Common Goals
As President Obama travels the commonwealth this week, we’re reminded of his fact-based remarks about safe natural gas development.
In his January State of the Union address, the president underscored the fact that “natural gas will create jobs…proving that we don’t have to choose between our environment and our economy.”
The president’s top advisers — both current and former — have underscored these benefits and the imperative for operational transparency, a core commitment of our industry.
Peter Orszag, Obama’s former Office of Management and Budget director, wrote that “more use of natural gas for transportation could carry big benefits.” We agree. And as an industry, we’re working to further leverage the use of clean-burning American natural gas to fuel our nation’s transportation needs.
On ensuring transparency, our organization proactively committed last year to participate in FracFocus.org , an online database administered by state environmental regulators listing the makeup of hydraulic fracturing fluids on a well-by-well basis.
Recently, the president’s top energy adviser, Heather Zichal, said, “As an administration, we believe that FracFocus is an important tool that provides transparency to the American people.”
Again, we couldn’t agree more. The benefits of natural gas are undeniable.
Let’s continue to get this historic opportunity right, Mr. President, for the nation and for future generations.
Kathryn Z. Klaber
The writer is president of the Pittsburgh-based Marcellus Shale Coalition (marcelluscoalition.org).
NOTE: Click HERE to view this letter online.
