“Protecting the health and safety of our residents is one of the core functions of our government. Unfortunately, projects are occasionally proposed that endanger our citizens and I believe that an injection well for toxic oil and gas wastewater that has been proposed in a rural township in my district is just such a project.
“Injection wells are wells that are used to store fluid deep underground into porous formations.
“It has been demonstrated that the waste water from oil and gas operations has a number of radioactive elements and other toxic materials within it, which present possible health risks if they are allowed to mix with our drinking water.
“I do not believe that it is an acceptable risk to allow injection wells to be sited within our communities considering the severe consequences that may result if an accidental spill or leakage incident occurs.
“There have been a number of injection wells that have reported issues with fluid migration and significant cracking in the lining of these wells which has led to leaks.
“My legislation would prohibit our Department of Environmental Protection from issuing any permits or authorizations which would allow for oil and gas waste water to be injected within the Commonwealth.”
Rep. Krupa’s legislation is responding to constituents opposed to an oil and gas injection well in Fayette County. The opposition forced the withdrawal of the permit application by the company proposing it. Read more here.
Rep. Krupa told the Observer-Reporter: “I’m very, very proud of how the community rallied and responded to this. In my role, I don’t want this to happen in Nicholson or Springhill (townships) or anywhere in state.”
Click Here for Rep. Krupa’s co-sponsor memo.
[Note: This is the same wastewater conventional oil and gas well drillers illegally spread on dirt roads to dispose of. Read more here.
[Conventional oil and gas wastewater contains 32 chemicals and constituents that exceed environmental and health standards, including for radioactivity. Read more here.
[This is the same wastewater that is now contaminating the Village of Reno’s water supply in Venango County. Read more here.
[This issue isn’t just one method of disposal, it is all methods of disposal must be reviewed.]
Related NewsClips - Fayette County:
-- Observer-Reporter: State, County Elected Leaders Take Proactive Steps To Ban Oil, Gas Wastewater Injection Wells
-- Observer-Reporter: Fayette County Commissioners Take Step To Prevent Oil/Gas Wastewater Injection Wells
Related Articles - Fayette County:
Related Articles - Injection Wells:
-- EPA Issues Permit For Class IID Oil & Gas Waste Underground Injection Well In Jefferson County [PaEN]
NewsClips This Week:
-- Capital & Main - Audrey Carleton: PA Residents Call For Action After Pitt Study Links Natural Gas Development To Asthma, Childhood Lymphoma
-- The Derrick - Makayla Keating: DEP Cites Petro Erie With 5 Additional Violations [For More Leaking Conventional Oil Well Wastewater Tanks In Sugarcreek Boro, Venango County, Near Contaminated Reno Water Supply] [PDF of article]
-- The Derrick: No Word Yet On When Do Not Consume Water Advisory Will Be Lifted For The Village Of Reno Water Supply Contaminated By Conventional Oil Well Wastewater In Venango County [PDF of article]
-- The Derrick - Letter To Editor: Disappointed In Lack Of Involvement In Sen. Hutchinson, Rep. James To Resolve Village Of Reno Water Contamination Issue In Venango County [Polluted By Conventional Oil Well Wastewater Spill] [PDF of Article]
-- TribLive: DEP Examining ‘Pinhole Leak’ In A Penneco Natural Gas Gathering Line Behind Homes That Exploded In Plum Boro, Allegheny County [PUC, DEP Have No Statutory Authority To Regulate Safety Of Gathering Pipelines]
-- Inquirer - Frank Kummer: LNG Natural Gas Export Facility Proposed In Chester Draws Pushback: ‘We Suffer For Everybody Else’s Comfort’
-- The Center Square - Anthony Hennen: ‘We Suffer For Everybody’s Else’s Comfort’ Critics Of LNG Natural Gas Export Hub Say
-- PA Capital-Star: Advocates Vow To Fight LNG Natural Gas Export Facility In Delaware County’s Poorest community
-- Pittsburgh Business Times: Business Advocates: Lack Of PA Permitting Reform Is Costing Jobs
-- City & State PA: Business Leaders, Lawmakers Hope For Bipartisan Action On Permitting Reform
-- Inside Climate News - Jon Hurdle: Appalachian Economy Sees Few Gains From Natural Gas Development, Report Says
Related Articles This Week:
-- Lawsuit Filed Against General Assembly, Governor Challenges Constitutionality Of Law Preventing DEP From Protecting Public Health, Environment From Harm Caused By Abandoning Conventional Oil & Gas Wells [PaEN]
-- 150+ Residents Of Chester Opposed To An LNG Natural Gas Export Facility Proposed In Their Community Let Their Feelings Be Known To The House Philadelphia LNG Export Task Force [PaEN]
-- Republican Herald Editorial: Health Depends On Regulation Of Oil & Gas Development [PaEN]
-- TribLive Editorial: Studies Of Natural Gas Development Point To Health Costs
-- Petro Erie, Inc. Appeals DEP’s July Field Order To Clean Up Conventional Oil Well Wastewater Spill Contaminating Village Of Reno’s Water Supply In Venango County; 2nd Appeal May Be Coming [PaEN]
-- Republican Rep. Krupa To Introduce Bill To Ban Oil, Gas Wastewater Injection Wells To Protect The Public From Radioactive, Toxic Materials [PaEN]
-- On Demand: ReImagine Appalachia Faith In Action: Environmental Justice For All - Ensuring Equity And Benefits Across Our Most Climate-Impacted Communities [PaEN]
[Posted: August 24, 2023] PA Environment Digest
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