We Don't Need More Evidence. We Need a Ban on Fracking.

“The rapidly expanding body of evidence compiled here is massive, troubling, and cries out for decisive action,” say the authors of the 9th edition of the Compendium of Scientific, Medical, and Media Findings Demonstrating Risks and Harms of Fracking and Associated Gas and Oil Infrastructure released on October 19. Their findings result from their review of nearly 2500 studies, reports, and investigations, more than six times the number that existed when New York banned fracking. They add, “The only method of mitigating its grave threats to public health and the climate is a complete and comprehensive ban on fracking.” We agree.

How much more evidence do you need to declare a ban? 5000 studies? 10,000? No, the answer is none. We can’t begin to count how many lives would have been spared, how much pain and suffering would have been avoided, and how much damage to our environment, economy, society, quality of life, and climate would have been prevented if Pennsylvania would have taken the same precautions New York took by looking before they leapt.

What we do know is that continued drilling and fracking will only bring about more harms, damage, and destruction. You cannot make a case that justifies it. Your continued support of shale gas development amounts to willful disregard for the lives and wellbeing of people across Pennsylvania.

The release of the Compendium is timely, as it comes less than a week after the vast majority of you cheered the announcement that Pennsylvania will be part of two hydrogen hubs based entirely or partially on methane as a feedstock. More drilling, more fracking, more harm, more damage, more destruction.

We demand better, Governor Shapiro and Legislators. The time to end fracking is now.