ATTENTION: SENATOR OR REPRESENTATIVE _________________________ Federal: http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm State: http://www.house.state.pa.us/ MARCELLUS SHALE INDUSTRY AND THE STATE OF PENNSYLVANIA Aired Saturday afternoon on PBS, February 19, 2011 Subject: Marcellus Shale Drilling and resulting impact Pennsylvania- Sponsored by Bucknell Institute for Public Policy. 701 Moore Ave. Lewisburg, PA 17837- the editorial below is in letter form. If you agree with the editorial, print the document and mail it to your state and federal representative for immediate action. M.Malsbary Tredyffrin Township, Chester County The panelists presented known issues relating to Marcellus Shale Industry introduction to Pennsylvania communities, primarily Lycoming, Muncie and surrounding counties. Questions from the sparse audience ranged from impact on hospital and health facilities to transient contract workers most of whom are without health insurance. Further concerns expressed primary care physician availability. The presenters covered survey results with respect to how citizens felt about an industry that has high potential for destruction of the environment, strip mine style. 70% of citizens stated that they would compromise the environment for jobs, which the industry does bring to the state. It is like asking a starving man if he would mind mold on his fried chicken. Most have seen the 60 Minutes feature on Fracturing technology generating ground water from wells deep in the aquifer, water that actually lights up when a cigarette lighter flame is put to a drinking water tap. Cut backs in state regulatory commissions, due the severe economic crisis, has greatly enhanced the Industry's unbridled, unregulated expansion into Pennsylvania. Several in the audience asked rhetorical questions related to what the legislators and senators are doing while a current two year broad research project conducted by the EPA, only just now begun, is being completed. The panel had no answer. The panelists presented only the facts and one PHD on the panel responded to questions about proprietary chemicals not disclosed by the industry as well as a New York State moratorium on Fracture Mining for Natural Gas. As to why Pennsylvania had not identified the large number of proprietary chemicals used in the drilling process and New York State has already established a long list of the chemicals, the panelists, only the proverbial messengers, had no answers. It was suggested several times that concerned citizens of Pennsylvania should contact their representatives regarding the regulation of the Marcellus Shale operations now steadily expanding operations in Pennsylvania as of February 2011. The issue is not whether Marcellus Shale Industry, its lawyers, PAC lobbyists and collaborative corporations are good, bad or evil. The mission of all corporations is to make money, and make money they will, as much money at the least cost possible. Our recent history, a history which resulted in the disastrous economic situation now gripping America and her planetary neighbors, was the result of unbridled corporate pursuit of profit. Even that in itself is not bad or evil. It was the bankruptcy of corporate governance and the federal government turning a blind eye that neglected the wholesale unloading of ill fated mortgages which in the end left the economic world wounded with massive toxic debt. Pennsylvania and Marcellus Shale drilling is an emerging partnership that could become a nightmare or a dream depending on the apathy or activism of Pennsylvania citizens. We all welcome new industry and the jobs and economic prosperity that it brings. But the partnership must be sealed with solid legal guidelines, to include taxation to cover the unforeseen. Be assured the Marcellus Shale Industry will not pack up and go home in the face of stiff regulation. The riches smell too sweet. At stake are the clean pristine natural resources of this vast and wonderful State. Once we fell asleep on watch but never again. As a fellow citizen of Pennsylvania I sound the alarm for senators and legislators on the federal and state level to begin now to regulate the Marcellus Shale Industry, its subsidiaries, its PACs, its financial resources and on site operations so that the interests of Pennsylvania’s counties, cities and communities, to include rivers, forests, aquifers and the air we breath remains as safe and as environmentally friendly as the collaboration allows. Ask yourselves: Just how valuable is a tall clean cool glass of tap and well water? Sincerely, Name ____________________________ County___________________Zip Code____________