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Senate Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
Senate of Pennsylvania
Session of 2023 - 2024
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | August 28, 2023 04:24 PM |
|---|---|
| From: | Senator Katie J. Muth |
| To: | All Senate members |
| Subject: | Requiring Testing for PFAS/PFOA in Oil and Gas Operations |
| In the near future, I will be introducing legislation to amend Act 13 of 2012 and require testing for PFAS (Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances) in all oil and gas extraction and operations in the Commonwealth. A 2021 report released by Physicians for Social Responsibility (PSR) presents evidence that oil and gas companies including ExxonMobil and Chevron have used PFAS, and/or substances that can degrade into PFAS, in hydraulic fracturing (“fracking”) for oil and gas in more than 1,200 wells in six U.S. states between 2012 and 2020. Underreporting of the use of these forever chemicals is highly likely since full disclosure of chemicals used in the fracked gas extraction industry and testing for PFAS is not required by the federal or PA state government regulators. In 2021, the Philadelphia Inquirer published an article summarizing their review of oil and gas permitting data and reports from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PA DEP) PFAS are manufactured, man-made chemicals that accumulate inside the human body and do not break down in the environment – hence their nickname, “forever chemicals.” The International Agency for Research on Cancer classifies PFOA as a possible human carcinogen, and the EPA says PFOA and PFOS may be linked to cancer. In addition to various types of cancer, infant birth weight, weakening of the immune system, and hormone disruption have also been linked to PFOS/PFOA exposure. The cradle to grave process of the oil and fracked gas extraction, petrochemicals manufacturing, and production of plastic materials composed of byproducts from the fracked gas and petrochemical industries have caused significant environmental degradation, public health issues and drinking water and groundwater contamination across our Commonwealth. Federal and state regulatory loopholes and laws exempting mandatory testing and appropriate classification of hazardous substances have resulted in legalized pollution and irreversible harm across the country and in our state, all for the sake of corporate profit. The use of PFAS in oil and gas wells is creating an underrated source of PFAS contamination, adding to Americans’ exposure to these harmful chemicals through drinking water, our soil, our food chain, and even personal care products. Required testing of PFAS in oil and gas operations can already be required by the DEP, but the Department has not required this testing as part of their protocol. For decades corporate polluters have dictated environmental regulations in our state and we must take urgent action to protect residents and our natural resources from further harm. I hope you join me in cosponsoring this important legislation. |