On Wednesday, Sept. 13, the Delaware River Basin Commission (DRBC) met at the Newtown campus at Bucks to cast a vote that, if passed, would officially begin the process of drafting new rules to stop fracking alongside the Delaware River.
Hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, is the process of using chemicals along with millions of gallons of water to crack underground shale deposits to allow for the extraction of natural gas. The growing concern that accompanies this is that toxic waste is not disposed of correctly, and seeps into the river, itself, which provides drinking water for 15 million people.
The motion passed with a 3-1 vote to proceed with the drafting of new rules and to ban any other natural gas drillings.
It sounds like a fair deal right? A ban to stop injecting various forms of chemicals into our soil? What’s the problem?
The problem is what is written in the rough draft of the resolution. The resolution would still have allowed for the dumping of fracking wastewater in the Delaware River. It was one step forward, coupled with another step back.
The point of the proposal was to preserve the Delaware River and its surrounding environment by not allowing any more chemicals from fracking to contaminate it. However, the resolution, as presently constructed, would still allow the dumping of waste material that potentially contains known cancer causing chemicals, according to a 2011 congressional report examining the chemicals used in the fracking process.
Given the growing concern over safety, it’s clear to see why protesters showed up to have their voices and opinions be heard about this.
Many protesters were seen holding signs that say “I pledge to defend the Delaware.” As many held signs, many more wore shirts that said “save our communities,” “defend Delaware,” and a personal favorite, “What the Frack?!”
We asked the protesters about what they hope to see happen in the future if the ban falls through.
Sharon McNamee, a local in the community, gave us an empathetic answer saying, “I want this for my grandchildren,” before getting emotional. She goes on to tell us that she would rather pay a little more money for gas than have to pay for an unclean environment.
When asked about the possibility of rising gas prices, Jeff Tiddle, director of the New Jersey Sierra Club said that “gas is a market.” He goes on to explain that the possibility of rising gas prices is a “lie.”
Tiddle, in a press statement, also said that “[The Sierra Club] would oppose any deal to get a fracking ban that allows dumping fracking wastewater in the Basin. If this was a deal, it would be the worst deal since the Red Sox traded Babe Ruth to the Yankees.”
Clarke D. Rupert, a member of the Delaware River Basin Commission, told us that there is much misconception about what has been going on, but he felt pleased seeing how a community is able to come together and voice what they believe is right. He added that having open public hearings allow for an “open agency” between state and people. He made it very clear that the best way to get true, accurate information is to visit their website at www.DRBC.net
An official resolution will be announced no later than Nov. 30 of 2017.
“The public input process on the revised draft regulation will include one or more hearings and ample opportunity for written comments… Details about the public hearing(s) and instructions for submitting written comments will be included in the notice of proposed rulemaking,” the DRBC said in a press release.