By Shadwick Yoder

Faculty Mentor: Dr. Ranjit Singh

Abstract

Hydraulic fracturing, or “fracking” as it is commonly referred to as is all too familiar for residents of Western Pennsylvania. With a desperate job market and an economy with remnants of the rust belt remaining, Pennsylvanians are torn by the promise of quick economic development and the guarantee of higher risk of cancer, air and water pollution, and the general destruction of their environment. As the fracking industry develops new ways to extract natural gas, Pennsylvania finds itself the second most fracked state behind Texas, and no signs of slowing down. Residents and local communities push back and make their voices heard, however, and consistently bring fracking to the forefront of politics and campaigns. With a unique issue that does not fall on party lines, how do presidential candidates, governors, and local politicians deal with the complex issue? Risk economic prosperity and jobs in one of the most purple states while making a clear enemy of the fossil fuel industry, or saving communities and listening to the vocal groups advocating for protection for both the environment and their health; every politician that seeks to win western Pennsylvania must choose a side.