Demand a 2,500’ Setback for Oil and Gas Facilities
Posted Nov 4, 2024, by Jodi Borello and Tonya Yoders
On Monday, October 22, CCJ Organizers Jodi Borello and Tonya Yoders attended a Press Conference in Harrisburg to announce the Setback Campaign introduced by the Clean Air Council and Environmental Integrity Project. They filed a rulemaking petition with the Environmental Quality Board asking to increase the setback distance from fracking wells. We are asking for common-sense reform to the current oil and gas setback in Pennsylvania. Residents of our state have been demanding further protections for their health, and now is the time to take action.
The request for further setbacks is nothing new to our state. One of the eight recommendations of the 43rd Statewide Grandjury was a setback of 2,500 feet. This was recommended by a jury of our peers based on the experiences of witnesses who testified to their hardships living next to oil and gas infrastructure. This is not an arbitrary number. We know that anything closer than this causes hardship and health effects to families.
In August of 2023, the Department of Health released a study stating that if a child lives within one mile of an oil and gas well they have a 5 to 7 times greater chance of getting lymphoma. This is in addition to hundreds of other studies showing health effects. We can no longer wait to demand change. Right now, an oil and gas well can be placed 500 feet from a home.
On the 22nd, we visited numerous legislators’ offices asking that this campaign be taken seriously and demonstrating the want of Pennsylvania residents for this proposal. Impacted residents got to tell their stories to Representatives and Senators and passed out documents on fracking to people walking past the capital cafeteria. They were received well by other Capitol visitors and felt empowered by the experience.
This campaign is not radical. It is the least we can do to protect our children and ourselves. These setbacks are truly common-sense measures that should be adopted statewide, but, if not, put into local ordinances so that more families do not have to suffer the effects of nearby fracking. If we can prevent even one more child from being diagnosed with cancer or other illnesses, why shouldn’t we?
Jodi Borello is an advocate and grassroots organizer for CCJ. She and her family have been negatively impacted by the fossil fuel industry through multiple substantiated environmental crimes. Jodi testified in front of the 43rd Statewide Grand Jury investigating industry conduct and the failures of government agencies to provide sufficient oversight of the fracking industry. Her testimony and the grand jury’s work led to recommendations to better protect Pennsylvanians from oil and gas operations. As a result, CNX Resources was charged and pleaded guilty to violating the Air Pollution Control Act and was forced to pay substantial fines and penalties. The nondisclosure agreement related to the grand jury was recently lifted and she is now free to speak about the insidious conduct that has harmed her community. Jodi’s unique personal experience helps her serve impacted residents who are struggling to cope with the realities of fossil fuel development in the region. Because of the considerable number of cancer cases in the region, she helped to create a volunteer group at CCJ called MAD-FACTS (Moms and Dads-Family Awareness of Cancer Threat Spike). This volunteer group is helping to share their knowledge of the Pennsylvania Department of Health Study regarding childhood cancer risks related to living in close proximity to oil and gas facilities.
Jodi was born in Washington County, PA. She attended the University of Pittsburgh Main Campus and has a degree in Administration of Justice. After college, she received additional schooling in Rome, Italy. Jodi owned and operated a small local business for over 23 years. She enjoys the outdoors, traveling, gardening, and spending time with her loved ones.
Contact Jodi at jodi@centerforcoalfieldjustice.org.
Tonya Yoders (she/her) has been a lifelong resident of Greene County. She has always worked within that community and with the people who live there. She has a background in pharmacy, direct support for adults with disabilities, and legal assisting but found CCJ through the organization’s social justice work in 2020.
She became a CCJ board member that year, then joined the team full time as a Community Organizer in 2022. Tonya is looking forward to helping find solutions for the decreasing population in Greene County. She is excited to work with the people there to build an inclusive, economically diverse, and healthy environment for families to continue enjoying the round hills and country life that it is known for.
In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family, photography, and hanging out with her cat, Leia.
Contact Tonya at tonya@centerforcoalfieldjustice.org.
