Recent LTTE by Rep. Critz, defending the frackers and the DEP:

Stick to fracking science, not the politics

By Mark S. Critz

Published: Saturday, June 23, 2012, 2:38 p.m.

At a recent U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee hearing, Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lisa Jackson justified the agency’s “desire to do additional science around hydraulic fracturing ... because the public’s trust in that technology we believe is also based on the belief that we are looking to bring the very best science to bear, to ensure that it remains safe.” While no one would argue with the importance of ensuring safety in responsible shale-gas development, recent missteps and questionable actions by the EPA have regrettably cast doubt upon the agency’s credibility and ability to put forth the “best science” to ensure the public’s trust.

In addition to last month’s embarrassing resignation of the EPA’s Region 6 administrator for subjectively placing a bull’s-eye on the oil and gas industry, the EPA also has shown an anti-gas bias in Pennsylvania with its attempts to torpedo the proposed MARC 1 Pipeline after the project gained approval from the federal Energy Regulatory Commission.

As a result, there is mounting concern that EPA officials are committed to political agendas instead of looking out for the overall best interests of the public.

>snip<

*With the huge strides made by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) over the last few generations, there are clear indications that Pennsylvania’s hydraulic fracturing regulations are working. And while the EPA has an important role as partners with the state, the agency should avoid stepping into an area that the DEP has a long history of overseeing.

More at link: http://triblive.com/opinion/2055478-74/epa-fracturing-hydraulic-public-science-agency-gas-pennsylvania-based-concern?printerfriendly=true

* I added the BOLD. This POS has the gall to defend the PA DEP while everyone "knows" that Gov. Gashole exempted the drillers from environmental regulations.