Fracking Fuels Controversy in Pennsylvania Town Once Again

The debate over fracking in the United States has returned to the forefront, particularly in the swing state of Pennsylvania, where presidential candidates are scrambling for votes. But for residents of Dimock, Pennsylvania, the effects of fracking have never disappeared. This small rural town of about 1,200 people has faced ongoing struggles with its water supply ever since natural gas drilling began nearby in 2009, leaving water sources polluted, undrinkable, and even flammable.

Dimock, located in northeast Pennsylvania, became a national symbol of the dangers of fracking when local water wells turned brown and toxic following the drilling of dozens of wells to tap into a vast underground gas reservoir. The company responsible for the drilling, Texas-based Coterra, was barred from the region for years due to its role in contaminating the water. In 2020, the company faced criminal charges for its actions. However, despite these legal battles, Coterra has now been allowed back into the area after striking a deal with the state’s Democratic leadership, reigniting tensions among residents.

This renewed drilling activity comes at a politically charged time, as fracking has become a focal point in Pennsylvania’s role in the U.S. presidential race. Both Donald Trump and Kamala Harris have made competing claims about their stance on fracking. Trump has accused Harris of wanting to ban the practice, while Harris has clarified that she does not intend to shut down the industry, pointing to new fracking leases issued under the Biden administration.

For residents of Dimock, the bipartisan Support for fracking feels like a betrayal. Their well water continues to be laced with dangerous chemicals, with some even reporting that the methane in the water is so concentrated that it can be ignited with a match. Locals like Ray Kemble, a former truck driver and veteran, are vocal about their anger. “Sure as hell, I’m not voting for either of those two assholes,” Kemble said, referring to the major candidates. His water turned a disturbing dark brown and eventually black after drilling began near his home. He blames the contamination for health issues, including the loss of his teeth due to pollutants such as uranium, arsenic, and copper in the water.

Victoria Switzer, another Dimock resident, expressed similar frustrations. “I like Kamala, but I was unhappy when she said she wouldn’t ban fracking,” Switzer said. Her water became so contaminated after the drilling began that it bubbled as if it were carbonated. Despite weekly bottled water deliveries from Coterra, she feels that the fossil fuel industry has held her community hostage.

The fracking debate isn’t just a local issue. Across Pennsylvania, approximately 1.5 million people live within a half-mile of oil and gas wells, pipelines, or processing plants. The industry provides jobs for around 16,000 people, which explains why political leaders are hesitant to fully oppose it. Still, not everyone is on board with this industry-friendly approach. Some polls indicate that Pennsylvanians are divided, with a slight majority in some surveys supporting a fracking ban.

Environmental activists, like filmmaker Josh Fox, who highlighted Dimock’s plight in his 2010 documentary Gasland, criticize both political parties for their lack of commitment to protecting communities like Dimock. Fox laments the lack of action to prevent health risks associated with fracking, particularly for children. He also points out that Pennsylvania’s constitution guarantees the right to “clean air, pure water,” making the state’s reliance on fracking even more troubling.

Much of the criticism has been directed at Pennsylvania’s Democratic governor, Josh Shapiro. As the state’s attorney general, Shapiro filed felony charges against Coterra in 2020 for contaminating Dimock’s water supply. However, in a 2022 deal, the felony charges were dropped, and Coterra agreed to build a $16 million water pipeline for the town. Dimock residents feel betrayed by this outcome, as it allowed Coterra to resume drilling. Switzer, who once praised Shapiro, now regrets supporting him.

Despite these promises, the construction of the water pipeline has yet to begin, while new drilling activity around Dimock has intensified. Experts warn that even with monitoring and safeguards, the risks of contamination from fracking remain high, particularly as the process uses millions of gallons of water, sand, and chemicals. Some residents, like Kemble, have already begun taking extreme measures to protect themselves. He recently donated his home to a research organization to study contamination in Dimock and plans to leave the area for good.

Please sign this petition to demand Justice for Community That Endured a Massive Chemical Cloud Raining Down Black Debris!

Related Content:

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• California Senators Introduce Bill to Ban Fracking by 2027
• AOC Shares Her Thoughts on Biden’s Stance on Fracking
• Scotland Moves to Ban Fracking Once and For All!

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