By Jim Barton
Brownsville Observer Blog
Many years ago Nena signed us up for a travel plan that provided huge discounts to selected lodging. We got a very nice deal to stay at the Radisson Paraiso in Zacatecas, then she found us a motel deal on the outskirts of Houston, Channelview.The motor inn in Channelview was technically "on the water" and clean enough, but not our vacation ideal. The smell of several variations of fossil fuels filled the air, as well has smoke, steam and the sound of steel on steel.
If local politicos, with palms well-greased, had their way, the Port of Brownsville, Highway 48 to Port Isabel and S.P.I., South Bay, the estuaries would collectively morph into Channelview. The huge heat and pollutants generated by the enormous process of liquifying natural gas, reducing it to 1/600th of its volume, would go straight into our air, water and soil, our precious environment. Crude oil pipelines would crisscross our bays and lagunas. Residents could close their eyes and smell Channelview.
A light bulb went off for a group opposing Valley Crossing Pipeline.
Why don't we enlist the help of State Representative Eddie Lucio III? Local advocate Mary Helen Flores made the call, being told initially that the state rep would return her call within the hour. After an hour, she called back and was told by an office assistant that "Representative Lucio was unable to comment on the operations of Valley Crossing Pipeline as he represented them locally as an attorney. What?
Flores was livid, posting this comment on her Facebook page:
"VALLEY CROSSING PIPELINE IS A CLIENT OF EDDIE LUCIO III LAW FIRM. HIS OFFICE CANNOT COMMENT ON THIS ISSUE. CONFLICT OF INTEREST, ANYONE?!"
Groups and locals working against turning our region into a petrochemical wasteland include: The Sierra Club, Save RGV from LNG, Mary Helen Flores, Teresa Saldivar, Joe Cantu, Denise Ramirez, Rob Nixon, Marlene Dougherty, Stefanie Herwek, John & Barbara and Scott Nicol.
"VALLEY CROSSING PIPELINE IS A CLIENT OF EDDIE LUCIO III LAW FIRM. HIS OFFICE CANNOT COMMENT ON THIS ISSUE. CONFLICT OF INTEREST, ANYONE?!"
Groups and locals working against turning our region into a petrochemical wasteland include: The Sierra Club, Save RGV from LNG, Mary Helen Flores, Teresa Saldivar, Joe Cantu, Denise Ramirez, Rob Nixon, Marlene Dougherty, Stefanie Herwek, John & Barbara and Scott Nicol.