As local representatives of the region’s growing natural gas industry, we are deeply offended by the baseless and inflammatory comments made by an out-of-state drilling contractor in a March 7 article “Fast, yet comfortable: The life of a drilling project manager.”
Your readers should know that this individual’s claims are in no way representative of the tens of thousands of men and women who work safely and responsibly to produce oil and natural gas in Pennsylvania each day.
Despite the unfounded claims offered in the story, the overwhelming majority of employees working on our region’s natural gas rigs are focused on safety and are well-trained — many receiving training right here in Pennsylvania at technical schools and community colleges who are helping to equip our local workforce with the skill sets they need for careers in the Marcellus shale industry.
The natural gas industry remains committed to the safe and environmentally responsible development of Pennsylvania’s abundant natural gas resources. Our member company employees live, work and raise their families in these communities. Outliers, like the individual in this story, as few as they are, should not be tolerated and are not representative of our industry.
Kathryn Klaber, CEO
Marcellus Shale Coalition
Lou D’Amico, President & Executive Director
Pennsylvania Independent Oil and Gas Association
NOTE: Click HERE to view this letter online.
