Pennsylvania must act
New Castle News: Confirmation by Ohio officials that fracking caused several low-level earthquakes near the Lawrence County border warrants attention.
Yet it’s by no means clear that Pennsylvania is responding appropriately.
In Ohio, the discovery has prompted new rules that will halt future drilling activities at sites with faults or where quakes are recorded.
Ohio’s new rules will not prevent drilling and fracking. Instead, they are designed to provide a layer of public protection over a process that apparently can produce unanticipated results.
The Lowellville incident should serve as a broader concern for regulators. But in Pennsylvania, the official response is decidedly muted, noting that there have been no similar incidents in the state, and seemingly downplaying the concern.
If geologic conditions deep underground are to blame for fracking-related earthquakes, an occurrence in Ohio needs to be taken very seriously in Pennsylvania.