Jul 29, 2008
by Steve Smith
A friend of West and Clear in Berkeley — yes, our spies are everywhere — provided us with a recap from last night’s meeting with Chesapeake and the Fort Worth & Western Railroad.
Julie Wilson gave the standard presentation she’s been giving around neighborhoods. Interesting points about the presentation this time:
Any mention of what FWWR might do at the site was removed this time. No mention of Lime Pits or Oil Storage.
Conceptual drawings were presented as “conversation starters.” So, in fairness, Julie really did not convey any promise of “this is what we will do with the site if we are allowed to drill.”
Q&A Session
Most of the opening questions were simply technical in nature.
Julie openly declared they were prepared to walk away from the site. We felt it fair to present how drilling could benefit the neighborhood.
Bob Robertson of FWWR discussed the history of the site and how they tried to make it into a nice area with the restaurants, fountains, shops, etc. He actually accused neighborhoods of being selfish in not allowing people to produce their minerals. In contrast to the earlier neighborhood meeting where he was reported as being unwilling to deal with the neighborhoods, he stated that he didn’t know why there are any hard feelings about the yard.
Having said that, we (Berkeley) stand accused of “killing” the original Tarantula train deal. Their lawyer actually said Berkeley killed the deal then rephrase it subtly to “the Berkeley Council Representative”. One resident in attendance, however, noted that the original Tarantula plan was to run through Trinity park to the museum district, which was the basis of opposition from our council representative. (This is only relevant with regards to the fact that this discussion wouldn’t be occurring if there were an “entertainment” site on the railyard today).
Many residents were wondering what the actual point of the meeting was. We’ve already said no to Chesapeake. Chesapeake stated that their purpose was to see if they could make drilling work with the neighborhoods. This was repeated several times.
To the point of Lime Pits or Oil Tanks, the FWWR’s counsel stated clearly that FWWR would do whatever was in their economic interest to do and within their rights to do. They are regulated by national and state standards and that they can use the yard for any purpose that’s relevant to operating a railroad.
Towards the end of Q&A time, Joel Burns stated clearly that: 1) Drilling is not a done deal. 2) Agreeing to drilling does not equal development occurring – one should not decide drilling is good based on any conceptual drawings.
Tags: Barnett Shale, Berkeley, Chesapeake Energy, eighth avenue, Joel Burns, Julie Wilson
Related Posts on West and Clear
- October 8, 2008 -- City Council Rejects Eighth Avenue Variance
- October 8, 2008 -- Eighth Avenue Aftermath
- December 10, 2008 -- Slouching Toward a Drilling Ordinance
- October 10, 2008 -- Chesapeake Energy Withdraws TCU Permit
- October 6, 2008 -- Council To Vote on Eighth Avenue Variance
- September 30, 2008 -- Chesapeake Planning Eighth Avenue End Run?
- September 9, 2008 -- High Impact Variances, To Be Continued
- August 17, 2008 -- A Conversation with Jerry Horton
- August 5, 2008 -- Chesapeake’s Julie Wilson on Dealing With Local Media
- July 27, 2008 -- Chesapeake’s New Business Partner: China?
4 Comments, Comments or Pings
Ross
Clearly FWWR needs to hire some PR people. Then again, maybe not. It’s actually refreshing to hear the unfiltered version of what these executives really think. But I can’t imagine what they believe will be accomplished by dealing with the public this way.
Jul 29th, 2008
David AKA Rico
I have to admit that I am more than a little amused by this. I feel a little guilty that I have been selfish and put the desires of the residents above FWWR’s bottom line. What could I have been thinking?
Jul 29th, 2008
RidgeD
Thanks to Steve O for the posts on the Chesapeake developments. The facts related in this latest post indicate that Chesapeake is not always forthcoming at every level, and may engage in irresponsible activity at every level. If its trying to hoodwink its investors and the SEC, we have to assume it will behave in the same manner in its local dealings. Our community may be selling its soul to the devil by entering into a strategic relationship with the Oklahoma visitors. If the goal is to turn our subsurface resources into cash, then our a strategy should include partnering with quality operators if its not too late.
Jul 29th, 2008
John
Sounds just like the Ryan Place meeting. Just to reiterate, we must stay firm and fight this well to the very end. I wish they would have taken this to council back in July when it would have been denied. I hope people don’t get complacent!!!
Aug 13th, 2008
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