Oct 5, 2013 2 min read

It’s a good thing for Range Resources local spokesman Matt Pitzarella that the story of Pinocchio is only harmless fiction, because if the syndrome suffered by poor Pinocchio were to afflict Pitzarella, his nose would measure nearly 4 feet by now.

A judge hearing a lawsuit ordered Range Resources to produce a list of all the substances used in their “chemical slurry” that they pump under the ground and have sitting around in retaining ponds all over the state. According to an article in The Beaver County Times, Range has thus far pleaded ignorance to the composition of their drilling chemicals. They said to check with their contractors, as they at Range have no idea what they are using. The contractors, of course, have not produced any information at all, claiming ignorance.

Pitzarella complained that their industry is being picked on, and that nobody knows what is in things like your city water, or Coca Cola. Pitzarella is apparently ignorant to consumer protection law, as the ingredients of all foods sold in the United Staes have to be printed on their respective labels. And local water authorities are required to send out reports on their water services at least every six months. But, surprise surprise, the drilling industry got a nondisclosure waiver from the federal government during the George W. Bush administration. And Pennsylvania’s sleazy state government has also chosen to look the other way when it comes to the chemicals and business practices of the carpet-bagging drilling industry.

I’m tired of Range Resources’ seemingly bottomless chum bucket of lies and fabrications. Somewhere, Pinocchio is blushing.

Brian Rothermund

West Alexander