Posted: | May 3, 2021 01:45 PM |
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From: | Senator Katie J. Muth |
To: | All Senate members |
Subject: | Securing Clean Air and Water in Pennsylvania through Oversight and Monitoring Systems |
In the near future, I will be introducing legislation that would mandate air and water quality monitoring systems be placed near all natural gas compressor stations, processor stations, water impoundments, and pigging stations. Confirmed by the Attorney General Report, fracking operations both intentionally and accidentally release gas and other materials which can be hazardous by itself, or become so when interacting with other chemicals used to extract it or naturally found in the same area where exaction is occurring. We need to hold natural gas operators responsible for ensuring that air and water quality is safe for residents living nearby. As part of a comprehensive public health response, it will be necessary to identify the pathways of contamination and cut them off. To that end, this legislation would require air and water quality monitoring systems at all current and future sites. In addition, natural gas operators would be required to install and maintain monitoring systems at their own expense. These monitoring systems must be able to coordinate and calculate the aggregate environmental impact of all facilities and stations in a region, even if ownership of the infrastructure differs. Furthermore, this legislation would require that all water and air quality levels recorded by monitoring systems be made publicly accessible through a real-time display posted on the Internet and directly shared with the DEP. Please join us in cosponsoring this important piece of legislation. |
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