“….there is no established ‘safe’ distance from fracking operations….”
– Alison L. Steele, Executive Director, Environmental Health Project
The 2026 Shale Gas and Public Health Conference is taking place on February 19 from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, with an online option for those who cannot be there in person.
Physicians for Social Responsibility PA has organized this year’s conference around the theme “Our Work, Our Health: Building a Future Beyond Sacrifice.”
EHP’s Executive Director Alison L. Steele will moderate a panel highlighting research on childhood cancer.
Our Work, Our Health — Building a Future Beyond Sacrifice
The 2026 Shale and Public Health Conference on February 19th is a hybrid in person/online event that brings together healthcare professionals, researchers, and advocates to examine the intersection of shale gas development and public health impacts.
We will be exploring critical topics including:
- Research on childhood cancer and health studies
- Advances in science related to shale gas and public health
- Oil and gas policy
- Community success stories and organizing for change
- Date: February 19
- Time: 8:30 am – 6:00 pm EST
- Event Categories: in person, virtual
- Event Tags:fracking & methane
- Website: https://luma.com/l55hslxg
Venue
- Duquesne University
- 600 Forbes Ave
Pittsburgh, PA 15282 United States + Google Map
The conference is sponsored by The League of Women Voters of Pennsylvania, Physicians for Social Responsibility Pennsylvania, and the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering and Science at Duquesne University.
Says PSR PA Executive Director Tonyehn Verkitus, “This political moment calls on us to educate ourselves, work together, and identify the concrete ways we can make pivotal change. This conference is equal parts education and impetus for action.”
The conference will cover Childhood Cancer Research and Health Studies, Exposing Industry-Related Health Impacts, Public Dialogue and Media Engagement, Oil and Gas Policy, Community Organizing and Success Stories, and Creative Protest Strategies. There will be ample opportunity for conference participants from academia, the media, activism, and families directly affected by toxic industry to mingle and discuss issues and ideas.
Speakers will include State Representative Katie Muth, journalists Reid Frazier, reporter for The Allegheny Front, Susan Phillips from NPR affiliate WHYY, and Kimberly Terrell, PhD with the Environmental Integrity Project. The lunchtime keynote speaker is Bilal Motley, a former steelworker in a Chester, PA oil refinery who is now the award-winning director of Midnight Oil.
Here is the link to Speaker Bios.
“The conference provides an opportunity to hear the latest health and environmental studies, and for academics and community groups to interact,” said John F. Stolz, PhD, a Professor in the Department of Biological Sciences at Duquesne University and one of the conference organizers.
Said Amy Widestrom, PhD, Executive Director, League of Women Voters of Pennsylvania, “At the League of Women Voters of Pennsylvania, we believe that protecting democracy is inseparable from protecting public health. Building a future beyond sacrifice requires transparency, accountability, and public engagement. We are honored to partner on this conference, which brings together science, lived experience, and policy to ensure citizens affected by shale gas development have the information they deserve to advocate for healthier, more just communities.”
“Communities–including the academic community–need to understand the impacts of toxic industry on their environment and health, but they also need to know how they can be a catalyst for change,” said Verkitus.
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AGENDA
8:30 am – Registration and Breakfast
9:00 am – Opening Remarks
9:15 am – Research on Childhood Cancer and Health Studies
Lauren Mintsky, PhD
Kathy Nolan, MD
Dani Wilson
Moderator: Alison Steele, MBA
10:25 am – Exposing Sources of Industry Related Health Impacts
Gary Allison, PhD
Kimberly Terrell, PhD
Moderator -Aaron Barchowsky, PhD
11:30 am – Public Dialogue Through Media
Reid R. Frazier
Quinn Glabicki
Susan Phillips
Moderator – Emily Copeland, Esq
12:50 pm – Lunch Keynote
Bilal Motley, Director of Midnight Oil
1:35 pm – Oil and Gas Policy
Cindy Fisher
Senator Katie Muth
Moderator – Matt Mehalik, PhD
2:40 pm – Community Success and Organizing
Tracy Carluccio
Sandy Field
Sean O’leary
Moderator – Josephine Gingerich
3:45 pm – Creative Protests
4:45 pm – Afternoon Keynote
Ross Harris, Deputy Director of Soulardarity
5:15 pm – Closing and Post Conference Reception