By Ryan Deto Pittsburgh City Paper
A poll commissioned by Climate Power 2020 and the League of Conservation Voters asked Pennsylvania voters a myriad of questions concerning fracking, and responses show that significant majorities of voters support regulations on fracking, as well as support a transition away from fracking and towards renewable energy.
Currently, natural gas is the largest producer of electricity in the state, producing 7,760 megawatt hours in May, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. Renewables, including hydro-electric, only produced 905 megawatt hours in May.
The poll, conducted from Aug. 13-19 among 801 registered voters in Pennsylvania, shows that 66% of voters support placing stronger regulations on oil and gas fracking, compared to 23% of voters that oppose. When just looking at the Pittsburgh market, 64% support stronger regulations and 26% oppose. The greater Pittsburgh area, which is home to thousands of fracking wells, has many politicians, both Democratic and Republican, who are allies of the fracking industry.
