DREXEL HILL, PA - Former U.S. Attorney Pat Meehan's record on environmental issues is highlighted in a new web ad released today by his campaign for Congress in Pennsylvania's 7th Congressional District.
 
You can watch the video HERE.
 
Pat has a proven record of holding business and government responsible for illegally and improperly discharging hazardous materials into the region's waters as U.S. Attorney.  In 2006, the Merck pharmaceutical plant in Montgomery County discharged dangerous chemicals into the Wissahickon Creek, killing thousands of fish, forcing the Philadelphia Water Department to temporarily shut down its Schuylkill River drinking water intake and causing the ban of all recreational activity on the creek for almost a month. In an historic settlement, Merck agreed to pay more than $20 million in fines and penalties, and for improvements designed to prevent future discharges at the facility. Merck also agreed to implement extensive measures to improve water quality in the Wissahickon, to create a 10-acre parcel of wetlands, and to implement an early warning system to identify a potential threat to the creek and drinking water.
              
In 2004, Pat reached a settlement with the city of Reading to resolve violations of the Clean Water Act.  The city agreed to overhaul its aging wastewater treatment facility, which had been discharging pollutants into the Schuylkill River on a regular basis.  As part of the settlement, the city agreed to pay for an extensive restoration of Angelica Creek, a tributary of the Schuylkill River.