GOP Reacts to Democrat's Portrayal of
Drillers as Drunks Who Spread Disease
At least one House Democrat leader has concluded that the only impact of Marcellus Shale drilling in Pennsylvania has been increased business at local establishments and promiscuity.
“Talk about wrong-headed, misinformed, archaic, and just shocking,” said Rep. Sandra Major (R-Susquehanna/Wayne/Wyoming), the House Republican Caucus Chair. “The House Democrat leadership attitude, after studying the impacts of the Marcellus Shale industry in Pennsylvania, is insulting.”
“Drunks and promiscuous ‘womenfolk’ – that is what the House Democrat leaders are calling the hard-working men and women living within the Marcellus Shale region,” Rep. Sheryl Delozier (R-Cumberland County) said. “Who can really support such notions from leaders who think so little of those working in a growing industry?”
“The people of this Commonwealth deserve better than hyperbole or fear mongering.” Rep. Matt Baker (Bradford/Tioga Counties) said. “The hate-speech, misinformation, stereotyping and sensationalism from the House Democrat Policy Committee chairman is deplorable.”
House Democrat Policy Committee Chairman Mike Sturla (D-Lancaster) emailed a response to a Capitolwire.com reporter in regards to a question regarding the impact of the Marcellus Shale industry. Sturla’s published email response to Capitolwire.com was (emphasis added):
“Also, aside from building roads so their trucks can get to drill sites and doing a little stream work to mitigate damage from their road building, exactly what are all those things the drillers are doing for the local communities? Patronizing the bars at night? Driving up the cost of rental housing? Spreading sexually transmitted disease amongst the womenfolk? Causing school districts to ask local governments to ban truck traffic on local roads during school bus pick-up and drop-off times so kids don't get killed? Upgrading emergency preparedness equipment to handle a well blow out? Running compressor stations that have decibel levels equal to a jet engine?...Really community-oriented stuff...”
“These comments show the lack of comprehension of what is going on in this region,” Rep. Tina Pickett (R-Bradford/Sullivan/Susquehanna) said. “We are living and working in the real world of providing record levels of jobs, economic development and working toward energy independence.”
Pickett and the other legislators said the various energy companies are working closely with local governments, and the governments, for the most part, are satisfied with the level of cooperation and concern expressed in the northern tier of Pennsylvania.
“These mischaracterizations and stereotypes of Marcellus workers, most of which are hard-working Pennsylvanians, does nothing productive,” Rep. Donna Oberlander (R- Armstrong and Clarion Counties) said. “These comments are absolutely inappropriate and cross the line of decency.”
“Talk about wrong-headed, misinformed, archaic, and just shocking,” said Rep. Sandra Major (R-Susquehanna/Wayne/Wyoming), the House Republican Caucus Chair. “The House Democrat leadership attitude, after studying the impacts of the Marcellus Shale industry in Pennsylvania, is insulting.”
“Drunks and promiscuous ‘womenfolk’ – that is what the House Democrat leaders are calling the hard-working men and women living within the Marcellus Shale region,” Rep. Sheryl Delozier (R-Cumberland County) said. “Who can really support such notions from leaders who think so little of those working in a growing industry?”
“The people of this Commonwealth deserve better than hyperbole or fear mongering.” Rep. Matt Baker (Bradford/Tioga Counties) said. “The hate-speech, misinformation, stereotyping and sensationalism from the House Democrat Policy Committee chairman is deplorable.”
House Democrat Policy Committee Chairman Mike Sturla (D-Lancaster) emailed a response to a Capitolwire.com reporter in regards to a question regarding the impact of the Marcellus Shale industry. Sturla’s published email response to Capitolwire.com was (emphasis added):
“Also, aside from building roads so their trucks can get to drill sites and doing a little stream work to mitigate damage from their road building, exactly what are all those things the drillers are doing for the local communities? Patronizing the bars at night? Driving up the cost of rental housing? Spreading sexually transmitted disease amongst the womenfolk? Causing school districts to ask local governments to ban truck traffic on local roads during school bus pick-up and drop-off times so kids don't get killed? Upgrading emergency preparedness equipment to handle a well blow out? Running compressor stations that have decibel levels equal to a jet engine?...Really community-oriented stuff...”
“These comments show the lack of comprehension of what is going on in this region,” Rep. Tina Pickett (R-Bradford/Sullivan/Susquehanna) said. “We are living and working in the real world of providing record levels of jobs, economic development and working toward energy independence.”
Pickett and the other legislators said the various energy companies are working closely with local governments, and the governments, for the most part, are satisfied with the level of cooperation and concern expressed in the northern tier of Pennsylvania.
“These mischaracterizations and stereotypes of Marcellus workers, most of which are hard-working Pennsylvanians, does nothing productive,” Rep. Donna Oberlander (R- Armstrong and Clarion Counties) said. “These comments are absolutely inappropriate and cross the line of decency.”
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