A group of fringe activists passing themselves off as religious leaders have asked PA Gov. Wolf to end all fracking in the state--a bizarre request given fracking leads to less carbon in the atmosphere. These people have replaced their love of God with a love of socialism, and their warped philosophies have tainted their thinking.

1.
September
17,
2015
The
Honorable
Tom
Wolf
Governor
Commonwealth
of
Pennsylvania
225
Main
Capitol
Building
Harrisburg,
Pennsylvania
17120
Dear
Governor
Wolf,
We,
the
undersigned
faith
leaders
from
across
the
Commonwealth,
are
writing
to
you
in
anticipation
of
Pope
Francis’
visit
to
Pennsylvania
later
this
week.
Pope
Francis
began
a
dialogue
about
our
common
home
in
Laudato
Si.
It’s
a
dialogue
he’s
sure
to
continue
as
he
speaks
before
Congress
and
the
United
Nations
and
worships
with
families
in
Philadelphia.
“It
is
possible
that
we
do
not
grasp
the
gravity
of
the
challenge
now
before
us,”
the
Pope
cautions
us
and
reminds
us
that
“the
human
environment
and
the
natural
environment
deteriorate
together.”
Although
his
encyclical
is
widely
regarded
as
a
statement
on
the
urgency
of
addressing
climate
change,
it
is
truly
a
much
broader
statement
about
our
interdependence
and
responsibility
to
the
earth
and
each
other.
Pope
Francis
understands
that
our
current
path
is
unsustainable
and
that
the
poorest
among
us
are
already
witnesses
to
that
fact.
He
challenges
political
leaders
to
“leave
behind
a
testimony
of
selfless
responsibility”
and
the
rest
of
us
to
“embark
on
new
paths
to
authentic
freedom.”
Our
Pennsylvania
Constitution
states
that
the
people
have
a
right
to
clean
air,
pure
water
and
to
the
preservation
of
the
natural,
scenic,
historic
and
esthetic
values
of
the
environment.
Pennsylvania’s
public
natural
resources
are
the
common
property
of
all
the
people,
including
generations
to
come.
As
trustee
of
these
resources,
the
Commonwealth
shall
conserve
and
maintain
them
for
the
benefit
of
all
people.
This
statement
encompasses
2
basic
principles:
Pennsylvanians
have
a
right
to
a
decent
environment;
and
Pennsylvania
government
has
a
trustee
responsibility
to
protect
the
environment
on
behalf
of
future
generations.
We
join
together
to
call
on
you,
Governor
Wolf,
to
be
the
leader
who
will
help
our
state
chart
a
sustainable
course.
The
consensus
among
climate
scientists
is
that
we
must
leave
80%
of
fossil
fuels
in
the
ground.
Continued
reliance
on
them
to
simultaneously
provide
energy
and
drive
our
economy
is
no
longer
a
realistic
option.
Pennsylvania
ranks
third
behind
Texas
and
California
in
total
emissions.
The
shale
gas
boom
of
the
past
decade
has
reinvigorated
the
energy
industry
in
the
state,
but
not
without
profound
and
far-­‐reaching
consequences.
We
know
you
served
as
a
Peace
Corps
Volunteer
in
the
Indian
State
of
Odessa.
This
place
where
you
once
dedicated
yourself
to
serving
has
been
dubbed
that
nation’s
“disaster
capital”.
Some
scientists
have
called
what
is
happening
there
a
“dress
rehearsal
for
the

