PENNSYLVANIA — The Pennsylvania House Environmental Resources & Energy Committee held a public hearing this week to discuss unconventional well setbacks and legislation (H.B. 170) introduced by State Rep. Danielle Friel Otten, D-Chester. The bill seeks to amend Title 58 (Oil and Gas) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, further providing for well location restrictions.
Following the hearing, Rep. Otten released a statement detailing her motivations for introducing the bill. She recalled a moment in 2015 when her neighbor informed her about a pipeline carrying highly explosive fracked gas liquids through their densely populated neighborhood. This was her first step towards the legislature.
Since joining the House in January 2019, Rep. Otten has been an outspoken advocate for her community, repeatedly challenging oil & gas executives and her colleagues on the House Environmental Resources & Energy Committee. She has been at the forefront of pushing for greater accountability and recognition of the public health and safety risks posed by fracking operations and related infrastructure.
Rep. Otten’s legislation, HB 170, aims to expand the required setbacks for fracking infrastructure. This bill is based on peer-reviewed science and aligns with seven other legislative recommendations from a two-year Grand Jury investigation into fracking industry operators. It is now further supported by findings from the Yale School of Public Health and the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center.
Rep. Otten pointed out that numerous studies have found that living close to fracked gas wells can cause severe health conditions, especially in children, and significantly impact public health. However, she voiced her frustration that at Monday’s hearing, oil & gas executives once again dismissed scientific findings and resisted regulatory measures to protect public health.
In her closing remarks, Rep. Otten asked some pointed questions regarding the value of human life versus industry profits and reemphasized her commitment to representing the interests of her constituents and the people of Pennsylvania.
“So once again, I asked the same questions: What is the statistical value of a life? How many children are they willing to make sick, for how much money? How many children need to get sick or die before it is no longer cost-effective for oil and gas billionaires and their enablers?, ” Otten stated.
House Bill 170 is a significant step towards improved fracking regulations in Pennsylvania, aiming to enhance public safety and health standards.
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