State Sen. Katie Muth Hosts Public Hearing Thurs. On Closing Hazardous Waste Loophole

HARRISBURG, PA — Members of the public are invited Thursday to attend a hearing of the Pennsylvania Senate Democratic Policy Committee that will discuss proposed legislation to close a hazardous waste loophole in the state.

State Sen. Katie Muth, D-44, who chairs the committee, said the hearing will address a package of bills designed to "prioritize the health of our citizens, workers, and environment over companies who make billions of dollars from our communities' natural resources."

"This hearing will highlight our legislation that will make these necessary changes to law that will protect our environment, our drinking water and the health of our communities," Muth said in a statement.

A package of bills currently awaiting action in both the state Senate and House of Representatives are designed to address what supporters call a loophole allowing the disposal of toxic drilling waste.

Another supporter of the legislation, State Rep. Sara Innamorato, a Democrat from Allegheny County, along with industry experts are expected to discuss the legislative package to close the hazardous waste loophole during Thursday's public hearing, which will take place at 10 a.m. in Room 8 EB of the Capitol East Wing in Harrisburg.

The hearing will also be available via the online platform Zoom for virtual participation and anyone who is looking to attend remotely must register ahead of time.

"Pennsylvanians should not be exposed to radioactivity from oil and gas waste in their drinking water, but under current law, radioactive waste is shuffled untracked from the oil and gas industry into our water sources," Innamorato said in a statement. "I've heard heartbreaking stories from families that have borne the brunt of exposure to radioactivity because of the hazardous waste loophole. The problem will only get worse until we in the state legislature act."

Muth's office said a number of individuals are expected to participate, including, but not limited to, a representative from the state Attorney General's office, a physician and a representative from the Center for Coalfield Justice.

Muth noted that others were invited who either declined or failed to respond to the invitation, including Gov. Tom Wolf, Pennsylvania DEP Secretary Patrick McDonnell, and other state environmental officials.

The hearing will also be live-streamed on Muth's website and on the Facebook page of the Pennsylvania Senate Democratic Caucus.