What do politicians have to say about 'Fractured?'

What do politicians have to say about 'Fractured?'

Here are the responses we've gotten so far from politicians about our study that found Pennsylvania families living near fracking wells are being exposed to high levels of harmful industrial chemicals.

EHN conducted a two-year study that found Pennsylvania families living near fracking wells are being exposed to high levels of harmful industrial chemicals. Our findings are documented in the four-part series Fractured: The body burden of living near fracking.


A few weeks after the series was published, a group of 34 lawmakers from the state House and Senate issued a public letter to Governor Tom Wolf, Acting Secretary of the Department of Health Alison Beam, and Secretary of the Department of Environmental Protection Patrick McDonnell calling on them to take action in response to our findings.

"[The findings] are alarming in terms of the effects on the long-term health and safety of these residents," the lawmakers wrote. "Does this administration believe it has adequately protected Pennsylvanians from the harms of fracking? Does this administration honestly believe that fracking is safe for our families? The people of Pennsylvania deserve answers to these questions."

The full letter is available here. This is a complete list of the politicians who signed it:

Rep. Jessica Benham (D) District 36 (Allegheny County)
Rep. Elizabeth Fiedler (D) District 184 (Philadelphia County)

Rep. Joe Hohenstein (D) District 177 (Philadelphia County)

Rep. Leanne Krueger (D) District 161 (Delaware County)
Sen. Steve Santasarieo (D) District 10 (Bucks County)Rep. Greg Vitali (D) District 166 (Delaware and Montgomery Counties)
Sen. Jim Brewster (D) District 45 (Allegheny and Westmoreland Counties)

Sen.Wayne Fontana (D) District 42 (Allegheny County)
Sen. Vincent Hughes (D) District 7 (Montgomery and Philadelphia Counties)

Rep. Summer Lee (D) District 34 (Allegheny County)Sen. Nikil Saval (D) District 1 (Philadelphia County)Rep. Perry Warren (D) District 31 (Bucks County)
Rep. Tim Briggs (D) District 149 (Montgomery County)
Rep. Danielle Friel-Otten (D) District 155 (Chester County)Rep. Sara Innamorato (D) District 21 (Allegheny County)Sen. Katie Muth (D) District 44 (Berks, Chester, and Montgomery Counties)

Rep. Pete Schweyer (D) District 22 (Lehigh County)
Rep. Joe Webster (D) District 150 (Montgomery County)
Sen. Amanda Cappelletti (D) District 17 (Delaware and Montgomery Counties)

Rep. Nancy Guenst (D) District 152 (Montgomery and Philadelphia Counties)Rep. Mary Issacson (D) District 175 (Philadelphia County)Rep. Napoleon Nelson (D) District 57 (Westmoreland County)Rep. Melissa Shusterman (D) District 157 (Chester and Montgomery Counties)
Sen. Lindsey Williams (D) District 38 (Allegheny County)
Sen. Maria Collett (D) District 12 (Bucks and Montgomery Counties)

Rep. Dianne Herrin (D) District 156 (Chester County)Sen. Tim Kearny (D) District 26 (Chester and Delaware Counties)Rep. Christopher Rabb (D) District 200 (Philadelphia County)Rep. Mike Sturla (D) District 96 (Lancaster County)Sen. Christine Tartaglione (D) District 2 (Philadelphia County)
Sen. Carolyn Comitta (D) District 19 (Chester County)
Rep. Carol Hill-Evans (D) District 95 (York County)Rep. Rick Krajewski (D) District 188 (Philadelphia County)Rep. Ben Sanchez (D) District 153 (Montgomery County)


About a month after the series was published we began reaching out to Pennsylvania politicians who didn't sign the letter to hear their thoughts on our findings and ask what they're doing to protect Pennsylvania residents from harmful pollution from the oil and gas industry.

Some were eager to talk. Some ignored us entirely. Others politely (or not so politely) blew us off. A few interviews are still pending. We'll update this list as responses continue rolling in, so if you're a politician or policy-maker interested in sharing your thoughts, please get in touch.

