Riverkeeper, Mark Ruffalo, Gasland Director, Josh Fox, New Yorkers Send Emergency Water Relief to PA Fracking Victims
December 2, 2011
Riverkeeper Team
(NYC & Dimock, PA)— It wasn’t a flood or natural disaster that left more than a dozen families in Dimock, PA without clean drinking water. The disaster in Dimock was caused by the Cabot Oil and Gas Corporation’s use of the hazardous gas drilling method known as fracking. Since 2008 the well water of eleven families has been contaminated with toxic chemicals, flammable gas, and radioactive material.
The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Conservation found Cabot to be at fault for the contamination, and for the past three years the gas company has been forced to supply weekly deliveries of drinking water to the families. But last month, the PA DEP cut a deal with Cabot, allowing them to stop the water deliveries as of November 30th—leaving the Dimock families with only the toxic, flammable water that has given them headaches and caused skin sores, with the potential for serious long term health effects.
With their last water delivery quickly running out, citizens throughout the region have stepped in to help. On December 6th, Riverkeeper will join Mark Ruffalo, actor and founder of Water Defense, Gasland Director Josh Fox and other advocates to deliver clean drinking water from New York State to the eleven Dimock families.
"Pennsylvania and Cabot say the toluene-laced water in these families' wells is safe. This is a new low in the already shameful history of fracking. Riverkeeper today stands with the people of Dimock. They were the first to suffer the terrible consequences of Marcellus Shale fracking gone wrong, but if the drillers have their way, they won't be the last," said Paul Gallay, Hudson Riverkeeper
*Press event will be held on the steps of City Hall at 9:30am, with buses bringing NYC water to Dimock, arriving at 2:30pm for second press event.
Who: Mark Ruffalo (The Kids are Alright), Josh Fox (Gasland), Dimock fracking victims, Craig & Julie Sautner, NYC City Council, Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer, Water Defense, United for Action, National Resources Defense Council, Sierra Club, Food & Water Watch, Catskill Mountainkeeper, Hudson Riverkeeper and Delaware Riverkeeper
What: Celebrities, Advocates bring pristine New York Water to Dimock, PA fracking victims
Where: NYC Press Event @ 9:30am
Steps of City Hall, Manhattan, NY
Dimock, PA Press Event @ 2:30pm
Home of fracking victims, Craig & Julie Saunter
1101 Carter Road, Dimock, PA
When: Tuesday, December 6th
Schedule:
9:30am NYC Press Event on City Hall Steps
10:30pm Buses with celebrities, advocates bringing NYC water depart for Dimock
2:30pm Dimock, PA Press Conference where advocates will replenish water tanks
