Activists protest PA Society Dinner at NYC Waldorf Astoria

Corbett called to task on hydraulic fracturing

By SANDY LONG

NEW YORK CITY — Dressed in their own black-tie finery, a crowd of activists plied the pavement in front of New York City’s Waldorf Astoria Hotel on December 11, to draw attention to PA Governor-elect Tom Corbett’s intention to expand hydraulic fracturing in Pennsylvania.

As elegantly attired attendees arrived for the event, they were greeted by protestors waving signs and chanting, “Governor Corbett, hear us say, ‘No Fracking Way!’”

Corbett and other politicians and business leaders were in NYC to attend the Pennsylvania Society Dinner sponsored by the nearly 2,000-member non-profit organization whose stated purpose is to honor achievement, reward excellence, promote good will and understanding and celebrate service to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

“We’re here to tell the new governor to stop the disastrous fracking policies in PA that have destroyed so many lives, so many communities’ water, air and land, and that we need a sensible policy for renewable energy in PA,” said Claire Sandberg, of Frack Action.

The Pennsylvania Society was formed after “feasting on oysters and Delmonico steaks” in 1899 by native Pennsylvanian James Barr Ferree, who was living in New York City when he invited 55 fellow Pennsylvanians living in New York to join him for dinner at the Waldorf Astoria. The event, which eventually grew into a weekend-long retreat, continues annually.

The extravaganza is often faulted for being held in New York rather than Pennsylvania, and for functioning as an exclusive opportunity for lobby groups to influence government officials. Receptions hosted by corporations, political committees and other special interest groups are now regular features. At this year’s event, a four-hour “Marcellus Shale Coalition” reception was sponsored by Chesapeake Energy, Chief Oil and Gas, Range Resources and Talisman Energy USA.

The rally was sponsored by 14 grassroots organizations from New York and Pennsylvania to demonstrate unity on the issue of hydraulic fracturing and the “fast-track pro-drilling stance of Governor-elect Corbett,” according to one of its organizers. According to Common Cause PA and Conservation Voters of Pennsylvania, Corbett has received $835,720 from the gas industry in campaign contributions (www.marcellusmoney.org/candidates)..

Read an account of the rally at www.riverreporter.blogspot.com or view a video at www.youtube.com/watch?v=TW1YMpt7dSg .