Stand up for Penn's Woods on Earth Day
Join PennFuture, conservation and sporting organizations, legislators and citizens for a rally to Save Our Forests on Earth Day, Thursday, April 22, at 10:30 a.m. in the Capitol Rotunda in Harrisburg. We will call on Governor Rendell and the General Assembly to be heroes for our environment and pass a five year freeze (House Bill 2235) on new deep gas drilling leases in our state forests, and pass a drilling impact fee on natural gas to cover the damage that drilling does to natural resources, wildlife and communities.
And while you're in Harrisburg
Stick around after the Save Our Forests rally, visit the offices of your senator and representative, then take the Earth Day 40 Challenge at the Earth Day Party. The event will be held adjacent to the Capitol complex in the atrium of Strawberry Square at 1:00 p.m. Enjoy the inspiring songs of the Earthtones, enter to win prizes, partake in some delicious treats and mingle with environmental leaders.
Congratulations Acting Secretary Quigley
This week the Senate confirmed John Quigley as the Secretary of the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR). Quigley has been serving in an acting capacity since his nomination by Governor Rendell last April.
Quigley has valiantly fought to maintain the integrity of the state forest and state park system in the face of severe budget cuts and all too many public officials who see public lands not as a treasured resource but as an ATM machine to balance the budget.
Another reason for a severance tax
This week PennDOT revoked a road use permit issued to Chesapeake Energy after the company failed to address severe road damage caused by its drilling trucks and other equipment in Bradford County.
One of many reasons for a severance tax (also called a drilling impact fee) is the significant damage being done by trucks and other drilling equipment to roads and other infrastructure across Pennsylvania. Many of these burdens are falling on local governments and local taxpayers.
The Lock Haven Express recently highlighted the deteriorating conditions of State Route 144 in Centre and Clinton Counties due to damage by drilling industry equipment. One stretch of the road is down to a single lane. Officials in western Clinton County warn that the road could be deemed too dangerous to travel. Route 144 is key stretch of the Pennsylvania Wilds, a vital link between I-80 and Route 120, and provides access to many recreational opportunities in Sproul State Forest including the Chuck Keiper Trail.
DEP shuts down rogue gas driller
In November, DEP ordered Cabot Oil and Gas Corporation to fix defective wells in Susquehanna County that contaminated 14 drinking water wells in a nine square mile area in Dimock Township in Susquehanna County.
When Cabot failed to fix the wells and a DEP inspection uncovered five more defective wells, DEP ran out of patience. DEP has now ordered Cabot to plug three wells that are allowing gas to migrate into water wells, pay a $240,000 fine and an additional fine of $30,000 per day for each day problems continue, and stop drilling in the Dimock area for at least one year. In addition, DEP will not issue new drilling permits to Cabot until the company provides drinking water to homeowners whose wells are contaminated, pays the fines and plugs the wells.
A boost for recycling e-waste
Yesterday the Basel Action Network launched the world's first electronic waste recycling certification. The program has the backing of both environmental organizations and major corporations. It calls for recyclers to eliminate the export of hazardous e-waste and to halt dumping of e-waste in landfills.
In Pennsylvania, House Bill 708 sponsored by Representative Chris Ross (R-Chester) would help accomplish these same goals and create green jobs. The bill requires manufacturers who sell electronic equipment and televisions in Pennsylvania to create a program for the collection and recycling of the associated e-waste. HB 708 is now in the Appropriations Committee. PennFuture is urging the House leadership to schedule a vote by the full House on the measure.
Podcast of the Week: Dem Guv hopefuls talk green
PennFuture's own podcast is still recovering from the annual filing of the extension, but our friends at Pennsylvania Cable Network have a great broadcast to tide you over.
Last night, PennFuture's Christine Knapp welcomed the four Democratic candidates for Pennsylvania governor to a debate sponsored by the Urban Sustainability Forum. You can catch the entire debate here.
And with Earth Day next week, ask yourself this question – what am I waiting for? Maybe for someone to ask and even sweeten the pot?
Well, here it is: join PennFuture today and be entered in a raffle for free tickets to our Ed-Sylvania Gala, featuring Bill Clinton, Katie McGinty, John Hanger, Mike DiBerardinis and more.
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