When hubs and I went to the Grid Philadelphia magazine release party for their March issue (which contains my story on page 30), we met the subject of their cover story about Fracking in the Delaware River Basin, Iris Marie Bloom. Since then I have been receiving daily emails about the fight against unusual natural gas drilling practices. Here is part of today's email:
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DRBC just granted a 30 day extension to their March 16th public comment deadline. That's terribly short, considering the outrageous violations of environment and health going on. But it's great to know we've had an influence: New York, New Jersey, Delaware, and the Army Corps of Engineers ALL voted for the extension and only Pennsylvania voted against it. The more progressive Commissioners proposed 45 days (thanks to your voices!) but New Jersey opposed that and cut it to 30 days.
A second New York Times article confronts industry denial head-on, confirms the shocking PA policy that allows gas drilling waste to be used as brine to tamp down dust on roads and de-ice roads; and as salt to de-ice roads. That means it goes straight into streams, rivers, aquifers, estuaries, our drinking water. This second NYT article confirms that toxic radioactive waste is classified as "residual" not "hazardous" due to a dangerous exemption. And it shows the rampant disregard for public health which results from the revolving door between government and industry, especially in Pennsylvania.
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ACTION A = CALL GOVERNOR CORBETT! His phone number is 717-787-2500.
When [Iris] called Weds. afternoon, his office said they were getting plenty of calls from "the other side." If you can speak for an organization, please do. Please demand he vote to maintain the moratorium on gas drilling in the Delaware River watershed! Other demands: remove the exemption that allows hazardous gas drilling waste to be treated as "residual" waste; extend the moratorium statewide; stop selling our state forests and parks. Be kind to whoever answers the phone, but don't mince words either.
ACTION B = CALL / WRITE PRESIDENT OBAMA: His number is (202) 546-1111.
ACTION C = Don't feel like talking to any government officials right now? Fine, just hit this link from Clean Water Action: www.bit.ly/ActionEPA
In a few seconds you can write your U.S. Rep. and Senator to DEFEND the Environmental Protection Agency against right-wing attacks at this crucial time. We need the EPA fully funded and strong. They are just beginning to step up to regulate the gas industry a bit more aggressively and their ability to curb air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions must be expanded, not curtailed. E-actions like this are something Clean Water Action is great at, so please do it, thanks!
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Thank you for sharing. I send out emails about this stuff, but that gets old for the recipients, and I feel weird about it. I've already commented on the document several times and written to my senators, etc. Anyway, pass on the word. If you drink water or eat food grown in the Delaware Valley area, your health depends on it.
___
DRBC just granted a 30 day extension to their March 16th public comment deadline. That's terribly short, considering the outrageous violations of environment and health going on. But it's great to know we've had an influence: New York, New Jersey, Delaware, and the Army Corps of Engineers ALL voted for the extension and only Pennsylvania voted against it. The more progressive Commissioners proposed 45 days (thanks to your voices!) but New Jersey opposed that and cut it to 30 days.
A second New York Times article confronts industry denial head-on, confirms the shocking PA policy that allows gas drilling waste to be used as brine to tamp down dust on roads and de-ice roads; and as salt to de-ice roads. That means it goes straight into streams, rivers, aquifers, estuaries, our drinking water. This second NYT article confirms that toxic radioactive waste is classified as "residual" not "hazardous" due to a dangerous exemption. And it shows the rampant disregard for public health which results from the revolving door between government and industry, especially in Pennsylvania.
...
ACTION A = CALL GOVERNOR CORBETT! His phone number is 717-787-2500.
When [Iris] called Weds. afternoon, his office said they were getting plenty of calls from "the other side." If you can speak for an organization, please do. Please demand he vote to maintain the moratorium on gas drilling in the Delaware River watershed! Other demands: remove the exemption that allows hazardous gas drilling waste to be treated as "residual" waste; extend the moratorium statewide; stop selling our state forests and parks. Be kind to whoever answers the phone, but don't mince words either.
ACTION B = CALL / WRITE PRESIDENT OBAMA: His number is (202) 546-1111.
ACTION C = Don't feel like talking to any government officials right now? Fine, just hit this link from Clean Water Action: www.bit.ly/ActionEPA
In a few seconds you can write your U.S. Rep. and Senator to DEFEND the Environmental Protection Agency against right-wing attacks at this crucial time. We need the EPA fully funded and strong. They are just beginning to step up to regulate the gas industry a bit more aggressively and their ability to curb air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions must be expanded, not curtailed. E-actions like this are something Clean Water Action is great at, so please do it, thanks!
___
Thank you for sharing. I send out emails about this stuff, but that gets old for the recipients, and I feel weird about it. I've already commented on the document several times and written to my senators, etc. Anyway, pass on the word. If you drink water or eat food grown in the Delaware Valley area, your health depends on it.
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