Pittsburgh, Pa. – Today, the Associated Press reports that the U.S. is experiencing “the feeblest economic recovery since the Great Depression.” Adds the AP: “Economic growth has never been weaker in a postwar recovery.” It’s no wonder why only 23 percent of Americans “are satisfied with the way things are going in the United States,” according to a new Gallup poll released today. Further, and as Gallup’s research indicates, “Americans continue to most often mention the economy in general as the most important problem facing the country today, with 31% doing so, followed by unemployment or jobs at 23%.”

But while the AP reports that “The engines that usually drive [economic] recoveries aren’t firing this time,” the positive, job-creating impact associated with safe, tightly-regulated American natural gas development cannot be lost on anyone. Despite some claims, responsible American natural gas development is creating tens of thousands of good-paying jobs across the region and the country. In fact, according to state data, more than 238,000 jobs in the Commonwealth are tied to responsible clean-burning natural gas development.

Here’s what they’re saying:

JOB CREATION, ECONOMIC REVITALIZATION

  • Major Western Pa. Union at Near Full Employment: Today, Chris Petrone of the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 66, appeared before a state House policy committee hearing. During his testimony, Mr. Petrone notes that “Thanks to #marcellus development, members of IUOE Local 66 (33 counties in Western PA) are close to full employment (3-5%).” (Twitter, 8/15/12)
  • Shale Gas Fueling “a Manufacturing Renaissance”: Fueling America’s abundance of natural gas has directly fueled a manufacturing renaissance in two ways. Natural gas is cheap, very cheap, which means that electricity prices will decrease. America’s manufacturers, what few are left, are under such immense pressure from globalization that a ten percent drop in electricity prices might make the difference between closing up shop and keeping the lights on. Secondly, chemical companies that use natural gas as a feedstock are literally closing shops abroad and reopening them in the United States. (Americans for Tax Reform, 8/14/12)
  • “Dominion Project Employing 600” Marcellus-Related Workers in WV: A small city is forming along W.Va. 2 in Marshall County, as the number of pipeliners and construction workers building the $500 million Dominion Resources natural gas processing plant continues to increase. As the Ohio Valley adjusts to the liquidation of the RG Steel assets – as well as concerns that Ormet Corp. may need to lay off about 1,000 workers from its Hannibal Primary Aluminum Reduction Plant – the all new Dominion plant is set to open by the end of this year. Dominion spokesman Charles Penn said the number of construction workers at the Natrium site this week numbered 606, an increase from just 84 late last year. (Wheeling Intelligencer, 8/13/12)
  • Safe Marcellus Shale Development “to Generate Billions of Dollars”: The Marcellus Shale and its development are expected to generate billions of dollars in the present and for many years in the future for West Virginia and the surrounding region, according to the speaker at Monday’s Parkersburg Rotary Club weekly meeting. … “In a short period of time, there has been several billion dollars of wells and infrastructure development because of the Marcellus Shale. This is just the beginning, this will go on for a number of years because there’s such a huge resource here underneath our feet,” [David E. Drennon] said. (News and Sentinel, 8/14/12)
  • “The Economic Benefits are Far-Reaching”: The economic benefits are far-reaching. Billions of dollars already have been paid to Ohio landowners for mineral leases by natural gas and oil exploration and production companies. Ohio manufacturers are hiring workers to supply pipe, compressors, tanks, and trucks for the industry. … Shale gas is the major contributor to the U.S. becoming the largest producer of natural gas — so large that we are shifting to exporter rather than importer status. (Zanesville Times Recorder op-ed, 8/12/12)
  • “Marcellus Shale Boosting Construction”: Today, as the national economy continues to whimper along at a disappointing pace, the Mountain State’s construction industry is reporting a welcomed lift from the emerging Marcellus Shale drilling boom. The state’s construction industry employed 36,700 in June, which is up from 34,100 in June 2011, according to a recent report by the Associated General Contractors of America. … Many in the industry are crediting the Marcellus Shale boom with the welcomed revitalization. … We find it rather interesting that the rise of fossil fuels such as natural gas and oil is helping to spur an economic revitalization in West Virginia. … We welcome the Marcellus Shale drilling boom. (Bluefield Daily Telegraph editorial, 8/12/12)
  • America Energy “Gives us an Opportunity to Rebuild Our Economy”: It’s a harbinger of a nationwide investment boom spreading from the oil fields of North Dakota and the Marcellus gas shale in Pennsylvania to power plants in California and chemical refiners in Texas. … Citigroup Inc. estimated in a March report that a “reindustrialization” of America could add as many as 3.6 million jobs by 2020 and increase the gross domestic product by as much as 3 percent. … “This is one of those rare opportunities that every country looks for and few ever get,” said Philip Verleger, a former director of the office of energy policy at the U.S. Treasury Department. “This abundance of energy gives us an opportunity to rebuild our economy.” (Bloomberg Businessweek, 8/13/12)
  • “Marcellus Pipeline Project Could Benefit Marcus Hook”: Sunoco is moving forward with a plan to transport by-products of Marcellus Shale natural gas to Southeastern Pennsylvania by pipeline, potentially fueling new industrial development in beleaguered Marcus Hook. … A report released in June by the Delaware County Industrial Development Authority identified a natural-gas liquids processing facility as one potential use for the former refinery site. The report said such a plant could employ from 75 to 100 workers.” (Philadelphia Inquirer, 8/13/12)

