STATEMENT: Gov. Shapiro’s newly proposed fracking safeguards are important step for protecting health, environment

Package of proposed regulations would help rein in fracking pollution.

PHILADELPHIA — Gov. Josh Shapiro announced Thursday that he will direct his Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to begin the regulatory process to try to make fracking in Pennsylvania less dangerous for the environment and public health. 

The newly proposed protections include increasing reporting by the fracking industry about its chemical use while drilling; setting standards to rein in the global-warming pollutant methane commonly emitted during fracking activities; and strengthening standards for dealing with drilling waste and gas pipelines. 

The governor also announced a partnership with the gas drilling company CNX Resources to disclose its chemical use and emissions monitoring. 

In response, PennEnvironment Executive Director David Masur released the following statement: 

“PennEnvironment applauds Gov. Shapiro’s announcement to introduce a package of much-needed regulatory protections and safeguards against fracking in Pennsylvania. 

“For too many years, when it comes to fracking-related pollution in Pennsylvania, gas companies have gotten a ‘Get out of jail free’ card. Over the past 15 years, since hydraulic fracturing ramped up here, mountains of data have shown that the fracking process and its inevitable pollution pose a significant health hazard to Pennsylvanians and our environment. 

“While the package of just-announced policies are important first steps for reining in fracking pollution, at the end of the day, we must end fracking if we’re going to protect public health and our planet. When we have clean, plentiful and cheap sources of energy such as wind and solar power, we have no need to rely on harmful fossil fuels that are dirty, dangerous and often don’t deliver for Pennsylvanians. 

“Poll after poll shows that the policy initiatives being introduced by the Shapiro administration are broadly supported by Pennsylvanians from all walks of life and all stripes. Hopefully, more energy companies come to the table and voluntarily agree with the governor’s team to implement policies we sorely need to protect our communities from the ravages of fracking.” 

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PennEnvironment is a statewide citizen-based non-profit environmental advocacy organization working to promote clean air, clean water, and protect our open spaces. To learn more about our work on this or other issues, please visit www.PennEnvironment.org.