Calling for National Fracking Standards and Empowering Local Communities
This week, NRDC president Frances Beinecke spent several days in western Pennsylvania seeing and hearing about the impacts of fracking first hand from local activists, homeowners, and scientists. People in the region fear their water is contaminated with toxic substances from fracking operations. They worry the air pollution coming from compressor stations or well pads is harming their families. And they believe their property values are forever compromised.
Their fears were heightened by reports—featured on NPR this week—that the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection has confirmed methane from improperly constructed gas wells has contaminated people’s drinking water in Northern Pennsylvania—and created a risk of fire or explosion in people’s homes and water wells. Read more.
Photo: Melanie Blanding