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HB1950/SB1100 would allow well pads and drill rigs within 500 feet of homes, schools and health care facilities. Wastewater and chemical impoundment ponds could be as close a 300 feet, the length of a football field. Under these bills, a municipality would have no right to appeal a well or other gas operation permit once it was granted by DEP.
PLEASE call, write and email your legislators today and ask them to vote NO on HB1950 and SB1100. This legislation is a threat to the most fundamental principles of a true democracy - the right of a free people to self determination at the local level. For contact information for your legislator, click on "get involved" at www.ResponsibleDrillingAlliance.org
The Pennsylvania Cable Network will be broadcasting the hour-long rally and speeches. Visit the web site for broadcast schedule. http://pcntv.com
Pipelines - a real risk to rural Pennsylvanians.
The Pennsylvania legislature recently passed a pipeline safety bill, Act 127 (HB 144) but it did not address gathering lines running through lower population density areas, known as Class 1.
A Class 1 designation is given to any mile of a pipeline where there are 10 or fewer buildings intended for human occupancy within 220 yards on either side of the line. Most of the gathering pipelines here in PA will be in Class 1 areas. The people and families who live in these areas deserve better protection. Pipeline inspection and oversight means jobs for Pennsylvanians. Pipelines are lucrative operations with impressive rates of return on investment. There are huge tax advantages for the majority of well operators who operate pipelines as companion entities and they can certainly afford oversight and inspection.
Pipelines pose a real risk to those living near them. Did you see the devastation that occurred in the San Bruno, CA pipeline explosion of September 2010? If not, take a moment to view the photo and video collection:
http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Special-Section-San-Bruno-Gas-Explosion.html
Gathering lines in Class 1 areas currently have no design or construction oversight. No inspections are done by any agency, ever. None. San Bruno was a regulated line and ran at much lower pressure, in the 300 psi range. Gathering lines here, of the same 30" diameter as San Bruno, are exceeding 1000 psi and can be as high as 1400 psi in our Class 1 areas.
If you are concerned about the hundreds of unregulated pipelines that will soon dissect rural PA, be aware that the Pipeline Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA), is considering regulating Class 1 gathering lines through a rulemaking process. PHMSA is currently conducting a public comment period through an Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking. This rulemaking also addresses safety improvements on transmission lines.
The deadline for comments is coming up fast: this Friday, January 20th, 2012.
Once again, RDA would like to thank Emily Krafjack, Community, Municipal & Environmental Liaison of Wyoming County, for her leadership on pipeline issues. Emily has put together a guide to writing comments for submission to PHMSA, which we borrowed heavily from below. It is important to submit individualized comments as PHMSA does not often get public input due to the technical nature of their oversight.
If you live where Class 1 pipelines are or will be built, or are concerned for others who do, please take the time to submit a comment before the end of this week. If you would like to read more on the "Advanced Notice of Prepared Rulemaking", visit:http://www.federalregister.gov/articles/2011/11/16/2011-29497/pipeline-safety-safety-of-gas-transmission-pipelines
Here is the template to follow, as well as suggestions for content and transmittal instructions:
Date
Pipelines and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration
U.S. Department of Transportation
Docket No. PHMSA-2011-0023
Web Site: http://www.regulations.gov
To Whom it may Concern:
Intro example: I am concerned about pipeline safety with natural gas transmission and gathering lines. I live in Pennsylvania's Marcellus Shale fairway, where there are a rapidly growing number of pipelines in Class 1 areas.
State if your family's home is within xx ft of a gathering line or proposed gathering line or an interstate transmission line. OR, state that there are gathering lines in or proposed in your township/county; or note a transmission line if one runs through your twp/co.
State what your concerns are about living near an unregulated line. Mention if you have children or grandchildren who will be near gathering lines.
State that you appreciate PHMSA addressing the pipeline issue to improve transmission line safety and to include gathering lines, especially those in rural Class 1 areas. Please feel free to mention that our Commonwealth has neglected to place any emphasis on regulating Class 1 area gathering lines, your opinion of that neglect, and point to that as why we need regs from PSHMA.
Thank them for the opportunity to submit a public comment on the safety of gas transmission pipelines.
Sincerely,
Name
Address
Prepare your comment either in a Word Doc for uploading or copy and paste. You must go to the site:http://www.regulations.gov to submit a comment. You will only have 20 minutes to submit
your comment, so composing it while on site is not recommended.
Once your comment in the proper format is ready and you have entered the site:
1. Enter keyword, or ID: PHMSA-2011-0023
2. Click: Search
3. Place the cursor in the Agency box
4. Click: PHMSA
5. Scroll down to the first line item: Proposed Rule
6. On the right, find: Actions
7. Under it, click: Submit a Comment
8. Enter required information
9. Enter comment (paste in or upload)
10. Preview your comment
11. Submit
These days, protesting the legislative shenanigans of our elected officials and taking the action steps necessary to protect our health and safety and the fundamental principles of democracy has become a daunting and never-ending endeavor. We appreciate your efforts and partnership with us as we strive to hold those in power accountable to the people they were elected to serve.
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