Punxsatawney Phil Silent on Fracking Prediction

Punxsatawney Phil emerged from his hole in Gobbler’s Knob Thursday morning, coming face to face with his shadow and predicting six more weeks of winter. But some of Phil’s neighbors say they have their own prediction for the varmint.
Farmer Stephen Cleghorn lives within ten miles of Punxsatawney, Pa. Cleghorn says nearby gas drilling puts Phil in danger.
“Wild animals like [Punxsatawney] Phil’s cousins who live on our farms will find themselves in harm’s way, along with our domestic animals,” says Cleghorn.
Cleghorn worries his organic farm produce may also be threatened by gas drilling. He points to a recent study of the impact of gas drilling on pets and livestock.
“The forecast for fracking in Pennsylvania is that it will destroy our water, our crops and our livestock over the near and long term,” says Cleghorn.
Governor Corbett was on hand to watch Phil emerge from his den. But it’s unclear what transpired between the governor and the groundhog. Jefferson County has only about half a dozen active Marcellus Wells. For more information on these wells, visit our Marcellus Map App.
 

Editor's Picks