On January 15, the day he was sworn into office, PA's new auditor general Eugene DePasquale notified the state's Department of Environmental Protection that his office will audit the impact Marcellus Shale gas exploration has had on the state's water supply. The
letter, addressed to DEP Secretary Michael Krancer, explains that the performance audit will cover the period from 2009 through the end of 2012.
DePasquale's preliminary objectives are to:
- Determine the adequacy and effectiveness of DEP's water quality monitoring, including systems and procedures for testing, screening, reporting and response to adverse impacts; and
- Determine the adequacy and effectiveness of DEP's monitoring of the handling, treatment and disposal of drilling waste, including tracking, treating, recycling, reuse, and response to contamination.
In
comments released to the press, DePasquale said that "while natural gas drilling has brought new opportunities to small towns and rural communities throughout the state, that same drilling poses challenges to environmental regulators, local communities, and natural resources." He added, "we must strive to grow our economy and protect our environment and public health at the same time."
thank you, Mr. DePasquale, for your unique focus to track what is happening to our water in relation to the gas industry. Please find a way to track how many people complain about their water, how many people need replacement water.
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