Coalition to Wolf: Choose a New DEP Chief Who Puts the People, Environment before Industry

Statement by Pennsylvanians Against Fracking Spokesperson Karen Feridun

Harrisburg, PA – “Governor Wolf must appoint a new Secretary of the Department of Environmental Protection who puts the best interests of Pennsylvanians and the environment before those of the oil & gas industry.”

“While serving as chief of the state’s environmental agency, John Quigley issued more than 2500 permits for unconventional drilling. Last summer, he chaired the administration’s Pipeline Infrastructure Task Force whose mission he described as “building public acceptance” of the industry. Ninety two percent of the non-governmental members of the task force had ties to the industry, as did several of the members representing the government. Scott Cannon was suddenly disinvited from the appointment he’d received to participate on the task force when it was discovered that he was a pipeline opponent.”

“We met with Secretary Quigley twice and handed him the science that conclusively makes the case for a ban on fracking on both occasions. We submitted the science again, along with written comments during the task force’s comment period… twice. Neither submission was entered onto the record. Some of the comments came from the same impacted Pennsylvanians who had tried to speak during the task force meetings. His allegiance to the industry was clear when all of our attempts were ignored.”

“Since Governor Wolf took office, Pennsylvanians Against Fracking has been pressuring him to stop ignoring the impacts of fracking on our fellow citizens, natural resources, and climate. At the beginning of his administration, his cabinet included, in addition to Quigley, two former pro-fracking DEP chiefs, Katie McGinty and John Hanger. Now that all three are gone, Governor Wolf must seek advisors who are willing to make an honest assessment of fracking’s impacts and work with him to institute a moratorium.”

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About Pennsylvanians Against Fracking

Pennsylvanians Against Fracking is a statewide coalition of organizations, institutions, and businesses calling for a halt to fracking in the Commonwealth. Steering Committee member organizations include Berks Gas Truth, Delaware Riverkeeper Network, Food & Water Watch, Marcellus Outreach Butler, Marcellus Protest, Pennsylvania Alliance for Clean Water and Air, and Thomas Merton Center. Learn more about Pennsylvanians Against Fracking at paagainstfracking.org.

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