Fracking operations leave West Virginia families in distress

Fracking operations by a Pittsburgh company in West Virginia have led to severe health complaints from local families, sparking a federal investigation.

Quinn Glabicki reports for PublicSource.

In short:

• EQT’s fracking activities in Knob Fork, West Virginia precede a $5.2 billion company expansion and result in severe health issues for local families, causing them to abandon their homes.
• Investigations by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency have identified leaks and unexpected emissions, with EQT’s operations releasing harmful VOCs known to cause serious health effects.
• The affected families, documenting symptoms and VOC exposure, face challenges from state regulators and EQT, which asserts its operations are safe.

Key quote:

"Our home is no longer a home. It is a place of sickness, confusion and sadness.”

— Abby Tennant, resident of Knob Fork

Why this matters:

Fracking can lead to a boom in local economies; however, the experiences in Knob Fork underscore the potential risks to community health and well-being from fracking operations, bringing into question the balance between energy pursuits and environmental protection.

Be sure to read EHN's series: Fractured: The body burden of living near fracking.