Community members gather in Friendship Park, Pittsburgh PA on Monday, July 19
The Pittsburgh Student Environmental Collation (PSEC) hosted a rally to demand a moratorium on natural gas extraction in Pennsylvania until a full study on its environmental impact can be conducted. The evening of Monday, July 19 witnessed five local speakers, 60 attendees, one terrific rainstorm, and a sense of urgency moving forward to three hearings regarding hydraulic fracturing and its effects on drinking water.
The rally included a representative for Pennsylvania state Senator Jim Ferlo, Green Party candidate Mel Packer, representatives from Penn Environment and the Group Against Smog and Pollution (GASP), and University of Pittsburgh student Seth Bush. Community members wrote letters to state level representatives and senators voicing concerns; and calendars of upcoming hearings and info sessions were passed out along with general info about the fracking process.
University of Pittsburgh students Seth Bush and Nijole Pollock address the rally
Senator Ferlo’s representative spoke about a moratorium proposed in a June 10 press release. Although controversial on the Senate floor in Pennsylvania, Ferlo’s idea has seen light in New York. Mel Packer held a more ardent stance, suggesting that continuing to dig for fossil fuels could not be conducted responsibility. Seth Bush harped on one thing that could not be debated — education is the starting point. The gathering was an opportunity for information sharing, networking, and support.
Fracking wastewater contains high volumes of toxic chemicals as well as mineral salts that if spilled, can severely pollute sources of drinking water. Wastewater spills have most recently occurred in Dimock, PA, Clearfield County, PA, and Moundsville, WV. PSEC is calling for a moratorium on all drilling in Pennsylvania to ensure those residents’ drinking water remains clean until Pennsylvania’s Department of Environmental Protection has the capacity to assess and regulate drilling procedures. PSEC and allied organizations believe that Pennsylvania’s water and landscape sacrificed carelessly for profit such as the U.S. has already witnessed on the Gulf Coast, in central Appalachia, and countless other regions in need of environmental justice.
Chatham University student and PSEC organizer Natty Burford braves the rain in a homemade T-shirt
Monday’s rally was part of an effort encouraging attendance at the EPA’s national hearing on the matter on Thursday July 22 in Cecil Township, PA. The Pennsylvania hearing is one of four locations chosen by the EPA to hear concerns about the fracking process for an upcoming study to be completed by 2012. The Allegheny County Council and Department of Environmental Protection also announced hearings for Wednesday, July 21 and Thursday, July 22.
PSEC volunteer Catharine Balsamo helps community members locate their state level Senators for letter writing
The onslaught of hearings, increasing town hall forums, and general concern from residents in southwestern Pennsylvania is mirrored across the Marcellus Shale region. While a dialogue appears to be beginning, homeowners, social justice activists and environmentalists remain cautious and concerned regarding the “protection” promised by regulatory agencies. The first outlet for pressure for many residents will be the hearings playing out in the next week. Decisions made on the county and federal level will be crucial in understanding the level of leadership taken by decision makers, and a better picture of the battle ahead.
All photos contributed by Tim Hall.
Thx for putting this together, PSEC. FYI, the EPA hearing on July 22, from 6 to 10 PM, is going to be at The Hilton Garden Inn in Canonsburg, and ALL 100 speaking slots have been taken….It’s going to be a rowdy crew, I imagine. And don’t forget the press conference at 5 PM, put on by Clean Water Action. Bring your jars of contaminated drinking water and let’s all have a good time!
Wow! Awesome!