Pittsburgh, Pa. – Increased competitiveness, a more secure energy future, more jobs and a cleaner environment. These are among the benefits being realized through the responsible development of clean-burning American natural gas. This safe, tightly-regulated energy production is helping to “change the course of history” – and for the better. Here’s what they’re saying.

SAFE NATURAL GAS DEVELOPMENT STRENGTHENS AMERICA

  • “There’s a Rebirth of Manufacturing in the U.S.”: The U.S. petrochemical industry, in trouble just a few years ago, is making a spectacular comeback thanks to the boom in shale gas. “It’s pretty simple, there’s just so much feedstock that needs to find a home,” Chuck Carr, a petrochemical analyst at IHS. “It’s just pure value.” … [Natural] gas as a fuel is already helping a comeback in US industry…where gas is a core raw material for producing plastics and other basic industrial products. In 2008, none of the members of the American Chemistry Council foresaw investing any more in the country. Now, in the wake of the shale gas boom, the ACC lists 110 new investment projects for the US, worth some $77 billion. … “Now we’re in a renaissance. Chemicals are at the forefront, but there’s a rebirth of manufacturing in the U.S.” (AFP, 6/11/13)
  • Thanks to Shale Gas, “U.S. Gains Global Competition”: U.S. stores of natural gas locked in shale also are enormous, and the U.S. has been busily extracting them, prompting news media recently to proclaim that the U.S. has displaced Russia as the global titan of gas. … Some private estimates put U.S. shale gas resources at nearly twice the 665 trillion cubic feet level identified by the agency, based on the emergence of cutting-edge technologies that make it possible to extract more gas. (Washington Times, 6/11/13)
  • New Report: Over Half a Million More Northeastern Homes Now Heated by Natural Gas: The American Gas Association (AGA) estimates that more than half a million housing units in the Northeast switched to natural gas for their primary heating fuel from 2000-2010. … “Over 177 million Americans throughout the nation rely on clean natural gas to meet the daily needs of modern life, whether it’s to heat their homes, provide a hot shower or cook a meal,” said AGA president and CEO Dave McCurdy. “Our domestic abundance of natural gas has led to an era of market stability that translates to a difference our customers can see in their pockets. This report shows that customers recognize the value of natural gas as an affordable, efficient, safe and reliable energy choice.” (Release, 6/11/13)
  • “Welcome to the Golden Age of Shale Gas”: In less than a decade, the U.S. has gone from importing $30 billion worth of natural gas to the cusp of becoming an energy exporter. … The golden age of gas, as it has been dubbed, is already reshaping the economies of newly energy-rich states. It is helping to rebuild America’s industrial landscape and holds profound implications for global politics. “North America has set off a supply shock that is sending ripples throughout the world,” declared Maria van der Hoeven, executive director of the IEA. (Maclean’s Magazine, 6/4/13)
  • American Natural Gas Turns the “World of Energy on its Head”: The emergence of shale gas on the energy stage is setting off a worldwide energy revolution. … “The Marcellus shale is now the big dog on the block and has grown with astonishing rapidity…It’s very well placed, but it is also the biggest” of the shale plays. … Natural gas from unconventional sources is expected to produce significant job creation, economic growth and revenue for federal, state and local treasuries in the U.S., in both gas producing and non-producing states alike, according to IHS Global Insight. (Richmond Times-Dispatch, 6/10/13)
  • Fmr. Top EPA Official: LNG Places U.S. in Leading International Position: Speaking before the Economic Club of Pittsburgh, Winston Porter explained that the wealth of shale oil and gas resources throughout the U.S. could play a significant role in not only the country’s distribution of energy sources but also in the economy. Mr. Porter…argued that exporting resources from the U.S. could push the nation further into a leading international position on the energy market. (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, 6/6/13)
  • U.S. Sen. Bob Casey: Thanks to Shale Gas, U.S. Energy Independence Within Reach: Sen. Bob Casey says energy independence is within reach for the U.S. Casey said such a statement could not have been made five years ago. The difference? The natural gas, particularly in northeastern states such as Pennsylvania. … [Sen. Casey] believes we have reached the point where there can be balance between job creation, economic development and good environmental practices regarding natural gas. In other words, we can have it all regarding the industry. (Williamsport Sun-Gazette editorial, 6/6/13)

