Environmental Misstep in the Delaware River

By Daniel Shapiro ‘23

    Today’s world is gripped by a very real climate crisis, one that is affecting almost every aspect of life. This is a crisis that needs to be taken seriously by our regulatory bodies of government, but yet, it isn’t.
    On Dec. 8, the Delaware River Basin Commission (DRBC) voted to confirm the Delaware River Partners LLC’s application to build a second pier on the river. It will be used to ferry dangerous and explosive liquid natural gas, (LNG) through populated parts of Pennsylvania. 

The commission is composed of representatives from New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Delaware and the federal government. The vote passed four to zero with New York representative Kenneth Kosinski abstaining.
    This is a deadly blow to the safety of the Delaware River and the four states’ inhabitants. This project not only propagates the use of fossil fuels which have an immense impact on Earth’s climate but allows the shipping of fuel that is explosive and cooled to -260 degrees Fahrenheit. If it leaked, the extremely cold temperatures would freeze any living being and explode if ignited. Thus, transporting this material through populated areas is highly dangerous.
This is an extreme deferment of duty on the DRBC’s part. Their job is to protect the river for everyone, and supporting this dangerous project will not accomplish that. Instead, it will endanger the river and all those who depend on it. 
With this critical failure on the part of DRBC, the river and the safety of many people are put in jeopardy. As a state, we cannot allow such behavior to go unnoticed. The people must hold those in power responsible when they jeopardize the wellbeing of local communities and the world at large. 
    The LNG being exported through this pier will only add to the building problem that is humanity’s carbon footprint and endanger the people of here and now.  
    This decision shows a clear lack of care for the local and global communities that this pier and the LNG it exports will affect. The people who make up the legislative bodies could do better than this, as could we as a species.
    I petition anyone reading to please stand up for what is right. Contact your local government and ask them what they are doing to protect the climate. Write letters or email those in power at the state level, and ask the same. There are many such options for engagement, but the most important thing is to engage and never stop engaging. 
    There are also many groups such as the Sierra Club or Delaware Riverkeeper Network which are actively fighting to protect the local, state and global climate. An option closer to home is GOA’s Environmental Club, which helps to serve the local and state community.
    Let us not fall into the traps of hopeless despair and blind optimism. We as a society and a species must go forward with the goal of protecting our planet. Many governments realize this, but still must be pushed more.
    We are at a turning point in the history of the world. More than ever, nations are pledging to reduce carbon emissions to protect the world for future generations. But this fight is not close to over. We must hold those in power, especially at our local and state levels, to strict standards that protect our environment successfully.