Kamala Harris Under Fire: What Changed Her Fracking Position?

Kamala Harris finds herself at the heart of controversy yet again, this time over her changing stance on fracking.

At a Glance

Vice President Kamala Harris is distancing herself from her previous opposition to fracking to win over voters in Pennsylvania.
Donald Trump is leveraging Harris’ past anti-fracking stance to appeal to Pennsylvania voters.
Fracking is a contentious issue in Pennsylvania, with divisions within the Democratic Party.
Harris’ energy approach aligns with Biden’s, who has strong union support in Pennsylvania.

Harris’ Changing Fracking Stance

Kamala Harris, the Vice President, has encountered significant backlash over her evolving stance on fracking. Initially, Harris staunchly opposed the practice, advocating for a complete ban to protect the environment and address climate change. Over time, however, her rhetoric softened into supporting a regulated approach, aligning more with a centrist hand. This change has led critics to question her earlier environment-focused commitments and transparency.

The shift in Harris’ position appears strategically aimed at winning voters in Pennsylvania, a key battleground state. The region possesses a prosperous natural gas industry where the topic of fracking is front and center. According to reports, Harris’ revised stance aligns her more closely with President Biden’s plan for net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, which notably does not include a fracking ban.

Kamala Harris has walked back her support in 2019 for a nationwide fracking ban. It’s an impressive rhetorical backflip, but will she push back against her friends in the climate lobby who are using the courts to restrict oil and gas production?https://t.co/kqhIa1ERE9

— Wall Street Journal Opinion (@WSJopinion) September 6, 2024

Political Reactions and Criticisms

Donald Trump has seized this opportunity to underscore Harris’s past opposition to fracking, positioning her as a threat to Pennsylvania’s economy. Speaking at a rally, Trump remarked, “Harris has stated repeatedly that she supports, quote, banning fracking. I’ll ban fracking, I’ll ban it on my first day.” This charge aims to sway voters in a state where energy extraction is crucial for economic vitality.

“Harris has stated repeatedly that she supports, quote, banning fracking. I’ll ban fracking, I’ll ban it on my first day.” – Trump

Critically, Trump’s administration has emphasized fossil fuel support, accentuating the stark contrast between his and Harris’ energy policies. Despite Harris’ change in stance, Trump continues to cast doubt on her commitment to Pennsylvania’s voters, drawing parallels to previous election cycles. Notably, Trump likened his current strategy to his 2016 campaign against Hillary Clinton regarding coal.

Harris’ Response and Defense

In addressing these criticisms, Harris affirmed her position. She stated, “I made that clear on the debate stage in 2020 that I would not ban fracking, as vice president I did not ban fracking, as president I will not ban fracking. I’m very clear about where I stand.” Harris defended her evolving positions, asserting that her core values have not changed despite different statements over time.

“I made that clear on the debate stage in 2020 that I would not ban fracking, as vice president I did not ban fracking, as president I will not ban fracking, I’m very clear about where I stand.” – Harris

Her comments reflect an attempt to balance environmental commitments while keeping an eye on electoral pragmatism. The United Association of Union Plumbers and Pipefitters, for example, endorsed Harris, acknowledging her revised stance on fracking which aligns more closely with President Biden’s energy policies.

Pennsylvania Voters and Fracking

Fracking remains a hotly debated issue in Pennsylvania. Recent Republican efforts to weaponize this topic against Democrats have had mixed results. While some voters are staunchly pro-fracking due to economic reasons, others concern themselves with the documented health risks and environmental impacts tied to the practice. Successful Pennsylvania Democrats have typically campaigned on stringent regulation instead of outright bans.

A time-honored strategy involves clear communication and a balanced approach toward energy and environmental concerns. As the Harris campaign progresses, how she continues to engage voters on this front will be pivotal, particularly for those whose livelihoods are entwined with natural gas exploration.