Driven by the safe, tightly-regulated development of Appalachia’s abundant clean-burning shale resources, America’s energy – as well as our economic and environmental – future is remarkably bright. This fact was further reinforced this week through the release of a new U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) report. The report, under the headline “Growing oil and natural gas production continues to reshape the U.S. energy economy,” puts forth even more facts about the undeniable link between soaring domestic natural gas production and its positive benefits for our environment and economy.

To be sure, as key energy producing states like Pennsylvania – once the belt buckle of the Rust Belt but now the “fastest-growing natural gas-producing state,” according to EIA – increase supply of clean-burning energy, America’s global competitiveness is increasingly bolstered, bringing about a re-shoring of manufacturing jobs and lower consumer energy costs. At the same time, this responsible development is protecting and enhancing our environment – a direct result of strong, state-based regulations touted by bipartisan energy-producing state governors. It’s clear why a strong majority of Americans support the time-tested process responsible for these far-reaching benefits.

Here’s what they’re saying about this generational opportunity:

PROOF POSITIVE: FEDERAL DATA CONFIRMS SHALE’S STAYING POWER, BENEFITS

  • U.S. Department of Energy: “Pa. May Rank 2nd in 2013 Natural Gas Production”: The U.S. Department of Energy says that Pennsylvania may close out 2013 as the second-largest producer of natural gas in the nation, behind Texas. The Tuesday release from EIA shows that soaring production from the Marcellus Shale has put both Pennsylvania and West Virginia into the top 10 gas producing states. The EIA reports that Pennsylvania may edge out Louisiana for the number two spot, while West Virginia is now 10th nationally. Production in Pennsylvania grew by 72 percent from 2011 to 2012, and is on track to grow significantly again this year. (Associated Press, 12/17/13)
  • “Marcellus Production May Result in Pa. Becoming the Second-Largest Producer In 2013”: Pennsylvania has the fastest growth of any natural gas-producing state, jumping 72 percent between 2011-12, according to federal data released Tuesday. The commonwealth’s growth has vaulted it to third from seventh among the top 10 producing states, according to EIA. … Pennsylvania’s charge could displace No. 2 Louisiana for 2013. … Pennsylvania’s growth was the highest percentage among the top 10 producers, thanks to production in the Marcellus Shale. “Preliminary data indicate that continued Marcellus production may result in Pennsylvania becoming the second-largest producer in 2013,” the EIA said. (Pittsburgh Business Times, 12/17/13)
  • “Pa. Is Fastest-Growing Natural Gas State”: Natural gas production is growing faster in Pennsylvania than anywhere else in the country, and its rate of growth far outpaces any other state, according to new government data. Between 2011 and 2012, production of natural gas in Pennsylvania grew by 72 percent, rocketing the state from the seventh-largest gas-producing state to the third-largest, according to data released Tuesday by the U.S. Energy Information Administration. At its current pace, the EIA projects Pennsylvania may take Louisiana’s spot as the second-biggest natural gas producer in 2013. The second-fastest growing state in natural gas production, also located along the gas-rich Marcellus Shale formation, is West Virginia, where production grew by 37 percent from 2011 to 2012. (TIME, 12/17/13)
  • “Pa. Expected to Pass La. as Nation’s Second Top Natural Gas Producing State”: Pennsylvania will likely surpass Louisiana as the nation’s second largest natural gas producing state for 2013, a result of the ongoing shale drilling boom, according to updated government data. EIA on Tuesday highlighted Pennsylvania’s rapid rise among natural gas producing states, noting that the state’s production jumped 72 percent to 2.26 trillion cubic feet in 2012. … Early figures predict the Marcellus shale will be producing natural gas at a rate of 13.7 billion cubic feet per day by January 2014, up from less than 10 billion in January 2013. (Times-Picayune, 12/17/13)
  • Confirmed: “The U.S. is Really Experiencing an Energy Revolution”: EIA is dramatically increasing its production forecast in response to the shale revolution. … “The EIA report confirms that the United States really is experiencing an energy revolution,” said Pulitzer Prize-winning oil historian and analyst Daniel Yergin. …  The U.S. recently became the world’s largest natural gas producer, and EIA forecasts a 56 percent increase in American natural gas production over the coming two and a half decades. … A major factor is the Marcellus Shale in Pennsylvania and West Virginia, he said. The Marcellus reached 13 billion cubic feet a day of natural gas production this year, over six times the level of 2010. … EIA predicts use of imported energy sources will fall to just 4 percent of domestic consumption by 2040. … Natural gas is also a feedstock to build a wide range of products, and its use for American manufacturing is expected to rise by 22 percent in the next dozen years. The U.S. is also increasingly exporting its natural gas abroad, a trend the EIA believes will continue. (McClatchy, 12/16/13)
  • “America’s Energy Boom Will Continue for Decades” Thanks to Natural Gas: Natural gas production will grow steadily, jumping 56% from 2012 to 2040, according to an early release of an annual report by EIA. “Advanced technologies for crude oil and natural gas production are continuing to increase domestic supply and reshape the U.S. energy economy as well as expand the potential for U.S. natural gas exports,” Adam Sieminski, EIA Administrator, said. This energy bonanza is largely due to the combined use of horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing or fracking. … In 2040, it expects natural gas will account for 35% of the nation’s electricity generation. … The U.S. will export more energy and import less. … The 2014 forecast sees a more robust U.S. energy market than did its 2013 counterpart. (USA Today, 12/16/13)
  • EIA: Natural Gas Leading U.S. Towards Energy Independence: The annual outlook by EIA was cited by experts as confirmation that the U.S. was well on its way — far faster than anticipated even a year ago — to achieving virtual energy independence. … “The E.I.A. report confirms that the United States really is experiencing an energy revolution,” said Daniel Yergin. … The report projects increased exports of natural gas over the next few years. This represents a drastic change from just a few years ago, when the United States was planning to import more natural gas. (New York Times, 12/17/13)
  • “Environmentally Friendly” Natural Gas is “Key to Securing our Future”: The United States will continue to produce copious amounts of oil and natural gas through at least 2016, EIA said Monday, with natural gas production likely to spike for the next two decades at a minimum. … The breakneck expansion of natural gas—a more environmentally friendly energy source that has become a linchpin in electricity generation—will push ahead for at least the next 40 years, the EIA added. (CNBC, 12/16/13)

