9 in 10 Pennsylvanians support stronger health protections on fracking

Fracking infrastructure is widespread across Pennsylvania. For nearly two decades, gas companies have drilled wells, laid pipelines, and erected compressor stations right alongside the places we live, work, worship, and play.

In fact, millions of Pennsylvanians live within a half mile of an oil and gas well, pipeline, processing facility, or other fracking infrastructure. Many are worried about the effects this infrastructure could have on their health. In a recent survey published by the Ohio River Valley Institute, nearly eight in 10 (79%) Pennsylvania voters said they worry about the effects of pollution on the health of their families.

And for good reason. Dozens of peer-reviewed studies have shown the health risks of living near fracking operations: respiratory and heart problems, birth complications, mental health issues, cancer, and premature death.

These are serious, widespread problems that can be prevented with widely popular policy action.

Last week, 104 individuals and 34 organizations joined a call to Gov. Josh Shapiro to make good on promises his administration made years ago to protect Pennsylvanians from fracking health harms. The letter draws on research from the Environmental Health Project (EHP) that underscores the risks of fracking and outlines actionable policy solutions to protect public health.

79% Pennsylvania voters said they worry about the effects of pollution on the health of their families.

Nine in 10 Pennsylvania voters support many of the policy actions called for by EHP, including requiring companies to publicly disclose the chemicals used in drilling operations (94%) and increasing protective buffers — known as “setback” distances — from schools and hospitals (90%).

An overwhelming majority (92%) supports setting up more air monitors near fracking wells, a critical step toward measuring the “cumulative” air emissions that pile up from multiple polluting sources in a given area.

And it’s clear Pennsylvanians want more transparency from shale gas developers. Nearly six in 10 (58%) say they distrust fracking companies to report the industry’s environmental and public health impacts. It’s little surprise when companies like CNX have logged more than 540 violations from the Department of Environmental Protection over the last four years.

We’ve endured too many false promises from the fracking industry and its supporters in state government to take blanket claims of safety at face value. It’s time for Shapiro to fight back against the fracking industry’s air and water pollution and stand up for our friends, families, and neighbors.

The best way to protect public health from shale gas activity? Accelerating the transition away from fossil fuels and toward truly clean energy.

Solar and wind development can both drive the commonwealth’s economy and protect our health. Research shows investment in forward-thinking technologies like energy efficiency and renewables is a far better job creator than continued investment in oil, gas, and unproven gimmicks like carbon capture.

Clean energy is broadly popular, too. Pennsylvanians support solar (80%) and wind (73%) power and favor spending taxpayer dollars on new sources of renewable energy over fracking and pipeline development by a 22-point margin.

The polling is clear. Pennsylvanians are ready to build a brighter, healthier future. Tell Gov. Shapiro that we’re ready to get started today.

Joanne Kilgour is executive director of the Ohio River Valley Institute, an independent, nonpartisan research organization charting a course toward clean energy, shared prosperity, and more equitable civic structures in Appalachia. Alison L. Steele is executive director of the Environmental Health Project, a nonprofit organization working to defend public health in the face of oil and gas development.