After a letter signed by 800 residents was sent to Gov. Tom Wolf, asking for the state to investigate a possible link between shale gas drilling and childhood cancer, an organization representing the natural gas industry has sent a letter of their own.

The Marcellus Shale Coalition, which is based in Pittsburgh, sent a letter to Wolf on Monday urging him to "reject [the] ridiculous request" to shut down shale gas drilling until its health impacts are studied.

"Fundamentally, it is shameful to exploit the very real and heart-breaking issues associated with childhood cancer," the letter read. "They should not be fodder to advance a political agenda."

The Marcellus Shale letter disputed that there was a connection between shale gas drilling and cancer, citing a WPXI report where Dr. Kelley Bailey of Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh said there was no data showing environmental exposure resulted in cancers such as Ewing sarcoma. Her assessment mirrors the American Cancer Society, which also wrote that there are no known environmental causes of Ewing tumors.

The letter also cites a report from the Pennsylvania Department of Heath conducted in April, which concluded that there were "no conclusive findings" concerning a cluster of cancer tumors that occurred at the Canon-McMillan School District and in Washington County.

Throughout the letter — which was signed by Marcellus Shale Coalition president David J. Spigelmyer — it is repeatedly stressed that the wells provide jobs to thousands of Pennsylvanians who "live and play" in the same communities where the wells are operated.

"We appreciate your support for the jobs, energy security and energy savings this industry has brought to the Commonwealth," the letter concludes.

https://www.bizjournals.com/pittsburgh/news/2019/06/18/marcellus-sh...