The overwhelmingly positive impact of the Marcellus Shale continued to make its way throughout Pennsylvania this week. At an economic seminar, Pa. state Senator John Yudichak (Dem.-Plymouth) touted safe and tightly-regulated shale development as a “transformational economic opportunity”. These homegrown jobs are renewing small towns, driving down once-skyrocketing unemployment rates and reigniting our manufacturing sector. At the same time, as Bloomberg News reports this week, “The shale boom has moved the U.S. closer to energy independence, added jobs, helped revive manufacturing, and lowered gas bills.”

Here’s what they’re saying about the clear benefits of shale which are Powering An American Renaissance:

  • Economic Benefits of Marcellus Shale Are Many: Public and private officials said Thursday that the economic benefits of the Marcellus Shale are many. … When [KDKA’s Jon] Delano asked what they considered to be the single most important contribution to the region, panelists had a difficult time limiting their answer to one item. To [MSC’s Dave] Spigelmyer, the explosion of natural shale gas production has put the country on a path to energy security and created more than 200,000 jobs across the commonwealth, while setting a market price for power in just a few short years. Speaking for the airport authority, which in February received a $50 million signing bonus from Consol Energy to extract natural gas from beneath Pittsburgh International Airport that officials say could bring as much as $450 million in royalties, Penrod listed the financial gain, as well as strong regional economic growth. Some of that growth is directly impacting the airport’s bottom line, he said. “We’ve had a 4.5 percent increase in seats sold at the airport from a year ago,” Penrod said. Noble said her township is benefitting from the impact fees generated from Act 13, noting that it has received $1.1 million in fees over the last two years. (Washington Observer-Reporter, 11/14/13)
  • Sen. John Yudichak: Marcellus Shale Presents “Transformational Economic Opportunity”: State Sen. John Yudichak Thursday said the Marcellus shale industry will lift Northeastern Pennsylvania “out of the cloud of economic hardship” and will continue to do so for generations to come. … “We are all here for one reason and singular goal — to learn how NEPA can leverage the transformational economic opportunity presented by Marcellus shale into the creation of new jobs, new businesses and sustainable economic growth. … John Augustine, community outreach manager for the Marcellus Shale Coalition, gave a detailed presentation on the state of the industry, its economic impact and the anticipated growth over the next 40 to 50 years. Augustine said the Marcellus shale region produces 12 billion cubic feet of natural gas per day and will soon surpass 13 billion cubic feet per day. … Augustine said the industry employs about 232,000 people with an average salary of $83,000 per year. Between 2010 and 2012, Augustine said there were 4,500 wells drilled, representing a $31.5 billion investment. … He said the industry has generated $1.8 billion in tax revenue since 2006. Webber said the gas industry has dramatically grown jobs for members of his union. … Since 2006, the union man hours have grown from 200,000 to 3.6 million in 2012. … Yudichak said the natural gas industry will “power modern manufacturing plants, fuel more efficient vehicles and light the way for new technologies” that push the boundaries of health, science and commerce. (Times-Leader, 11/15/13)
  • Safe Shale Development Means New Opportunities, More Jobs for the Region: Although there won’t be any wells in the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton area, there will still be lots of natural gas-related career opportunities. … From truck drivers to laborers, engineers to scientists, the jobs are out there. “We’re hiring, and the pay is good,” John Augustine of the Marcellus Shale Coalition said. … However, natural gas drilling has seen explosive growth throughout the state, particularly Northeastern Pennsylvania, where the wells are “producing more gas than we ever thought possible,” Augustine said. … This boom means new opportunities for Northeastern Pennsylvania … An integral part of the natural gas-related infrastructure in the region is the Transco interstate pipeline. … Construction is expected to begin in March, and [Williams’ Chris] Staffel said 767 workers will be employed. A related project to add more horsepower to three existing compressor stations, including one in Buck Township, will add 154 jobs. … Of the $80.4 million the Transco expansion will cost, $49.4 million is expected to be spent in Pennsylvania…the company’s goal is to hire local service providers. … In 2007, laborers put in 200,000 man hours in the pipeline industry…That number climbed to 1.2 million man hours in 2010, and to 3.6 million in 2012, he said. And they’re family sustaining jobs. (Citizen’s Voice, 11/15/13)
  • Marcellus Shale: Dramatically Changing Economic Fortunes: “Once in a generation you get a chance like this to dramatically change the economic fortunes of your community. Marcellus Shale has that potential to change the economic fortunes of northeastern Pennsylvania,” said PA Senator John Yudichak (D) 14th District. The seminar sponsored by Marcellus Shale Coalition attracted a crowd including local contractors, trade unions and small manufacturers. They heard how energy sector jobs have multiplied in recent years and how new business and job growth are possible through the natural gas Industry. “We have over 2,000 open positions that we’re trying to fill. There’s a tremendous activity as we’re putting pipelines throughout the whole northeast actually getting that gas to market,” said John Augustine. … The independent energy and environmental consulting company Pure Green Consultants specializes in helping organizations optimize energy and environmental performance. Company analyst Steve Scarpetta says what’s already a job boom in the energy sector can and will spark other economic growth in Pennsylvania. Mr. Scarpetta pointed to manufacturing, retail and transportation areas that are attracting interest from outside the area. … Sen. Yudichak added, “This is Pennsylvania energy for Pennsylvania jobs.” (WBRE-TV, 11/14/13)

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