Democracy Has Prevailed.

August 5, 2011

Frack me? No, no! Frack you!


Anyone who has spent any time listening to the pro fracking crowd knows that pretty much the first thing out of their mouths is the assertion that there's never been a proven case of fracking contaminating underground drinking water -- it's been their mantra. I maintain that that is pretty much a red herring as you do not need to pollute groundwater to harm the water supply. The water used in fracking has to go somewhere and very little is being recycled. Aside from illegal dumping and leaching from fracking pools, water treatment facilities simply aren't equipped to handle even the legal disposal of the witches' brew of toxicity found in the "flowback" water.

That said, guess what? Turns out there is a very well documented case of this very thing and the EPA has known about it for decades. Count me not shocked that they've all been lying to us this whole time.

In Pittsburgh, the City Council voted 6-3 to allow residents to decide if they want fracking in the city, but even though that's a veto-proof majority, the Mayor could simply sit on the bill making it too late to get on the November ballot as a referendum. Council requested that Lil Mayor Luke return it to them by the 8th at 4:30 PM, but we know how well the Mayor listens to Council -- the majority anyway -- so if you believe the citizens should have a say, contact the Mayor now:
Email: luke.ravenstahl@city.pittsburg​h.pa.us
Phone: 412-255-2626
Lastly, Allegheny County Executive Dan Onorato has poked his head above ground to weigh in on the referendum. Via the Trib:
Allegheny County Executive Dan Onorato said Wednesday he has "serious concerns" about the legality of Pittsburgh City Council's proposed ballot referendum banning natural gas drilling within city limits.

Council on Monday approved legislation that would ask voters to decide in November whether to add the ban to the city's Home Rule Charter. Council banned Marcellus shale gas drilling within city limits in November.

Councilman Doug Shields proposed the bill, saying a charter amendment would make the ban harder to overturn. Mayor Luke Ravenstahl, who said he has concerns about the legality of the ban, is considering a veto.

In a written statement, Onorato said he directed the county solicitor and Elections Department to review and analyze the referendum.

[sigh]
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3 comments:

Social Justice NPC Anti-Paladin™ said...

You better take down the Gasland image. Unless the Gasland director only uses the DMCA to silence critics.
Oscar-Nominated Filmmaker Misuses DMCA To Take Down Video Of Reporter Asking Him Tough Questions

Gasland director hides full facts

Maria Lupinacci said...

So nothing to say about the EPA report? Of course not!

EdHeath said...

HTTT, the guy in your second link doesn't make his case. Apparently although there might have been methane in this Colorado water (of some undetermined amount), no one could light their water on fire before the fracking. But go ahead, make stuff up. tell us how global warming is a hoax and cutting spending will help unemployment. Meanwhile, because of the Republicans/Tea Party, our nation's credit status has been cut for the first time. You guys are determined to destroy the United States, aren't you?