You know you struck a chord when the energy industry teamed up with a conservative media pundit to produce not one, not two, but three bestselling stories about me for the statements I have made recently regarding the health effects of oil flaring in the Bakken.
Recent columns by Scott Hennen, Ron Ness (Petroleum Council), and Peter Edis (McKenzie County Healthcare Systems, Inc.) represent what appears to be a coordinated effort to discredit a Forum story highlighting the real health impacts of the oil and gas industry in the North. Dakota. The article contained a quote from me regarding a “Bakken Cough” doctor’s diagnosis that my husband and I received about eight years ago.
Hundreds of studies show an increase in respiratory disease among people living and working near oil and gas wells. Although Bakken’s cough isn’t an officially recognized diagnosis, it’s what Health System physician McKenzie called our disease after learning we were living next to a flare-up. Our doctor said he has seen other people working and living near flares with similar respiratory symptoms.
It is alarming for a hospital administrator to interview a patient in public – especially since this administrator did not work for McKenzie Health, was not in the exam room when I was diagnosed and knows nothing of my health. Unfortunately, I have to consider that there may be a connection between the $1.4 million donated to the Edis facilities by members of the North Dakota Petroleum Council and his participation in this clumsy attempt to discredit me.
Not surprisingly, Hennen resorted to name-calling, calling me an “eco-terrorist.” In fact, I never said I was against the oil industry. I said that I support proper regulation of the industry to reduce any harmful environmental impact.
As a state representative, I will work to get a health study funded and credit for more air quality monitoring through the legislature. I will also work with Fort Berthold officials to obtain robust air quality monitoring on the reservation. I believe it’s important to find workable, common-sense solutions – not burying my head in the sand or resorting to childish name-calling – and that’s what I’m going to focus on for the people of North Dakota North.
Rep. Lisa DeVille, D-Mandaree, sits in the North Dakota House of Representatives.
This letter does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the Forum Editorial Board or the owners of the Forum.
