Harris and Trump battle over fracking stance in Pennsylvania

Vice President Kamala Harris has distanced herself from her past anti-fracking stance, while Donald Trump continues to use it to sway voters in Pennsylvania, a key battleground state.

Marc Levy reports for The Associated Press.

In short:

• Kamala Harris previously supported banning fracking, a stance she has since reversed, while Trump continues to highlight her former position to appeal to voters in Pennsylvania.
• Trump accused Harris of supporting the Green New Deal and warned she would destroy the oil and gas industry, despite her current support for Biden's energy policies.
• Fracking is a divisive topic in Pennsylvania, with the gas industry boosting local economies and inspiring backlash, especially in Philadelphia suburbs.

Key quote:

“It’s safe to say that we and a lot of other folks are eager to hear from the vice president.”

— Dustin Meyer, senior vice president at the American Petroleum Institute

Why this matters:

The energy policies in Pennsylvania could impact the 2024 election outcomes. With both candidates focusing on energy strategies, voters' opinions on fracking may influence the state's political landscape.