For immediate RELEASE: March 14, 2013
Contacts:
Lauren Pagel, 202-887-1872×107, lpagel@earthworksaction.org
Alan Septoff, 202-887-1872×105, aseptoff@earthworksaction.org
Statement of Earthworks Executive Director Jennifer Krill on today’s introduction of the BREATHE and FRESHER Acts
March 14th, Washington, D.C. — “Earthworks salutes Representatives Jared Polis and Matt Cartwright for introducing the BREATHE and FRESHER acts today, legislation that would help protect public health by closing loopholes in federal environmental oversight of the oil and gas industry.
Emerging science shows that air pollution from the oil and gas shale boom is harming people that live nearby, in addition to contributing to climate change. Thanks to a special interest loophole in the Clean Air Act, we are powerless to control much of that pollution. The BREATHE act would protect communities by requiring oil and gas drilling and fracking follow the same rules as other industries.
The FRESHER act would eliminate a threat to rivers and streams by closing a Clean Water Act loophole that exempts oil and gas companies from managing stormwater runoff, a basic rule that every homeowner in America is required to follow.
The oil and gas industry justifies their special interest loopholes by claiming that the states are the proper place for oversight. But new research shows states annually inspect less than half of active oil and gas wells. And the same research shows that when violations are found, violators are not punished.
Oil and gas companies should play by the same rules as other industries. Especially when special treatment threatens our health, air and water. And that’s why the BREATHE and FRESHER acts are necessary.”
MORE INFO:
- http://polis.house.gov
- http://cartwright.house.gov
- Joint NGO letter supporting the BREATHE Act: http://bit.ly/BREATHE-NGO-ltr
- Joint NGO letter supporting the FRESHER Act: http://bit.ly/FRESHER-NGO-
letter
— ENDS —
For 25 years, Earthworks has been dedicated to protecting communities and the environment from the impacts of irresponsible mineral and energy development while seeking sustainable solutions.
Twitter: earthworksrocks
Facebook: earthworksaction
About Sharon Wilson
Sharon Wilson is considered a leading citizen expert on the impacts of shale oil and gas extraction. She is the go-to person whether it’s top EPA officials from D.C., national and international news networks, or residents facing the shock of eminent domain and the devastating environmental effects of natural gas development in their backyards.
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The article states, “Emerging science shows that air pollution from the oil and gas shale boom is harming people that live nearby, in addition to contributing to climate change.”
Can you please cite the examples of that “emerging science?” I am interested in reading the facts rather than an opinion. Where did you get this information?
The article states, “But new research shows states annually inspect less than half of active oil and gas wells. And the same research shows that when violations are found, violators are not punished.”
Can you please cite this new research? I am interested in reading the facts. Thanks.
That is a press release that I posted but the peer-reviewed studies linking health impacts to fracking are well known. Pasted below are the latest ones. When you consider the chemicals used and the toxins in the product, it’s just common sense that there will be impacts of all kinds.
Peer-reviewed studies linking shale oil & gas production to health impacts:
Theo Colborn, Kim Schultz, et al, “An Exploratory Study of Air Quality near Natural Gas Operations.” The Endocrine Disruption Exchange (TEDX) released this study in November 2012; it’s been accepted for publication in Human and Ecological Risk Assessment. http://www.endocrinedisruption.com/chemicals.air.php
Theo Colborn, Carol Kwiatkowski, et al., “Natural Gas Operations from a Public Health Perspective,” published in September 2011 in Human and Ecological Risk Assessment: an International Journal. http://www.endocrinedisruption.com/chemicals.journalarticle.php
L. M. McKenzie, Roxana Witter, et al., “Human Health Risk Assessment of Air Emissions from Development of Unconventional Natural Gas Resources,” published in May 2012 in Science of the Total Environment. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22444058
Michelle Bamberger and Robert E. Oswald, “Impacts of Gas Drilling on Human and Animal Health,” published in March 2012 in New Solutions: A Journal of Environmental and Occupational Health Policy. http://www.psehealthyenergy.org/Impacts_of_Gas_Drilling_on_Human_and_Animal_Health
L. N. Vandenberg, Theo Colborn, et al., “Hormones and Endocrine-Disrupting Chemicals: Low-Dose Effects and Nonmonotonic Dose Responses,” published in March 2012 in Endocrine Reviews. http://edrv.endojournals.org/content/early/2012/03/14/er.2011-1050.abstract
Nadia Steinzor, Wilma Subra, and Lisa Sumi Investigating Links between Shale Gas Development and Health ImpactsThrough a Community Survey Project in Pennsylvania,” published NEW SOLUTIONS
A Journal of Environmental and Occupational Health Policy Volume 23, No. 1 — 2013
Working paper (based on an ongoing study) by Cornell University doctoral student Elaine L. Hill. Research, published in July 2012. “Unconventional Natural Gas Development and Infant Health: Evidence from Pennsylvania.” NOT PEER-REVIEWED OR PUBLISHED
Peer-reviewed studies linking shale oil & gas production to health impacts:
Theo Colborn, Kim Schultz, et al, “An Exploratory Study of Air Quality near Natural Gas Operations.” The Endocrine Disruption Exchange (TEDX) released this study in November 2012; it’s been accepted for publication in Human and Ecological Risk Assessment. http://www.endocrinedisruption.com/chemicals.air.php
Theo Colborn, Carol Kwiatkowski, et al., “Natural Gas Operations from a Public Health Perspective,” published in September 2011 in Human and Ecological Risk Assessment: an International Journal. http://www.endocrinedisruption.com/chemicals.journalarticle.php
L. M. McKenzie, Roxana Witter, et al., “Human Health Risk Assessment of Air Emissions from Development of Unconventional Natural Gas Resources,” published in May 2012 in Science of the Total Environment. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22444058
Michelle Bamberger and Robert E. Oswald, “Impacts of Gas Drilling on Human and Animal Health,” published in March 2012 in New Solutions: A Journal of Environmental and Occupational Health Policy. http://www.psehealthyenergy.org/Impacts_of_Gas_Drilling_on_Human_and_Animal_Health
L. N. Vandenberg, Theo Colborn, et al., “Hormones and Endocrine-Disrupting Chemicals: Low-Dose Effects and Nonmonotonic Dose Responses,” published in March 2012 in Endocrine Reviews. http://edrv.endojournals.org/content/early/2012/03/14/er.2011-1050.abstract
Working paper (based on an ongoing study) by Cornell University doctoral student Elaine L. Hill. Research, published in July 2012. “Unconventional Natural Gas Development and Infant Health: Evidence from Pennsylvania.” NOT PEER-REVIEWED OR PUBLISHED
Sorry, I only gave you a partial reply. Please see our enforcement report:
http://www.earthworksaction.org/files/publications/FINAL-US-enforcement-sm.pdf
You could also look at the Sunset Advisory Commission report for the Texas Railroad Commission. EVERYBODY, even industry, admits they are a miserable failure.
Anything else?