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‘Roadspreading’ returns: How Pennsylvania’s oil industry quietly dumped waste across the state

Summary

Despite a ban, Pennsylvania oil and gas companies continue to spread fracking wastewater on roads, exploiting a regulatory loophole. This wastewater, used as a dust suppressant, contains toxic chemicals and radioactivity far exceeding safe limits. From 2019 to 2023, over 2.4 million gallons were dumped, often unreported. State senators and residents, like Siri Lawson, witness and suffer from these practices, with health complaints and regulatory inaction common. Efforts to strengthen regulations are ongoing, with lawmakers proposing bills to either ban or legalize roadspreading. The DEP has pledged to tighten oversight, but enforcement remains inconsistent.

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