Artwork: Mike LaMark

By a vote of 5 to 4, on December 19 Pittsburgh City Council passed ‘Toxic Trespass’ legislation introduced by Councilman Doug Shields’. This ordinance bans regional and state governments from permitting corporations to dump toxins from fracking activities into the body of any resident of Pittsburgh, or into any natural community or ecosystem. By December 29, Mayor Ravenstahl must decide to either veto the legislation or to let it become law.

NOTE. The ‘Toxic Trespass’ ordinance became law in the absence of a veto by the Mayor.