Pennsylvania

Pa. families call on Josh Shapiro to fulfill recommendations of fracking grand jury

Published

2 weeks ago

November 21, 2023

$Pa. families call on Josh Shapiro to fulfill recommendations of fracking grand jury$

This story originally appeared on StateImpact Pennsylvania.

Families that live near fracking in Washington County are disappointed in Gov. Josh Shapiro’s recent partnership with a major gas driller, saying it doesn’t do enough to bring accountability to the industry.

Moms and Dads-Family Awareness of Cancer Threat Spike or MAD-FACTS met at the state capitol last week to share stories about illnesses they’ve experienced since fracking boomed in the southwest corner of the state.

Jodi Borello said she lives about 1,400 feet from a pipeline inspection gauge receiving station. She said she and her family can see a mist of emissions when they are released from the station. If they stay outside when the mist drifts into her yard, she said, they develop a painful rash.

The group wants Shapiro to do more to adopt the recommendations of a 2020 grand jury that found the state failed to protect the public from the health effects of fracking.

Earlier this month, Shapiro announced an agreement with CNX for the company to voluntarily follow most of the report’s recommendations.

Shapiro said the agreement could serve as a model for extracting natural gas “in the most responsible, sustainable way anywhere in the nation.” He added that he was tired of waiting for the General Assembly to pass laws on natural gas standards.

For MAD-FACTS, the agreement makes it look like Shapiro is siding with industry. The group says it can’t trust CNX, and says CNX has committed more than 400 violations since the grand jury report, according to FracTracker Alliance data.

“He did exactly what he said he was trying to protect Pennsylvanians from and I believe he sided with bigger wallets and better connections,” Borello said.

Under the agreement, CNX will keep new infrastructure 600 feet from homes, up from 500 feet.

The grand jury recommended a 2,500-foot setback.

CNX is also promising to be more transparent about what chemicals it uses in the fracking process and to put an end to the “revolving door” between regulators and industry by not hiring Department of Environmental Protection employees for two years after they leave the agency.

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Pennsylvania

Westmoreland farmer takes home Pennsylvania Farm Bureau’s Barnraiser Award

Published

55 mins ago

December 3, 2023

Press Room

Westmoreland farmer takes home Pennsylvania Farm Bureau’s Barnraiser Award

Westmoreland County dairy farmer Rick Ebert was presented with the Pennsylvania Farm Bureau’s highest honor — the Barnraiser Award.

The award was given to former bureau president, Ebert, 63, of Derry Township, during the the group’s 73rd annual meeting at the Hershey Lodge. It recognizes his years of service advocating for Pennsylvania agriculture at the county, state and national level.

Ebert, who operates Ebert Family Farms, said he felt honored, giving a nod to his previous 4-H leaders, advisers and extension agents have been committed to agriculture.

“After I got out of college, I wanted to give back to the community with being a 4-H leader … working for the betterment of agriculture.”

The Barnraiser Award is meant to recognize those who have spent their lives in dedicated leadership of the agricultural community, according to the bureau.

In addition to his service as the bureau’s eighth president from 2014-2022, Ebert served on the American Farm Bureau Federation’s board of directors, and was a member of its executive committee. Before becoming Pennsylvania Farm Bureau president, he served as its vice president for 10 years and represented District 16 on its state board of directors from 1996-2004.

Ebert was president of the Westmoreland County Farm Bureau and vice chair of Pennsylvania Farm Bureau’s Young Farmer and Rancher Committee, which is now known as the Young Ag Professionals. He led the Dairy State Committee and has presented testimony before the Pennsylvania Milk Marketing Board on behalf of dairy farmers across the state.

Additionally, Ebert received the Mid-Atlantic “Master Farmer” Award in 2009 and the Charles E. Cowan Memorial Award from the Professional Dairy Manager of Pennsylvania in 2008. He was named Farmer of the Year at the 2007 Country Folks Keystone Farm Show.

His farm was recognized with the Westmoreland County Conservation Award in 1983 as well.

Ebert serves as a 4-H leader, superintendent for the Westmoreland County Fair Association and on the St. James Catholic Church Pastoral Council.

“I really enjoy interacting with people,” Ebert said.

Megan Swift is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Megan at 724-850-1204, mswift@triblive.com or via Twitter .

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Pennsylvania

La Salle 93-92 Pennsylvania (Dec 2, 2023) Game Recap – ESPN

Published

7 hours ago

December 2, 2023

Press Room

La Salle 93-92 Pennsylvania (Dec 2, 2023) Game Recap – ESPN

PHILADELPHIA — — Khalil Brantley led La Salle with 24 points, including the game-winning 3-pointer with one second left in overtime, and the Explorers took down Pennsylvania 93-92 to take third place at the Big 5 Classic on Saturday night.

Brantley also contributed six rebounds for the Explorers (6-2). Daeshon Shepherd scored 19 points, while shooting 8 of 12 from the field and 3 for 6 from the line, and added eight rebounds. Anwar Gill had 13 points.

Clark Slajchert led the way for the Quakers (5-4) with 33 points. Tyler Perkins added 20 points for Pennsylvania. Nick Spinoso also had 17 points, eight rebounds, eight assists and two blocks.

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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.

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Pennsylvania

Pa. State Representative out of Allegheny County introduces two food safety bills aimed at restaurants

Published

13 hours ago

December 2, 2023

Press Room

Pa. State Representative out of Allegheny County introduces two food safety bills aimed at restaurants

Allegheny County representative introduces two food safety bills

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HARRISBURG (KDKA) – Two new bills in Harrisburg are hoping to promote food safety at restaurants across the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

Pa. State Representative Arvind Venkat from Allegheny County introduced two bills – one requiring the health department to create a food allergy awareness program that would require restaurant employees to be educated about common food allergies.

“Nearly 50 percent of deaths caused by food allergies occurred at restaurants,” Rep. Venkat said. “To prevent such deaths, we must improve food safety at restaurants by increasing awareness about food allergies and ensuring restaurants have staff available with the necessary knowledge to avoid cross-contamination, and asking customers to notify restaurants about any food allergies they may have.”

A second bill would ask restaurants to include possible allergens on their menus, as well as encourage wait staff to ask customers about any allergy concerns.

The two bills were introduced as a companion to two bills introduced by a Berks County Pennsylvania Senator, Judy Schwank, both related to food safety.

“Every Pennsylvanian deserves the ability to enjoy a night at a restaurant without worrying about coming into contact with an item that could compromise their health and safety,” Sen. Schwank said. “One in 10 adults in the U.S. has experienced a severe reaction caused by a food allergy. The Food Allergy Legislation Package that I am introducing with Rep. Venkat will add potentially life-saving guardrails and provide customers and food service workers with the information they need to reduce the risk of severe food allergy reactions in Pennsylvania.”

You can read the full legislation on the Pa. House of Representatives website at this link.