Pittsburgh, Pa. – The safe, tightly-regulated development of America’s abundant natural gas resources – particularly from the Marcellus Shale – continues to usher in broad-based job creation, more affordable energy costs for consumers, small businesses and manufacturers and an all-around stronger economy. At the same time, clean-burning American natural gas is being increasingly leveraged to power our growing transportation needs, all while protecting our environment. Here’s what they’re saying:

MORE AMERICAN NATURAL GAS = MORE CONSUMER SAVINGS, MORE JOBS

  • “Natural Gas Costs Going Down for Many in NJ”: Many New Jersey residents will be spending less to stay warm this winter. The state Board of Public Utilities has approved rate decreases for three natural gas companies. The lower rates were approved last week and take effect on Oct. 1. BPU spokesman Greg Reinert says there are many factors, including a growing supply of natural gas from drilling in the region. The gas is coming largely from Pennsylvania, as drillers use the often-protested technique of hydraulic fracturing to get gas from deep within the earth. (NBC New York, 9/17/12)
  • “Cheap energy will give us a competitive advantage for the foreseeable future”: This could be a game changer with a multiplier effect as America’s natural gas advantage enables U.S. utilities to convert abundant, low-cost gas into lower-cost electricity to power our factories. Natural gas also has uses as an ingredient in producing fabrics, fertilizers, and plastics, among other things. … Together, cheaper energy and lower-cost raw materials add up to lower-cost manufactured goods, ranging from agricultural chemicals to carpets and toys, which we can sell both domestically and overseas, creating U.S. jobs. … Just as many Americans had given up on the idea of energy independence, along comes this game-changer—a new technology that not only should allow us to become self-sufficient in meeting our energy needs, but will enable us to become a net energy exporter. Best of all, the cheap energy will give us a competitive advantage for the foreseeable future. (Bloomberg News, 9/17/12)
  • Dow Chemical: “Natural gas is fueling an American manufacturing renaissance”: Chemical industry leaders are promoting natural gas as a way to boost manufacturing and job creation. “At the national level, natural gas is fueling an American manufacturing renaissance,” said Seth Roberts, Dow’s director of energy and climate change policy. Dow uses natural gas for energy as well as a feedstock to produce the building blocks for various chemicals and plastic products. When natural gas prices are low, Dow and other companies respond by making investments and adding jobs, Roberts said. (MLive.com, 9/12/12)
  • GE CEO Jeffrey Immelt: “The United States is the Saudi Arabia of natural gas“: West Virginia and WVU will play a crucial role in tapping into shale gas resources and allowing America to energy as a gas leader, he said. “The United States is the Saudi Arabia of natural gas,” Immelt said.  “We could be energy independent in 10 years.”  He added that WVU should strive to be a leader in fracking, horizontal drilling and gas extraction research. “I think energy is going to be incredibly important on the global stage and for the United States,” he said. (WV Metro News, 9/12/12)
  • “US natural gas production on track to top 2011 record in 2012”: Despite low prices, U.S. natural gas producers are on track in 2012 to top their record 2011 production. Gas produced in the first six months of 2012 came to 11.9 trillion cubic feet, or tcf, compared with 11.2 tcf in the first six months of 2011, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. Total production in 2011 of 23 tcf exceeded 2010 production by 7.8 percent and topped the previous record, set in 1973, of 21.7 tcf. Volume has been higher in every month of 2012 compared with 2011. (State Journal, 9/14/12)
  • “Upstate [NY] favors natural gas drilling”: According to a Quinnipiac University poll, Upstate New York voters are in favor of drilling the Marcellus Shale. … Eighty-one percent of all others say drilling will create jobs, with no opposition from any group. (Buffalo Business First, 9/13/12)