GLOBAL REVOLUTION WITH POSITIVE, LOCAL IMPACTS

  • Maine Manufacturer “Embraces Natural Gas to Increase Competitiveness”: By this fall, the UPM Madison paper mill will [be using] natural gas, making it more competitive in the global market, according to the mill’s manager. UPM Madison has signed a deal with Summit Natural Gas of Maine for the latter to supply natural gas to the mill. Summit is in the process of building its natural gas transmission system between Richmond, Madison and Skowhegan. … The mill has been waiting for such as opportunity for a long time, according to Russ Drechsel, manager of the UPM Madison mill, which produces 220,000 tons of paper a year and employs about 240 people. (Bangor Daily News, 6/12/13)
  • Universal Well Services Donates Life-Saving Equipment: A local fire company recently received two pieces of life-saving equipment from Universal Well Services Inc. … Universal Well is located in Mt. Braddock, which makes Dunbar VFC the primary station that responds to automatic fire alarms to the company that provides well services in the Marcellus and Utica shale formations. (Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, 6/11/13)
  • Halliburton Creating Hundreds of Pa. Jobs, Especially for Veterans: Halliburton, a service company for the gas and oil industry, has worked hard with Career Link, Pennsylvania College of Technology’s Marcellus Shale Training Center and other entities to recruit people. … Since July 2010, Halliburton has hired 530 people at its Clinton Township plant, 85 percent of whom are area residents. … Since May 2012, a total of 33 veterans have taken jobs at the plant. “We also have gender diversity initiatives. We are ranked as one of the best places for female engineers to work by the Society of Women Engineers.” (Williamsport Sun-Gazette, 6/9/13)
  • Williams Touts Positive, “Long-Term Impacts” of Natural Gas: “There is the initial impact of pipeline construction and there are contractors, engineering companies, all kinds of businesses that will see an uptick because we need their specialties in order to build this pipeline. There’s also the local stores, hotels, other service industries that benefit because it’s just bringing more people into the area and they all have needs that these small businesses, medium sized businesses can meet,” said Helen Humphreys, a representative from Williams Energy. … “These are long-term generational jobs.” … Humphreys also said pipelines provide cheaper sources of energy to the communities they pass through. (WBNG-TV, 6/7/13)
  • Expanded Natural Gas Access to Bring Huge Savings to NY Town: By fall 2014, three buildings in the Town of Windsor…could have access to natural gas. The estimated savings: At least $350,000 a year. … Helen Humphreys, senior corporate communications specialist for Williams, said the company started operations in Pennsylvania a couple years ago with 50 employees. Now, they employ about 500. (Press & Sun-Bulletin, 6/6/13)
  • Maine Governor: Natural Gas Critical to Manufacturing: “I applaud the effort of Lincoln Paper and Tissue and Bangor Gas to move forward with ambitious plans to bring this critical resource to power the Lincoln mill,” said Governor LePage. “Expanding natural gas service in Maine is critical to retaining our manufacturing base, attracting business investment, and keeping Mainers employed. This positions Lincoln Paper and Tissue to be more competitive in attracting new customers and larger orders, which will lead to more jobs.” (Release, 6/7/13)
  • Vallourec Dedicates New Mill, Will Create 350 Manufacturing Jobs: In October 2012, the facility, which created about 350 jobs, began to pump out the small-diameter pipe. “The most important part about [Vallourec] is they’re employing people from the Valley and giving them a chance to live here, spend money here and raise a family,” said state Sen. Joe Schiavoni of Boardman. Youngstown Councilman Mike Ray said Vallourec’s additional tax revenues and the company’s land lease with the city have meant a surplus in the city’s budget. (Youngstown Vindicator, 6/12/13)
  • Western Pa. Business Finds Success in Marcellus Supply Chain: About 10 years ago, Jim Lind wondered what would become of his business. … When shale-gas drilling brought industry back to Appalachia, the terminal was situated to make the small company a big player. … McKees Rocks Industrial Enterprises gets about half its business as a shipping and storage hub for sand that drillers use. It expanded to 24-hour operation and added five satellite hubs in Pennsylvania and Ohio since 2009. That led to a record year for revenue in 2012, capping about 300 percent growth over four years, company officials said. “It used to be eight hours (a day), get out of here early on Friday. Now this is a dream come true. We don’t ever stop.” (Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, 6/11/13)
  • Marcellus Shale Helps Borton-Lawson Grow to a “Bulging Operation”: The engineers at Borton-Lawson can tell you how long it takes for an engineering firm to grow organically from a two-man upstart to a bulging operation with hands in every discipline in the industry. … Natural gas drillers swooped into the Marcellus Shale region of the state…to take advantage of a new energy-production boom. … Natural gas was new territory for the firm, but Vice President Chris McCue said it used its knowledge of Pennsylvania regulations as leverage. “Now we have over 150 (employees).” (Times-Leader, 6/9/13)
  • Pa. Earns National Recognition for Job Growth: The energy story in Pennsylvania is still just taking shape, as economists expect to see many positive headlines in the coming years tied to development of the Marcellus Shale. (Release, 2013)
  • Natural Gas Industry Committed to “Growing Local Businesses”: Marcellus Shale operators in Pennsylvania have paid more than $1.7 billion in taxes; and in the past two years, our industry has generated more than $400 million in impact fees across the commonwealth.  … Our industry – which supports more than 240,000 Pennsylvania jobs – is fully committed to safely and responsibly producing homegrown, clean-burning natural gas, as well as growing local businesses and a talented workforce. (Tribune-Democrat letter, 6/7/13)

