Peduto promotes city’s long-term economy, public health

Mayor Bill Peduto recently spoke out against the expansion of the petrochemical industry in southwestern Pennsylvania (Oct. 31, “Peduto: Fossil Fuel Industries Will Take Toll on Pittsburgh Region”).

Mr. Peduto’s remarks were not only courageous, but they represent good common sense.

Pennsylvania ranks 11th in the country in clean energy jobs, with more than 86,000 to date. This is more than double the number of fossil fuel jobs. With an available workforce, cutting-edge university research and leadership that sees the big picture, our region can be a national trailblazer in clean energy production and sustainable jobs.

From a public health perspective, a build-out of the petrochemical industry in southwestern Pennsylvania promises to be nightmarish for our health. Plastics cracker plants emit high volumes of toxic pollutants that, because of prevailing winds, will spread locally and move down river valleys toward Pittsburgh. More cracker plants also mean exponentially more fracked wells and more pipelines all across the region.

We know from our own research and from that of dozens of our colleagues that the pollutants released from fracking and its associated facilities correlate with a host of health issues. Further, fracking contributes greatly to a superheated planet that causes health problems for millions affected by hurricanes, floods, fires and heat waves.

Mr. Peduto’s common sense remarks are visionary. They promote the long-term economy of the region, while protecting the public’s health. Continued reliance on fossil fuel development and plastics production to drive our economy falls far short of that mark.

RAINA RIPPEL

Director SWPA Environmental Health Project

Peters