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Pennsylvania House of Representatives
05/06/2024 04:31 PM
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
https://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/Legis/CSM/showMemoPublic.cfm?chamber=H&SPick=20210&cosponId=35899
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House of Representatives
Session of 2021 - 2022 Regular Session

MEMORANDUM

Posted: June 17, 2021 04:02 PM
From: Representative Rick Krajewski and Rep. Dan Frankel
To: All House members
Subject: Public Health Protection from Effects of Fracking
 
In the near future, we will introduce legislation that will require the Department of Health (DOH) to create a full public health response to the serious harms to human health caused by the fracking industry. Currently the Pennsylvania fracking industry is entirely regulated by an underfunded and understaffed Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). But the impacts of fracking extend beyond our precious air, land and water surrounding wells. Extensive research indicates that fracking significantly impacts the lung, hearts and bodies of the people living and working nearby.
 
The 2020 Attorney General Report called for Department of Health (DOH) to have an active and defined role in regulating the fracking industry to protect the health and safety of Pennsylvanians above all else.
 
For this reason, we plan to introduce a bill that would require the DOH to coordinate with the DEP to collect, analyze and maintain updated data on the impact of fracking on public health and make this data available and easily accessible to the public. In addition, my bill would require DOH and DEP to investigate all resident complaints related to fracking facilities. DOH would also coordinate with local health centers and develop public education resources and training on the impact of fracking for local health officials.  To better facilitate data collection, DOH would ensure that affected communities are fully aware of, and have easy access to, lines of communication with the department.
 
We have state regulatory agencies for this very purpose: to ensure that industry gains do not come at the cost of the public health. Join me in cosponsoring this legislation to make sure that process is working for all Pennsylvanians.


Introduced as HB1467