Here are the responses we've gotten so far from a range of regional and state politicians, along with their contact information for constituents who'd like to follow up:

U.S. Steel Pennsylvania pollution
Credit: Kristina Marusic for EHN

Coal-based steelmaking in Pennsylvania causes up to 92 premature deaths and $1.4 billion in health costs every year: Report

Just three facilities near Pittsburgh cost the state $16 million in lost economic activity annually, according to a new report.

PITTSBURGH — Pollution from Pennsylvania’s three remaining coal-based steelmaking plants cause an estimated 50 to 92 premature deaths each year, according to a new report.

Keep reading...Show less
Senator Whitehouse & climate change

Senator Whitehouse puts climate change on budget committee’s agenda

For more than a decade, Senator Sheldon Whitehouse gave daily warnings about the mounting threat of climate change. Now he has a powerful new perch.
Protest sign that says Keep the frack out of my water

Anger grows as fracking resumes in Pennsylvania town with poisoned water

The restart of fracking in Dimock, Pennsylvania has sparked outrage among residents whose water became dangerously contaminated years ago, as political candidates continue to support the industry.

Oliver Milman reports for The Guardian.

Keep reading...Show less
ANWR energy development debate
Credit: Gale/Flickr

Alaska's Arctic refuge faces uncertain future amid oil debate

The fate of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, one of the wildest places in the U.S., is at stake as local communities and environmentalists clash over oil and gas development on the land.

Juliet Eilperin, Carolyn Van Houten, and Alice Li report for The Washington Post.

Keep reading...Show less
Degrowth's challenge lies in overcoming political and global resistance

Degrowth's challenge lies in overcoming political and global resistance

Finance ministers meeting after recent hurricanes and flooding highlights the growing tension between economic growth and the urgent need to address the climate crisis.

Larry Elliott reports for The Guardian.

Keep reading...Show less
destroyed homes from storm

Hurricanes devastate immigrant dreams in southwest Florida

Recent hurricanes in southwest Florida have shattered the hopes of many Latino immigrants, who had moved there seeking affordable homes and businesses, only to face severe storm damage.

Arelis R. Hernández reports for The Washington Post.

Keep reading...Show less
energy meters

Maryland energy bill faces legal battle over consumer protection rules

A new Maryland law aimed at protecting consumers from deceptive energy practices is facing a legal challenge from energy companies, who claim the rules violate their First Amendment rights and impose unfair regulations.

Aman Azhar reports for Inside Climate News.

Keep reading...Show less
oil well

Craddick faces competition in Texas Railroad Commission race over energy industry regulation

Incumbent Christi Craddick is running for re-election as the chair of the Texas Railroad Commission, while challengers argue the agency isn’t doing enough to regulate the oil and gas industry.

Alejandra Martinez reports for The Texas Tribune.

Keep reading...Show less
From our Newsroom
COP16 UN biodiversity

Pollution is one of the top drivers of biodiversity loss. Why is no one talking about it at COP16?

“Chemicals are really at the center of this triple planetary crisis of pollution, biodiversity and climate change.”

COP16 UN biodiversity

La contaminación es una de las principales amenazas de la biodiversidad. ¿Por qué nadie habla de ella en la COP16?

“Las sustancias químicas están realmente en el centro de esta triple crisis planetaria de contaminación, biodiversidad y cambio climático”.

clean energy transition

Op-ed: Labor and environmental groups can both win in the clean energy transition. Here’s how.

Groups are choosing to repair broken lines of communication and visualize the transition for its true potential to mitigate climate change – the common enemy.

environmental defenders

‘Living under this constant threat’: Environmental defenders face a mounting mental health crisis

Environmental activists are struggling with paranoia, panic attacks, and depression. Now, a growing network of mental health shelters in South America hopes to fill a void in care.

fracking opposition

Opposing fracking cost one Colombian activist her mental health. She’s fighting to win it back.

"At some point, they will kill you and kill all of us," environmental leader Yuvelis Natalia Morales Blanco was told.

Houston area has more than 100 unauthorized air pollution events already this year

Houston area has more than 100 unauthorized air pollution events already this year

An EHN analysis finds nearly half were related to flaring.

Stay informed: sign up for The Daily Climate newsletter
Top news on climate impacts, solutions, politics, drivers. Delivered to your inbox week days.