As you may know, the Marcellus Shale is considered to be the world’s second largest natural gas field – behind one in Iran. These enormous amounts of clean-burning American natural gas, which are being safely and responsibly developed, are fostering job creation, bolstering energy security, generating hundreds of millions of dollars through taxes and fees, and enhancing air quality. But these resources, of course, must be produced. And while there are short-term and temporary aboveground disturbances, this development and production is all done within an aggressive and common sense regulatory framework, ensuring that we protect our environment.
As President Obama has said: “After years of talking about it, we are finally poised to control our own energy future. We produce more natural gas than ever before – and nearly everyone’s energy bill is lower because of it,” adding: “The natural gas boom has led to cleaner power and greater energy independence. We need to encourage that.
