Green Party of Pennsylvania Earth Day Statement

From the Green Party website:

Oil train derails in Philadelphia, Landfill seeks expansion in Northeastern Pennsylvania, rising levels of toxic radon gas in homes near drilling sites: the news goes from bad to worse. Meanwhile, the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection approves permit after permit, cites violations and fines the perpetrators. This cycle has to stop.

Forty-five years after Earth Day was founded, we are worse off. The Fukushima Daiichi nuclear meltdown continues to emit radiation into the atmosphere and the Pacific Ocean. The Gulf of Mexico is still in a state of recovery after the Deepwater Horizon explosion and oil spill. In Pennsylvania, the oil & gas industry plans more pipelines, power plants and compressor stations while air and water quality decline, lives are threatened and property values plummet.

In one hundred years, communications have evolved from Edison’s cylinders to smart phones that take photos and access the worldwide web, yet we rely on 19th century oil, gas and coal for energy. Why?

It is time to develop a 21st century energy policy that is sustainable and respects the Earth. The Green Party of Pennsylvania reiterates the call for a ban on fracking. It is time to invest in solar, wind, geothermal and incentivize homeowners and businesses to do so.

It is time that Pennsylvania caught up with its’ neighboring states and utilize returnable containers to conserve landfill space.

It is time for DEP to live up to its mission “to protect Pennsylvania’s air, land and water from pollution and to provide for the health and safety of its citizens through a cleaner environment. We will work as partners with individuals, organizations, governments and businesses to prevent pollution and restore our natural resources.”

http://www.philly.com/philly/news/breaking/CSX_freight_train_partial_derailment_South_Philadelphia.html
http://citizensvoice.com/news/landfill-seeks-to-reach-new-heights-1.1740930
http://stateimpact.npr.org/pennsylvania/2015/04/09/new-study-raises-possible-link-between-gas-drilling-and-radon-levels/

The Green Party of Pennsylvania is an independent political party that stands in opposition to the two corporate parties. The Green Party of Pennsylvania stands for grassroots democracy, social justice, non violence and ecology.

Steve Scheetz April 22, 2015

Well, let’s see.

Our nation has not built a new refinery (unless there is one I have not heard about in recent months) in 25 years. With the new regulations concerning gasoline refinement as a kickback to corn growers, we are unable to pipe gas from the refinery due to the caustic nature of the product.

Power Plants are not being built, or re-built, because of environmental concerns meanwhile solar panels are heating up the areas around where they are located, and windmills are killing birds… The power lines are dripping with radiation because new shielding technology is somewhat cost prohibitive at this point.

Our PROBLEM, moving forward, is that too many people would rather us regress. Our infrastructure is failing, and it is directly attributable to the fact that nobody is permitted to rebuild any of it given the “environmental concerns” and all of the bureaucratic red tape one has to hurtle through in order to build something.

IF, there were a pipeline capable of moving the product that the oil train was carrying, then we would not need to worry about it derailing, crashing, and then spilling into the river…. Pipeline technology is improving, and so are the ways we can protect the environment.

Technological innovation is the key to our lives improving on this planet and any others we choose to travel to and inhabit.

Yes, I said inhabit other planets. Right now, I am 45 years old, and I say that in my lifetime, thee will be a colony on Mars! Not through government programs, but through private sector innovative solutions! There is a sizable number of people who have already paid to be part of that first colony, and the technology is being created, as I type this, that will make their dreams a reality.

Maybe, within the next 20 years, people will be celebrating Mars Day, but not if the regressives have anything to say about it….

Sincerely,

Steve Scheetz

One Comment

Steve Scheetz April 22, 2015
Well, let’s see.
Our nation has not built a new refinery (unless there is one I have not heard about in recent months) in 25 years. With the new regulations concerning gasoline refinement as a kickback to corn growers, we are unable to pipe gas from the refinery due to the caustic nature of the product.
Power Plants are not being built, or re-built, because of environmental concerns meanwhile solar panels are heating up the areas around where they are located, and windmills are killing birds… The power lines are dripping with radiation because new shielding technology is somewhat cost prohibitive at this point.
Our PROBLEM, moving forward, is that too many people would rather us regress. Our infrastructure is failing, and it is directly attributable to the fact that nobody is permitted to rebuild any of it given the “environmental concerns” and all of the bureaucratic red tape one has to hurtle through in order to build something.
IF, there were a pipeline capable of moving the product that the oil train was carrying, then we would not need to worry about it derailing, crashing, and then spilling into the river…. Pipeline technology is improving, and so are the ways we can protect the environment.
Technological innovation is the key to our lives improving on this planet and any others we choose to travel to and inhabit.
Yes, I said inhabit other planets. Right now, I am 45 years old, and I say that in my lifetime, thee will be a colony on Mars! Not through government programs, but through private sector innovative solutions! There is a sizable number of people who have already paid to be part of that first colony, and the technology is being created, as I type this, that will make their dreams a reality.
Maybe, within the next 20 years, people will be celebrating Mars Day, but not if the regressives have anything to say about it….
Sincerely,
Steve Scheetz

Comments are closed.