Lancaster Against Pipelines

The Adorers of the Blood of Christ, via their lawyers, have written a letter to the PA DEP regarding Williams's plans for air pollution generated by the construction of the Atlantic Sunrise Pipeline. In part, it reads: 

Last night 125 people stood up and walked out of the PA DEP's hearing on air quality for the Atlantic Sunrise pipeline, slated to cut through more than 30 miles of Lancaster County. 

The more light we shine on the approval process for the Atlantic Sunrise pipeline, the more reckless it appears to be. (For many residents not yet paying attention, it's still easier to accept that the process is haphazard rather than outright illegal, immoral or dangerous.) Now city officials are reporting their concerns about how the pipeline would cross a main water line that serves 70,000 residents:

He's our seemingly enlightened Governor, but his hideous blindspot on fossil fuels is both unsurprising and dangerous. This week, a host of issues put Governor Tom Wolf in the spotlight for his draconian and inconsistent views on his constituents' health and safety. Here's an update on what you should know about the Governor's recent doings:

Last Saturday, while those of us in Lancaster attended a Mass Action Training, Sister Janet McCann of the Adorers of the Blood of Christ, was talking with BBC's Martin Bashir about the chapel, their lawsuit against FERC and the larger moral issues surrounding fossil fuel consumption and infrastructure. Her piece starts around 5:00, and shares the story of our opposition to the Atlantic Sunrise pipeline with an international audience.

Bunch writes, "The people who haven’t been friends to Clatterbuck in this epic battle have been the politicians from both parties who — their pockets often bulging with campaign donations from Big Oil and Gas — tout the economic benefits of projects like the Atlantic Sunrise while shielding their ears from the pleas of property owners. 'When it comes to the environment, whether it’s Democrats or Republicans, the industry has them in their back pocket,” she told me this week. “It doesn’t matter which party you belong to.'

Musician Sarah Lee Guthrie--daughter of Arlo, granddaughter of Woody--stopped by the chapel before a concert with her father at Long's Park last night to show her support for LAP and the Adorers.

Guthrie wrote on her FB page:

"Standing at a chapel in a corn field in Lancaster, PA. Atlantic Sunrise Project would like to put a pipeline thru these beautiful fields @lancasteragainstpipelines is going to stop them with our help... and that is why I came here. #solidarity #resist"

Lancaster Online's Jeff Hawkes also covered Guthrie's visit to the chapel:

"...during her set before an outdoor crowd of more than 10,000, Guthrie, 38, gave a shout-out to the opposition group, Lancaster Against Pipelines.

She also improvised anti-pipeline lyrics to “I’ve Got to Know,” a social-justice song written by her grandfather and Dust Bowl troubadour, Woody Guthrie."

Here's LancasterOnline's editorial board on August 10 on the use of eminent domain in the county:

However legal the taking of private land for corporate benefit may be, it still strikes many of us as deeply unfair."

More on eminent domain:

"U.S. Eastern District Court Judge Jeffrey Schmehl on Tuesday issued an order giving the Transcontinental Gas Pipe Line Co. the right to condemn the property of Jeffrey and Kim Kann to obtain permanent and temporary rights of way for the pipeline."

via Ad Crable at Lancaster Online, August 5 (don't miss the comments)

The decision was made while landowner Kim Kann was out of the country.

WGAL's Mike Straub spoke with Kann after the condemnation.

BTW, here's the link to LancasterOnline's complete coverage of the Atlantic Sunrise.

Three pieces by Ad Crable on the Atlantic Sunrise, all worth reading: Williams bought the farm; the PA DEP is hosting a hearing on the Atlantic Sunrise's air pollution; and a "restless" Williams is aggressively advertising and pressuring legislators.

Here's LAP's July 28th statement regarding Williams's purchase of the farm in Conestoga where we've been camping and gathering since January: