Fracking emerges as pivotal issue in Pennsylvania Senate race

In Pennsylvania's Senate race, fracking has become a focal point as Republican Dave McCormick challenges Democratic incumbent Bob Casey.

Kiley Bense reports for Inside Climate News.


In short:

  • Dave McCormick is leveraging fracking as a key issue in his Senate campaign against Bob Casey, aiming to appeal to conservative voters while portraying Casey as anti-industry.
  • Both McCormick and Casey have similar energy policies supporting natural gas, nuclear power, and clean energy, despite McCormick's focus on Casey's alleged opposition to fracking.
  • The Senate race underscores broader electoral concerns about the environment and energy, especially in Pennsylvania, where fracking is a significant economic driver.

Key quote:

“McCormick has been pretty clear that he’s not particularly interested in taking the climate crisis very seriously.”

— Ilyas Khan, hub coordinator for Sunrise Pittsburgh

Why this matters:

Fracking is a contentious issue in Pennsylvania, a key swing state, impacting both the environment and the economy. This race could influence national energy policies and climate strategies amid rising concerns about fossil fuels.

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