Tell Obama In Scranton: Ban Fracking Now Today!

Update:

President Obama Hears from the Delaware Riverkeeper

Presidential visit to Scranton PA marked with fracking protests

 

Scranton, PA  - President Barack Obama spoke this afternoon at Lackawanna College in Scranton, PA to a packed auditorium.  He said he was there to talk about higher education but he may have learned something new himself.  He heard from those in Pennsylvania who want gas drilling and fracking stopped because communities are suffering everywhere it goes.

As the president was talking about the importance of protecting the future of our children and had paused as he gathered his thoughts, the Delaware Riverkeeper Maya van Rossum called out to the President: "We have to protect our children’s future, ban fracking now. They need clean water and clean air.”

The president looked up, smiled and said “there you have it!” and then wrapped up the speech to thunderous applause. 

van Rossum and Delaware Riverkeeper Network member Jolie DeFeis held up signs saying "Don't drill the Delaware" and "Don't be fracking crazy".  When the President was saying his goodbye, he looked up, saw the signs, waved and acknowledged them and then moved on. The message was definitely received.

Outside the auditorium protestors before and after the event shared the message of Dimock PA and the harms fracking and drilling inflicts on communities.  Many in the crowd gave “thumbs up” and “thanks”. Only one said he couldn't wait until drilling came to the Delaware River.

van Rossum said that when she talked with Senator Casey and asked to meet to talk about the issue with him personally, he was very dismissive, a disappointment to say the least.

Protestors called on the President to tell the EPA to reopen their investigations of Cabot Gas and Oil Co.’s pollution of Dimock drinking water.  Dimock is located less than an hour from the college and nine square miles of groundwater was ruined by Cabot Gas and Oil Company drilling.  Protestors also called for the federal government to stop its reliance on fossil fuels and to reset the nation's energy master plan to develop truly clean, sustainable and renewable energy sources, energy efficiency policies and conservation.  

Delaware Riverkeeper Network ~ 

Friday August 23: Tell Obama in Scranton: Ban Fracking Now

Today

President Obama will be at Lackawanna College in Scranton today to talk about how great natural gas is and to thank Cabot Gas and Oil -- the company that ruined Dimock and polluted at least 9 square miles of fresh groundwater by their gas well drilling, sickening residents and condemning their aquifer -- for their sponsorship of Lackawanna College curriculum. Let’s make sure they know that Pennsylvania is suffering from the ravages of fracking and it has to stop! Tell him we need the federal government to stop its reliance on fossil fuels and to reset the nation's energy master plan to develop truly clean, sustainable and renewable energy sources, energy efficiency policies and conservation -- and tell him to have EPA reopen the Dimock investigations in NE PA.

Join the rally – get details here:

https://www.facebook.com/events/583833818324664/

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