Fracking and the Pennsylvania Midterm Election

The new public officials who are appointed as a result of the Pennsylvania midterm election will also take part in determining the direction of the fracking industry in Pennsylvania—and the country for that matter, given that Pennsylvania is the second largest gas producing state in the U.S.

It was just last week that Pennsylvania lawmakers passed a $1.97 billion package of tax credits to support the gas industry, which is now under review by Governor Wolf. The proposal grants tax credits to the petrochemical, fertilizer, hydrogen, and other industries that use fracked gas as feedstock or energy. Many state leaders, with the fossil fuel and steel industry’s support, are priming the region to become a hydrogen energy hub (falling on the heels of many other ambitious plans for “hubs” to transform the regional economy, with a somewhat low success rate).

On the other hand, new elected officials could also fight for greater public health and climate protections, like setbacks, to distance polluting infrastructure from communities. New administrations could impact regulation to combat climate change, like the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI), and promote renewable energy production.

At the same time, many of the decisions about fracking happen at the local level. Local ordinances impact where fracking can occur, which is why voting in local elections and showing up to local and county meetings is of vital importance. Our Pennsylvania Shale Viewer is one tool you can take to your local officials to discuss your concerns about fracking. Not only does this map show the locations of oil and gas wells in the state, it also shows violations associated with these wells.