Democratic candidates address issues at local political event

By C.J. Marshall (STAFF WRITER)
thedailyreview.com
April 11, 2010

The affects of drilling for natural gas in the Marcellus Shale was one of the big topics of discussion among political candidates Saturday during the 2010 Spring Dinner of the Bradford County Democratic Party.

Rep. Chris Carney of the 110th Congressional District was the keynote speaker at the event, who explained that he has said many times he is in favor of making certain that clean water is protected. Others who spoke included Mike Dineen on behalf of Daniel Onorato, who is running for governor; Jake Diegel who represented U.S. Senator Arlen Specter; Lou Freimiller, who spoke on behalf of candidate Joe Hoeffel, who is running for governor; Deb Barr, who spoke for Joe Sestak, who is a Democratic candidate for the U.S. Senate; and John Murray, who is running for the governor's spot.

As more natural gas companies have set up rigs throughout the area to tap the Marcellus Shale, many local residents have expressed concern about the effect on the area - particularly on the roads and the environment.

...many people in the audience were enthusiastic when candidates spoke about the importance of keeping the environment protected during the gas drilling process.

Carney said during his speech that he wants to make certain that a balance is struck between industrial development and the needs of the communities in being provided with clean water.

"We're not going to create a desert where we live, we're not going to ruin the water so we have to move. We're going to create the balance so we have the lifestyle we want and the clean water we want, but we also cannot throw away the opportunity that we have right now in the terms of the economy with what's going on right now with the drilling. We've got to do it right, we've got to have the right kinds of monitoring on the gas companies," Carney said.

Diegel said that Specter has always been in favor clean and safe drinking water, and will study the legislation that is being put forth in Washington to regulate fracking in the gas drilling industry. He also said that Specter has also been very supportive of alternative forms of energy, such as solar power, to help the environment as well as provide for energy needs.

Barr said that [Democratic candidate for the U.S. Senate] Sestak is the only candidate with a 100 percent rating from the Conservation League.

"He's been on top of every environmental issue. I'm very happy to be working for Joe Sestak in the primary."

Freimiller, speaking for Hoeffel, said that Hoeffel is the most progressive candidate for governor in this year's primary, being pro-choice and pro-marriage quality. He said that [gubernatorial candidate] Hoeffel will work aggressively to double PennDOT's budget used to improve roads and rebuild bridges. Freimiller also said Hoeffel has called for a moratorium on gas drilling permits on state forest lands; and has not taken any campaign money from gas drilling companies.

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C.J. Marshall can be reached at (570) 265-1630; e-mail: cjmarshall@thedailyreview.com.

DEMAND ACCOUNTABILITY!

Pennsylvania DEP secretary answers complaints

by Tom Kane, The River Reporter Online

HARRISBURG, PA - John Hanger has spoken.

Responding to a cascade of complaints from every sector of state and local governments for instituting a measure curtailing the role of local community conservation districts (CCD) in monitoring gas well drilling, Hanger, the newly appointed Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Secretary, sent a generic letter to all conservation district managers defending his early spring action.

On March 18, DEP summarily made a decision to transfer responsibility for reviews and permit functions associated with oil and gas drilling and related activities from the CCDs to the DEP Regional Office Oil and Gas Management Program. The decision was arrived at without consultation of any conservation district, which was unprecedented.

The letter detailed various reasons the action was taken. In summary, some of the reasons given were that combining the permit and inspection function to one agency “should lead to more protective and efficient regulations” and that by taking on these CCD functions, DEP inspection staff will be responsible for all aspects of gas operations, which would “create a more efficient and effective process that will better protect water resources.”

The statement said that the creation of a new regional office staff will make even stronger oversight and that this “cradle to grave responsibility will provide greater consistency for gas operators, as well as DEP’s overall regulatory responsibilities to safeguard the people’s right to clean water.”

...

The letter ended with this closing statement: “While Pennsylvania’s natural gas reserves could increase the supply of a clean burning fuel, with very important climate and air benefits and yield billions of dollars and tens of thousands of jobs for our communities and families, we will not compromise the state’s environmental regulations in the production of gas.”

For the complete story, including commissioner responses, click HERE.

Mr. Hanger appears to be making a clear statement of accountability on behalf of the environment here. We need to monitor the progress of drilling in the state of Pennsylvania carefully!

DEMAND ACCOUNTABILITY!

GOOD NEWS! Obama signs landmark U.S. conservation bill

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. President Barack Obama signed sweeping land and water conservation rules into law on Monday, setting aside millions of acres as protected areas and delighting environmentalists.

The measure, a package of more than 160 bills, would designate about 2 million acres -- parks, rivers, streams, desert, forest and trails -- in nine states as new wilderness and render them off limits to oil and gas drilling and other development.

Read more HERE.