“The lawsuit filed on Jan. 11 against the Delaware River Basin Commission is the first environmental action from Senate Republicans in the new legislative session, but it appears to be more business as usual,” said PennFuture President and CEO Jacquelyn Bonomo.
“The upper Delaware River Basin supports the highest concentration of Exceptional Value Waters in the state, not to mention extensive open spaces that have provided safety and solace during the ongoing pandemic. These natural resources should be protected and preserved in their own right, not to mention for the benefits they provide for local recreation and tourism and downstream drinking water for millions of people. The Commission's de facto moratorium, like its proposed draft regulations, is a proper exercise of its duty and authority under the Delaware Basin Interstate Compact to protect and restore the water quality of the Basin.
Senate Republicans have tried repeatedly to pass legislation in the General Assembly to undermine the Commission’s protection of Basin water quality, and those efforts have failed. Those behind this lawsuit should remember that a majority of Pennsylvanians oppose fracking, and that any attempt to undermine the commission’s authority will be met with swift resistance from communities and organizations like PennFuture.
More importantly, this lawsuit comes at a time of great strife and unrest in our country, and it’s clear that our elected officials are wasting precious time and resources and should be focusing on issues of greater import.”