Q?: Is the DEP Adequately Staffed?

    
And here's your answer:
  

DEP Sect'y Mike Krancer's response to my question at the

Eco-Expo on 22 Jan 2012.

 
With even more cuts to the DEP's coffers recently announced as part of the Governor Corbett's new 2012-2013 bdudget, I wonder what Mr. Krancer's answer would be if asked the same question today?
  

HB 1950: Sect'y Krancer says it's OK!

  

Folks, according to DEP Secretary Krancer, all this fuss about HB 1950 is much ado about nothing.

  

For your viewing pleasure:

Video recorded @ Eco-Expo on 22 Jan 2012. From the man himself: HB 1950 does not - repeat - does NOT limit local zoning rights.

    

Treated Frackwater is Cleaner than Fresh Water?

    

I recorded a total of ~48 minutes of video of DEP Secretary Michael Krancer's keynote address and follow-up questions at the Eco-Expo @ Congregation Beth Or on 22 January 2012. For the record, I was the guy in the front row about eight feet from the podium.

The individual files take quite a bit of time to upload to Vimeo...so it'll be a few days ( or more ) before I get them all posted.

After a quick review of all footage, I decided to upload this segment of Mr. Krancer's speech first.

PA DEP Secretary Michael Krancer's Keynote Address

@ Eco-Expo on 1/22/2012.

So - Williamsport's treated frackwater is cleaner than fresh water? Just curious...how is the radioactivity removed?

 
Wait'll you see the next pearl of wisdom I plan to post.

    
  

Eco Expo 2012: A Recap

 

I attended yesterday's Eco Expo in southeastern PA, primarily to hear DEP Sect'y Mike Krancer's Keynote address. I recorded (audio) the entire speech, and with one slight gap on the video, will upload everything to my Vimeo site when I get a chance. 

More to follow in the next day or so.

  

 

  

Acting DEP Secretary Krancer Speaks

    

"The bottom line is, we're going to do this business and we're going to do it right," Krancer said.

 
Well, there you have it in black and white. Read the rest here. If you have any questions about how PA's new DEP Secretary is planning to protect our environment...consider them answered.

Drill, baby, drill.

Folks, it's heating up out there, and I'm not talking about the ambient temperature. I'm sure I set some type of record for cell phone usage this past week, and my e-mail traffic has almost doubled...all related to the Marcellus Shale Madness. I appreciate all of the cards and letters, and I apologize if it takes me a little longer than usual to respond to any inquiries. I work between 45 and 50 hours a week, and with another 2.5 hours commuting time every day...you get the picture. If I can get to it, I will.

One issue that's popped up a few times lately is the position I've taken on what's going on underground, i.e. the whole drilling and hydrofracturing process; injecting millions ( and overall billions ) of gallons of water underground, laced with well over 10,000 gallons of toxic chemicals per 5 million gallons of fresh water, and why it should be of more concern over the long haul than what's going on at the surface. Yesterday, I spent close to an hour on the phone during my lunch break explaining - step-by-step - why I believe this to be true based upon my knowledge of the geology of this region, my education and research in the environmental sciences, and my review of works published by Dr. Tony Ingraffea and others.

If there was a bio-compatible Belkin transfer cable that would allow me to do a quick-n-easy brain dump of all I've learned over the past 37 years, it would only take a few minutes to bring anyone interested up to speed. Unfortunately, that technology doesn't exist right now...except in the movies.

So...I've decided enough is enough. I've got way too much going on at work & home right now to devote any more time replying to inquiries about this specific issue, i.e. explaining why I am fully opposed to any hydrofracturing as it exists today. In addition to several posts on this blog, there is enough information online to keep anyone who's truly interested in learning about the geology of the northeast and the dangers posed by the process of horizontal hydrofracturing occupied for several months. Go for it.

This weekend, I'm putting some final touches on getting my home gym organized. I was once a nationally-ranked strength athlete, which was pretty darn good for someone who never took steroids or any other performance-enhancing substances ( as long as copious amounts of OTC protein powder and other supplements don't count ), and in recently checking out some of the PA state records for old geezers my age, I think with some serious training over the next 18-24 months, I can eventually hold my own against other iron-willed warriors on the grey locks circuit.

I know this is gonna hurt...big time, but I want to see what fires are still burning in the basement.

Have a good weekend.