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The moment was supposed to be a success story. Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro made his way to a union hall in Scranton five months back to unveil a new energy plan that his administration heralded as a “bold vision for Pennsylvania’s energy future.”
However, his speech was met with a piercing question from a resident of a Pennsylvania town known for water contamination linked to fracking over 14 years ago.
Ray Kemble interrupted, asking, “When are you going to come back to Dimock? I’ve got no water in the house. You know it, and you threw us under the bus.”
Manuel Bonder, a spokesperson for the governor, stated that Shapiro “will never forget the people of Dimock and has been diligently working with the Public Utilities Commission to expedite the construction of the public water line he secured.”
The public water line project for Dimock residents was part of a plea agreement brokered by then-Attorney General Shapiro with the involved company, Coterra Energy, in 2022. Yet, even two years later, some Dimock residents still lack clean running water. Kemble’s frustration extends beyond the water line to the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection lifting a 12-year ban on fracking in the town the day after the agreement, allowing Coterra to resume drilling in the area.
With Shapiro reportedly on Vice President Kamala Harris’ shortlist for potential running mates, Kemble and others in Dimock want the public to understand their plight and why they feel let down by the governor.
“He couldn’t even look at me,” Kemble recalled from his attempt to get answers from Shapiro in Scranton. “And he knows who I am.”
Kemble added, “He’s done everything just the opposite of what he said he was going to do. I mean, everything he’s been doing is for industry. The hell with the people.”
Shapiro’s spokesperson highlighted that the governor, during his tenure as attorney general, “secured a historic settlement for Pennsylvanians in Dimock—holding Coterra Energy accountable for polluting residents’ water and committing to constructing a new $16 million public water line for clean, reliable drinking water for future generations.” Bonder emphasized, “The Governor and his Administration have been resolute in meeting these commitments and continuing to serve the people of Dimock.”
Following the settlement, a Coterra spokesperson stated, “The company aims to adhere to best practices, surpass industry standards, and remain a valuable community partner.” The water pollution in Dimock was showcased in the 2010 documentary “Gasland,” where a scene depicted a resident igniting tap water.
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Kemble and other Dimock residents who stood with Shapiro at the settlement press briefing were surprised by the lifting of the drilling ban, suspecting Shapiro may have been aware beforehand. Kemble expressed feeling exploited by Shapiro’s actions.
The incident in Scranton, among others this year, has brought public scrutiny to Shapiro for his perceived alignment with fossil fuel interests.
Shapiro faced confrontation from environmental activists, such as Maya van Rossum of the Delaware Riverkeeper, regarding his support for hydrogen fuel hubs relying on fracked natural gas. In other instances, climate activists were arrested outside Shapiro’s office in Harrisburg calling for discussions on his climate policies and ties to the oil and gas industry.
Criticism towards Shapiro has grown, particularly due to his shift from aggressive stances on oil and gas companies as attorney general to a more favorable position toward them as governor. This change in stance has disappointed many environmental activists in Pennsylvania.
Physicians for Social Responsibility Pennsylvania recently highlighted Shapiro’s significant shift in environmental priorities from his time as attorney general to his current alignment with fossil fuel companies.
The Conservation Voters of Pennsylvania, once touting him as an environmental champion upon his gubernatorial election, now criticize his economic strategy as mirroring the fossil fuel industry’s agenda.
Shapiro’s prior work as attorney general, specifically a grand jury report on fracking revealing the government’s failure to protect citizens during the fracking boom, had generated optimism among environmentalists for his tenure as governor.
Notable accomplishments under Shapiro’s administration cited by David Masur of PennEnvironment include his work on fracking issues and response to incidents like the 2023 train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio, by the state border. Masur commended Shapiro’s strong stance in these cases, portraying him as a protector of Pennsylvanians against powerful interests.
Residents affected by the East Palestine derailment have reported challenges in accessing medical aid post-disaster and expressed a sense of abandonment by elected officials.
Josh Shapiro is known for his political prowess and strong communication skills. He is highly regarded by Pennsylvania voters, with a majority believing he has done well as governor. His ability to bring together divergent groups in the state’s divided legislature has been lauded, making him a prominent figure in the political landscape.
With Pennsylvania being a crucial swing state, Shapiro’s popularity and fundraising capabilities set him apart as a potential vice-presidential candidate. He has successfully united factions within the Democratic base, particularly labor unions and environmentalists, fostering collaboration where there was previously discord.
