(NewsNation) — In the swing state of Pennsylvania, fracking — extracting oil and natural gas from underground formations — is one of the major campaign issues.
Due to its economic importance and associated health concerns, fracking has become a popular debate topic in the Keystone State.
NewsNation local affiliate WHTM’s Dennis Owens told “The Hill on NewsNation” that fracking has led to cheaper electric bills for customers, royalty checks for landowners and increased revenue for state and local communities.
Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris’ initial stance on banning fracking and her subsequent change of opinion is seen by some as a strategic move rather than a genuine shift.
Political consultants have expressed mixed views on whether fracking will significantly influence the election outcome, with some believing it will not be a decisive factor.
Owens said that the significance of fracking varies based on regions in the state, with some areas benefiting more from the economic boom than others.
Natural gas is abundant in areas with fewer population centers and not in major cities like Pittsburgh, Harrisburg and Scranton.
He said that the Pennsylvania-New York border is a significant point of comparison, with New York banning fracking due to environmental concerns.
Owens said that fracking might be a more down-the-line issue for Pennsylvanians, who may not fully understand its economic impact.
What is fracking?
According to the Natural Resources Defense Council, hydraulic fracturing is a drilling technique for extracting natural gas or oil from tight rock formations below the earth’s surface. Highly pressurized blasts of large quantities of water, chemicals, and sand are shot into these tight rock formations, which cracks them, allowing gas and oil to flow to the surface.
National Geographic said that fracking techniques greatly expand petroleum and natural gas production in the U.S.
How does fracking impact Pennsylvania?
Pennsylvania is the second-largest natural gas producer in the nation, behind Texas.
According to the 2023 PA Energy Employment Report, Pennsylvania employed 13,653 natural gas jobs and 17,696 mining and extraction jobs. Mining and extraction jobs represent 36.6% of fuel jobs in Pennsylvania.
According to the American Petroleum Institute, Pennsylvania’s natural gas impact fee generated $179.6 million in 2023, part of a total of more than $2.7 billion raised since 2012. These funds are eligible to be put back into Pennsylvania’s economy, supporting local infrastructure, first responders, environmental programs, water preservation and conservation, and tax reductions for localities.
What is fracking’s health and environmental impact?
Fracking has been known to release various chemical compounds that are harmful to the human body, including benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylene. All of which cause leukemia, liver damage, eye, nose, and throat irritation, and headaches, according to the FrackTracker Alliance.
These chemicals typically impact air quality within three to five miles of the fracking operations, FrackTracker said.
A 2020 study by professors specializing in environmental economics at Binghamton University linked 20 deaths over the course of seven years to fracking-related air pollution — an economic cost of nearly $149 million.
In January, Gov. Josh Shapiro’s administration implemented new policies requiring operators to publicly disclose the chemicals used in drilling and hydraulic fracking earlier in the development process.
The Shapiro administration said, “This announcement is the next step in the Shapiro Administration’s continuing work to address climate change and protect Pennsylvanians’ Constitutional right to clean air and pure water while maintaining our Commonwealth’s legacy as a national energy leader.”
What do Pennsylvanians think about fracking?
A 2024 study from Muhlenberg College showed that fracking has helped reduce energy costs for consumers and industries in Pennsylvania and increased jobs. The study cited a 2022 survey that showed an overwhelming majority of Pennsylvanians see natural gas extraction as a boost to the state’s economy.
Still, the study showed that Pennsylvanians’ support for and opposition to natural gas extraction are divided. 44% of residents support the benefits of fracking, 40% oppose it, and 16% are unsure.