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White House is 'close' on Japan, India tariff agreements but expect them to be light on specifics; Families in limbo following federal energy assistance program cuts- we have reports from NH and MD; NV adopted CA's 'clean car' standard, rule now under GOP examination.

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Educators worry about President Trump's education plan, as federal judges block several of his executive orders. Battles over voting rules are moving in numerous courts. And FSU students protest a state bill lowering the age to buy a gun.

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Migration to rural America increased for the fourth year, technological gaps handicap rural hospitals and erode patient care, and doctors are needed to keep the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians healthy and align with spiritual principles.

PA group challenges fracking permits in Westmoreland County

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Tuesday, December 31, 2024   

CLARIFICATION: CNX entered into an agreement with Apex Energy II, but that sale has not been completed. Also, the state's agreement with CNX is not mandatory. A previous draft of the story stated that CNX had acquired Apex Energy II. (11:04 a.m. MDT, Jan. 2, 2025)

A nonprofit group is challenging permits for the construction and operation of fracking wells in western Pennsylvania's Penn Township.

A hearing set for Jan. 15 will examine whether the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection lawfully issued drilling permits to Apex Energy.

Lisa Johnson, attorney for the nonprofit Protect Penn-Trafford, said it's been a yearslong fight to block the Drakulic Well project, for its proximity to homes and an elementary school. Johnson argued the case underscores the importance of Pennsylvania's Environmental Rights Amendment, which protects citizens' rights to clean air and pure water.

"We certainly will be advancing the argument that the DEP violated the Environmental Rights Amendment when it issued the permit," Johnson explained. "In particular, given its proximity to residents and children."

In 2023, the state partnered with CNX Resources, which entered into an agreement with Apex Energy to boost transparency in fracking, including chemical disclosures and expanded no-drill zones near homes, schools and hospitals, to better address health and environmental concerns.

Johnson noted findings from the Department of Health and the University of Pittsburgh's three investigations into the impact of fracking operations on nearby residents revealed an increase in health risks for children and communities.

"They found that asthma was worsened, lower birthweight in the other study and then probably not surprising, but still shocking, is the increase in childhood lymphoma, childhood cancer, for children who live within five miles of an oil and gas site have a higher risk of cancer," Johnson outlined.

The group also pointed to a Harvard study, which found radioactive materials in the air within 10 miles of fracking sites. The Environmental Hearing Board meeting in Pittsburgh will involve the nonprofit group, the Department of Environmental Protection and Apex Energy. It will be open to the public.


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