Let’s stop this “give-away” to the Mining and Fracking Industries.
Call or write your State Representative.
SB-875 Amended 7.22.15 has been amended and has progressed 50% thru the PA Legislative process (it has already passed the State Senate). It is now in the House Appropriations Committee. Most likely our elected representatives will try and get the bill approved when the budget is considered in late August. Please send an e-mail to your State Representative (using your own words). If possible, add a sentence or two about being a constituent, and then ask for a “NO VOTE” on SB-875. Bucks, Chester and Montgomery Counties may be especially pivotal.
Additional talking points that you can add re: Treated Mine Water Bill SB #875 (i.e., “treated mine water” means using acid coal mine drainage water for oil and gas drilling)
• Exempting acid mine drainage water from the Solid Waste Management Act removes safeguards to PA’s drinking water
• Exempting anyone from liability when using, transporting or storing what is now considered a “hazardous substance” could lead to reduced caution and therefore harm to people, animals, crops and/or bodies of water. Unborn and small children, the sick and frail elderly people are most vulnerable to toxins in air and water.
• There is no evidence that treated mine drainage water can be made safe for oil and gas extraction purposes.
• Mine owners are exploiting a loophole that allows fracking operations to be exempt from the federal Clean Air and Clean Water Acts.
To find your State Representative, click here or go to League of Women Voters
Please send your email no later than Wed., August 19.
The State Representatives re-convene Aug. 25.
The bill seems innocent and looks like an adaptive use of a waste product of mining. However it leaves lots of room for abuse. The mine owner has no responsibility for the waste once he gives it to a driller. The driller enjoys exemptions from the laws that prevent others from pumping nasty stuff deep into the ground. Those who think it’s sporting to game the system will exploit the law to cheaply dispose of mine drainage since both the mine operator and the driller are exempt from liability for the consequences. Fracking can’t be done safely. If this bill passes there will be abuses and consequences. The players in this game have a long and ugly record of trashing the environment to make a buck and love to dodge liability for the impact on environment.