PADEP Air monitoring plan: comments due Tues 8/1

[Nadia Steinzor]

Every year, the PA Department of Environmental Protection issues an air monitoring plan. Comments on the 2017 plan are due by the end of the day tomorrow, August 1. The plan is available at http://www.elibrary.dep.state.pa.us/dsweb/Get/Document-116594/DRAFT_2017-18%20Annual%20Network%20Plan.pdf 

The 2017 plan includes the installation of air monitors in oil and gas areas. This is an important step, since the industry is causing more and more pollution that is linked to asthma, headaches, fatigue, and other health problems. Unfortunately, the plan fails to detail locations and timing for installing those monitors. 

Please submit comments about your concerns and experiences with air quality near gas development. Tell DEP that more monitoring is needed to protect air quality and health and to hold industry accountable for pollution. 

DEP should immediately end the delay in installing more monitors for fine particulate matter (PM2.5) in the heavily drilled northeastern and southwestern parts of the state--as promised in the 2015 and 2016 air monitoring plans. In addition, none of the monitors that track other pollutants statewide should be removed. 

You can submit comments in two ways:

1. Directly in an email to  ecom...@pa.gov

2. Through DEP's comments system:

Go to http://www.ahs.dep.pa.gov/eComment/ 

Scroll to entry "Pennsylvania's 2017 Annual Ambient Air Monitoring Network Plan." 

Follow prompts to submit comments, including any attachments.

=== EARTHWORKS:  Protecting Communities and the Environment

Nadia Steinzor
Eastern Program Coordinator, Oil & Gas Accountability Project
202-887-1872, ext. 109
nste...@earthworksaction.org
skype: nadia.steinzor-ewa
twitter: @earthworks

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