UNIVERSITY PARK — Religious leaders from across the state Sunday urged that Marcellus Shale natural gas drilling be viewed as a moral and ethical issue, something they say current discussions lack.
Pennsylvania Interfaith Power & Light representatives gathered outside Penn State’s Pasquerilla Spiritual Center on Sunday afternoon to outline its principles on the issue.
The group is made up of people of faith concerned about climate change and the environment, and is a branch of the national organization of the same name.
In a position paper, the year-old group states it would consider supporting drilling if it was part of a strategy to transition from use of fossil fuels, environmental and health impacts are reduced, and a statewide system of sustainable economic development is in place.
The group also calls for elected officials not to accept contributions from companies affiliated with drilling, and for faith-based institutions to use sustainable energy sources and not sign exploration or drilling agreements until the group’s issues are addressed.
“There is no bigger moral issue facing humanity today,” said Rabbi Daniel Swartz, of Scranton. He went on to say that if drilling helps move away from coal as an energy source, and away from fossil fuels in general, it may be worth considering.
For those who may have already experienced negative consequences from drilling, Swartz said the group will stand by them, comfort them and help them seek assistance.
“We will not rest until we are heard,” he said.
While the group has not yet taken its principles to state legislators or industry officials, it plans to, after recruiting more religious leaders.
Jean and Ray Najjar, of State College, supported the group’s ideas.
“I think it’s smart to bring it up,” Jean Najjar said. “What’s driving the Marcellus Shale now is greed. No one is really thinking about the long term.”
The Najjars planned to lead a workshop as part of the PA IPL conference, which also took place Sunday, on how families can begin to reduce their carbon footprints and reduce energy consumption.
They planned to share ideas like using shades to keep the house warm in the winter and cool in the summer, and simply turning off lights when one leaves a room.
“We cut our electric bill in half,” Ray Najjar said.
PA IPL also on Sunday honored Franklin Kury — a former state senator and House representative who pushed through the legislature Article 1, Section 27 of the state constitution, which states people’s right to clean air and water, and the
preservation of natural resources.
Kury said the measure took three years to pass, and was approved 2-1 on the 1971 election ballot.
“Constitutions mean something in that they live in the minds and hearts of the people,” he said, adding he was glad to see PA IPL’s efforts as an example.
Jessica VanderKolk can be reached at 235-3910.
