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1. Why do so many people want to ban #fracking & #oilandgas production in their communities?
Read this @grist story by @NaveenaSivam to understand.
@PennsylvaniaDEP promised to keep an eye on polluters during the pandemic. They’re struggling https://grist.org/energy/pennsylvania-regulators-promised-to-keep-an-eye-on-polluters-during-the-pandemic-theyre-struggling/">https://grist.org/energy/pe...
Read this @grist story by @NaveenaSivam to understand.
@PennsylvaniaDEP promised to keep an eye on polluters during the pandemic. They’re struggling https://grist.org/energy/pennsylvania-regulators-promised-to-keep-an-eye-on-polluters-during-the-pandemic-theyre-struggling/">https://grist.org/energy/pe...
2. Not unique to PA, state regulators simply aren& #39;t protecting the public from #fracking pollution.
#oilandgas production is deemed "essential" but protecting #publichealth isn& #39;t, even when the state promises otherwise.
#oilandgas production is deemed "essential" but protecting #publichealth isn& #39;t, even when the state promises otherwise.
3. How else can we interpret that #oilandgas operations continue (at a slight decline) but inspections have dropped precipitously?
4. The Department of ENVIRONMENTAL Protection& #39;s mission is "to protect Pennsylvania& #39;s air, land and water from pollution and to provide for the health and safety of its citizens through a cleaner environment."
Do you see mention of protecting #oilandgas operations? I don& #39;t.
Do you see mention of protecting #oilandgas operations? I don& #39;t.
5. Yet time and again when #publichealth conflicts with #oilandgas, regulators prioritize the #fracking industry ahead of their MISSION to protect the public.
6. Unfortunately, PA is not only not unique, they& #39;re one of the *better* states when protecting #publichealth from #oilandgas pollution relative to (for example) Texas or North Dakota.
We did a thorough enforcement analysis in 2012, it still stands: https://earthworks.org/campaigns/enforcing-the-rules/">https://earthworks.org/campaigns...
We did a thorough enforcement analysis in 2012, it still stands: https://earthworks.org/campaigns/enforcing-the-rules/">https://earthworks.org/campaigns...
7. One reason it still stands, as @NaveenaSivam points out:
in PA (and perhaps other states), number of inspectors (think #publichealth protectors) has DECLINED since the onset of the #fracking boom.
This isn& #39;t a Wolf Admin problem, it& #39;s systemic. https://grist.org/energy/pennsylvania-regulators-promised-to-keep-an-eye-on-polluters-during-the-pandemic-theyre-struggling/">https://grist.org/energy/pe...
in PA (and perhaps other states), number of inspectors (think #publichealth protectors) has DECLINED since the onset of the #fracking boom.
This isn& #39;t a Wolf Admin problem, it& #39;s systemic. https://grist.org/energy/pennsylvania-regulators-promised-to-keep-an-eye-on-polluters-during-the-pandemic-theyre-struggling/">https://grist.org/energy/pe...
8. Given the political will it would take to *try* to properly regulate #oilandgas (really putting the public 1st), and the little time #climate science gives us to avoid #climate catastrophe, better use the effort to build political will to end #fossilfuels entirely.
9. If you don& #39;t believe, consider Colorado. Maybe THE BEST state in terms of oversight. Last year the state passed SB181 explicitly requiring #publichealth to be prioritized ahead of #oilandgas extraction, even if that meant NOT EXTRACTING. The result?
10. Broomfield, CO, in trying to block a particularly polluting phase of #fracking during the lockdown when it would endanger nearby residents who couldn& #39;t leave... https://www.denverpost.com/2020/03/26/broomfield-halts-oil-gas-production-coronavirus/">https://www.denverpost.com/2020/03/2...
11. ...could not b/c of the company& #39;s legal threats & state support of the company!
"I do not see any need for Extraction to halt operations or take other measures at this point& #39; - COGCC head Jeff Robbins https://www.motherjones.com/environment/2020/05/a-nearby-fracking-site-has-these-retirees-sheltering-in-place-and-scared-for-their-lives/">https://www.motherjones.com/environme...
"I do not see any need for Extraction to halt operations or take other measures at this point& #39; - COGCC head Jeff Robbins https://www.motherjones.com/environment/2020/05/a-nearby-fracking-site-has-these-retirees-sheltering-in-place-and-scared-for-their-lives/">https://www.motherjones.com/environme...
12. The history of #oilandgas oversight shows that whenever #publichealth concerns are balanced against #oilandgas, the public comes up short -- even when regulators are explicitly directed otherwise.
The only way to protect one& #39;s health from #fracking is to not allow it /END
The only way to protect one& #39;s health from #fracking is to not allow it /END
