Still, Alexa had always believed Gabler was one of the good guys. Without really thinking much about it, she’d bought the line that he moved into this new role as chair of the energy committee because he had seniority and he was a team player. Now Alexa wasn’t so sure. He sounded like he really supported this bill. That realization put a whole new twist on things. She felt like the ground had shifted beneath her. Was this hearing rigged?
The natural gas industry dominated the early round of testimony. A series of executives testified in support of the bill, touting the benefits to the economy and energy independence. Alexa wondered why Monongas was not among the companies who spoke.
“What’d I tell you?” Walt muttered as an executive from a coal mining company offered an argument for broadening the scope of the bill to include leasing new mining rights on state lands.
The crowd grew restless as various other industry representatives made similar pleas for their particular interests. At three o’clock Senator Gabler called a break. “I know we are running behind, but we will stay until all the people scheduled have testified. It’s important that our questions are answered, even though it might extend the hearing beyond five.”
In the ladies’ room, Alexa ran into Darby, who was spitting nails. “I can’t believe it. They are either setting this bill up as a Christmas tree for all of these special interests, or they’re painting such a terrifying picture of all the dire possibilities that people will be happy if they just open up the parks to fracking. I don’t know who’s playing whom. But I don’t like this one bit.”
When Alexa took her seat again, Walt and the minority chair were huddled in the front corner of the room. It looked like a heated conversation. When he sat down next to her, he muttered, “Kozlowski says Gabler and the Republicans are running an end game to ram this bill through. This whole hearing’s a farce.”
Darby led off the opposition testimony with a scathing criticism of the proposed legislation. Alexa noticed with regret that most of the press had left at the break. Jeannie had been scheduled to testify at three fifteen, but the hearing had drifted so far off track, Alexa didn’t expect to be called for at least another hour. The packed room grew stifling as the afternoon wore on.
“I have to make some calls,” Walt whispered. “I’ll be back in before you testify.” Alexa turned her attention to the speakers, most of whom opposed the bill. They represented conservation and environmental groups, hikers, hunters, alternative energy providers, physicians, and scientists. Walt came back into the room just as the plainspoken farmer who headed the Friends of Pine Creek began to speak.
Knowing her time slot approached, Alexa rose for another quick trip to the bathroom to wipe the sweat from her face. That arrogant lobbyist who’d yelled at Lauren stood in the empty hall outside the hearing room. Nason Kurtz. Of course he’d be there. His firm represented some of the energy companies.
“Excuse me.” At the entrance of the vestibule, Alexa had to slide past the man to access the ladies’ room down the hall. No one in the entire hall, and he had to stand at the one place the passage narrowed to accommodate equipment for the disabled. What a jerk. She rolled her eyes. Although she tried not to stereotype, he looked like one of those no-neck jocks with more muscle than brains. And blocking her like that was something a fifteen-year-old bully would do. Apparently, his nasty behavior with young Lauren was part of a pattern.
When Alexa emerged from the bathroom, the jerk was still there. He watched her approach with an insolent, knowing look on his face―almost like a sexual leer. This time, he took a deliberate step backward and waved his arm with a flourish to let Alexa pass. “I wouldn’t want to keep you, Miss Williams,” he said in a nasal, mocking voice. Alexa continued into the room without responding, but he’d succeeded in unsettling her. How did this disgusting man know her name?
Still upset, she sat down only to hear Senator Gabler say, “Jeannie Demeter.”
As Alexa grabbed the two photos, Walt grasped her arm and said, “Knock ’em dead.”
She made her way to the front table. Before sitting, she explained, “Senator Gabler, Mrs. Demeter couldn’t make it today because of a family emergency. She asked me to read her testimony.”
“Why, of course, Alexa. Go right ahead.” The senator was cordial, but Keisha had a stormy expression on her face. As Alexa sat, Keisha gave someone in the back of the room a long look, but Alexa couldn’t turn to see who it was.
Instead, she addressed the panel. “Senator Gabler, Senator Kozlowski, members of the committee, thank you for the opportunity to testify today on behalf of Jeannie Demeter, her husband, Tom, and their daughter, Tessa. My name is Alexa Williams. Jeannie and I have been close friends since college.”
Jeannie had written the testimony as an account of what had happened with the fracking on the Demeter property. When Alexa read the passage about Tessa getting contaminated by petting the dog that had fallen into a fracking wastewater pool, the audience gasped. She paused and glanced at the panel. Several senators leaned forward, sympathetic looks on their faces. Senator Gabler sat stone-faced. It looked like Keisha was checking her cell phone.
Tamping down a flash of anger, Alexa took a deep breath, then recounted the course of Tessa’s diagnosis and illness. She concluded with the words she’d added to the testimony last night.
“The reason Jeannie Demeter could not be here today is because of Tessa. Yesterday morning, Tessa became unresponsive and was flown to Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia for emergency treatment. Even if the specialists there are able to save her life this time, they may never be able to cure her cancer. Her parents remain hopeful, as do I. But, the family has paid a terrible price for signing that fracking lease. And their daughter may pay the ultimate price―her life. How can we, as citizens of Pennsylvania, afford to expose other families, other children, to such a terrible risk?
