Update: Great reporting from the Bay Journal on a proposed settlement with MDE to account for Quantum Loophole's fouling of Potomac tributaries.
Photo and caption from Inspector report: "The two fac-outs on the western bank of UT to Monocacy River are discharging into the waterway and are not individually contained. These frac-outs are located at Segment 2. The one frac-out is the same one documented in Figure A. Sediment (bentonite) pollution is occurring in the Waters of the State but is contained at a downstream point.) "
If you are just catching up - Quantum Loophole is constructing data centers in Frederick County and will be boring under the Potomac to connect these new centers to "Data Center Alley" in Northern Virginia across the river. In early April an MDE inspector discovered a second round of "frac-outs" - places where drilling by the company had released sediment and fracking solution into surface streams in the Monocacy Watershed, with dire consequence for aquatic life and water quality. To make matters worse, this round of drilling was done without a permit and the pollution events were not reported by the company. This is the second time environmental damage has resulted from Quantum's activities.
MCA has joined 34 other local and state environmental protection organizations on an open letter to Maryland's leaders in Annapolis and Frederick County along with the leadership at Quantum Loophole to call for more rigorous enforcement of existing environmental laws and more responsible actions from the company.
MCA has joined 34 other local and state environmental protection organizations on an open letter to Maryland's leaders in Annapolis and Frederick County along with the leadership at Quantum Loophole to call for more rigorous enforcement of existing environmental laws and more responsible actions from the company.
The letter reads in part:
At this point the community, at large, requires something more than platitudes and vague assurances. “We promise to do better” is no longer sufficient.
We expect rigorous enforcement of all environmental regulations. We hope that strict enforcement will lead to full compliance and prevent future violations.
We call on all parties involved, public and private sector, to take action to end this continuing pattern of environmental damage. Regulators should be demanding a higher standard from Quantum Loophole, and its subcontractors. State and county leaders should strictly enforce our already strong environmental laws. Finally, the General Assembly should begin work on robust new regulations to prevent this and other environmental degradation from this new industry.
At this point the community, at large, requires something more than platitudes and vague assurances. “We promise to do better” is no longer sufficient.
We expect rigorous enforcement of all environmental regulations. We hope that strict enforcement will lead to full compliance and prevent future violations.
We call on all parties involved, public and private sector, to take action to end this continuing pattern of environmental damage. Regulators should be demanding a higher standard from Quantum Loophole, and its subcontractors. State and county leaders should strictly enforce our already strong environmental laws. Finally, the General Assembly should begin work on robust new regulations to prevent this and other environmental degradation from this new industry.
