Posted on 09/15/2010 3:00:12 PM PDT by Born Conservative
According to recently leaked documents, the Pennsylvania Office of Homeland Security has been tracking anti-gas drilling groups and their meetings — including a public screening of the film “Gasland,” a documentary about the environmental hazards of natural gas drilling.
The office has included the information in its weekly intelligence bulletins sent to law enforcement agencies.
The bulletins are also sent to gas companies drilling in the Marcellus Shale.
Activists and environmental groups have responded with outrage and some alarm.
“There’s something dead-fishy here. ... Something is rotten,” activist Gene Stilp said. He has called for a formal House and Senate inquiry into the activities of the Homeland Security Office.
State Homeland Security Director James Powers explained that he has been including anti-gas drilling activist information in his triweekly intelligence briefings for about a month because there have been “five to 10” incidents of vandalism around the state related to the natural gas industry, which is one of the sectors he is charged with monitoring.
One of those incidents, he said, involved someone shooting a natural gas container tank with a shotgun in Venango County.
Powers said the briefings are sent to local law enforcement and the owners and operators of “critical infrastructure.”
Comparing himself to Tommy Lee Jones’ character in the film “The Fugitive,” Powers said, “I don’t care” which side of the issue someone is on — or if he or she is innocent. “My concern is public safety.” However, the “intelligence” in the briefings includes lists of public meetings the state has determined anti-drilling activists plan to attend.
(Excerpt) Read more at centredaily.com ...
Ping
“critical infrastructure”...so try the US borders....like the one with Mexico...
The Eco-wackos are dangerous people. They have a long history of violence up to and including attempted murder.
The Pennsylvania Department of Homeland Security must be following the Federal Democrat TSA model. Punish your own people; it is a lot easier than going after Islamofacists, and you will look like you are doing something. Plus, you are employing people.
Of course that approach lacks common sense, tramples on civil rights, etc. But, hey this is a state run by a Democrat.
don't if you missed the memo or not, but eco terrorism is one the biggest threats outside of al quaida
ping
Yes, I did miss the memo. But the problem with eco-terrorism is deeper than putting people's names on lists. On the other hand, maybe the EPA should be on the same list. Talk to West Virginia coal miners about that. I hope those list folks are keeping an eye on Greenpeace.
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