Region’s leading natural gas organization focused on building on successful efforts in 2013

Pittsburgh, Pa. – At its annual membership meeting last night, held at the historic Carnegie Music Hall, the Marcellus Shale Coalition (MSC) and its more than 300 member companies, took the opportunity to look back at the year’s many collective accomplishments, and refocused its efforts on building upon this positive progress in 2013.

“Despite headwinds our industry faced this year, especially a low-cost natural gas environment, we’ve accomplished much to be proud of, and are well-positioned to achieve more in the coming year, especially as it relates to strong manufacturing growth tied to responsible shale gas development,” said MSC chairman Dave Spigelmeyer of Chesapeake Energy Corporation. “As we continue to safely produce more clean-burning American natural gas across Appalachia, our region’s economy continues to grow, helping to create tens of thousands of good jobs. At the same time, this responsible development is improving our environment and ensuring that our nation has access to the energy it needs to recover economically and compete in the global marketplace.”

At the meeting, the MSC unveiled this video, titled “Powering an American Renaissance,” highlighting the natural gas industry’s positive impact on the economy, as well as the clear environmental benefits associated with the expanded use of this abundant American resource.

“Through the collective and tireless efforts of the thousands of men and women now working for the MSC’s 300 member companies, our industry continues to make positive progress toward our shared goals of a more robust economy, a cleaner environment and a stronger, more prosperous nation,” said MSC president Kathryn Klaber. “I could not be more proud of these accomplishments, made possible by our diverse and committed membership and a very talented staff. Many milestones have been achieved over the course of this year, and more remain on the horizon. Our organization is excited to tackle the challenges ahead, staying true to our Guiding Principles, and are eager to continue to capitalize on the opportunities we all share.”

Key 2012 MSC-Related Accomplishments:

  • FracFocus.org. At last year’s annual membership meeting, the MSC voted for organization-wide Marcellus Shale hydraulic fracturing disclosure on FracFocus.org. Today, more than 2,000 Pennsylvania wells are now listed on the site, with nearly 200 from West Virginia and close to 100 from Ohio. This collective and proactive action further demonstrates the MSC’s commitment to operational transparency, as well as to the facts.
  • Recommended Practices. The MSC, drawing on its membership’s deep technical expertise, has crafted a series of content-rich Recommended Practices, or guidance documents, specific to various natural gas production-related activities and operations. To date, these documents include Pre-Drill Water Supply Surveys, Responding to Stray Gas Incidents, Supply Chain, and Site Planning, Development and Restoration, with more to follow.
  • Legislative/Regulatory Engagement. The MSC continues to work collaboratively with legislators and regulators to ensure sustainable development of our natural gas resources, bringing economic benefits while ensuring strong environmental protections. Without question, as impact fee revenues – in the sum $204 million – are being disbursed, “Marcellus Shale production is positively impacting every square inch of the Commonwealth.”
  • Producing More Clean-Burning American Natural Gas. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), “Pennsylvania’s natural gas production more than quadrupled due to expanded horizontal drilling combined with hydraulic fracturing” between 2009 and 2011.  And as Platts reports, “Natural gas production from Pennsylvania’s Marcellus Shale for the first half of this year jumped 82% over the same period last year.”
  • Revitalizing Our Region’s Manufacturing Base. As laid out in a set of recommendations put forth by Governor Corbett’s Manufacturing Advisory Council, shale gas has “created a unique series of new market opportunities that may provide more growth potential than just a stable low-cost energy.” And as Kathryn Klaber recently wrote in the Philadelphia Inquirer, “Philadelphia’s refinery sites are experiencing new life that few could have predicted just a few years ago – buoyed by abundant supplies of natural gas, a fundamental building block for a strong manufacturing sector.”
  • Promoting a “Community Conversation” About Shale. Ask About Shale, during a three-month period, generated more than 600 questions through various community listening sessions across southeastern Pennsylvania, online submissions, post cards and telephone surveys on a range of natural gas-related topics. Learn About Shale aims to answer each straightforwardly, leveraging subject matter expertise from industry representatives, academic researchers, and other key stakeholders.
  • SHALE GAS INSIGHT®. Held again this year in Philadelphia, the SHALE GAS INSIGHT® 2012 conference fostered a fact-based debate aimed at ensuring that shale gas development continues to be done safely and in a way that continues to benefit all Pennsylvanians and Americans. Without question, the event was another great success.
  • Membership Growth/Engagement. The MSC’s unique membership, made up of not only exploration and production and midstream companies but representative of the entire supply chain, continues to grow. During the course of the past year, MSC membership grew to more than 300 companies. Key membership-wide engagements included events and meetings with state and federal government elected officials in both Washington, D.C. and Harrisburg, respectively.

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