to protect and nurture the process of hydraulic fracturing—aka 'fracking'—so that his company can continue to rake in billions via the production and sale of natural gas. 'This type of dysfunctional regulation is holding back the American economic recovery, growth, and global competitiveness,' said Tillerson in 2012 of attempts to increase oversight of drilling operations. But now Rick Unger reports at Forbes that Tillerson has joined a lawsuit seeking to shut down a fracking project near his Texas ranch. Why? Because the 160 foot water tower being built next to Tillerson's house that will supply the water to the near-by fracking site, means the arrival of loud trucks, an ugly tower next door, and the general unpleasantness that will interfere with the quality of his life and the real estate value of his sizeable ranch. The water tower is being built by Cross Timbers Water Supply Corp., a nonprofit utility that has supplied water to the region for half a century. Cross Timbers says that it is required by state law to build enough capacity to serve growing demand. In 2011, Bartonville denied Cross Timbers a permit to build the water tower, saying the location was reserved for residences. The water company sued, arguing that it is exempt from municipal zoning because of its status as a public utility. In May 2012, a state district court judge agreed with Cross Timbers and compelled the town to issue a permit. The utility resumed construction as the town appealed the decision. Later that year, the Tillersons and their co-plaintiffs sued Cross Timbers, saying that the company had promised them it wouldn't build a tower near their properties. An Exxon spokesman said Tillerson declined to comment. The company 'has no involvement in the legal matter' and its directors weren't told of Mr. Tillerson's participation, the spokesman said."
leading with an ad hominem... nice
Such is the state of political discourse these days
But, you may ask, why oh why?
Namely it is rooted in the capability for any well funded entity to lean their financial weight into their argument in a manner that shuts out individuals
It does not matter if it is Citizen's United ruling allowing billions of dollars to influence elections, snatching up media sources to influence content, or funding astro-turfing of message boards to make it seem like everybody else agrees with the corporate viewpoint
slashdot stood against these tides for years, by fighting off tech companies that wanted to own the opinions or individuals writing submissions to line their own pockets
If we do not fight back, then we are bound to loose because their funding is relatively infinite and the people willing to troll for them are legion
Wherever You Go, There You Are
The use of that word makes women uncomfortable. Please be courteous with your language.
You presume the use of 'that word' doesn't make men uncomfortable which is, in itself, a sexist position for you to take and implies that women are somehow weaker than men.
In the future, I'll thank you to keep your sexist and discriminatory comments to yourself.
blindly antisocialist = antisocial