Energy Environmental Blog

PA Rebuts Radiation Claim

Written by Greg Russell | Mar 20, 2011 11:40:41 AM

We noted earlier the articles recently published by the NYT regarding shale development, including the claim that it involved the discharge of radioactive wastewater in PA (see here).  Well, you would think they would have waited for the facts - right after those articles came out, the PA Department of Environmental Protection announced the results of in-stream monitoring that was done months earlier:  "DEP Announces Testing for Radioactivity of River Water Downstream of Marcellus Water Treatment Plants Shows Water Is Safe."  (See here.)  More:  "“We deal in facts based on sound science,' said DEP acting Secretary Michael Krancer. 'Here are the facts: all samples were at or below background levels of radioactivity; and all samples showed levels below the federal drinking water standard for Radium 226 and 228.'”

For a more in-depth take down of the NYT articles, see the posts from former PA DEP Secretary, John Hanger (here).