Last week, the US Census Bureau released its data from the 2020 Census. Read more
This Tuesday marked the one-year anniversary of Energy Transfer’s spill of more than 8,000 gallons of drilling mud of undisclosed composition into the wetland, two tributaries, and the lake at Marsh Creek State Park. Read more
CHESTER COUNTY, AUGUST 11 - Yesterday marked the one-year anniversary of Sunoco’s massive spill of drilling fluid at its Mariner East 2 pipeline construction site near Marsh Creek State Park. On August 10, 2020, Sunoco spilled approximately 8,000 gallons of industrial waste, impacting Marsh Creek Lake, two tributaries, and a wetland; moreover, approximately 20,000 gallons of drilling fluid remain unaccounted for at the site. One day after the spill, Sunoco experienced a significant subsidence (sinkhole) at this same location, referred to as HDD-290, one of many horizontal direction drilling (HDD) sites with a history of drilling mishaps and recklessness. One year after the spill, no remediation has been done on the lake. Bentonite from the drilling mud continues to sit in the lake, and 33 acres of the 535-acre lake remain off limits to boating, fishing, and other recreation. Bentonite is not naturally occurring in Pennsylvania, and no testing has been done to determine radioactivity of drill cuttings or rule out the presence of PFAS or PFOA chemicals, despite the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s recent acknowledgment of the presence of PFAS chemicals in drilling materials. Rather than hold Sunoco accountable, the state Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has appeared to work at the behest of private extraction industry operators instead of prioritizing protection of the freshwater lake, which supplies drinking water Read more
Rep. Otten and Sen. Muth wrote a letter to Gov. Wolf and DEP Secretary Patrick McDonnell urging them to hold Sunoco accountable for their spill into Marsh Creek in 2020. Read more
With the return to travel, indoor dining, and relative normalcy this summer, it may have seemed for a short time as though COVID-19 was in our rearview mirrors. Read more
With the beginning of the new school year just about one month away, both the Pennsylvania Department of Education and Pennsylvania Department of Health are advising K-12 schools in Pennsylvania to follow the latest CDC guidance around masks in schools. Read more
Although the state House and Senate are in recess, work continues in Harrisburg and around the state. One of the most important processes moving forward right now is the redistricting of our federal and state districts. Read more
During the summer months while the House is not in session, I spend most of my time in the district meeting with constituents and local organizations, as well as traveling the state attending various Policy Committee hearings. Read more
As COVID-19 restrictions are lifted and many of us begin planning trips and vacations for the first time in a long time, there is no better time than the present to make sure all your travel documents are up to date – whether you are traveling in-state or cross-country by car, flying domestically, or traveling internationally with a passport. Read more
In April 2021, Sunoco submitted major amendment applications for its environmental permits, requesting to change the route and installation method of their Mariner East 2 Pipeline at location HDD290, near Marsh Creek State Park. DEP invited the public to participate in this process through a public comment period. I have serious concerns about several aspects of Sunoco’s proposed reroute of the pipeline, and I submitted the attached public comment urging the DEP to deny these applications. Read more
Last Friday, the General Assembly approved a $40 billion budget and sent it to Governor Wolf for his signature. Read more
Rep. Otten outlines missed opportunities in this year's budget. Read more
This week, I am in Harrisburg for the busiest week on the legislative calendar – Budget Week. Read more
Earlier this week, Senator Amanda Cappelletti and I co-hosted an interactive presentation, We the People – PA about what A People’s Budget would mean for Pennsylvania. Read more
Rep. Danielle Friel Otten outlines her priorities for the 2021 state budget. Read more
The House was back in session this week, and it has been a busy one in Harrisburg. On Tuesday, House and Senate Democrats and advocates from across the state joined Governor Wolf to call for investing half of this year’s $3 billion in above-expected state revenue in our schools. Read more
After some much-needed rain this week, the next several days are shaping up to be hot and sunny. Read more
Rep. Danielle Friel Otten submitted the following public comment on Sunoco LP/Energy Transfer’s HDD-360 (Biddle Crossing/Devon Drive/Shoen Road) 20-inch line re-evaluation. Read more
Here you can find all four sessions of our Youth Mental Health and the Pandemic discussions. Youth Mental Health and the Pandemic: Pre K - 2nd Grade Youth Mental Health and the Pandemic, Session 2: 3rd - 7th grades Youth Mental Health and the Pandemic, Session 3: High School Age Youth Mental Health and the Pandemic, Session 4: College Age Thank you to our panelists from Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, the Chester County Intermediate Unit, Communities That Care of Greater Downingtown, the West Chester Area School District, Unionville-Chadds Ford School District, West Chester University, Thomas Jefferson University, PA Office of Advocacy and Reform, and The Center for Change at Kennett Square, for providing the following COVID-19 Resources for families: Chester County Community Resources Family activities and discussion prompts Tips for nurturing and supporting children at home Building Resilience Helping children cope with changes resulting from COVID-19 WCASD Counseling Resources Library Chester County Community Resources Sesame Street COVID-19 Resources for Young Children and Children with Autism PA Department of Education COVID-19 Resources for Families Pediatric Sleep Council pandemic-related sleep advice for parents of young children Family resources from Info About Kids and Child Trends Fun daytime activities from the National Child Traumatic Stress Network Bedtime relaxation techniques for Read more
On Tuesday, Pennsylvania held its Municipal Primary Election. Thank you to everyone who took the time to vote in-person or by mail, and to all those who worked or volunteered at the polls. Read more
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631 North Pottstown PikeExton, PA 19341
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122 Wallace Ave.Downingtown, PA 19335-2643
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34 East WingPO Box 202155Harrisburg, PA 17120-2155
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