Dear Friends of PSR Philadelphia / Pennsylvania,
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We thank you for your long-standing and dedicated
support
!
April 3, 2019
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PSR Philadelphia / PA Events
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#1: SEPTA Gas Plant Appeals Hearing & Final Decision
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Date:
April 30, 2019 12:00 PM
For about a year now, PSR PA has been supporting the people of Nicetown opposing construction of the SEPTA Natural Gas Plant in their neighborhood, insisting that "Clean Air and Clean Land is Nice for Nicetown!" Join PSR in attending this upcoming hearing to protect the families and children of this neighborhood! The final hearing is scheduled for
Tuesday, April 30, 2019 at noon. Click
here for more information regarding this issue and how you can get involved.
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Dates & Locations
Sat, April 6, 2019 11:00AM - College Earth Day Festival
Sat, April 6, 2019 7:00PM - Don Brown: Climate and Ethics (EAA)
Sat, April 13, 2019 12:00PM - Dr. Alan Peterson: Climate and Health (EAA)
Tues, April 23, 2019 11:00PM - Millersville Univ Earth Day Celebration
Sat, April 27, 2019 7:00PM - Film: James Balog's
The Human Element
(EAA)
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EAA events are organized by Citizens' Climate Lobby - Lancaster and Community Mennonite Church of Lancaster
Questions? Contact 718-809-0680 or jerry_miller@comcast.net
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Launch of the People's Energy Platform
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On February 19, 2019, PSR joined local organizations EQAT and POWER to protest outside of Philadelphia's privately owned electric company's (PECO) Corporate Office. It has been taking
$1 million a day from the Philadelphia region and putting it into the natural gas industry because it is owned by Chicago-based Exelon. The protest called for PECO to create green jobs and 20% local solar by 2025.
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Better Path Coalition Protests Climate Contrarian's Testimony
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On March 27, 2019, geologist, self-published author, and natural gas company consultant Gregory Wrightstone was invited to speak before the House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee. Wrightstone contends that climate change is occurring and CO
2 levels are rising due to human activity. However, he denies its adverse consequences and spoke in front of the committee to debunk the climate "myths". Demonstrators from the Better Path Collation attended this meeting dressed as mythological creatures to show that while the creatures are "myths", the impacts of climate change are serious, real and adversely impact the health of PA constituents and the environment. PSR was represented in this group of characters as the grim reaper. Click
here and
here to read more about this climate action!
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PSR PA was represented at "Our Health and Our Grid" sponsored by Penn Futures, Penn Environment, Temple Department of Geography and Urban Studies, Clean Air Council, and Mom's Clean Air Force on March 20th, 2019. About 50 people attended the panel discussion at Temple University that focused on issues related to climate change, health, and energy options besides fossil fuels. Representing PSR PA was Julie Becker, PhD, MPH who spoke on health issues related to climate change. Other speakers focused on community engagement, the energy grid, and the use of geography to consider health issues.
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Let us know what you think!
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Coincident with PSR’s increased focus on the public health impact of climate change, fossil fuel infrastructure and the push for renewable energy, we have had more substantial discussion on the need for a more
statewide
environmental health focus. We have two active chapters of PSR in Harrisburg and Philadelphia and we are beginning talks of merging to create a larger PSR Pennsylvania chapter. The salient discussion at the January board meeting focused on expanding PSR across the state and
we are interested in hearing more from our supporters and interested parties on this topic
. If you would like to send us your thoughts, please contact us at info@psrphila.org.
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More study of childhood cancers needed:
A recent Post-Gazette article reported that buffer zones of 3,000 to 4,000 feet were being debated for drilling sites near Pennsylvania's dams. Not only does this type of heavy industry pose a risk of sudden catastrophe, but allowing it to occur near populations poses significant ri
sks to people's health. Of most r
ecent concern, a WPIX-TV report cited as many as
10 cases of a rare bone cancer Ewing sarcoma in children and young adults
in small Canon-McMilan School District which is near a shale gas operation site. How rare is Ewing sarcoma? Only
200 cases are diagnosed nationally.
Click
here
to read more of this in a letter to the editor signed by Dr. Edward Ketyer, a PSR board member. Click
here
to read Dr. Ketyer's personal blog post
"Where Are You Going To Go"
regarding this issue.
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Fracking linked to increased hospitalizations for skin, genital and urinary issues in Pennsylvania:
A new study published in the March issue of the
Journal of Public Health
found that, after evaluating 67 counties from 2003-2014, more fracking wells in a county corresponded to a greater number of hospitalizations for genital and urinary problems, such as urinary tract infections, kidney infection, and kidney stones. The researchers also observed a similar link to hospitalizations caused by skin issues such as rashes due to cellulitis and abscesses. Click
here
for a link to the publication itself and
here
for a link to an article discussing this publication and others similar to it.
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Publis
hed: April 3,
2019
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