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. Its a dialogue hes 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. Pennsylvanias 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 nations disaster
capital. Some scientists have called what is happening there a dress rehearsal for the


meteorological mayhem climate change will cause everywhere on earth. Cyclones and
floods where theyd 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 Odessas
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 cant support energy extraction that
intentionally poisons and permanently removes large amounts of precious freshwater from
the hydrologic cycle. We cant 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,


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


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