Pittsburgh, Pa. – Marcellus Shale Coalition (MSC) chief executive officer Kathryn Z. Klaber issued this statement regarding President Barack Obama’s State of the Union address:

“Tonight, President Obama laid out an aggressive agenda for America’s future, with energy, job creation and manufacturing leading the way. As the President made clear, the responsible and effectively-regulated development of clean-burning American natural gas has lowered ‘nearly everyone’s energy bills’ all while safeguarding our environment and strengthening our economy.

“The President underscored the pressing need to get America’s economic footing reestablished, starting with sustained job creation. To that end, affordable and reliable domestic natural gas is making, and will continue to make, ‘America a magnet for new jobs and manufacturing.’

“We also appreciate the President’s commitment to streamlining the permitting process aimed at further increasing domestic energy development.

“Our industry looks forward to continuing to work with the Obama Administration, and Congress, toward the shared goal of ensuring that we fully and responsibly leverage the generational opportunity associated with safe, job-creating American natural gas production.”