Report slams drilling oversight, tells of fracking’s impact
By MARK SCOLFORO Associated Press
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — A grand jury investigation into Pennsylvania’s large natural gas drilling industry released Thursday by state Attorney General Josh Shapiro has found systematic failures in state departments regulating that industry. The report comes after nearly two years of investigation into the state’s Marcellus Shale exploration industry. It notes that the state’s Department of Environmental Protection and State Department of Health failed to protect Pennsylvanians by not policing or investigating environmental complaints, failed to collect health data and failed to warn the public when they were at risk. The grand jury recommends giving Shapiro’s office the ability to criminally investigate the industry as well as other increased regulations.