David Masur
Executive Director, PennEnvironment
PennEnvironment
[Philadelphia, PA] – With the controversy over Marcellus Shale gas drilling driving up voter interest in environmental issues this election cycle, the statewide group PennEnvironment today announced its endorsements of 40 state House and Senate candidates.
“This year, too many state lawmakers voted with the drillers and the polluters over the health of our families and our environment,” noted David Masur, PennEnvironment director. “We’re making it clear to Pennsylvania voters which candidates stand with the polluters, and which candidates stand for clean air, clean water and healthy communities.”
Explosions, accidents, spills and violations related to gas drilling across the Commonwealth have made headlines statewide and nationally, making terms such as “fracking” and “Marcellus Shale” part of dinner-table conversation for many Pennsylvanians.
Yet as the public has grown increasingly concerned about gas drilling in the state, Gov. Tom Corbett and his allies in Harrisburg have bent over backwards to cater to the industry through a series of policy debates over how to regulate drilling practices.
For example, new legislation was originally designed to ensure that gas companies pay their fair share for the negative impacts of drilling on the environment and communities. However, guided by the governor, his allies and industry lobbyists, the final law (known as Act 13) became a 200-page bill that stripped local communities’ ability to regulate drilling within their borders; removed or weakened environmental protections; and even left doctors and medical experts vulnerable to legal action if they counseled patients about the negative impacts that gas drilling could be having on their health.
In response, and based on careful research and consideration of the candidates’ voting records and positions, PennEnvironment announced its endorsements for challengers and the open state Senate races:
PennEnvironment also announced its state senate endorsements for the following incumbents:
At the same time, PennEnvironment announced its endorsements of the following state House incumbents:
PennEnvironment announced its endorsements of challengers in state House races:
PennEnvironment also announced its endorsements for statewide race, including Kathleen Kane for Attorney General and Eugene DePasquale for Auditor General.
“Pennsylvanians who are concerned about Marcellus Shale gas drilling need to remember which politicians in Harrisburg voted to give gas drilling companies a virtual free pass to put our air, water and health at risk—and which legislators stood up for ordinary Pennsylvanians and our environment,” stated Masur.
PennEnvironment is informing its members and the general public about the candidates’ positions and views and is urging voters to support their endorsed candidates on the November ballot.
Information about PennEnvironment’s endorsements for federal races can be found on the organization’s website at www.PennEnvironment.org/2012endorsements.