As responsible shale development continues on an upward trend, the economic and environmental benefits – both at a local and national level – are increasingly undeniable. Yesterday, in fact, U.S. Energy Information Administration released an analysis stating that “Production of natural gas in the Marcellus region, located in Pennsylvania and West Virginia, is expected to exceed 13 billion cubic feet per day (Bcf/d) this month.” EIA’s report also underscores this fact: “The Marcellus region, which produced less than 2 Bcf/d as recently as 2010, is expected to provide 18% of total U.S. natural gas production this month.”

Today’s Philadelphia Inquirer called this exciting news “a Marcellus natural-gas bonanza.” Here’s what others are saying about clean-burning American natural gas, which is improving air quality and fixing an energy crisis:

ECONOMY & ENVIRONMENT MUTUALLY BENEFIT FROM SHALE

  • KPMG: U.S. Market Dynamics Drive Global Reallocation and Growth: “The sheer abundance of proven shale gas — a 200 year supply based on current US demand outlook — has been a global game changer. Suddenly, it has become cost effective to build or move manufacturing facilities to the U.S.” (11/29/13)
  • President Obama “Rides the Crest” of America’s Energy Revolution: America’s vast resources of oil and natural gas have enabled Obama to move forward on aggressive policies, including tougher environmental rules and Iranian oil sanctions, which he would not have been able to do nearly as effectively without them. … By the end of this year, EIA says we’ll surpass Russia as the biggest natural-gas producer. As recently as 2007, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission warned we were running out of natural gas. Today, the United States is awash in the fuel. … “Another Obama energy policy that benefited from North American oil and gas may have been renewable power, which expanded rapidly with little or no consumer backlash because low natural-gas prices keep power bills in check,” [Kevin Book, managing director of ClearView Energy Partners] said. (National Journal, 12/8/13)
  • MSC President Dave Spigelmyer: “A Clean Environment and Growing Economy can Exist Mutually”: The opinion shared by The Times Leader editorial board is certainly not that of the many locally born and raised shale gas workers, the thousands of households in Northeastern Pennsylvania saving on their utility bills and the millions who depend on everyday products – such as plastics – derived from natural gas liquids. … STRONGER has again deemed Pennsylvania’s regulation of shale development “well-managed, professional and meeting its program objectives.” These regulations were strengthened significantly through enhanced water protections such as well setbacks and casing standards. … The EPA confirmed in October that carbon emissions are at their lowest since 1994, thanks to increased use of natural gas. … More than 200,000 new hires in Pennsylvania are supported by industries associated with shale development. … The natural gas industry has paid more than $1.8 billion in taxes since 2008, and $406 million in the last two years to communities through an impact fee. (Times-Leader letter, 12/7/13)
  • “Shale Gas Boom to Transform U.S. into Chemicals Exporter”: The US chemicals industry is planning a sharp increase in its exports as a result of the cost advantage created by the shale gas boom. The American Chemistry Council predicts in forecasts published this week that US chemicals exports will rise 45 per cent over the next five years, as a result of a wave of investment in new capacity that will be aiming at overseas markets….  The shale revolution has caused a boom in US production of natural gas liquids used as chemical feedstocks such as ethane, and sent their prices tumbling. US producers also face electricity costs about half their levels in Europe, and natural gas just one-third as high. The result has been a dramatic reversal from the mid-2000s, when the US was one of the world’s most expensive locations for manufacturing chemicals, to today when it is the second cheapest. … International chemicals companies have announced 136 planned or possible investments in the US worth about $91bn, according to the ACC, with half of those projects proposed by non-US companies. … Kevin Swift, chief economist of the ACC, said: “The US has become the most attractive place in the world to invest in chemical manufacturing.” (Financial Times, 12/8/13)

POWERING OUR TRANSPORTATION SECTOR

  • Waste Management Converts to “Clean, Quiet” Natural Gas Fleet: More often than not, it’s hard to miss the sound of those lumbering Waste Management Inc., vehicles as they come to pick up your garbage. … The Houston-based garbage giant recently announced it’s building a compressed natural gas station at its hauling facility in West Melbourne and soon will be converting its local fleet to run on that fuel instead of diesel. Two results of the conversion: quieter vehicles and less pollutants. The company will have 35 natural gas trucks in operation by February and 45 by the end of next year. “Compressed natural gas is one of the cleanest fuels currently available for use in heavy-duty trucks,” said Amy Boyson, a Waste Management spokeswoman. … And it’s not just Waste Management using natural gas to its advantage. UPS, FedEx Express and Florida Power & Light also are converting vehicles to natural gas. (Florida Today, 12/6/13)
  • Locally-Sourced Compressed Natural Gas Station Heading to Youngstown: A natural gas fuel company is partnering with a local manufacturer to build an alternative gas station in Youngstown. Pennsylvania-based “O” Ring CNG Fuel Systems plans to work with Dearing Compressor on the construction of an alternative fuel station off of I-680 on Midlothian Boulevard. The station will service large fleets and the public. Local supply of natural gas was a driving factor, in selecting a valley location.”If you look at the tri-state area, if you look at Ohio, Pennsylvania and West Virginia, it’s truly the epicenter of the next industrial revolution.” (WFJM-TV, 12/5/13)

REGIONAL BENEFITS AND JOB OPPORTUNITIES

  • Local “Demand for Workers is Robust” Thanks to Safe Shale Development: The training that Penn College offers at its Energy Technology Education Center, south of Williamsport, is one component of a broad range of credit and noncredit programs that the college devised in response to the shale boom. … The view from educators here is that demand for workers is robust. “It’s growing for us still,” said Davie Jane Gilmour, the president of Penn College. … The college, which has 6,000 students at its Williamsport campus, offers one-year certificates, two-year associate degrees, and four-year bachelor’s degrees in a range of technical skills useful in the oil and gas industry. … “If you can weld and you’re certified and do quality work, you’ll stay busy for a long, long time,” said Keith Rutherford, the business manager of pipefitters Local 520 in Harrisburg, which has 1,600 members in 23 counties. Rutherford said union welders earn about $32 an hour, plus benefits. “These are good-paying middle-class jobs,” he said. (Philadelphia Inquirer, 12/8/13)
  • Millions in Shale Impact Fees Benefit Pa. Communities: The state agency that disburses Act 13 drilling impact fees sent $512,095 in grant money to Lackawanna County groups. … The Commonwealth Finance Authority approved the disbursal of $44 million in fees gathered from Marcellus Shale well operators for 183 projects around the state. … The authority will pay out of the Marcellus Legacy Fund, comprising 40 percent of the Act 13 impact fees left over. … About $72.5 million went into the fund in 2011 and almost $72 million in 2012, according to PUC spokeswoman Jennifer Kocher. … Luzerne County entities received almost eight times more than Lackawanna. Seven projects in Luzerne received a total of $4,015,198. Other local counties got fewer, smaller grants for their projects: $572,243 for Wayne, $226,997 for Wyoming, $119,450 for Susquehanna and $20,000 for Monroe.  (Times-Tribune, 12/7/13)

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