As President Obama travels the Commonwealth this week, we’re reminded of his positive remarks about responsible natural gas development. During 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.”
We agree. In fact, according to U.S. Energy Information Administration, natural gas production in Pennsylvania has “more than quadrupled” from 2009 and 2011. The result? Private sector job creation. Indeed, according to state government data, Marcellus Shale production supports nearly 230,000 jobs in the Commonwealth. Consumers are paying less for energy as we produce more of it safely.
At the same time, our air is getting cleaner as more natural gas is used to power our economy. And importantly, America’s security is strengthened by the day as we produce and use more domestic natural gas.
President Clinton’s former top economic adviser, Martin Neil Baily, recently wrote that “Environmentalists should recognize the longer-term benefits of abundant [natural] gas supplies,” and that “President Obama should help promote a cleaner fossil fuel that shows such promise and is already creating new jobs.”
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, Pittsburgh
The writer is president of the Marcellus Shale Coalition
NOTE: Click HERE to view this letter online.
