On Gulf oil spill anniversary, major spill threatens clean water in PA
Washington, DC – On the one year anniversary of the BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, another industry disaster is contaminating streams and threatening water supplies in Pennsylvania.
A natural gas well blew out during hydraulic fracturing ("fracking") operations overnight, sending thousands of gallons of frack fluid – containing hazardous chemicals, some potentially cancer-causing — over fields and into Towanda Creek, which feeds the Susquehanna River.
The threat posed by fracking put the Upper Delaware River in the number one spot in America’s Most Endangered Rivers of 2010.
American Rivers vowed to keep the issue of fracking front and center when it releases the 2011 list of endangered rivers on May 17.
Andrew Fahlund, senior vice president for conservation at American Rivers, made the following statement:
In case last year's BP oil spill wasn't enough of a wake-up call, now we have another disaster, this time in Pennsylvania. The American people have had it with the industry's false assurances. It’s time for Congress to close the 'Halliburton loophole' and put real safeguards in place for our clean water and public health."
"Without common sense safeguards for drinking water, fracking poses one of the greatest risks our nation’s rivers have faced in decades."
American Rivers is the nation’s leading voice fighting for clean water and healthy rivers. For almost 40 years we have protected and restored rivers, scoring victories for communities, fish and wildlife, and future generations. American Rivers has offices in Washington, DC and nationwide, and more than 100,000 supporters and volunteers. Visit www.americanrivers.org, www.facebook.com/americanrivers and www.twitter.com/americanrivers
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American Rivers is the leading organization working to protect and restore the nation’s rivers and streams. Rivers connect us to each other, nature, and future generations. Since 1973, American Rivers has fought to preserve these connections, helping protect and restore more than 150,000 miles of rivers through advocacy efforts, on-the-ground projects, and the annual release of America’s Most Endangered Rivers®.
Headquartered in Washington, DC, American Rivers has offices across the country and more than 100,000 supporters, members, and volunteers nationwide. Visit www.americanrivers.org, www.facebook.com/americanrivers and www.twitter.com/americanrivers.
