Pennsylvania's oil industry dumped waste across the state

In Pennsylvania, oil and gas companies have been found to be illegally dumping wastewater on roads, despite a ban on the practice. A review of records from 2019 to 2023 revealed that over 3,000 reports of wastewater dumping were submitted to the state Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), totaling nearly 2.4 million gallons. However, this figure likely underrepresents the actual amount, as many smaller operators did not report their waste disposal methods. The DEP had previously prohibited the use of fracking wastewater as a dust suppressant due to health and environmental risks, but companies exploit a regulatory loophole that allows them to classify wastewater as a "coproduct" if deemed non-harmful. This classification requires minimal oversight, and radiation testing is not mandated, despite evidence of high radioactive levels in the wastewater. Activists, including Siri Lawson, have raised concerns about health impacts from living near treated roads, but enforcement of regulations remains weak. Recent legislative efforts have emerged, with some lawmakers proposing to ban the practice while others seek to legalize it. The DEP has indicated support for banning the spraying of wastewater on roads, but the path to legislative change is uncertain, especially with a Republican-controlled state senate. Until stricter regulations and enforcement are implemented, residents like Lawson continue to face potential health risks from the ongoing dumping of toxic wastewater.