Update (7/3/15): A Briefing is Set for July 7th. See the flyer here: No Fracking Bucks Flyer (Mun.Bldg.off Durham Rd.)

URGENT NEED TO AVOID FRACKING IN NEWTOWN, UPPER MAKEFIELD, AND WRIGHTSTOWN

Bring your children, your neighbors, your friends to two critical meetings:

Tues., July 7 at 7pm – the Newtown Township Planning Board will meet to discuss a resolution to allow fracking in Newtown Twn. (Rt. 413, off Durham Rd.)

Wed., July 8 at 7pm – the Newtown Township Supervisors will meet to hear the recommendation of the Planning Board and vote on the resolution.

Stop Fracking poster (click to download) by Greg Deal.

With the out-sized influence of the fossil fuel industry in PA, with the predictability of human error, with the inevitable escape of methane gas during drilling, extraction and abandonment of wells, there is no sure way to regulate fracking’s impact. The proposed resolution makes clear the risks involved (to use the language of the resolution)

• Air and water pollution
• Offensive or noxious odors, gases, dust, and glare
• Junk, refuse, trash or abandoned material (including the well itself)
• Hazardous or toxics materials
• Blowouts

It doesn’t mention other known risks:

• Decreased property values (and banks refusing to provide mortgages for properties that have wells on or near them)
• Noise and road damage 24/7 from18-wheelers hauling supplies in and fracking waste water out (not to mention the amount of water used in processing)
• The fact that every vertical well into the shale can conceal 10-16 horizontal well branches that can run 2-4 miles underground

Lawyerly language full of loopholes and slippery language.

The proposed resolution uses vague, slippery language like

• “except pipelines WHERE ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY”
• “UNLESS SUCH PLACEMENT IS UNAVOIDABLE”
• “the operator shall take ALL POSSIBLE PRECAUTIONS…to minimize noise levels”

The price for this irreversible damage? “A letter of credit or other financial security” approved by the governing body “BUT NOT TO EXCEED $50,000.” Litigation to enforce would cost more.    Remember, once any ordinance is passed, it can be amended at any meeting, so the language of the law is not much protection even if air-tight .

On Dec. 20, 2013, the PA Supreme Court ruled that municipalities “must act as trustees to protect the rights of PA citizens” to “clean air and pure water” and the “preservation of natural, scenic, historic and esthetic values of the environment.” STAND UP FOR OUR QUALITY OF LIFE AND OUR CHILDREN’S FUTURE. Arrive no later than 6:30pm to be sure to get a seat. Check to be sure that the meeting agendas haven’t changed.

                               Thanks. Marguerite  & Richmond

Reading a paper copy of this? Details, links, and supporting information are available on our blog site: NoFrackingBucks.com.

Further Information

• Copy of the proposed resolution to permit fracking. (PDF) (Click to view or download)
• Due to leaks of methane, fracking “wipes out [the] benefit” natural gas might have for the climate over other fossil fuels. (click)
• Pennsylvania Department of Health records “reveal a lack of follow-through” on fracking related health complaints. (click)
• Fracking necessitates the condemnation of land to construct pipelines. (click)
• Municipalities have the right to limit fracking. (click-1) (click-2)
• Natural Resources Defense Council fact sheet(PDF).  (click)
• Why the scientific case against fracking keeps getting stronger. (click)
• US News debate: Is fracking a good idea? (click)