 UPCOMING EVENTS |
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DEP Webinar Covers
Proposed Changes to
GP-8 Stream Crossings
January 7
2:30 p.m.
The Department of Environmental Protection will hold a webinar to provide information on proposed changes to the GP-8 covering temporary stream crossings and environmental testing and monitoring activities. Public comments for these proposed changes close January 10. For more information, read the press release here; click here to register for the webinar.
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Webinar:
Exaggerating the Employment Impacts of Shale Drilling: How and Why January 10
2:00 p.m.
Drilling in the six states that span the Marcellus and Utica Shale formations has produced far fewer new jobs than the industry and its supporters claim, according to a six-state study released last month by the Multi-State Shale Research Collaborative.
Join a webinar for environmental advocates to get the facts on shale drilling's impact on job creation. This is your opportunity to hear first-hand from the authors of the study and to ask your questions about what this means for your state. Webinar capacity is limited, reserve your place here.
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Public Hearing on Proposed Oil and Gas
Regulations
January 13
6:00 p.m.
Pennsylvania College
of Technology
Klump Academic Center
One College Avenue,
Williamsport, PA
One of seven hearings planned for the proposed regulation for environmental protection performance standards associated with oil and gas activities will take place in Lycoming County. Anyone planning to present comments at a public hearing must contact the EQB at least one week in advance to reserve a time. Oral comments are limited to five minutes.An earlier hearing will take place in Wyoming County at Tunkhannock High School on January 7 at 6 p.m.
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Sustainability:
A Gubernatorial Forum
January 13
6:30 p.m.
The Academy of
Natural Sciences
Philadelphia, PA
Get to know your candidates through this forum focusing on important sustainability issues throughout Pa.
SPONSORS:
PennEnvironment, League of Women Voters, Academy of Natural Sciences, Keystone Energy Efficiency Alliance, Conservation Voters of Pennsylvania
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Film Screening
"Triple Divide"February 8
2:00 p.m.
Campus Theater
Lewisburg, PA 17837
Screening sponsored by Shale Justice; free admission, donations requested.
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2013: RDA's Year in Review
As a new year begins, it is natural to contemplate what the next twelve months may bring. But it is also natural--and important--to reflect on the past twelve months as well. RDA did just that, scouring newsletters and meeting minutes to capture all the details from the past year. The cumulative tally of their efforts is presented here, along with a review of RDA's top stories from 2013.
What did RDA accomplish last year? RDA members wrote letters, made phone calls, organized and signed-on to petitions, marched at public events, spoke on radio programs, and provided expert testimony at public hearings and meetings. RDA provided photo essays, articles, videos, public opinion editorials, and sponsored educational programs and films outlining the impacts of the natural gas industry, including stories of those directly affected by drilling.
Last July, RDA called for a moratorium on all new unconventional gas drilling until the industry shows conclusively that its operations do not endanger public health, safety, and welfare or threaten natural resources.
In 2013, RDA conducted gas industry file reviews, reported on public meetings and hearings, and joined a coalition of several other organizations to keep drilling out of the Clarence Moore lands of the Loyalsock State Forest. RDA nominated the Old Loggers Path for DCNR's 2014 Trail of the Year, and tours of impacted drilling areas were provided for groups and individuals, including members of other non-profit and environmental organizations and college students and professors. Additional outreach efforts included monthly hikes, a tabling presence at local events, sponsoring a float in the Little League Grand Slam parade, and a web presence through Facebook and this weekly online newsletter.
RDA will continue these efforts and more in 2014. The recent Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruling striking down parts of Act 13 provides encouragement for the new year. It's been said that anything is possible and nothing is impossible: We hope you will be a part of RDA to see what possibilities the next twelve months will bring.
