Anti-fracking protest in Allentown on July 11, 2013

Environmental groups and activists take part in a rally in 2013 in Allentown, in favor of a moratorium on fracking.

(Express-Times file photo)

In response to the Dec. 17 article, "New York to ban fracking, says risks outweigh benefits," New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo banned fracking. Tom Wolf won't. Who's right?

New York's ban on fracking may help protect the Delaware River -- the source of drinking water for 15 million people in New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware -- but the river is still at risk if Gov.-elect Wolf allows drilling proposals to move forward in Pennsylvania near the Delaware River Basin.

As one of five members of the Delaware River Basin Commission, along with the governors of New York, New Jersey and Delaware and the Army Corps of Engineers, Wolf has the opportunity to ensure the strongest protections for the Delaware River by strengthening state regulations on fracking to protect our air, drinking water and our treasured state and national parks.

The Delaware River is home to some of Pennsylvania's most treasured national parks, including the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, one of the top 10 most visited national parks in the United States, with more than 4.5 million visitors annually. Together, Pennsylvania's national parks welcome more than 9 million visitors each year and pump $500 million in economic benefits into surrounding communities, while protecting clean water as well as our natural and cultural heritage.

Wolf must put protecting the health of people and our parks first. With fracking already happening here, let's protect Pennsylvania's treasured places now before it's too late.

Matt Elliott



National Parks Conservation Association

Philadelphia