NOVEMBER 27-DECEMBER 3, 2014 Your Local News
50 cents
The Home News
240 attend meeting on proposed PennEast natural gas pipeline
(Left) Citizens look on during the Pipeline meeting. (Right) Maya Van Rossum of the Delaware Riverkeeper Network speaks on the cumulative Environmental Impact of pipelines. – Home News photos By BILL HALBFOERSTER keeper.org stance: “Our right to pure water, transport gas across state lines.” The Home News The meeting opened with clean air and a healthy environTownship Opposed Line
The silence from more than 240 people who attended a meeting last Wednesday night in the Klecknersville Rangers Vol. Fire Co. hall in Moore Township was deafening. But not so for four people who are fighting the proposed 108-mile PennEast natural gas pipeline, which is going through Moore Township as well as many other local areas as it stretches from Luzerne County into New Jersey. They were very animated. The audience made no verbal comments, and its only input was on a half dozen questions of concern they posed to the presenters in a panel discussion, coordinated by an organization called Food and Water Watch. Not to say that the people were neutral about the pipeline, for many are opposed. To show their objections, they signed petitions and picked up dozens of green signs that read “Stop the Fracking Pipeline” on one side and “Pipelines Deliver Pollution 24/7/365” on the other side. The signs also list the sponsor’s website, www.delawareriver-
73rd Year, Issue No. 48 www.homenewspa.com
USPS 248-700
Food and Water Watch coordinator Tara Zrinski saying, “We’re all in the same neighborhood sharing space.” What followed were discussions from Maya van Rossum, the Delaware Riverkeeper; Sam Koplika-Loehr, shale gas organizer for the Clean Air Council, and Karen Feridun, activist and founder of Berks Gas Truth in Berks County. Ms. Van Rossum said, “We can’t accomplish the mission of clean water if pipelines are cutting through the streams, wetlands, residential communities and forests.” She disputed claims by the pipeline people that they will restore the land after the 36inch lines are buried three feet in the ground. Power Point slides showed there will be compressor stations every 50 to 60 miles; and in the Delaware River Watershed there are 11 with seven more planned. The Delaware Riverkeeper brought a legal challenge to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) in Washington, D.C. for its failure to address the cumulative effect. Her final comments: “Don’t take the position, ‘It’s not in my backyard,’ for if doing that the pipeline company will win. . .We don’t want or need the shale gas that will pass through our communities. No drilling means no pipelines.” She echoed the Supreme Court
ment is inherent and indefeasible and must be protected.” Ms. Zrinski noted at that point that there are 70 groups against fracking in Pennsylvania. Mr. Koplinka added more to the discussion with slides showing air emissions from transmission pipelines; methane leakage; and CO2 emissions of 99,215 tons a year. He asserted that one large compressor station planned in Carbon County will have potential health impact. He said that FERC has not declined any pipeline project. Ms. Kilgour of the Sierra Club said their desire is to practice and promote the responsible use of the earth’s ecosystems and resources. She said PennEast has sent letters out to survey properties for mapping and planning purposes. But she added that if already permitted, people can change their minds. There are negotiations for rights of way or easements. Ms. Kilgour noted that rights of way should be treated with the same seriousness and scrutiny as you would treat your sale or lease of land. If you say no, PennEast may seek access to your land through eminent domain for public use. One thing she said, “The FERC can issue companies a “certificate of necessity and convenience” for pipelines that
Moore Township was praised as the first municipality in Pennsylvania to oppose the PennEast pipeline. One of the Moore Twsp. Supervisors, Dan Piorkowski, who framed the resolution passed at a meeting on Nov. 3, said, “The most important thing is that people get involved.” They had asked PennEast to make a presentation and they were put off, he said. In an e-mail, Piorkowski said Moore Township has beautiful farmlands, woodlands, mounContinued on page 7
Wilkes Student Performs Pharmacy Rotation in Peru
Submitted by VICKI MAY Wilkes University student Liz Taber performed a threeweek pharmacy rotation in Peru through the Global Awareness Institute. The international program provides pharmacy students an opportunity to study in the rainforest and learn about medicinal plants unique to the region. Taber is the daughter of Beth and Charlie Taber of Nazareth. The rotation fulfills one of six rotations required by the University's doctor of pharmacy program. Taber completed the rotation in Peru in July. Taber visited research institutions and medicinal gardens and was required to keep a plant portfolio. The portfolio features pictures of the diverse specimens and lists their Latin names, chemical components, illnesses they treat, the part of the plant used, how it is prepared and administered. Toxicity also is noted. The plants she encountered cannot be cultivated outside the rainforest. Taber explains that while Wilkes offers an elective course in alternative medicine, the practice is not widespread in the United States. Taber noted too the differences between the health care systems of Peru and the United States. She says that while Peruvian pharmacy students complete six years of schooling and rotations as do their American Continued on page 10
Wilkes University student Liz Taber visits Machu Picchu during a threeweek pharmacy rotation in Peru in July. – Contributed photo
Thirst Quenchers FOR YOUR PARTY NEEDS!
Microbrews Domestic Beer
Import Beer Water
open space for the special
Soda Ice
Rt. 512 Bath • M-Th 10-8 • F-Sa 9-9 • Su 12-5 • 484-281-3303