PennEnvironment Letter of Support for Ban on Spreading Toxic Brine On Roadways (PA House Bill 2384)

Dear Legislator,

On behalf of PennEnvironment and our citizen members and activists, I’m writing in support of House Bill 2384, critical legislation to protect the health of Pennsylvanians by prohibiting the spreading of oil and gas waste on roadways. 

Wastewater from fossil fuel drilling, also known as brine, contains harmful chemicals such as salts, metals, and radioactive elements. Spreading brine on Pennsylvania’s roads releases these dangerous contaminants into our communities and environment. Cancer-causing chemicals like radium or benzene can wash off the roadway and contaminate nearby bodies of water or can be knocked back into the air by traffic.

Ironically, studies show that the spreading of toxic brine on our roads doesn’t even achieve the desired goal of dust suppression—in fact, it can worsen the problem. Researchers at PennState University’s College of Engineering that high sodium concentration of the wastewater can further deteriorate the road and lead to an increase in dust and maintenance costs, concluding, “oil and gas wastewaters only provide drawbacks.” 

House Bill 2384 would stop the spreading of dangerous oil and gas drilling wastewater on land and would prohibit wastewater transport vehicles from being equipped with brine spreading equipment.

We urge you to support House Bill 2384 to implement these commonsense protections for Pennsylvanians’ health and safety.

Sincerely,

Zachary A. Barber

Clean Air Advocate

PennEnvironment