Shale Gas Extraction in Pennsylvania

In Pennsylvania, the advent of shale gas development (also called unconventional gas development, hydraulic fracturing, or fracking) has created prosperity for some and adverse health consequences for many in primarily rural areas of the state. A boom in shale gas drilling and extraction, which began in 2004 and ramped up sharply in the ensuing decade, occurred with no consideration of public health. In fact, policymakers at all levels of government enabled industry to circumvent existing emissions rules, while the state provided large public subsidies, required minimal operating fees, established inadequate setback distances, and provided lax agency oversight in exchange for virtually unlimited industry access to gas deposits underlying the state. Meanwhile, residents living near shale gas development have suffered a host of health impacts, from asthmas and heart events to birth defects and cancers. The clock cannot be turned back on the failures of policymakers to protect populations within the state. However, a number of policy improvements can be made to better defend the health of residents in Pennsylvania and anywhere polluting industries operate. Improvements in the areas of equity, transparency, authority, and accountability are vitally important to protecting public health from shale gas pollution.