Philadelphia, PA – Local residents join area leaders and industry representatives today for a community discussion on natural gas training programs, the impact of workforce development and the industry’s commitment to safe and responsible development in the Marcellus Shale. The Marcellus Shale Coalition (MSC) and America’s Natural Gas Alliance (ANGA) hosted the public event at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia.
The Marcellus Shale, one of the largest sources of natural gas in the United States, brought the natural gas industry to Pennsylvania, which has led to a flurry of investment in the region and created economic and job opportunities across the state. This event focuses on benefits for local business, educational programs to build the local workforce, and the industry’s commitment to operating in the interest of the community through safe and responsible development.
Representatives from the natural gas community are on hand to discuss the industry’s commitment to safe and responsible development and to environmental stewardship in the communities where they operate. As part of this commitment, companies are working alongside community organizations and representatives to protect the environment, maximize job creation and bring an economic boost to the region.
“It is critical for the natural gas industry to work with elected officials, chambers of commerce and other stakeholders to ensure that the benefits and opportunities from natural gas development are maximized,” said Mark Scheuerman, director of government relations at Talisman Energy and the lead for the three-state ANGA Appalachia region. “Natural gas development in Pennsylvania will continue to provide our country with important opportunities for energy independence and a stronger economy.”
Lt. Gov. Jim Cawley, Penn College Executive Director of Workforce Development and Continuing Education Larry Michael, and Jim Ladlee from Penn State Cooperative Extension are participating in a panel discussion on the Marcellus Shale Advisory Commission’s Recommendations to Gov. Corbett and natural gas workforce training programs. Other panel members include Tyler Emrich, a Chesapeake Energy employee from Manayunk, and Phil Kithcart, a Talisman Energy employee and graduate of Lackawanna’s two-year training program.
“Organizations and institutions across the Commonwealth are responding to the positive impact the Marcellus is having on our workforce through new and innovative training programs that prepare men and women for careers in this highly sophisticated industry and across a diverse supply chain of related industries,” said Kathryn Z. Klaber, president and executive director of the Marcellus Shale Coalition.
“With seven in 10 hires into the Marcellus hailing from Pennsylvania and 93 percent coming from the five-state Marcellus region, it is imperative that we continue to support quality workforce training programs, while working in a collaborative way to maximize the economic potential of clean-burning, abundant natural gas,” continued Klaber.
The natural gas community creates thousands of jobs in Pennsylvania and companies operating in the Marcellus Shale firmly believe that the economic activity that comes with natural gas development and environmental preservation are not mutually exclusive. Day after day, in communities across Pennsylvania and the country, natural gas producers demonstrate that we can advance our economic, environmental and energy security interests together.
This community discussion is the second of three to be held in Pennsylvania this summer.
