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April 22, 2015 Philadelphia City Council City Hall Philadelphia, PA 19107-‐3290 Dear Members of Philadelphia City Council: Philadelphia’s biggest polluters are pushing for a massive build out of oil and gas infrastructure in and around our city. Such a plan would pose public safety risks on several fronts, deteriorate our community’s public health, and elbow out plans to build our community and economy in a safe and sustainable way. Fortunately, Philadelphians can have a say in the future of our city through our elected representatives on Philadelphia City Council. In order to protect Philadelphia’s health, economy, and environment, City Council must: • Protect Philadelphia from explosive oil trains. Every day, 160,000+ barrels of explosive Bakken crude oil are shipped by rail, threatening the safety of our communities. This highly volatile oil is being transported in substandard tank cars that have proven to be extremely susceptible to puncture in the event of a derailment. Council can act by supporting a resolution to ban DOT 111 tank cars and increase emergency response outreach. • Reject the plan to build pipeline through Philadelphia to bring in gas from Northeastern Pennsylvania. A major gas pipeline would endanger communities in and around Philadelphia, and could be a costly stranded asset for Philadelphia Gas Works (PGW) and the city if gas production dries up. Council’s own advisor, Concentric Energy Advisors, has already said PGW’s current gas supply “has served [PGW] and its sales customers well.” • Reject the plan to expand Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) storage and transport at the PGW facilities. There are no good options to transport this explosive substance out of Philadelphia. Whether by truck, rail, or barge, this explosive substance should not be transported through our communities. • Push for energy efficiency and conservation for residents and businesses, and encourage the development of the region’s renewable energy industries. Members of Philadelphia City Council should act immediately to pass resolutions and/or ordinances affirming each of these points. Failure to do so will allow an industry that is harming our city now to despoil our city’s future, as well. The below organizations have endorsed this letter: 350 Philadelphia ACTION United Mitch Chanin, Steering Committee Craig Robbins, Executive Director Beautiful Business Judy Wicks, Owner Brewerytown Sharswood Community Civic Association Darnetta Arce CCP Coalition for a Sustainable Future Margaret Stephens, Coordinator Citizens’ Climate Lobby Peter Handler, Group Leader Clean Air Council Joseph Minott, Executive Director Clean Water Action Brooks Mountcastle, Eastern Pennsylvania Director Deep Green Philly Ron Whyte Delaware Riverkeeper Network Tracy Carluccio, Deputy Director Elder Activists Lynne Iser Ethical Humanist Society of Philadelphia Nick Sanders, President Exact Solar Dara Abortman, VP of Sales and Marketing Food & Water Watch Sam Bernhardt, Senior Pennsylvania Organizer Fossil Free Drexel Adam Bleiman, Co-‐founder Green In Chestnut Hill Amy Edelman, President Maypop Collective for Climate and Economic Justice Dinah Dewald, Member Moms Clean Air Force Jen McIntyre, Field Manager Mt. Airy Greening Net Meenal Raval, Co-‐Founder Northeast Grays Ferry Residents Association Kevin Poole, Leader Omega-‐Alpha Recycling Systems Bob Hamburg, Director Pennsylvania Association of Staff Nurses and Allied Professionals Patricia Eakin, President PHEW! Bicycle Shop Meenal Raval, Owner Philadelphia Neighbors for Tax Action Madeline Shikomba, Group Leader Philadelphia Jewish Climate Action Network David Eber, Organizer Phialdelphia Neighborhood Networks Gloria Gilman, Chair Physicians for Social Responsibility Dr. Poune Saberi, Board Member Poor People’s Economic Human Rights Campaign Cheri Honkala, National Coordinator Sierra Club Robert Gardner, Campaign Representative Sisters of St. Joseph Earth Center Mary Elizabeth Clark Steve Harvey Law LLC. Steve Harvey, Owner Transition Philadelphia Robert Frick, Coordinator Womens’ International League for Peace and Freedom Tina Shelton, Coordinator