Photo via YDR.com

Last week’s Earth Watch guest on the Sojourner Truth Radio Show was Malinda Harnish Clatterbuck of Lancaster Against Pipelines, who discussed the dangers of the Atlantic Sunrise Pipeline in Western Pennsylvania.

Here is some background on the Atlantic Sunrise pipeline from WeAreLancasterCounty.org:

The Atlantic Sunrise pipeline is a project by Williams Partners, a multi-billion dollar natural gas transportation and processing corporation based in Tulsa Oklahoma. The proposed fracked-gas pipeline would be an unprecedented 42” in diameter and 1200 – 1500 PSI.

On February 21, 2014, an article in Lancaster Newspapers carried news of the pipeline proposal to thousands of people across Lancaster County.  The originally proposed route had the pipeline running directly through several popular Lancaster County conservancy properties, including Tucquan Glen Nature Preserve. The news ignited a groundswell of opposition, out of which Lancaster Against Pipelines was formed.

Since that original notification, the proposed route has been altered dozens of times. The pipeline has received approval from FERC and all the necessary permits to begin construction.

The Atlantic Sunrise pipeline, if constructed, would disrupt preserved farms, precious woodlands, and families’ homes – with no benefit for Lancaster County.  The majority of the fracked gas that it would carry is intended for export at the Cove Point Liquid Natural Gas terminal.  The 42″, 1200-1500 PSI pipeline would be unprecedented in its size and pressure.  Pipeline explosions are relatively uncommon, but when they occur they are devastating.

The Sojourner Truth Radio Show airs every week on KPFK-FM in Los Angeles and around the world online.