2.
meteorological
mayhem”
climate
change
will
cause
everywhere
on
earth.
Cyclones
and
floods
where
they’d
never
been
seen
before,
heat
waves
killing
thousands,
and
severe
droughts
that
have
had
profound
impacts
on
agriculture
are
just
some
examples
of
dramatic
effects
Odessa
is
experiencing.
We
must
not
ignore
cautionary
tales
like
Odessa’s
that
are
becoming
all
too
common.
The
localized
impacts
of
shale
gas
development
have
been
occurring
throughout
the
shale
fields
of
Pennsylvania
for
more
than
a
decade.
They
are
profound
impacts
that
command
our
attention
and
call
us
to
action.
Air
quality
is
poor
near
drilling
and
related
infrastructure.
Children,
infants,
and
the
in
utero
are
exposed
to
risks
to
their
health
and
development
as
gas
wells
and
compressors
are
located
perilously
close
to
their
schools
and
homes.
Frontline
residents
of
all
ages
are
experiencing
a
range
of
symptoms
that
started
after
gas
drilling
came
to
their
communities.
New
research
out
of
Northeastern
Pennsylvania
shows
that
hospitalization
rates
are
higher
in
heavily
fracked
areas.
Property
values
have
diminished,
as
has
quality
of
life.
To
make
matters
worse,
many
Pennsylvanians
are
living
without
clean
water
in
their
homes
because
it
has
been
fouled
by
gas
drilling
activities.
Hydraulic
fracturing
poses
an
even
broader
threat
to
our
water
supply.
Each
fracking
consumptively
uses
millions
of
gallons
of
that
essential
and
finite
resource.
Water,
a
sacred
medium,
used
in
our
religious
and
spiritual
practices,
water
that
fills
our
bodies
and
is
essential
for
all
life
on
the
planet,
is
rapidly
being
depleted.
We
need
to
look
at
practices
that
will
conserve
and
preserve
it.
We
can’t
support
energy
extraction
that
intentionally
poisons
and
permanently
removes
large
amounts
of
precious
freshwater
from
the
hydrologic
cycle.
We
can’t
permit
an
exchange
of
life-­‐giving
water
for
climate
damaging
fossil
fuels.
If
the
industry
has
its
way
then
shale
gas
development
is
only
in
its
infancy
in
Pennsylvania.
The
problems
Pennsylvanians
are
already
facing
will
multiply.
The
effects
of
climate
change
will
be
much
more
pronounced
and
irreversible.
Governor
Wolf,
you
have
the
opportunity
and
the
obligation
to
act.
Shale
gas
development
is
not
only
putting
us
in
an
increasingly
precarious
position,
it
is
also
keeping
us
from
making
the
necessary
and
urgent
transition
to
clean,
renewable
energy.
Pennsylvania
has
long
been
a
leading
energy
producer.
It
still
can
be
by
leading
the
transition
to
clean,
renewable
energy.
We
are
all
called
to
stewardship.
Pennsylvanians
are
eager
to
embark
on
a
better
path.
Many
have
enacted
or
are
working
to
implement
a
statewide
moratorium
on
fracking.
We
are
looking
to
you
as
our
Governor
to
lead
the
way.
Sincerely,

3.
Sister
Pat
Lupo,
OSB,
Benedictine
Sisters
of
Erie
Erie,
PA
Reverend
Dr.
Leah
D.
Schade,
United
in
Christ
Lutheran
Church
Lewisburg,
PA
Penny
Colgan-­‐Davis,
Clerk,
Philadelphia
Yearly
Meeting
of
the
Religious
Society
of
Friends
Philadelphia,
PA
Reverend
Sandra
L.
Strauss,
Pennsylvania
Council
of
Churches
Harrisburg,
PA
Reverend
Kim
D.
Wilson,
Unitarian
Universalist
Association
Stroudsburg,
PA
Father
William
Pickard,
Catholic
Diosece
of
Scranton
Scranton,
PA
Reverend
Lisa
Keppeler,
Episcopal
Church
of
the
Holy
Nativity
Wrightstown,
PA
Prioress/President
Anne
Wambach,
OSB,
Benedictine
Sisters
of
Erie
Erie,
PA
Sister
Mary
Lou
Kownacki,
Benedictine
Sisters
of
Erie
Erie,
PA
Sister
Mary
Claire
Kennedy,
SSJ,
Sisters
of
St.
Joseph
NW
PA
Erie,
PA
Reverend
John
Creasy,
Presbyterian
Church
Pittsburgh,
PA
Reverend
Mark
Hayes,
Unitarian
Universalist
State
College,
PA
Sister
Ann
Muczynski,
Benedictine
Sisters
of
Erie
Erie,
PA
Therese
Glass,
OSB,
Benedictine
Sisters
of
Erie
Erie,
PA
Sister
Margaret
Zeller,
Benedictine
Sisters
of
Erie
Erie,
PA

4.
Reverend
Loretta
Vasso,
Circle
of
the
Sacred
Earth
Meadowbrook,
PA
Reverend
Dr.
Neal
Jones,
Mainline
Unitarian
Church
Devon,
PA
Colette
Korn,
OSB,
Benedictine
Sisters
of
Erie
Erie,
PA
Sister
Norma
Jean
Kingsley,
OSB,
Benedictine
Sisters
of
Erie
Erie,
PA
Reverend
Jerry
Lee
Miller,
Church
of
the
Brethren
Lancaster,
PA
Reverend
Paul
Otruba,
Universal
Ministries
Mansfield,
PA
Reverend
David
Reppert,
United
Church
of
Christ
Philadelphia,
PA
Sister
Joan
Chittister,
Benedictine
Sisters
of
Erie
Erie,
Pa.,
PA
Reverend
Dr.
Renee
Waun,
East
Suburban
Unitarian
Universalist
Church
Murrysville,
PA
Sister
Mary
Egan,
Benedictine
Sisters
of
Erie
Erie,
PA
Reverend
Bryant
Brown,
Thomas
Paine
Unitarian
Universalist
Fellowship
Collegeville,
PA
Reverend
Scott
Rudolph,
Unitarian
Universalist
Pittsburgh,
PA
Sister
Judith
Trambley,
Benedictine
Sisters
of
Erie
Erie,
PA
Reverend
Melinda
Hall,
Holy
Trinity
Episcopal
Church
Brookville,
PA
Rabbi
Arthur
Waskow,
The
Shalom
Center
Philadelphia,
PA

