Letter to the editor: Pa. Supreme Court fails us on fracking

The article “Experts: Allegheny Township fracking case highlights importance of local elections” disturbingly shows how unconventional gas drilling could soon take place even in residential areas. The Pennsylvania Supreme Court’s cowardly decision to refuse to hear the case will profoundly and negatively disrupt forever the quality of people’s lives.

The high court has betrayed and made a mockery of the ideals it trumpeted in its Robinson Township decision, accurately proclaiming then how unconventional drilling will detrimentally affect our environment, people and future generations. The court’s failure to deal constitutionally with the environmental and health effects in subsequent cases defies logic. There is no excuse for capitulation to the privileged gas industry.

The Willowbrook Road families who bravely fought this industrial encroachment are to be commended and applauded. Unlike other timid souls, they put their money and voices where it was supposed to count, our judicial system. What was found, however, is a system with no justice for the common man when the rich and powerful corporate interests are financially able to rig that system in their favor.

Pennsylvania’s Supreme Court, once considered the “firewall” against injustice, is now the supporting though indecisive voice for a dirty and polluting industry with we, the people, the losers.

Ron Slabe

Oakmont