1/n This story reports on our analysis that compares flares actually seen with @TXRRC's flare permitting database.

It shows 75% of observed flares on @TXGLO lands (public lands) are unpermitted. https://twitter.com/Earthworks/status/1356262279709339648

2/n This has implications beyond simply permits and apparent failure of @TXRRC to enforce the law.

@MikeLeeFW @cjanchondo

3/n If flares are unpermitted, it's a safe bet they're unreported and therefore @TXRRC & @TCEQ regulators don't know about them.

4/n If regulators don't know about flares, then @TCEQ can't police them to make sure they're operating cleanly in compliance with the law.

5/n If regulators don't know about a significant portion of flares, then all @TCEQ & @txrrc flaring data is suspect. How do we know that @txrrc claims about declining flaring are correct? We don't and neither does the RRC.

6/n This shouldn't come as a big surprise given previous studies showing #oilandgas companies underreport #methane pollution too.

7/n So long as govt relies on #oilandgas industry to report on itself, including its pollution, we should expect regulatory failure. It would be stupid to do otherwise.

8/n Solutions? There are no *easy* fixes, but there are simple ones. The most simple: stop permitting new operations until govt can demonstrate ability to safely govern existing ones.

9/n And although this isn't a solution, a big step in the right direction would be for @POTUS to enact new federal @EPA safeguards to #cutmethane pollution from #oilandgas by 65% as laid out by @cleanaircatf. https://www.catf.us/resource/reducing-methane-from-oil-and-gas/

10/n @TCEQ & @TXRRC and other states have demonstrated over the course of the #fracking boom (and before) that they cannot protect the public from #oilandgas. We need strong federal oversight, strongly enforced to protect communities, #climate & health. /END