See ‘Triple Divide’ and Discussion on March 12th in Pittsburgh

See film or get DVD

FRACKING, With Liberty & Justice For All

“Triple Divide” & Discussion with John Detwiler, John Smith, Rich Fitzgerald, & Kent Moors.

Wednesday, March 12, 2014, 6:30 PM, $15.

Buy Tickets Now Here.

A special screening of the  investigative documentary ‘Triple Divide’ and discussion about fracking by leading authorities.

PITTSBURGH—Catch a special screening and discussion of Triple Divide, an investigative documentary about the impacts from fracking in Pennsylvania, on March 12th, 6:30 PM at Bricolage Theater, 937 Liberty Avenue in Pittsburgh.

It’s a film about the complex subject of fracking and has been called “a bombshell that could reverberate across the state” by Wilkes-Barre Times Leader.

This debut documentary by journalists Joshua Pribanic and Melissa Troutman reveals how the state’s “world-class regulations” fall short in protecting people, communities, and the environment.  “We wanted to look at what impacts are occurring and how they’re being handled,” says Pribanic. “If the state and industry say fracking’s under control, we wanted to see how. It’s only when we see the evidence that we can cast the stone.”

“Pennsylvania has some of the best environmental laws in the country, but they aren’t being enforced,” says Troutman. “In addition, we’ve found during our investigation that basic freedoms which are supposed to be guaranteed to all Americans are being stripped from communities faced with fracking.”

Academy Award-nominated actor Mark Ruffalo co-narrates the documentary, which is named after the triple continental divide in Potter County, Pennsylvania, one of four unique watersheds in North America where three major rivers begin—including the Allegheny River—and flow to separate parts of the continent.

Discussion with the filmmakers and expert panelists will be moderated by Bill Flanagan, host of “Our Region’s Business” on WPXI-TV. Panelists for discussion include attorney John Smith, who led the case that deemed key provisions of Pennsylvania’s oil and gas law Act 13 unconstitutional, Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald, engineer John Detwiler, who’s active in the group Marcellus Protest calling for a halt on fossil fuel extraction, and Dr. Kent Moors, director of the Energy Policy Research Group at Duquesne University.

“We believe informed citizens are better citizens”, says Jeffrey Carpenter, artistic director at Bricolage. “With so many critical issues facing our community it’s important that we create a space to ask questions and hear from thought leaders to help broaden perspectives and promote problem-solving. We believe using art as a crowbar to open the door to dialogue can make those conversations easier to begin and less intimidating to participate in.”

“The boom in unconventional gas extraction has created the same debate that we see here in PA in communities around the world,” said Dr. Steven E. Sokol, President and CEO of the World Affairs Council of Pittsburgh. “On the one hand, there are proponents of fracking because of the opportunities offered by gas. On the other hand, people are concerned about the environmental and health impacts. This is both a local and a global issue.”

Refreshments will be served before the screening which starts at 6:30 PM. Doors open at 6:00 PM and tickets are $15. The Fifth Wall Series is sponsored by World Affairs Council. For more information call Bricolage at 412-471-0999. For previews of the film see TripleDivideFilm.org.

>>> John Detwiler earned a PhD in engineering and is a Registered Professional Engineer in Pennsylvania.  He is now retired from a career in strategic business consulting and in project management of large-scale engineering works. He is an active member of Marcellus Protest, a citizen group working for a total halt to hydrofracturing of fossil fuel deposits. Marcellus Protest has been a driving force behind the City of Pittsburgh’s ban on fracking and is now part of the campaign to keep oil and gas operations out of Allegheny County Parks.

>>> County Executive Rich Fitzgerald grew up in Pittsburgh’s Bloomfield-Garfield neighborhood.  He earned his B.S. in Mechanical Engineering with a business minor from Carnegie Mellon University.  Rich started a small business, Aquenef, which provides water treatment equipment and services for industry in the Western Pennsylvania region.

>>> Dr. Kent Moors is the Executive Chair of the Global Energy Symposium, founder and editor of  The Oil and Energy Investor, and President of oil and gas consultant ASIDA, Inc.

>>> Attorney John M. Smith, Esq. is a Partner and Founder of the law firm of Smith Butz located in Southpointe, Washington County, Pennsylvania. He is lead counsel for the local municipalities in the Robinson v. Commonwealth (Act 13) case, where the Pennsylvania Supreme Court declared provisions in the Pennsylvania Oil and Gas Act unconstitutional. The Act would have required all zoning districts, including residential to allow drilling and fracking operations as well as waste water impoundments with a minimum setback of 300 feet from homes and schools. Smith focuses his practice on oil and gas, land use, local governments and litigation matters, and is currently the Solicitor for several municipalities including Peters and Cecil Townships. Attorney Smith is involved with several litigation matters representing clients who have alleged harm from oil and gas activities, including contaminated water. He’s also filed civil actions against the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection alleging the Departments failure to properly enforce Pennsylvania law.

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