As President Barack Obama traveled throughout eastern Ohio last week, we were reminded of his fact-based 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.”
And recently, the president’s top advisers have underscored these benefits and the imperative for operational transparency, a core commitment of our industry.
Peter Orszag, President Obama’s former budget director, wrote that “more use of natural gas for transportation could carry big benefits” (Forum, July 1). We agree, and, as an industry, are working to further leverage the use of clean-burning American natural gas to fuel our nation’s transportation needs.
On ensuring public transparency, our organization committed last year to participate in FracFocus.org, an online database listing the makeup of hydraulic fracturing fluids on a well-by-well basis. President Obama’s top energy adviser, Heather Zichal, recently 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 Pittsburgh
Klaber is president of the Marcellus Shale Coalition.
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