Families in Butler County sued the fracking company when their well water had a strong smell and a bad taste after drilling began. Their water is still bad.
The health department says pollution at the plant has gotten worse since, leading to dozens of violations. The agency also said U.S. Steel employees tried to mask air violations.
In his now famous tweet, Peduto told President Trump that Pittsburgh would follow the Paris Climate Agreement "for our people, our economy & future." So what can cities like Pittsburgh do to address climate change?
Range Resources is building a shale gas well along a ridge a few hundred feet from the popular trail. A pipeline right-of-way, about 50 feet wide, has been cut through a wooded section that hikers will see as they pass by.
Permits for new and modified natural gas wells and compressor stations will require more leak detection for methane, a powerful greenhouse gas. DEP can also now penalize those companies that don't comply.
Reid R. Frazier covers energy for The Allegheny Front. His work has taken him as far away as Texas and Louisiana to report on the petrochemical industry and as close to home as Greene County, Pennsylvania to cover the shale gas boom. His award-winning work has also aired on NPR, Marketplace and other outlets. Reid is currently contributing to StateImpact Pennsylvania, a collaboration among The Allegheny Front, WESA, WITF and WHYY covering the Commonwealth's energy economy.