SAFE, EFFICIENT SHALE DEVELOPMENT POWERS AN AMERICAN REVOLUTION

  • Marcellus Development More Efficient, Safer Than Ever: Marcellus Shale exploration companies are drilling bigger wells in less time at less cost, and they are producing more natural gas than ever in Pennsylvania. … The Marcellus, which includes wells in West Virginia, now produces nearly a fifth of the nation’s natural gas. … EIA, recognizing that the drill-rig count is an obsolete measure of output, recently presented a new way to quantify efficiency that takes into account drilling speed and production. By that measure, the Marcellus accounts for much of the growth in the nation’s gas production. … Adam Sieminski, the EIA’s administrator, told the Columbia University Center on Global Energy Policy in October the turnaround in the domestic oil and gas industry is transformational. “For natural gas, EIA has no doubt at all that production can continue to grow all the way out to 2040,” Sieminski said. (Philadelphia Inquirer, 12/16/13)
  • MSC Member Chevron Boosting Western Pa. Job Growth: Chevron USA’s proposal to build a regional headquarters in Moon would be the largest single development in the township since the former Pittsburgh airport terminal was built in 1952, a township official said. … The tide is starting to turn, a Moon supervisor said, and a Chevron campus would significantly contribute to that. “It’s going to create jobs for Moon Township…said Marvin Eicher, chairman of the board of supervisors. … Chevron has 700 employees working in Moon and Smithfield in Fayette County, Trip Oliver said. Chevron estimates the headquarters would house about 1,000 workers and the number would grow to about 1,500 employees by 2025, Eicher said. … Chevron’s proposal indicates the Pittsburgh region’s growing dominance in the drilling industry, though it is still developing, experts said. …“Over the long term … we’re talking 10 years out or more, I do expect Pittsburgh to be the epicenter of natural gas development and shipping,” he said. (Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, 12/13/13)
  • MSC Member Range Resources Brings Economic, Environmental Benefits to Regional Parks: Allegheny County stands to gain $3.5 million in signing bonuses and potentially more than $70 million to lease the acreage beneath Deer Lakes Park for gas well drilling. … “The county stands to receive $35 million given current infrastructure availability in that part of the state, with the potential to exceed $70 million,” said spokesman Matt Pitzarella. “All with zero impact on the park.” … Mr. Fitzgerald said he would like to use half of what he hoped would be a $3 million to $4 million signing bonus to pay for improvements at Deer Lakes, where he said many of the park buildings are in disrepair. … “I think a lot of that money would go into the parks.” … Mr. Fitzgerald said he would like to replicate some of the in-kind work being done by Range in Cross Creek, like paving roadways and providing labor for various other park improvements. … “We saw the improvements in Cross Creek that were made,” said Mr. Fitzgerald, who hopes to finalize the lease with Range sometime next year. (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, 12/14/13)
  • ACC: “U.S. Now the Most Attractive Place in the World to Invest” Thanks to Shale: Shale continues to drive a renewed U.S. competitiveness that is boosting exports, and driving greater domestic investment, economic growth and job creation within the business of chemistry, according to the Year End 2013 Chemical Industry Situation and Outlook, published last week by the American Chemistry Council (ACC). … “American chemistry is back in the game,” said Dr. Kevin Swift, ACC’s chief economist. … Put simply, the U.S. is now the most attractive place in the world to invest in chemical manufacturing,” he added. (Release, 12/17/13)

  • MSC: Shale Development a “Clear Environmental Winner” for Our Region: Through robust environmental regulations and the MSC’s recommended practices for Well Site Planning, Development and Restoration, a commitment to sharing the land with wildlife, and the fact that many in this industry are outdoorsmen and women, Pennsylvania has the right rules in place to minimize the industry’s footprint, while maintaining the beauty of Penn’s Woods. … The use of horizontal drilling technology greatly reduces surface disturbance by allowing operators to tap a much larger resource base from one location, instead of drilling dozens of vertical wells to harvest the same volume of gas. This is a clear environmental winner and is changing the outlook of national energy supply dramatically. … The recommended practices our organization has adopted, coupled with strict regulations, further ensure coexistence and that the only sites chosen are those we can safely develop and restore to a level that enhances local habitat. (Lancaster Era letter, 12/12/13)

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