PA Environment Digest Blog: Shale Gas & Public Health Conference -- Our Work, Our Health: Building A Future Beyond Sacrifice To Be Held Feb. 19 In Pittsburgh, Online

The League of Women Voters of Pennsylvania, Physicians for Social Responsibility-PA and the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering and Science at Duquesne University will host a Shale Gas and Public Health Conference - Our Work, Our Health: Building a Future Beyond Sacrifice February 19 in Pittsburgh and online.

The Conference will cover Childhood Cancer Research and Health Studies, Exposing Industry-Related Health Impacts, Public Dialogue and Media Engagement, Oil and Gas Policy, Community Organizing and Success Stories, and Creative Protest Strategies.

There will be ample opportunity for Conference participants from academia, the media, activism, and families directly affected by the industry to mingle and discuss issues and ideas.

Speakers will include state Sen. Katie Muth; journalists Reid Frazier, reporter for The Allegheny Front; Susan Phillips from NPR affiliate WHYY; and Kimberly Terrell, PhD with the Environmental Integrity Project.

The lunchtime keynote speaker is Bilal Motley, a former steelworker at a Chester oil refinery in Delaware County who is now the award-winning director of Midnight Oil.

“This political moment calls on us to educate ourselves, work together, and identify the concrete ways we can make pivotal change. This conference is equal parts education and impetus for action,” said PSR PA Executive Director Tonyehn Verkitus.

“The conference provides an opportunity to hear the latest health and environmental studies, and for academics and community groups to interact,” said John F. Stolz, PhD, a Professor in the Department of Biological Sciences at Duquesne University and one of the conference organizers.

“At the League of Women Voters of Pennsylvania, we believe that protecting democracy is inseparable from protecting public health. Building a future beyond sacrifice requires transparency, accountability, and public engagement,” said Amy Widestrom, PhD, Executive Director, League of Women Voters of Pennsylvania. We are honored to partner on this conference, which brings together science, lived experience, and policy to ensure citizens affected by shale gas development have the information they deserve to advocate for healthier, more just communities.”

“Communities-- including the academic community-- need to understand the impacts of toxic industry on their environment and health, but they also need to know how they can be a catalyst for change,” said Verkitus.

Click Here for the Conference Agenda. Click Here for speaker bios.

This one-day event is offered free of charge and breakfast and lunch will be provided.

The in-person Conference will be held at Duquesne University, 600 Forbes Avenue in Pittsburgh from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Opening remarks begin at 9:00 a.m.

Click Here to register and for more information.

Resource Links - Increasing Setbacks:

-- 500 Feet Isn’t Enough - House Hearing I: Shale Gas Industry Says Setbacks Won’t Protect Residents, Public Health, Environment From Shale Gas Operations, Only ‘Rigorous Oversight’ Will; Standards Have Not Changed In 9 Years [PaEN]

-- 500 Feet Isn't Enough- House Hearing II: As A Township Supervisor We Have An Obligation To Protect The Health, Safety And Welfare Of Our Township Residents From Shale Gas Development [PaEN]

-- 500 Feet Isn't Enough - House Hearing III: What It’s Really Like Living Next To A Shale Gas Well Pad - Nosebleeds, Headaches, Nausea, Air Pollution, Vibrating House, Sleepless Nights, Anxiety, Truck Traffic [PaEN]

-- 500 Feet Isn’t Enough: 42 Scientific Studies, 20+ Years Of Experience With Shale Gas Drilling In PA; A State Grand Jury Report; Criminal Convictions; Public Complaints; Lawsuits; Media Reports All Document The Need To Increase Setbacks From Shale Gas Wells [PaEN]

-- 500 Feet Isn't Enough: Environmental Groups Urge Environmental Quality Board To Accept Rulemaking Petition For Study Increasing Setbacks From Shale Gas Wells [PaEN]

-- House Committee Hearing On Increasing Safety Setback Zones Around Natural Gas Facilities Heard About First-Hand Citizen Experiences On Health Impacts; From Physicians On Health Studies; The Gas Industry On Job Impacts [PaEN]

-- Senate Hearing: Body Of Evidence Is 'Large, Growing,’ ‘Consistent’ And 'Compelling' That Shale Gas Development Is Having A Negative Impact On Public Health; PA Must Act [June 2022]

-- Sen. Yaw, Republican Chair Of Senate Environmental Committee, Calls Bill To Reduce Shale Gas Industry Impacts On Health, Environment ‘Stupid’ [October 2023]

Resource Links - Health, Environmental Impacts:

-- 2025 PA Shale Gas & Public Health Conference Attended By Nearly 480 People Featured Health Experts, Scientists, Advocacy Groups On Health, Environmental Impacts Of Shale Gas Development [February 2025]