WEEKLY E-BLAST (Nov. 5): Election and COVID-19 vaccine updates

(Nov 05, 2021)

With Election Day behind us, I would like to thank everyone who made time to vote, either in-person or by mail-in ballot. Read more

 

Rep. Otten's fall 2021 newsletter

(Nov 03, 2021)

Rep. Friel Otten's fall newsletter containing environmental and legislative updates, youth mental health information, a recap of a House Policy Committee hearing and more. Read more

 

WEEKLY E-BLAST (Oct. 29): Voting to support PA's craft breweries

(Oct 29, 2021)

Pennsylvania is home to more than 350 craft breweries—an increase from just 88 in 2011—making us the nation’s top producer of craft beer. Read more

 

WEEKLY E-BLAST (Oct. 22): Update on Aqua PA's proposed rate increase

(Oct 22, 2021)

Last week, I submitted public comment to the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission in opposition to the proposed water and wastewater rate increases requested by Aqua America and its operating entities. Read more

 

Rep. Otten's public comment to the PUC opposing proposed water and wastewater rate increases

(Oct 20, 2021)

In this public comment I submitted opposing Aqua America's proposed rate increase, I expressed specific concerns about the impact of privatization of public water systems on consumer rates; the impact of climate change on infrastructure costs; and the billing structures for large industrial customers with high-volume demand. Read more

 

$1.2 Million Slated for Affordable Senior Housing in Phoenixville

(Oct 19, 2021)

An important project to bring 50 affordable senior housing units to the Borough of Phoenixville is on track to receive nearly $1.2 million in tax credits through the Pennsylvania Housing and Finance Agency. Read more

 

WEEKLY E-BLAST (Oct. 15): Supporting PA's hospitals

(Oct 15, 2021)

On Tuesday, Rep. Dan Williams and I hosted the PA House Democratic Policy Committee for a panel on Saving Community Hospitals: Keeping Care Close. Read more

 

Lawmakers hear from healthcare workers, first responders, administrators, and advocates impacted by hospital consolidation

(Oct 13, 2021)

EAST BRANDYWINE, Oct. 12 – With Tower Health’s announcement last month that it will sell Chestnut Hill Hospital in Philadelphia and close Jennersville Hospital in West Grove, Pa., and with the fate of Tower’s Brandywine, Phoenixville, Pottstown, and Reading hospitals still very much up in the air, local healthcare workers, first responders, administrators, and advocates gathered today to address concerns about the potential impacts on quality and access to healthcare, including emergent and mental health care. The discussion was hosted at the East Brandywine Township Building by state Reps. Daniel Friel Otten and Dan Williams, both D-Chester, whose respective legislative districts flank Brandywine Hospital. “Hospital closures and consolidations impact every one of us,” Otten said. “Any one of us could be the family member in an ambulance with our child or loved one, praying to make it to the closest hospital in time. As Chester County’s older-adult population grows, our senior-living and long-term care facilities rely on nearby hospitals for emergency calls and patient care. Our law enforcement officers and county human services agencies rely on the availability of psychiatric beds, mental health services, and behavioral health programs to meet community need. The loss of ERs and reduction in critical care services put additional strain on our EMS departments and local municipalities. The ripple effects of Read more

 

WEEKLY E-BLAST (Oct. 8): Forty-eight charges brought against Energy Transfer

(Oct 08, 2021)

On Tuesday, PA Attorney General Josh Shapiro came to Marsh Creek State Park to announce 48 criminal charges against Energy Transfer, the developer of the Mariner East II pipeline. Read more

 

Mariner East grand jury letter

(Oct 06, 2021)

Letter addressed to Gov. Wolf, Sec. McDonnell and Chairwoman Brown Dutrieuille urging them to halt the Mariner East pipeline project. Read more

 

Otten calls for halt of Mariner East pipeline following Attorney General Shapiro’s filing of 48 criminal charges

(Oct 05, 2021)

EXTON, Oct. 5 -- State Rep. Danielle Friel Otten, D-Chester, chair of the Pennsylvania House Legislative Climate Caucus and member of the House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee, issued the following statement regarding today’s announcement that Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro has filed criminal charges against Sunoco Pipeline/Energy Transfer for environmental crimes related to the Mariner East pipeline project: “This morning, PA Attorney General Josh Shapiro came to Marsh Creek State Park to announce 48 criminal charges against Energy Transfer, the developer of the Mariner East II pipeline. The charges, most of which are for releasing industrial waste at 22 sites in 11 counties across the commonwealth, include 22 counts of prohibition of discharge of industrial waste under the Clean Streams Law; 22 counts of prohibition against other pollutions under the Clean Streams Law; two misdemeanor counts of unlawful conduct under the Clean Streams Law; and one felony count of unlawful conduct under the Clean Streams Law for willfully failing to report incidents to the Department of Environmental Protection. “Attorney General Shapiro is sending a clear message to Energy Transfer and other pipeline operators: You cannot operate in Pennsylvania and play by your own set of rules. If you break Pennsylvania law, you will be tried in a criminal courtroom in Pennsylvania. “Today’s announcement would not have been possible without Read more