5.
Rabbi
Phyllis
Berman
Philadelphia,
PA
Rabbi
Linda
Holtzman
Philadelphia,
PA
Rabbi
Shawn
Zevit,
Mishkan
Shalom
Philadelphia,
PA
Rabbi
Yael
Levy,
Mishkan
Shalom
Philadelphia,
PA
Sister
Charles
Marie
Holze,
Benedictine
Sisters
of
Erie
Erie,
PA
Reverend
Anne
Mason,
Unitarian
Universalist
Church
of
Lancaster
Lancaster,
PA
Rabbi
Mordechai
Liebling,
Reconstructionist
Rabbinical
College
Wyncote,
PA
Reverend
Dr.
Thomas
J.
Bodie,
Ginger
Hill
Unitarian
Universalist
Slippery
Rock,
PA
Reverend
Mark
Terwilliger,
Countryside
Community
United
Methodist
Church
Clarks
Summit,
PA
Sister
Mary
Miller,
Director,
Emmaus
Ministries,
Benedictine
Sisters
of
Erie
Erie,
PA
Sister
Mary
Ellen
Plumb,
Benedictine
Sisters
of
Erie
Erie,
PA
Sister
Stephanie
Schmidt,
Benedictine
Sisters
of
Erie
Erie,
PA
Rabbi
Joshua
Waxman,
Congregation
Or
Hadash
Ft.
Washington,
PA
Rabbi
Vivian
E
Schirn
Fort
Washington,
PA
Reverend
Cheryl
Pyrch,
Summit
Presbyterian
Church
Philadelphia,
PA

6.
Jasmine
Spence,
Newtown
Friends
Quaker
Meeting
Newtown,
PA
Malinda
Harnish
Clatterbuck,
Spiritual
Director,
Community
Mennonite
Church
of
Lancaster
Lancaster,
PA
Reverend
James
Hamilton,
United
Methodist
Ambridge,
PA
Reverend
Chris
Stillwell,
Christian
Church
(Disciples
of
Christ)
South
Park,
PA
Lorraine
L.
Smith,
MAPC,
Methodist
Warrington,
PA
Rabbi
Linda
Holtzman,
Reconstructionist
Rabbinical
College
Philadelphia,
PA
Reverend
Dr.
Donna
Giver-­‐Johnston,
Presbyterian
Church
(USA)
Pittsburgh,
PA
Reverend
Dr.
Richard
S.
Armstrong,
Minister
of
Worship,
Pennswood
Village
Interdenominational
Congregation
Newtown,
PA
Behzad
Zandieh,
Baha'i
Faith
Harrisburg,
PA
Reverend
Dr.
Jean
Richardson,
Presbyterian
Bangor,
PA
Gretchen
Plotkin
and
James
C.
Barton,
Co-­‐Clerks,
Chambersburg
Monthly
Meeting
Religious
Society
of
Friends
Chambersburg,
PA
Janet
Lamborn,
Representative,
Peace
&
Social
Concern
Committee
of
Reading
Meeting
Reading,
PA
Reverend
Kathleen
Lockwood,
One
Spirit
Stroudsburg,
PA
Janice
Etchison,
Oblate,
Benedictine
Sisters
of
Erie
PA;
steering
committee,
Benedictines
for
Peace
Erie,
PA

