Mertz For PA Campaign Committee P.O. Box 553 Quarryville, PA 17566 C 215-495-2155 www.electjrizzomertz.com electjrizzomertz@gmail.

com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: APRIL 30, 2014 MERTZ ANNOUNCES OPPOSITION TO PIPELINE PROPOSAL J. Rizzo Mertz, the Democratic candidate for the 100th Legislative District, Pennsylvania House of Representatives, announced today that he opposes the Central Penn Line pipeline project proposed by Williams Partners. The pipeline would transport natural gas from Upstate Pennsylvania through Lancaster County to a terminal located in Maryland. Mertz made the following statement: After attending the community meeting held at Mt. Nebo Methodist Church in Martic Township, speaking with the affected residents of this proposed pipeline project, and researching this issue extensively, I have concluded that I cannot support this project in any form. This pipeline is absolutely unnecessary and Williams Partners has not been able to persuade otherwise. Therefore, I am left to believe this project only seeks to further the interests of Williams Partners while leaving the residents of Lancaster County assuming all of the risk. When I state that we are, as a county, are assuming all of the risk, I am not speaking in hyperbole. Williams Partners has a long and well documented history of environmental violations that have resulted in fines that total nearly $400,000. That total only reflects violations in Pennsylvania and just in the year 2013. Any potential benefits do not outweigh the risks associated with this pipeline project. I will not stand idly by and allow the beauty of Lancaster County to be ruined for corporate gain. I will proudly stand beside the residents affected by this project and work to prevent the corporate exploitation of our lands. On a personal level, this pipeline would run through an area that is a mere 15 minutes away from my own residence in East Drumore Township. Not only do my fellow residents enjoy the nature preserves affected by this project, I do as well. I look forward to working with my colleagues and my fellow citizens in returning the will of the people back to the Peoples House in Harrisburg and removing the corrosive influence of corporate power from our government.
Further reading: http://stateimpact.npr.org/pennsylvania/2014/02/27/dep-fined-oil-and-gas-companies-2-5-millionlast-year/