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RDA's Top Picks From 2013
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PA DCNR Public Meeting on the Loyalsock State Forest
RDA provided a strong presence at the Department of Conservation and Natural Resource's public meeting at Lycoming College in June, where the DCNR finally revealed the extensive gas development proposed for the Clarence Moore lands. An audience of hundreds wearing "Keep it Wild" tags and waving bright green signs delivered a solid, unified message to keep drilling out of the Clarence Moore lands. Despite testimony given by scores of concerned citizens at the meeting, the DCNR kept no record of their public comments. Read the entire story and see photos here. |
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 GASLAND PART ll
A free screening of Gasland II sponsored by RDA brought over 1,000 people to Williamsport to watch director Josh Fox's second compelling documentary on the problems created by extreme energy extraction. Fox was present for the screening and spoke to an appreciative and energetic audience, answering questions and offering his approach for a solution to current energy needs. Read the entire story and see photos here. |
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Deborah Rogers Presents "Shale and Wall Street"
Texas native and seasoned financial consultant Deborah Rogers presented her fact-filled message that demonstrated how artificially-hyped financial promises helped to generate the "shale frenzy." Rogers also warned of the "drilling treadmill" that will be a long term consequence of natural gas exports. RDA was thrilled to have this expert writer of the Energy Policy Forum blog in town to present the facts of shale gas economics. Read the entire story here. |
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Band Rock Outing One of Many Keep It Wild Hikes in 2013
Keep It Wild hikes to some of Pennsylvania's beautiful locations took place every month in 2013, with July's Band Rock hike in the McIntyre Wild Area coming in as the record setter for attendance. Acoustic music by Doug McMinn, a history presentation of the area, and an update on RDA and Keep It Wild initiatives all made for a pleasant day at this inspiring vista. Watch for future hikes in 2014! Read the entire story and see photos here. See photos from other Keep It Wild hikes here. |
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Old Loggers Ale is Introduced
2013 ended with a tapping party to introduce Old Loggers Ale, brewed by Riepstine's Pub for the benefit of the Loyalsock State Forest and RDA. The gathering gave RDA an outreach opportunity to say thanks to members and update them on current issues. Riepstine's will donate a portion of all proceeds from Old Loggers Ale to RDA to support current efforts, including the Keep It Wild initiative. Read the entire story and see photos here. |
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RDA Needs You!
We can't do it without you! RDA is a grassroots group of dedicated citizens seeking to educate ourselves and the public about deep shale gas drilling and all its ramifications. RDA's core group of volunteers and other RDA members contributed approximately 13,000 to 25,000 unpaid hours during the past year. There are many ways for you to help this effort!
Please consider lending your support to RDA during 2014 through one of our new membership categories and by joining one of the work groups or committees. Your membership will support RDA and Keep It Wild in our ongoing educational programs, web presence, action outreach, and watchdog activities, as well as our continuing efforts to protect the Loyalsock State Forest and other Pennsylvania special places.
Membership categories: 
Adventurer...................$10
Explorer......................$20  Woodlander.................$50
Guardian....................$100
Naturalist...................$500
Preservationist.........$1,000
RDA is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, and your membership donation is a tax-free contribution. You can join online or download the membership form here. Please mail membership forms to: RDA
P.O. Box 502
Williamsport, PA 17703
Thank you for your support!
Contact RDA with questions and comments using either the above address, by email at responsibledrillingalliance@gmail.com or by phone at
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RDA Newsletter
 Ann Pinca, managing editor
Ted Stroter, RDA Board of Directors editor
Ralph Kisberg, contributing editor
Robbie Cross, President - RDA Board of Directors
Jenni Slotterback, Secretary - RDA Board of Directors
Barb Jarmoska, Treasurer - RDA Board of Directors
Mark Szybist - RDA Board of Directors
Roscoe McCloskey - RDA Board of Directors Jim Slotterback - RDA Board of Directors
This weekly e-letter is written and designed by the RDA consultants and Board of Directors and sent to RDA members/subscribers. Every effort is made to assure complete accuracy in each issue. This publication and the information contained herein is copyrighted by RDA and Ann Pinca and may not be reproduced without permission.
All rights reserved. Readers are invited to forward this newsletter in its entirety to broaden the scope of its outreach. Readers are also invited to comment to the managing editor regarding contents and to submit articles to be considered for publication in a future issue.
Please note: The RDA newsletter includes reporting on a variety of events and activities, which do not necessarily reflect the philosophy of the organization. RDA practices only non-violent action in voicing the organization's beliefs and concerns.
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