Winter 2011 Issue… back to Winter Issue page

…more on the PA Renewable Energy/Sustainable Living Festival
by Carol Vracarich

Jeff Schmidt, Director of the PA office of the Sierra Club, spoke at the PA Renewable Energy and Sustainable Living Festival about the impact of Marcellus Shale gas drilling. Two-thirds of PA’s surface sits above the shale area, while over one-fourth of the state is already under drilling leases. Schmidt talked about the 2.1 million acre state forest system with 700,000 of those acres made available to the gas industry, though that’s currently under a moratorium expected to be overruled by Governor Corbett. Mineral rights and other issues were discussed. It’s all about our water, next to air the most essential for life, folks. As I write this, the Dimock wells that were exploding are still laced with methane, while people in that area must have water brought to their homes in large plastic drums. It’s only just begun.

Resource Recovery Coordinator Julie Fiorini stands beside the Gem Car, one of two donated electric plug-in vehicles that charge overnight and run all day, picking up Resources.