“Hydraulic Fracturing: What Local Health Departments Need to Know” is the first in a new suite of fracking resources NACCHO is developing for local health departments (LHDs). This issue brief introduces LHDs to the issue, provides a brief overview of the various impacts and controversies associated with fracking, and offers guidance on the ways LHDs can mitigate potential harm from fracking.
Numerous possible side effects have been linked to fracking, including: wastewater spills, air quality issues, climate change and greenhouse gas emissions, and socioeconomic and environmental justice issues, among others. LHDs should be ready to provide input if their communities are propositioned by the oil and gas industry for fracking activity. Readiness entails anticipating the industry’s trajectory and understanding possible side effects, regulatory options, and the LHD’s role in providing communities with necessary knowledge to make educated decisions.
NACCHO will release two more resources in the coming months to complete the fracking suite, including a guide on how LHDs can implement fracking ordinances in their own communities, and an overview of what states are doing to regulate fracking. Check back with the blog and follow @NACCHOAlerts for updates.