“I believe these two photos say it all.” Alexa held up the poster boards to show the photos, first to the senators, and then to the hearing room. “The first is little Tessa Demeter and her dog, Patches, when they were both healthy. Before Monongas drilled on the Demeter farm. The second picture shows Tessa last night, clinging to life in her hospital bed.” One of the young staffers sitting behind the senators broke into tears at the second photo.
“The Demeter family and I urge you to vote no on Senate Bill 5100.” Alexa finished to a completely silent room. The only sounds were a few muffled sobs behind her in the audience.
“I have no questions for Ms. Williams,” Senator Gabler said in a strangled voice. “Any questions?” He looked in both directions at his colleagues who all shook their heads. “Thank you, Alexa. The next witness is . . .”
Alexa felt drained as she collapsed next to Walt. She glanced at her watch. Five thirty? This had been an endless day.
“Very powerful,” Walt said. Several people behind Alexa patted her on the back and made complimentary remarks.
“The sad thing,” she replied to the representative. “No matter what they do on this bill, it’s not going to help Tessa.”
“But it could help other children. You look beat. Do you want to leave?”
“No, there can’t be that many more people to testify, can there?”
“Kozlowski’s staff sent me the list.” Walt looked at his cell phone. “It looks like maybe ten more people are scheduled.”
“Ten? Maybe I will go.”
“Hold on. We both want to hear the next one. Monongas.”
“Monongas? Isn’t this the opposition segment of the testimony?”
Walt looked at his phone again. “From now on, it looks like a mix. Hell, even AARP is testifying. Wonder what they’ll have to say about this.”
When Alexa tuned back into the hearing, a skinny guy from a hiking association was finishing his remarks. As the hiker rose, the big chandeliers flickered overhead. Thunder rumbled through the thick walls of the hearing room. Alexa imagined she tasted ozone in the air.
Sena
tor Gabler called out, “Monongas.”
A silver-haired man who had been leaning against the wall sauntered toward the front table. Alexa recognized him right away. Walker Toland, boss of the overgrown bully in the hallway, and―if Keisha was correct―the most powerful lobbyist in Harrisburg. She shook her head, thinking, Why am I not surprised that the Toland firm represents Monongas? I saw him with Keisha in the capitol that day, schmoozing.
Toland thanked the committee and offered a perfunctory apology for the Monongas executives’ absence. “They would be here to support the bill in person, but Monongas has its annual board meeting today.” When the uber-lobbyist lifted his testimony from the table, the arms of his impeccable charcoal suit slipped to reveal French cuffs. Today’s look was diamond cufflinks so big Alexa could identify the stone from the back of the room. Something about the way this guy carried himself pissed Alexa off. He probably held those pages of testimony in the air because he was too vain to wear reading glasses.
Toland continued. “Let me start with the bottom line. Monongas has a long history of partnership with the citizens of Pennsylvania and a track record of stewardship of the land. We employ local citizens in all aspects of our Pennsylvania-based operations. We have improved the roads in many counties to compensate for truck traffic. We are committed to restoring private lands where we’ve drilled and to ensuring pipeline safety. All told, we have pumped billions of dollars into Pennsylvania’s economy.
“Monongas strongly supports the expansion of natural gas exploration and drilling into state parks and public lands. It would be a natural extension of our current work in the state, benefitting both the Commonwealth’s taxpayers and the economy―while taking advantage of the state’s abundant energy reserves.”
As the man droned on, Alexa tried to figure out why his voice sounded so familiar. She was certain she’d never met him in person. But his drawl had a familiar ring to it. She regretted staying for the testimony. He was simply repeating all the same things the earlier industry spokesmen had said. Except Toland’s delivery style implied he was too important for such menial work. The fact that he hadn’t sent one of his other lobbyist minions, like that hulk Kurtz, to testify must mean Monongas was a pretty important client.
When Toland finished, one of the Democratic senators asked, “Would Monongas be willing to pay an enhanced drilling impact fee or a special tax on gas pumped from state land?”
Toland leaned back in his chair and drawled, “Obviously, I cannot speak for Monongas without a specific proposal on the table. But he who dances must pay the fiddler. Monongas understands that principle.”
Alexa froze at Toland’s words. A cold tendril of alarm snaked down her spine. That’s why she recognized the voice. Toland had been on the balcony the night Senator Martinelli had died. He and his musclebound sidekick may have been the ones who threw Martinelli over the railing.
She looked up at Keisha, still sitting with the committee. Keisha watched Alexa with a steady gaze as if waiting to see if she’d made the connection. When Keisha’s face tightened, Alexa blanched at the realization that the woman had known all along.
Alexa glanced around the room. Only a handful of people remained in the hearing room. “I’ve got to get out of here. I need the police,” she spoke into Walt’s ear. Before he could respond, Alexa jumped to her feet and bolted down the aisle, leaving the photos on the floor.
Chapter Thirty-four
March 6 and March 29, 1983
There’s reasonable assurance that TMI-1 can and should be safely operated.
―Nuclear Regulatory Commission; May 29, 1985.