OPINION PAGES TOUT SAFE AMERICAN NATURAL GAS PRODUCTION

  • Marcellus Shale “would keep residents from fleeing” region: What we actually find in Pennsylvania are thousands of new jobs and growing businesses. … We must be willing to move ahead with one of the most important and beneficial economic developments in decades — an energy revolution led by clean, affordable shale gas. Our own abundant resource is creating jobs in nearby states and reviving communities all across the country. Why not here? Natural gas development is a safe and powerful force that can hold communities together and give our children real options. People reluctantly leave their Southern Tier homes to pursue opportunity. We need to pursue this opportunity to keep people from leaving. (Star-Gazette op-ed, 9/12/12)
  • “Gas Boom a Plus For Residents, Too”: The natural gas boom our area is experiencing through drilling in the Marcellus Shale formation has tangible benefits for everyone, not just property owners that lease their land or mineral rights to the energy companies. Businesses also benefit through potential new customers and also stability and lower costs in the gas market. … Having stability in the energy market always is a positive for the economy – and something essential for manufacturing. … Our hope is that the natural gas flowing out of the ground now can lead to new jobs and opportunities in the future for West Virginia and Ohio workers. (Wheeling News-Register editorial, 9/17/12)
  • Marcellus Shale production “environmentally safe”: This [recent Rex Energy] tour of numerous Marcellus shale operations confirmed my earlier belief that the technology exists to harvest natural gas lying deep beneath our feet in an environmentally safe manner. The benefits are that farmers receive welcome royalties, the region’s workforce has new jobs so necessary to feed families, and industries using natural gas and gas liquids as fuels and feedstocks will spring up along with myriad support services. And our nation will benefit from reduced imports. (Tribune-Review letter, 9/14/12)
  • Shale development in NY “would bring jobs, improve economy”: It’s preposterous that we haven’t approved natural gas development in New York. This is the light at the end of the tunnel for our economy, and it’s not nearly as controversial as activists would have you believe. Don’t take my word on that. Ask Interior Secretary Ken Salazar, a known environmental supporter, who just this year said, ”From my point of view, natural gas development can, and is, being done safely.” Let’s get it done, New York. (Syracuse Post-Standard letter, 9/16/12)

NATURAL GAS: POWERING OUR TRANSPORTATION NEEDS

  • “Natural gas gets nod from auto analysts as vehicle fuel of future”: Natural gas got a strong vote of confidence as a future vehicle fuel at the Society of Automotive Analysts Strategic Planning Summit in Southfield on Friday. New methods of extracting the gas are one of the biggest changes affecting the auto industry in years, General Motors chief economist Mustafa Mohatarem said. “The U. S. now has a 100-year supply of natural gas,” he said. … The idea got a second from John Casesa, senior managing director of investment banking at Guggenheim Partners. “We’re also very high on natural gas,” he said. “It’s a massive change for the United States, and probably a big deal for the motor industry.” (Detroit Free Press, 9/16/12)
  • “Pittsburgh’s latest cab service powered by red, white & blue”: Frank Guzman is a Vietnam veteran, retired postal worker and a former New York City taxi driver, but he’s now driving for Veterans’ Taxi in Pittsburgh with a unique sense of pride. “The veterans concept, being a veteran myself, I wanted to support it,” Guzman told Channel 4 Action News’ Sheldon Ingram. Veterans’ Taxi is operated by Star Transportation, and puts veterans behind the wheels of vehicles powered by compressed natural gas. … “We have (compressed natural gas)-powered vehicles that are wheelchair accessible, and we’re the only taxi service in the city that has both of those — CNG and Wheelchair (accessibility).” (WTAE-TV, 9/14/12)
  • Southeastern Pa. Continues to Embrace, Benefit From Natural Gas Vehicles: The race is on to open natural-gas vehicle fueling stations in the Philadelphia area. Lehigh Gas Corp., an Allentown company that owns about 600 branded gasoline stations in eastern states, on Thursday will open a compressed natural gas (CNG) fuel pump at its Concordville Exxon station at 1130 Baltimore Pike. Lehigh Gas already has one public CNG outlet in State College, and plans to open pumps at existing gasoline stations in King of Prussia, Ardmore, Exton, Harrisburg and Center Valley in Lehigh County, said Sil Lutkewitte, alternative fuels manager. (Philadelphia Inquirer, 9/17/12)
  • “First compressed natural gas station opens in” Bucks Co., Pa.: The region’s first public-access compressed natural gas station opened for business Thursday in Falls. State and local officials, business leaders and community members all lauded the opening of the station, which they hope is the first of many stations throughout Bucks County and beyond. “The future is here,” said Bill Rickett, executive director of the Transportation Management Association of Bucks County. “There is no reason Pennsylvania can’t become energy self-sufficient in the next decade.” (Bucks County Courier Times, 9/14/12)

# # #

NOTE: Please follow us on Twitter (@MarcellusGas) and Facebook for updates on clean-burning American natural gas. And visit our Job Portal to learn about career opportunities.