One of Shapiro’s notable initiatives was the formation of a working group to assess Pennsylvania’s participation in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI), aimed at curbing carbon emissions. Despite criticism for its secrecy and composition, the group advocated for a “cap and invest” approach for power utilities. While the decision on joining RGGI is pending legal challenges, Shapiro’s administration developed the Pennsylvania Climate Emissions Reduction Act to regulate carbon emissions and lower electricity costs for consumers.
Shapiro’s environmental achievements include establishing hydrogen hubs for job creation, partnering with CNX on environmental initiatives, and accelerating well-plugging efforts to reduce methane emissions. His administration also focused on holding polluters accountable and investing in clean water infrastructure in the state.
Recently, Shapiro announced federal grants for Pennsylvania under the Inflation Reduction Act to support the RISE PA program, aimed at reducing industrial emissions and creating jobs while improving air quality. He also signed energy-related bills into law, including a grant program for solar panels in schools and a regulatory framework for carbon capture and sequestration.
However, some environmentalists criticize Shapiro’s energy strategy for being too accommodating to fossil fuel interests amid increasing climate-related challenges in Pennsylvania. They argue that a broader approach is needed to address the state’s environmental concerns effectively.The state of Pennsylvania will need more than $15 billion before 2040 to prepare for the impacts of climate change and safeguard its residents from severe weather events.
Environmentalists are expressing their disappointment with the partnership between CNX and the government, viewing it as a betrayal after years of advocating against the negative effects of fracking. They question the governor’s decision to collaborate with a company that had previously been accused of violating environmental regulations. The outcome of a $3 million study on fracking’s health impacts conducted by the state Department of Health in 2023 seems to have been overlooked, raising concerns among activists.
Two proposed hydrogen hub projects in Pennsylvania have sparked controversy, with critics labeling them as inadequate solutions to combat climate change. The western hub, ARCH2, supported by companies linked to the fossil fuel industry, plans to produce “blue” hydrogen from natural gas using carbon capture technology. On the other hand, the eastern hub, MACH2, intends to produce hydrogen using water and nuclear power but has faced criticism for excluding input from communities affected by the project.
Activists in Pennsylvania argue that investments should focus on clean energy sources like solar instead of hydrogen and carbon capture technologies. The state lags behind in renewable energy, ranking poorly in electricity generation from renewables, growth in renewable energy, and energy savings from efficiency improvements.
Pennsylvania also ranks high in carbon dioxide emissions and methane emissions, a potent greenhouse gas. The state’s environmental policies and energy practices have faced scrutiny, with questions raised about its commitment to addressing climate change effectively.
Political considerations may influence Governor Harris’ choice of a running mate, with opinions varying on how candidates’ stances on climate and fracking issues could impact the election outcome. Governor Shapiro’s position on energy and environmental policies could appeal to swing voters in a general election, despite criticism from environmental activists.
In the upcoming presidential race, Governor Shapiro is viewed as a potential advocate for the Democratic Party in Pennsylvania. His campaign efforts alongside other political figures indicate his commitment to supporting the party’s presidential candidate.
In light of recent environmental developments and their impact on the community, some residents in Dimock, such as Kemble, have shifted their political allegiance by changing their voting registration and supporting different candidates who prioritize environmental concerns. Despite these shifts, some residents, like Switzer, remain supportive of Governor Harris, irrespective of her choice of a running mate.Kathy Switzer expressed concerns regarding Josh Shapiro potentially being chosen as a vice presidential candidate and how it might affect her support for the candidacy. Switzer, who lives in Dimock, Pennsylvania, shared her personal experience of feeling used and betrayed in the past. She also highlighted the ongoing challenges she faces due to water contamination on her property, which prevents her from moving away from the area to avoid health issues linked to living near shale fields.
Switzer sees Dimock as a typical example rather than an anomaly and feels that the government’s approach to the oil and gas industry has not significantly changed since the contamination issues in Dimock. She had hoped Shapiro would bring about change compared to his predecessors but has been disappointed so far. Switzer questions the willingness of Shapiro to sacrifice the well-being of families affected by environmental issues, prompting her to ask how many families have to suffer before action is taken.
This story was published by Inside Climate News, a nonprofit organization that shares news on climate and the environment without subscription fees or paywalls. The organization relies on donations to support its journalism work and reach a wider audience. Kiley Bense, a reporter covering climate change and the environment in Pennsylvania, authored the article. Her work focuses on topics such as fracking, energy, and public health in the state. Bense has a background in journalism and creative writing and has contributed to various publications before joining Inside Climate News.