7.
Reverend
Bill
Thwing,
St.
Pauls
United
Church
of
Christ
Johnstown,
PA
Rabbi
Linda
Potemken,
Reconstructionist
Rabbinical
Association
Wynnewood,
PA
Edwina
Gateley,
Roman
Catholic
Erie,
PA
Barbara
Roseborough,
Benedictine
Oblate,
Benedictines
for
Peace
Erie,
PA
Sister
Maria
Lucia
B.
Serano,
RSM,
Sisters
of
Mercy
Erie,
PA
Kathleen
Kutz,
Director
of
Religious
Education,
Benedictans
for
Peace
Erie,
PA
Fr.
Bernard
Survil,
Roman
Catholic
Diocese
of
Greensburg
Greensburg,
PA
Reverend
Bebb
Wheeler
Stone,
PhD,
Presbyterian
Church
Mechanicsburg,
PA
Reverend
Daniel
W.
Hinkle,
Episcopal
Atglen,
PA
Reverend
Michael
Walker,
Unitarian
Church
of
Harrisburg
Harrisburg,
PA
Rabbi
Elliot
Strom
Yardley,
PA
Reverend
Darcey
Laine,
Unitarian
Universalist
Athens,
PA
Rabbi
Marcia
Prager,
P'nai
Or
Jewish
Renewal
Congregation
of
Philadelphia
Philadelphia,
PA
Rabbi
Yael
Levy,
Mishkan
Shalom
Philadelphia,
PA
Tom
Hocking,
UCC
Penn
Central
Conference
Environmental
Justice
Ministry
Lebanon,
PA

8.
Rabbi
Linda
Holtzman
Philadelphia,
PA
Rabbi
Rebecca
Alpert,
Pikkunolam
Chavurah
Philadelphia,
PA
Rabbi
Shawn
Zevit,
Mishkan
Shalom
Phialdelphia,
PA
Rabbi
Yaacov
Kravitz,
Center
for
Spiritual
Intelligence
Elkins
Park,
PA
Rabbi
Meryl
Crean,
Reconstructionist
Rabbinical
Association
Philadelphia,
PA
Rabbi
Rayzel
Raphael,
Temple
Israel
of
Lehighton
Melrose
Park,
PA
Rabbi
Doris
Dyen,
Makom
HaLev
Minyan
Pittsburgh,
PA
Rabbi
Carl
Choper,
Interfaith
Alliance
of
Pennsylvania
Harrisburg,
PA
Rabbi
Julie
Greenberg
Philadelphia,
PA
Reverend
Greta
Browne,
Unitarian
Universalist
Bethlehem,
PA
Pastor
John
Woodcock,
Church
of
the
Loving
Shepherd
West
Chester,
PA
Reverend
Charlotte
H.
Whiting,
United
Church
of
Christ
Lancaster,
PA
Rabbi
Alanna
Sklover,
Germantown
Jewish
Center
Philadelphia,
PA
Pastor
Beth
Lyon,
Glenside
United
Church
of
Christ
Glenside,
PA
Rabbi
Elisa
Goldberg,
Kol
Tzedek
Philadelphia,
PA

9.
Tom
Hoopes,
Head
of
Religion,
George
School
Newtown,
PA
Reverend
Cynthia
Crowner,
Presbyterian
Church
USA
Stroudsburg,
PA
Carolyn
Belle
Lyday,
M.Div.,
George
School
Religion
Department
Newtown,
PA
Reverend
Michael
W.
Beynon,
United
Church
of
Christ
Harrisburg,
PA
Reverend
Randy
Philip
Orso,
The
Universal
Life
Church
Monastery
Hawley,
PA
Sister
Diane
Bardol,
Social
Justice
Coordinator,
Grey
Nuns
of
the
Sacred
Heart
Yardley,
PA
Sister
Mary
E.
Looby,
Grey
Nuns
of
the
Sacred
Heart
Yardley,
PA
Sister
Julia
C.
Lanigan,
Grey
Nuns
of
the
Sacred
Heart
Yardley,
PA
Reverend
Patricia
Pearce,
Presbytery
of
Philadelphia
Philadelphia,
PA
Reverend
Catherine
de
La
Vigne,
Universal
Life
Church
Monastery
Spokane,
PA
Lorrainee
Kennedy,
Grey
Nuns
of
the
Sacred
Heart
Yardley
Pa.,
PA
Rabbi
Nathan
Martin
Philadelphia,
PA
Rev.
Andrea
Brown,
United
Methodist
Lancaster,
PA
Laurie
Stuart,
Upper
Delaware
Unitarian
Universalist
Fellowship
Beach
Lake,
PA
Director,
Sister
Nora
M.
Nash,
OSF,
Sisters
of
St.
Francis
of
Philadelphia
Aston,
PA

10.
Rev.
Greg
Kammann,
Ph.D.,
Trinity
United
Church
of
Christ
Telford,
PA
Association
of
Pittsburgh
Priests
Pittsburgh,
PA
Sister
Mary
Elizabeth
Clark,
Director,
Sisters
of
St.
Joseph
Earth
Center
Philadelphia,
PA