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Health & Fitness

Water Drive For Pennsylvanians Impacted By Fracking

Philly Shows Some Love For People Without Water In Shale Gas Regions

Take A Local Stand Against Extreme Extraction 

"Imagine finding your tap water has suddenly turned milky, red, or black and sludgy. Imagine taking a shower and finding that it burns your nostrils and stings your skin. Imagine learning that your well water is laced with industrial pollutants such as benzene, toluene and formaldehyde." -ShaleGasOutrage.wordpress.com

Over 1,000 complaints like these have been filed with the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection through the end of 2012. PA DEP has determined that 161 water wells have been contaminated as a result of hydraulic fracturing, with more tests results inconclusive or disputed. And the complaints keep coming. In these impacted households, tap water is no longer safe for consumption, yet the nearest water utility line is often many miles away. People are forced to rely on bottled water to meet their daily water needs. Large blue “water buffalos” have become ubiquitous across the Marcellus Shale region.

Find out what's happening in Bryn Mawr-Gladwynewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

OXOX, Philly

On Tuesday, September 24th - Thursday, September 26th, Philadelphia will be showing its support, and some characteristic Philly love, for the growing number of organizations who have joined the fight to protect Pennsylvania watersheds, wetlands, and citizens from the impacts of shale gas extraction. When it comes to undisclosed chemical toxins, increased methane in water tables and carcinogenic disinfection byproducts in our hydrologic cycle, no amount is safe. We all live downstream. Fracking is a divisive issue, yet everyone agrees that clean, safe drinking water is essential.

Find out what's happening in Bryn Mawr-Gladwynewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

What:  Please bring unopened one-gallon water jugs, add a personal message for the recipients.

When:  Tuesday, September 24th Noon-7pm;  Wednesday 25th 8am–7pm;  Thursday 26th 8am–10:30am [Press Conference at 9:30am]

Where:  The Arch Street United Methodist Church, 55 N. Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107 (corner of Broad & Arch Sts.)

Why: Urgent Need For Water In Marcellus Shale Region   
In early September, when asked about the Attorney General's investigation into PA DEP’s water-protection programs, Pennsylvania Auditor General Eugene DePasquale stated, “It’s a good thing we're doing the audit.” 

On September 10, 2013, Pennsylvania Attorney General Kathleen Kane filed criminal charges against XTO Energy, an Exxon-Mobil subsidiary, for the illegal dumping of more than 50,000 gallons of frack waste into the Susquehanna river system in Lycoming County. In an important effort to protect public health and state economic interests, as well as our natural resources, Pennsylvania Democrats voted on June 15, 2013 (115 to 81), to support a statewide shale gas drilling moratorium. Notably, State Senator and U.S. congressional candidate, Daylin Leach, is among those who support the measure. 

Last week, Senator Jim Ferlo [D-38th District, Pittsburgh] introduced SB1100, officially calling for an open-ended moratorium on new drilling permits until there is further study of the health, environmental, economic and social impacts. And this is bound to be a major topic in the upcoming Democratic gubernatorial primaries. 

Meanwhile, Pennsylvania families continue to experience a critical need for safe drinking water. Please join Delaware Riverkeeper, Protecting Our Waters, Clean Air Council, Penn Environment, Berks Gas Truth and Food and Water Watch in the 2013 Shale Gas Outrage LocalStand Water Drive. On September, 26 2013, at 9:30am, we will send off truckloads (we hope) or water to pennsylvania residents whose water has been impacted by gas drilling activity.

Please consider making an online contribution to the Protecting Our Waters Emergency Water Fund or mailing a tax-deductible donation to:  "Emergency Water Fund" 4808 Windsor Avenue, Philadelphia PA 19143 The Water Drive is grassroots, a full 100% percent of the money raised will go towards the purchase of potable water for impacted Pennsylvania families. No amount is too small, and your participation means the world those who feel discouraged in the face of crisis -- every penny fills the heart. Thank you! 

#ThinkAboutIt
One gallon jug of water costs $1.25
$20 provides drinking water for one week for a family of four
$75 fills one water buffalo for two weeks
$3,200 meets a family’s water needs for one year

Educate, Coordinate, Agitate!

Attend the Third Annual Freedom From Fracking Conference: "The True Cost of Fracking" in Philadelphia on Thursday September 26th (2-8 pm). This free conference is a much-anticipated annual educational and organizing event, featuring a fresh roster of scientists, energy policy experts, leading environmental activists, grassroots organizers and impacted citizens. Jon Fenton, a rancher from Pavillion, Wyoming whose interviews appear in the Gasland and Gasland II documentaries is the keynote speaker. 

Find the complete 2013 Freedom From Fracking  conference schedule here.

Conference is FREE and open to the public. 

Registration is recommended.

 
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