FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 3, 2025
Media Contact: Lisa DePaoli, lisa@centerforcoalfieldjustice.org, 412-229-7116
Interior Secretary Visits Washington, PA, to Meet with Energy Companies
Once Again, Parents with Sick Children are Snubbed
Washington, PA – For two decades, families in southwestern Pennsylvania have experienced health concerns, water issues, and property damage associated with oil and gas development happening near them. But when the U.S. Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum visited Washington, PA, today, he predictably failed to meet with any of them. Instead, he chose to attend a rally hosted by Range Resources and EQT and parrot their misleading talking points about ‘unleashing American energy.’
“It is telling that government representatives will come to southwestern Pennsylvania to meet with the CEOs who will profit greatly from increased fossil fuel production, but refuse to meet with impacted residents who have genuine concerns,” said Jodi Borello, Community Organizer with the Center for Coalfield Justice. “These residents have asked repeatedly for someone to talk to them and to care about the issues they’re facing, but their requests have continued to fall on deaf ears.”
Despite increasingly urgent concerns about the negative impact of fossil fuels on climate change, public health, and the economy, the Trump administration has made clear that it aims to increase our reliance on them. Again, we invite members of the Trump administration and other officials to please come to southwestern Pennsylvania to meet with residents and to learn about their very real concerns.
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