LANDOWNERS, FARMERS REALIZE HUGE BENEFITS

  • Marcellus Shale Producing “Major Economic Benefits to the Commonwealth”: Allegheny Institute for Public Policy estimates that royalty income paid to land and mineral rights owners in Marcellus Shale play have skyrocketed in recent years as activity has ramped up to an estimated $731 million last year. … “The Marcellus Shale gas boom has produced major economic benefits to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.” (Pittsburgh Business Times, 6/10/13)
  • Marcellus Royalties in Pa. Hit $731 Million in 2012: The Allegheny Institute for Public Policy estimates that Pennsylvania royalty income from Marcellus Shale natural gas development amounted to $731 million last year, a 6,600 percent increase in five years. … Pennsylvania wells produced 2.065 trillion cubic feet of natural gas last year. (Philadelphia Inquirer, 6/11/13)
  • NY Farmer: Safe Natural Gas Production Can be Balanced With Agriculture: There is nothing in natural gas production that conflicts with the work we do. In fact, I am hard-pressed to see how utilizing the fertility of the space beneath our fields conflicts with being good stewards of the land above. I like to be consistent and rational, and no matter which way I look at this, it remains a win-win. Cleaner energy from below, crops from above. The fact that shale development is conducted safely each day at thousands of sites is not a singular opinion but is reflective of the opinions of state and federal regulators across the country. That’s why U.S. agriculture secretary Tom Vilsack recently stated, “We should be doing everything we can to produce oil and gas.” (NY Daily News op-ed, 6/9/13)

CLEANER, CHEAPER NATURAL GAS POWERING AMERICA

  • Pickens: “Let’s Roll With Natural Gas”: It is not news to Pennsylvanians that natural gas is about to change our lives much as oil did more than 100 years ago. It appears that the sheer volume of natural gas contained in our massive domestic shale plays is about to overwhelm the doubters and objectors and provide Americans with the first major shift in transportation since diesel replaced gasoline more than a half century ago. (Post-Gazette op-ed, 6/13/13)
  • Range Resources Unveils New Natural Gas Vehicles: “In 2012, Range Resources made the commitment to effectively walk the walk, and switch the fleet from gas to dual-fuel vehicles,” said Jerry Grantham, vice president of the local division. “Last year, Range had the largest order of dual-fuel vehicles in the nation – 150 vehicles. … It’s really exciting we’re using that gas locally.” (Bristol Herald Courier, 6/11/13)
  • Phila. Moves to Capitalize on the “Huge Price Advantage” of CNG: A city panel Tuesday approved a Philadelphia Gas Works request to buy 24 natural-gas vehicles. …“A potential PGW fleet conversion will play a key role in the development of this market,” Douglas A. Moser. … CNG also produces less pollution than petroleum-based fuels, appealing for cities like Philadelphia, where the air quality does not comply with federal clean-air standards. (Philadelphia Inquirer, 6/11/13)
  • Access to Cleaner, Cheaper CNG Expands Across South Jersey: South Jersey Gas is in the process of replacing it’s entire fleet with compressed natural gas fueled vehicles. Today they opened their second CNG fueling station, this one is on Delsea Drive in Millville. … South Jersey Gas’s Vice President, Jeff Dubois says “It’s really an opportunity for fleet owners to take advantage of the cheap, inexpensive natural gas prices that are out there.” (NBC 40-TV, 6/10/13)
  • Start Your Natural Gas Engines: Specifically in the U.S., the shale boom transforming energy markets is providing a major impetus to natural gas, Citi said. … According to Citi, “the growth in gas supply should lower global gas prices from current levels, mitigate future price increases due to higher demand and the delinking of natural gas and oil prices, now prevalent in North America, should spread around the world.” (CNBC, 6/7/13)
  • “The Time for Natural Gas Trucking Is Now”: About 98 percent of natural gas consumed in North America is domestically produced, so increasing use of natural-gas vehicles reduces our dependence on foreign oil and enhances our nation’s energy security. Moving our nation’s trucks to natural gas makes economic and environmental sense. (Roll Call, op-ed 6/7/13)

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