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The Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and the Pennsylvania State Police have agreed to increase funding for inspections that will ensure waste haulers are obeying state laws.
Unannounced roadside inspections, commonly known as FracNet and TrashNet, have removed hundreds of unsafe and illegally-operated waste vehicles from the roadways, including trucks operating in support of Marcellus Shale gas drilling operations.
"Pennsylvania is one of the largest importers of trash from other states and has also seen a dramatic increase in the number of vehicles hauling wastewater from Marcellus Shale drilling sites," DEP Secretary John Hanger said. "This partnership with the state police has proven to be an effective method in addressing waste hauling safety and compliance issues throughout the state, and in putting drilling operators and their contractors on notice that we expect them to comply with our laws."
The two agencies have signed a memorandum of understanding that provides funding to the state police from the Waste Transportation Safety Account, which is supported by fees, fines and penalties paid by the waste-hauling industry. The agreement will enable both agencies to conduct roadside inspections with increased frequency and duration.
"We're pleased to resume our working relationship with our counterparts in the DEP," said State Police Commissioner Frank E. Pawlowski. "This year's agreement will allow us to replicate and expand past enforcement operations as each agency shares the common goals of removing violators from our highways, improving public safety, and decreasing the potential for environmental hazards."
During FracNet and TrashNet enforcement operations, DEP inspectors check to ensure that waste vehicles have proper signage and required authorizations, and that daily logs specifying the origin and type of waste are accurate and up-to-date. Vehicles are checked for weight and leakage, the presence of working fire extinguishers and to verify that loads are properly enclosed and secured.
State police teams check vehicle braking systems, exterior lighting and other equipment that plays a role in operational safety. They also check drivers for appropriate operator licenses.
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