Pennsylvania

PA Democrat

(13,225 posts) Sun Mar 11, 2012, 09:54 AM Mar 2012

Pitt experts say the Pennsylvania gas law fails to protect public health

This legislation was under consideration when drilling in the commonwealth began in earnest, and it was intensely studied by the governor's Marcellus Shale Advisory Commission -- a commission charged with protecting the environment and citizens' health and welfare. Moreover, citizens testified at public hearings time and time again that they are concerned about possible health impacts on themselves and their families, neighbors and friends.

Yet the governor's 32-member commission included no health professionals, and the seven state agencies involved did not include the state Department of Health.

Not surprisingly, the commission's few health-related recommendations failed to make their way into the final legislation. Neither did the governor's recommendation to provide Marcellus Shale impact funding for the Department of Health; 19 other state agencies, subagencies and commissions received funding, including the Pennsylvania Boat and Fish Commission. It appears that our state politicians are concerned about the impact of shale gas drilling on boats and fish, but not on humans.

Rather than providing health personnel with direction on how to prepare for potential exposures to toxic chemicals in the air, water or soil, or to accidents similar to those that already have occurred, the law sets up an obstacle course that health care providers must navigate to secure information about proprietary chemicals -- information needed to diagnose and treat patients. This obstacle course also presents an ethical dilemma for a doctor who treats a child exposed by playing too close to a Marcellus Shale drilling site. It is a breach of a physician's responsibilities not to report a public health threat, as well as a contradiction of established public health practice and law.

Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/12071/1215612-109.stm#ixzz1ooetRh56

How much more evidence do we need that Harrisburg is under the control of the natural gas industry?

2 replies

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Pitt experts say the Pennsylvania gas law fails to protect public health (Original Post) PA Democrat Mar 2012 OP

State capitols are the new feeding ground for the lobby industry tech3149 Mar 2012 #1

We drove past the Beaver Run Reservoir last night. blue neen Mar 2012 #2

tech3149

(4,452 posts)

1. State capitols are the new feeding ground for the lobby industry

Reply to PA Democrat (Original post)

Sun Mar 11, 2012, 10:18 AM

Mar 2012

There are like 40K registered lobbyists in DC. Working on the state governments is much cheaper and can have even higher benefits versus cost.

blue neen

(12,327 posts)

2. We drove past the Beaver Run Reservoir last night.

Reply to PA Democrat (Original post)

Sun Mar 11, 2012, 03:52 PM

Mar 2012

The smell of gas fumes was overwhelming.

It seems that it's more than Harrisburg that's under control of the drillers. Why on earth did the MAWC let the drillers have their way?

There's a lot that stinks to high heaven in Pennsylvania, and it's not just the gas fumes.

We're also wondering: Why does the MAWC want to buy the New Kensington Water Authority?

"The Municipal Authority of Westmoreland County recently sent a sealed proposal to city officials, fanning the long-smoldering rumors that New Kensington's water authority will be sold."

"A proposal was provided," Mayor Tom Guzzo said on Friday. "Mayor and council have not reviewed it or looked at it."

"Guzzo said the proposal arrived just before Christmas, but officials wanted to wait to open it until newly elected Councilman Tim DiMaio took office this month. That way, all council members would be available to see the contents at the same time. Guzzo said there isn't a time frame for reviewing the documents."

"Guzzo said he does not know the contents of the proposal, whether it includes an explicit monetary offer or terms to purchase New Kensington's authority."

"Gina Cerilli, a spokeswoman for the Municipal Authority of Westmoreland County, confirmed MAWC gave the city a proposal but declined to discuss any details.

"We do expect further negotiations," Cerilli said."

"Guzzo said the water authority is not on the market, but he feels it is the duty of city officials to consider any offers that come their way."

Read more: Westmoreland makes pitch for New Kensington water authority - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/westmoreland/s_775710.html#ixzz1oq9lVWeV

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