 

WEEKLY E-BLAST (Oct. 1): Banned Books Week

(Oct 01, 2021)

We were back in Harrisburg for another session week this week. Read more

 

WEEKLY E-BLAST (Sept. 24): It's Climate Week!

(Sep 24, 2021)

The House returned to session this week for the first time since June. Read more

 

WEEKLY E-BLAST (Sept. 10): County resources for those impacted by Hurricane Ida

(Sep 10, 2021)

As we continue the cleanup from Hurricane Ida, Chester County has compiled resources for residents and businesses affected by the storm. Read more

 

WEEKLY E-BLAST (Sept. 3): Recovering from Hurricane Ida and heading back to school

(Sep 03, 2021)

On Wednesday, Chester County and surrounding areas experienced severe storms from the remnants of Hurricane Ida, which led to flash flooding, evacuations, water rescues, and damage to homes. Read more

 

WEEKLY E-BLAST (Aug. 27): Vaccine and redistricting updates

(Aug 27, 2021)

On Monday, the FDA granted full approval to the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine for the prevention of COVID-19 disease in individuals 16 years of age and older. Read more

 

WEEKLY E-BLAST (August 20): Chester County's Census Data is in

(Aug 20, 2021)

Last week, the US Census Bureau released its data from the 2020 Census. Read more

 

WEEKLY E-BLAST (Aug. 12): One year after Energy Transfer's spill into Marsh Creek

(Aug 12, 2021)

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

 

On one-year anniversary of Sunoco spill, Sen. Muth & Rep Friel Otten condemn Sunoco, DEP for lack of remediation at Marsh Creek Lake

(Aug 11, 2021)

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

 

Otten and Muth letter urging Pennsylvania to hold Sunoco/Energy Transfer accountable for 2020 spill

(Aug 11, 2021)

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

 

WEEKLY E-BLAST (Nov. 5): Election and COVID-19 vaccine updates
Nov 05, 2021

Rep. Otten's fall 2021 newsletter
Nov 03, 2021

WEEKLY E-BLAST (Oct. 29): Voting to support PA's craft breweries
Oct 29, 2021

WEEKLY E-BLAST (Oct. 22): Update on Aqua PA's proposed rate increase
Oct 22, 2021

Rep. Otten's public comment to the PUC opposing proposed water and wastewater rate increases
Oct 20, 2021

$1.2 Million Slated for Affordable Senior Housing in Phoenixville
Oct 19, 2021

WEEKLY E-BLAST (Oct. 15): Supporting PA's hospitals
Oct 15, 2021

Lawmakers hear from healthcare workers, first responders, administrators, and advocates impacted by hospital consolidation
Oct 13, 2021

WEEKLY E-BLAST (Oct. 8): Forty-eight charges brought against Energy Transfer
Oct 08, 2021

Mariner East grand jury letter
Oct 06, 2021

Otten calls for halt of Mariner East pipeline following Attorney General Shapiro’s filing of 48 criminal charges
Oct 05, 2021

WEEKLY E-BLAST (Oct. 1): Banned Books Week
Oct 01, 2021

WEEKLY E-BLAST (Sept. 24): It's Climate Week!
Sep 24, 2021

WEEKLY E-BLAST (Sept. 10): County resources for those impacted by Hurricane Ida
Sep 10, 2021

WEEKLY E-BLAST (Sept. 3): Recovering from Hurricane Ida and heading back to school
Sep 03, 2021

WEEKLY E-BLAST (Aug. 27): Vaccine and redistricting updates
Aug 27, 2021

WEEKLY E-BLAST (August 20): Chester County's Census Data is in
Aug 20, 2021

WEEKLY E-BLAST (Aug. 12): One year after Energy Transfer's spill into Marsh Creek
Aug 12, 2021

On one-year anniversary of Sunoco spill, Sen. Muth & Rep Friel Otten condemn Sunoco, DEP for lack of remediation at Marsh Creek Lake
Aug 11, 2021

Otten and Muth letter urging Pennsylvania to hold Sunoco/Energy Transfer accountable for 2020 spill
Aug 11, 2021