Joseph Fitzsimons recently joined The Academy of Medicine, Engineering & Science of Texas (“TAMEST”) Shale Task Force, which was created to review the impacts of shale oil and gas development in Texas. The purpose of the study is to help all Texans understand what we do and do not know about the potential environmental and other impacts of shale development and hydraulic fracturing for oil and gas. The issue is of great concern to Texas and both the public and decision makers are continuously provided potentially confusing and/or conflicting information. The goal of the study is to evaluate the scientific basis of the current body of information available, both positive and negative, and effectively communicate to the public the current state of knowledge of environmental and community impacts of shale development in Texas.
