Thank you, Senator Blake, for citing these important issues regarding Keystone Sanitary Landfill's proposed expansion! Under current regulations, neither health studies nor environmental monitoring of areas impacted by a landfill are mandated. Without the ability to affirm the safety of our citizens, this expansion must be denied.

http://thetimes-tribune.com/…/sen-blake-talks-about-budget-…

Excerpt:
Citing issues raised by opponents of Keystone Sanitary Landfill’s proposed expansion, he also said it may be time to explore updating Pennsylvania’s recycling law to increase the dumping fees at landfills to fund additional recycling efforts, and to require municipalities to recycle more.

“I think if we don’t divert refuse from landfills, there will never be any incentive for them not to expand,” he said.

In addition, Mr. Blake said he is looking into legislation to require the state Department of Health to conduct health screenings of people who live in proximity to landfills. No such provision currently exists, he said.

“It should be obvious that that happens,” he said of the screenings.