Seems quite a few folks have been writing to their state (PA) representatives about HB 2304. That's good. Many of them have responded. That's good, too.
Next, we need a flood of "letters to the editor" to local newspapers throughout the commonwealth of PA. Let's put our legislators in a position where they have to respond in a more public setting. Trust me, the squirm factor will increase tenfold, and this legislation will be exposed for what it really is...yet another violation of public trust as - one by one - our "leaders" succumb to the vice$ of BIG OIL.
For the record, here's the response I received to my initial inquiry:
Dear Mr. Williams:
This bill would require any proposed regulations adopted by the Environmental Quality Board (EQB) to be approved by a majority vote of the General Assembly before becoming effective.
There are numerous examples of the EQB enacting significant regulations which I believe are policy decisions that should be decided by the General Assembly.
Sincerely,
Representative Robert W Godshall
PA House of Representatives
53rd Legislative District
And my reply:
Dear Mr. Godshall:
Thank you for your timely response.
For some reason, the DEP's role in this was not mentioned, even though it is prominently referenced in the proposed legislation. If the DEP & EQB are not qualified to make high-level environmental policy decisions in Pennsylvania, their members should be replaced. Additionally, I would like to know how and why the 2010 General Assembly would be a better alternative?
I believe this bill is, in whole or in part, directly related to the exploitation of the Marcellus Shale formation currently underway in our northern and western counties. In my view, this proposed bill does not benefit or protect the citizens of our commonwealth or its natural resources in any way, which should be the driving force behind any new legislation.
As a constituent, I am respectfully requesting that you drop your support of this bill.
Regards,
Don Williams
'Nuff said. Weekend Weminiscing will return tomorrow morning.
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