PROTECTING, ENHANCING THE ENVIRONMENT

  • Natural Gas Benefits Realized in Greater Philadelphia: The Lower Merion School District has already converted some of its buses to natural gas. … The Lower Merion School District fuels 58 out of its 113 buses with natural gas. (The Intelligencer, 8/15/12)
  • EIA Cites “Abundant Supplies of Natural Gas” as Factor for Lower CO2 Emissions: It is difficult to draw conclusions from one year of data. Just as 2009 was an atypical year in terms of the magnitude of the emissions decline, and 2010 did not signal a new trend in emissions growth, there are specific circumstances (for example, the large increase in hydropower generation) that contributed to the decline in emissions in 2011. Other factors, such as improvements in vehicle fuel efficiency, abundant supplies of natural gas, and increased use of non-hydro renewable generation, however, could play a continuing role in 2012 and subsequent years. (EIA, 8/14/12)
  • “Marcellus Shale Revenues Help to Expand Game Commission Program”: Thanks to a series of Marcellus Shale leases approved by the Board of Game Commissioners in 2011, Pennsylvania Game Commission officials today announced that hunters will see the agency’s pheasant stocking efforts increase to 200,000 birds for the upcoming small game seasons for the first time since 2004. (WHP-TV, 8/14/12)
  • CNG Vehicles Offer Economic, Environmental Benefits: For our environment, natural gas vehicles offer numerous benefits that make their increased use attractive. … With the Marcellus shale resources under our feet, it makes sense to use Pennsylvania resources for the benefit of our state’s economy and environment. … As we consider cleaner alternatives for transportation, I encourage all Pennsylvanians to educate themselves on the economic and environmental benefits of natural gas vehicles. (Morning Call op-ed, 8/10/12)

A STRONGER, MORE SECURE AMERICA

  • Fmr. CIA Director John Deutch Underscores the Energy Security, Consumer Benefits Tied to Shale Gas: A United States hopelessly dependent on imported oil and natural gas is a thing of the past. Most energy experts now project that North America will have the capacity to be a net exporter of oil and natural gas by the end of this decade. … Consumers who heat their homes with gas, and chemical companies and other manufacturers who rely on this raw material for producing petrochemical and polymers, should enjoy several decades of abundant supply. (Wall Street Journal op-ed, 8/15/12)
  • U.S. State Dept.: American Natural Gas a “Potent Geopolitical, Economic Weapon”: [Sec. Hillary] Clinton’s [State] department sees natural gas as just as potent a geopolitical and economic weapon and is reframing global energy discussions around gas. Record production out of U.S. shale gas fields has driven down prices, resurrecting the petrochemical sector and replacing coal to cut emissions at power plants. The United States could out-produce Russia by 2017. (E&E News, 8/13/12)

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