Pittsburgh, PA—[January 30, 2014] On Thursday, a team of Western Pennsylvania citizen-journalists will release a report documenting the personal impacts of shale gas extraction on residents living near hydraulic fracturing commonly known as “fracking.” The publication, entitled Shalefield Stories, is a compilation of first-hand testimonies and documented stories from residents, farmers, and workers who have been harmed by drilling in the oil and gas shalefields. A national organization, Environment America and 16 of their statewide chapters, including PennEnvironment, are promoting the release. The report will also be published on their website environmentamerica.org. The investigation, which spans 5 states, identifies recurring problems associated with shale gas extraction including water contamination, air contamination, human health impacts, animal deaths and loss of property value. Jason Bell, one of the report’s editors, said he was compelled to work on the project because he felt his neighbors’ stories weren’t getting enough coverage in the media. “Unfortunately, there are powerful interests that don’t want these stories to be told; so it falls on us, members of the community, to tell these stories to the broader public.” Dana Dolney, another of the report’s editors, points out that though the report is a good start it only represent a fraction of the total damage. “There are many more people out there with the same problems as those highlighted in the book but we were unable to publish their stories because they are currently in litigation with the drillers.” In addition to personal testimonies, the 40-page full color book features quotes from medical professionals, geologists, local officials, PA Supreme Court Justice Ronald D. Castille and a former oil executive at Mobil Oil. There is also a resource documenting how much money politicians in Pennsylvania have received from the oil and gas industry. Briget Shields who spearheaded the research surrounding campaign donations believes that it is of particular importance. “Our mission is to educate the public on the negative impacts the gas industry has had on our health, land, air, water and especially our democracy.” Donations collected from distribution of the book of individual accounts will help provide assistance (such as access to clean water and air scrubber systems) to those who have been harmed by gas drilling near their homes. Copies can be requested by contacting Steel Valley Printers at 412-461-5650 or emailing [email protected]. Donations can also be made through the Tomas Merton Center at thomasmertoncenter.org/donate
Posted on: Sat, 01 Feb 2014 05:40:09 +0000
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