(TMI Unit One came back on-line in October 1985)
Will gathered his long hair into a ponytail and took his backpack downstairs. “Good morning, Mom. Are you making waffles?”
“We’ve got real maple syrup and bacon. You always loved waffles on Sunday when you were little.” Bettina Armstrong bustled around the kitchen in her apron. “Coffee’s on the stove.”
Taking a clean cup from the dish rack, Will filled it with coffee and placed it on the table. Then he hugged his mom. “You’re the only woman in Pennsylvania who still wears an apron to cook.”
“I doubt that, honey.”
Dad walked into the house and stamped his feet on the doormat. “It’s not even two inches deep out there. This is going to be the last snow of the season.”
“Onion snow. That’s what my grandmother called it,” Mom called out.
“I see you’re taking off again.” Dad pointed to the bulging backpack in the corner.
Will nodded. “I’m headed out west. This new company, Mononuclear, is constructing a new plant. They’re putting it in the desert, right on the only flowing river that intersects forty thousand acres of pristine land. Bastards are even calling it the Oasis Nuclear Generating Facility. It’s like they’re thumbing their noses at the critical nature of the habitat they’re about to ruin.”
“Language, son.” Dad joined Will at the table.
“I’ve heard worse, Herbert.” Mom spoke in a mild tone as she laid a towering plate of waffles in the middle of the table next to the platter of bacon.
The conversation lagged as all three turned to the food in front of them. Bettina ate a few bites and then put down her fork. “Are you driving the whole way out there? I’m not sure that vehicle, that Thing of yours, can make it a thousand miles.”
Will grinned. “I agree. That’s why PANF is paying for my bus ticket.”
“Don’t they pay all your expenses?” Dad asked. “I mean you do work for this People Against a Nuclear Future organization and draw a salary. Right?”
“I do. But they operate on a shoestring budget. All the money comes from donations and a few grants.”
“Honey. We worry about you. Ever since you and Randi broke up, you’ve been gallivanting all over the country. California; New Hampshire; Washington, DC. I can’t keep track of everywhere you’ve been. And you’ve been arrested too many times.”
“But we’re making a difference, Mom. We’re keeping new nuclear power plants from coming on-line. And we’re making our voices heard on nuclear weapons too. Over a million people showed up to the protest in Central Park in June. You can’t believe the impact that the will of the people can have on Congress and the White House.”
“Son, we know how committed you are to this no nukes movement. But it cost you a wife and son, a good job, and a stable life. We can’t help but worry about you.”
Will smiled. “It’s worth it if I can protect Randi, Walden, you guys, and the world from a nuclear nightmare. TMI came this close.” He circled finger and thumb together with a tiny space in between. “It could happen again if we can’t shut down all the nukes. That includes keeping TMI Unit One off-line forever.”
“Maybe you and Randi will never get back together. I know the divorce is final. But if you settled down, you could see Walden a lot more than you do now.” His mother’s voice sounded hopeful.
“Not going to happen, Mom. Randi and I are in two different places now. When I stopped there last week, she told me she’s engaged to some guy. They’re talking about getting married next spring. I’ll still see Walden whenever I want.”
“We had him here for a weekend last month. He’s a fine boy,” Dad said.
“Don’t you think he’s tall for his age? I can’t believe he’ll be four this month.” Will’s pride in the child shone in his voice.
“I bet he tops six feet. Maybe more.”
“Walden looks just like his father.” Bettina wiped a tear from her eye with the corner of her apron.
Will looked at his parents with love. He’d chosen a path they didn’t understand, but they always had his back. “It’s been great seeing you. But I’ve got a bus to catch. I’m driving out to Pittsburgh to take a Greyhound. There’s a PANF supporter there who’s going to hold onto my car until I get back. I might be out west for a few weeks. It’s a developing situation, as they say.” He pushed back from the ta
ble and walked around to kiss his mother on the forehead. “No, don’t get up. Finish your breakfast.” Will shook his dad’s hand and headed out the door.
“I’ll be in touch.” He turned back with an impish grin and raised a clenched fist in the air. “Power to the people.”
The desert sun beat down on Will’s back as they hiked cross-country across the hard-baked land. “Damn. This is pretty intense heat. Is it always like this?”
Tanner Lynch cinched the straps tight on his backpack before he offered a laconic response. “Only during the day. That’s why we left before dawn.” He wiped his sun-baked face with a red bandana.
“Maybe we should have hiked in at night.”
“Watch out for rattlers.” The burly man pointed at an s-pattern in the sand. “Sidewinders.”
Will jumped and threw a suspicious look at the expanse of sand in front of his feet. The two men had left Will’s rental car at a scenic view pullout a few miles back. They were hiking across the desert to the Oasis construction site.
“You’re sure Dorothy Two-Eagles is going to have the bus of protestors pull into the entrance by eight o’clock, right?”
“Yep.”
“How long until we reach the main gate?” Will pulled a pocket watch out of his jeans pocket and flipped it open.
“Not more than an hour. Plenty of time. I’m told the workers never arrive before eight. They’re on the clock. Won’t get paid if they show up any earlier.”
Dead of Spring: An Alexa Williams Novel Page 24
