It's been reported that the Texas Council on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) is, for the first time, testing the air quality in the Barnett Shale region. Initial results include high levels of benzene. This is the fourth air study in the Barnett shale area this year that has found harmful pollutants in the air; previous blog posts of mine have discussed the others. More evidence that it is time for Congress to close the Clean Air Act loopholes for oil and gas production.