The Republican Rape of PA Begins

  

PA Senate Bill 305...sponsored by none other than PA's own environmental Antichrist, Senator Mary Jo White (R), along with disciples Senator Lisa M. Baker (R) and eight others (R).

Here's a link to the entire bill, and here's the pertinent text:

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Section 1. The act of June 22, 1937 (P.L.1987, No.394), known as The Clean Streams Law, is amended by adding a section to read:

Section 504. Permits relating to National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System. Except as otherwise provided under the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (62 Stat. 1155, 33 U.S.C. § 1251 et seq.) or Federal regulation, the department shall not require, consistent with section 402(l)(2) of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (62 Stat. 1155, 33 U.S.C. § 1342(l)(2)), a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit for a storm water discharge associated with construction activity for oil and gas construction activity, unless the oil and gas construction activity contributes to a violation of water quality standards.

Section 2. This act shall take effect in 60 days.

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In a nutshell, SB Bill 305 intends to amend The Clean Streams Law to eliminate the need to obtain a NPDES permit for oil & gas drilling related construction activity. They can spin it any way they want, but that's the bottom line. Here's a brief overview of why NPDES permits are important:

As authorized by the Clean Water Act, the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit program controls water pollution by regulating point sources that discharge pollutants into waters of the United States. Point sources are discrete conveyances such as pipes or man-made ditches. Individual homes that are connected to a municipal system, use a septic system, or do not have a surface discharge do not need an NPDES permit; however, industrial, municipal, and other facilities must obtain permits if their discharges go directly to surface waters. In most cases, the NPDES permit program is administered by authorized states. Since its introduction in 1972, the NPDES permit program is responsible for significant improvements to our Nation's water quality.

I have no doubt whatsoever that brick-by-brick-by-brick, the so-called "leadership" of our commonwealth will try to dismantle any and all legislation designed to protect the quality of our lands and waters if those laws stand in the way of the natural gas industry that bought and paid for our new Governor. 

Tom Corbett was inaugurated on January 18th. Senate Bill 305 was introduced nine days later.

Folks, mark my words on this day...this is only the beginning of what they have been planning.

In case you were wondering...

Et tu, Senator Baker?

  

    

Only the beginning...