In Harrisburg, advocates rally for tougher rules on fracking
Environmental groups and residents rallied in Harrisburg, urging Pennsylvania regulators to increase setback distances between gas wells and homes, schools and water sources. They say rising natural gas demand from data centers could intensify fracking and environmental risks, while the Department of Environmental Protection continues reviewing a rulemaking petition filed in 2024.
Environmental and community groups rallied at Pennsylvania’s state Capitol in Harrisburg, pressing regulators to expand minimum setback distances between gas wells and homes, schools, hospitals and water sources. The coalition has been waiting for the Department of Environmental Protection to respond to a 2024 petition seeking a review of the state’s existing rules, including a proposed one-kilometer buffer.
Residents including Katie Weber of Hanover Township in Washington County said they oppose plans for a data center cluster powered by an on-site natural gas plant near her community. Advocates also called for a three-year data center moratorium at a separate rally, arguing that data center growth could increase reliance on fracked gas, pollution and health risks.
Gov. Josh Shapiro has issued orders requiring data center developers to provide or purchase additional electricity capacity, while environmental advocates say those policies could encourage more gas-fired generation. DEP spokesman Neil Shader said the agency is reviewing the petition before making a recommendation to the Environmental Quality Board; the Marcellus Shale Coalition disputes DEP’s authority to change setback limits through rulemaking rather than legislation.