Off-grid family woes

[Guest guest]

> Jim and Kerry Lemon say they enjoy living " close to the source. " The home

> they fashioned and built themselves is nestled in a secluded wooded area

> off a red-dirt road in north Nacogdoches County.

>

> Their two children, Forest and Maya, participated in the design and

> construction of their own " houses " as part of a home school project. The

> children's cabins are rustic, wooden structures with large windows

> overlooking the trees and natural landscape. Wood stoves keep the family

> warm in the winter. In the summer they rely on natural ventilation to

> help them stay cool. During the hottest months they vacation in cooler

> climates or near water.

>

> The Lemons have created a unique alternative living environment without

> electricity or traditional water services. An organic vegetable garden

> provides the family with food. Rain run-off collected from the roof is

> pumped up into a 20 ft. water tower with gravity flow bringing it into the

> house for their personal use. Lighting and refrigeration are fueled by

> propane and kerosene.

>

> For the Lemons, these natural surroundings have provided an idyllic

> setting for their chosen lifestyle.

>

> All of that has changed with increased Exxon activity in the area. " When I

> moved out here 30 years ago, the land mineral rights were leased by Exxon

> and there was an existing natural gas well at the entrance to my

> property. " Lemon said. " There was a large cylinder with fire going

> through it. I was told that the gas field was almost depleted at that

> time. " About ten years ago that old well was replaced with the current set

> up which includes a storage tank filled with what Exxon calls " soap " .

> When that tank began leaking Lemon called the oil company in an effort to

> find out what, exactly, was seeping into the soil. Among the things

> listed by the oil company in response to Lemon's query was the solvent

> ethanol as well as " other secret ingredients " .

>

> The other part of the new operation was a transfer station located at the

> entrance to their property which includes two large tanks bearing

> hazardous material placards that say " Caution Benzene, Carcinogenic

> Hazards " .

>

> Lemon was diagnosed with leukemia in May 2004. Exposure to benzene has

> been linked to blood diseases such as leukemia.

>

> The Lemons say their lives have been disrupted by the oil activity and

> exploration near their home.

>

> " Over the years we have endured pipe lines crossing our property, seismic

> testing, a huge compressor which operated for 24 hours a day for months, a

> tank of flammable liquid which leaked onto the ground, the drilling of

> numerous wells within a half-mile radius, road destruction, and personal

> danger from large truck traffic. I have received minimal compensation for

> damages to my land and trees, not to mention the general disruption. "

>

> Last summer while drilling two new well, the oil company used " acid

> fracs " . This is a process where acid is used to fracture rocks beneath the

> earth in order to release the gas within. " My children woke up in the

> middle of the night with burning eyes and nausea. " ! Lemon said. " They

> were scared so we left and went to stay at a friend's house at 1 am. "

>

> Lemon called Exxon employees that night but couldn't reach anyone who knew

> about the specific operations at these well. It wasn't until the next day

> that he learned the cause of their discomfort was likely caused by the

> acidic gas in the air. " It trickled down to our house and just hung in the

> air. " He said. " We don't have air conditioning so our house is open to

> air flow not closed up like most other houses. " Exxon offered to pay for a

> hotel room for the family while " frac-ing " .

>

> According to Jim's wife, Kerry it has been hard to get clear information

> from the contractors working on-site. " It took a long time just to find

> out who we were supposed to call about our concerns, " she said. " Finally

> we learned that Exxon is self-regulated in rural areas. The Railroad

> Commission will handle formal complaints but does not monitor the area

> otherwise. "

>

> The Lemons did make complaints to both the Railroad Commission and Exxon

> at that time and the left over leaking tank that had been replaced by a

> new tank but never removed was finally taken off-site. " We asked to be

> informed of activity from Exxon that could have an impact on our lives, "

> says Kerry. Even so she feels the company hasn't done a very good job

> explaining their procedures, being more reactive than proactive. " If they

> would just tell us what's going to happen before it happens, it would

> help, " she says.

>

> This past June the Lemon family found out that yet another well was to be

> drilled about 100 yards from their home. " We didn't even know they were

> going to drill next door to us until a timber man came by and said he was

> hoping to get the trees, " Kerry said. " Once we knew that the well was

> going in, we knew we could expect a lot of noise and activity. "

>

> What was once a peaceful country road is now a heavily traveled thoro!

> ughfare for big trucks and equipment, the Lemons said. " It's pretty

> obvious they're not going away, " Kerry said. " They have become more and

> more intrusive in our lives. "

>

> Not wanting to expose their children or themselves (especially with Jim's

> current health condition) to any possible chemical hazards and wanting to

> avoid the noise, lights truck traffic, strange odors and other potential

> hazards of the nearby well, the Lemons asked an Exxon representative to

> reimburse them for the expenses incurred to be away from their home during

> this most recent drilling.