SCRANTON, Pa. (AP) – Sen. Bob Casey says Pennsylvania’s emerging natural gas industry has the potential to create jobs and wealth, but also carries environmental risks that must be addressed.

The Pennsylvania Democrat said Thursday at a forum in Scranton that the “gas rush’’ taking place in the vast Marcellus Shale region of Pennsylvania “can create a great economic boost’’ in a state where nearly 600,00 people are unemployed. But he added: “We must not fail to protect our people, our land, our water and our future.’’

Casey is sponsoring legislation to tighten regulation of hydraulic fracturing or “fracking,’’ a process used in shale gas drilling in which millions of gallons of chemical-laden water and sand are injected deep underground. Opponents contend fracking threatens groundwater. The industry says it is safe.