Yesterday, here in Chester County, PA, a group of activists, elected officials and concerned citizens met with Governor Tom Wolf about the Mariner East pipeline. You can watch the video here. Bottom line: people spoke about the impacts to themselves, their homes, their families. Above all, they spoke about the lack of an evacuation plan. And with Mariner, it is not an issue of whether it will blow, but when, and how many will die. They called on the Governor to halt construction of Mariner. He said no. Emphatically.
You may think that this does not affect you because you don’t live in the blast zone. And when you check the map, you may well be outside the ring of death. But there is a piece of legislation winding its way through the PA State House called “Restore PA” — one of the things it allows is more pipelines carrying fracking by-products comprised of volatile gases, headed for Europe to make single use plastics. Ergo “coming soon to your town, too.” And yeah, the pipeline purveyors have the right of eminent domain so they can just come for you….just sayin’. That link is to the text — it’s only 28 pages — you should read it because it’s the details that will tie Pennsylvania to fossil fuels for the next 20 years, and put taxpayers on the hook to pay off a huge bond if fracking decreases across the state.
So, what to do? We know that Wolf won’t change his mind. His plan IS “Restore PA”. And we know that this comes from his ties to the monies he has raised in his four races. You can see who has contributed to Tom (and any other state candidate) at this site. Two caveats: if donors give under $200, often they are often not mentioned, or are lumped together. Also – the most recent data on the site is from 2018 – they won’t post 2019 until the cycle is complete. And so, you can see information on candidates, and their PACs from previous elections and get a sense not only of who they received money from, but also to whom they donated. You will need to set up an account to download data.
Here’s what to do, and it’s something that will work. As an individual, you likely cannot contribute enough money to make a difference. You are not a union. You are not a bundler. (Apologies to the one bundler I know reads this site.) But you are a voter. (If you live in Pennsylvania, are 18 or over, and NOT a voter, call me, and I’ll get you set up in no time flat.) And there are people running for Boards of Supervisors, City Councils, County Commissions, and other positions THIS YEAR who have the power, IF ELECTED, to stop the pipeline in their towns, cities and counties. No matter what Wolf does. As the lawsuits and grand juries and protests continue their paths — THESE PEOPLE have the ability to make it stop.
All local candidates canvass. They show up at community events. Some are running for re-election so they are at Board/Council meetings. They are easy to find.
Tell them something like this….personalize it for what fits your situation. And say it TO THEIR FACES – not a note, not a signed petition — look into their eyes as they shake your hand…
“Candidate X, my name is _________________________, and while I like you, and most of what you stand for, unless and until you call for an all out moratorium on Mariner East in <town, city, county>, I cannot vote for you. Nothing else you stand for is more important than protecting the innocent lives that will be extinguished by the pipeline when it blows up. I hope you will do the right thing so I CAN vote for you this November 5th.”
Be polite, be direct. They need your vote. Explain what they need to do to earn it. Then get 5 friends to follow in your footsteps.
