By Nick Keppler, Environmental Health News

In a rush to reap the economic benefits of fracking, the Pennsylvania Department of Health (DOH), the state General Assembly and three governors ignored or gave underwhelming responses to public health concerns, according to a new white paper from the nonprofit Environmental Health Project.

“[I]t is clear that, to date, many members of the General Assembly, the Governor’s Office, and the DOH have failed to make a good faith effort to understand and address the health risks and resulting health impacts of shale gas development,” it states.

Environmental Health Project, a health organization focused on how shale gas drilling and its byproducts impact communities, collected health data from Pennsylvania residents living near shale wells, which now number more than 13,000 in permits, to make up for what it describes as inaction by the state.

“Since we have been doing this for 10 years, it seemed like time to reflect on the comprehensive narrative on how we got to where we are today,” said EHP Executive Director Alison L. Steele.

Research has linked increased risk of infant mortality, low birth rates, depression, and hospitalizations for skin and urinary issues to live near fracking wells.

The findings come a year after Environmental Health News’ “Fractured” investigation, which found that Western Pennsylvania families near fracking are exposed to harmful chemicals, and regulations fail to protect communities' mental, physical, and social health.

The authors of the new report call for more funding to government agencies, for drillers to make public the list of chemicals they use, and a way for residents to file environmental health complaints.

Click Here to read the entire article and the new white paper.

(Photo: Bryan Latkanich of Washington County, Pa., points to drilling equipment near his home in 2019. Credit: Kristina Marusic)

Related Articles:

-- DEP Oil & Gas Advisory Board Has Spill Reporting, Funding For Well Plugging; Permit Fees; Carbon Capture; New Regs On April 25 Agenda

-- 6th Oil/Natural Gas Shock: Number Of New Natural Gas Wells Drilled In First Quarter Declined By Over 25% In PA Compared To 2021, 2020 

-- Dog Whistles: House Republicans Pass Bills Adding More Bureaucracy To DEP Permits Reviews; Pretending To Increase Natural Gas Production In PA

-- New Ohio River Valley Institute Report Shows Conventional Oil & Gas Well Owner Diversified Energy Lacks Resources To Plug Wells, Including 22,507 Wells In PA

-- DEP Signed 2 Consent Agreements With PBF Petroleum Terminal On The Schuylkill River In Philadelphia For Storage Tank, Clean Streams Law Violations; Penalties Total $1,050,000 

-- U.S. EIA: Electric Generation From Renewables To Keep Rising Leading To A Decline In Natural Gas Generation; CO2 Emissions Keep Going Up

-- Washington & Jefferson College Center For Energy Policy & Management Hosts April 20 Webinar On Hydrogen: The Future Of Clean Energy?

[Posted: April 14, 2022]

4/18/2022