On a subject that relies so heavily on facts and science, it is a shame The Inquirer chose to cherry-pick information and lead readers to believe that natural-gas development in northeastern Pennsylvania should be further, and unnecessarily, delayed (“No rush to drill near the Delaware,” July 23).
For three years, while the Delaware River Basin Commission (DRBC) has been stalling over issuing commonsense natural-gas regulations, Govs. Ed Rendell and Corbett have modernized and strengthened Pennsylvania’s environmental standards; jobs have been created; hundreds of millions in revenue has been generated through taxes and fees; and utility bills are lower, meaning PECO and Philadelphia Gas Works customers are paying less today, thanks to Marcellus Shale development.
The Susquehanna and Ohio River basins, areas that cover central and western Pennsylvania and supply drinking water to more than 11 million people, continue to offer “natural splendor” to millions of Pennsylvanians and visitors alike. Natural-gas development is not a choice between protecting the environment and producing economic benefits. Both can be achieved concurrently.
While we agree that “Pennsylvania’s gas boom is far from over,” there is no reason to further deny property owners in northeastern Pennsylvania their fundamental right to safely develop their land. A lot has happened in the last three years; it’s time for the DRBC to catch up.
Kathryn Z. Klaber, chief executive officer, Marcellus Shale Coalition, Pittsburgh
NOTE: Click HERE to view this letter online.
