The safe development of job-creating American natural gas is helping “communities grow and the economy prosper.” At the same time, shale is providing community parks with critical financial resources, which are creating benefits for all, and driving an American manufacturing “renaissance for chemicals and plastics.”

What’s increasingly clear – if not undeniable – is that “natural gas is just the beginning,” as broad-based shale benefits continue to cascade across our communities, especially in terms of local job growth and energy security.

Here’s what they’re saying about the “long-term positive impacts of the natural gas drilling industry”:

BOOSTING JOB CREATION, MANUFACTURING

  • U.S. Census Bureau: “Oil and Gas Extraction Booming”: The mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction sector of the economy showed tremendous growth from 2007 to 2012 as the number of establishments rose by 26.4 percent, according to the 2012 Economic Census Advance Report released today by the U.S. Census Bureau. These results provide the first comprehensive look at the U.S. economy since the 2007 recession. The economic census is the most authoritative and comprehensive source of information about U.S. businesses from the national to the local level. … Revenue for mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction grew 34.2 percent to $555.2 billion from 2007 to 2012. It also was among the fastest growers in employment as the number of employees rose 23.3 percent to 903,641. (Release, 3/26/14)
  • “Latest U.S. economic census report notes impact of natural gas development”: A U.S. Census Bureau report released this week that looks at the U.S. economy since the Great Recession notes a trend that’s been well-documented in Western Pennsylvania. According to the bureau’s 2012 Economic Census Advance Report, released Wednesday, the natural resources segment of the economy was a prime driver from 2007 to 2012, which includes the recession that began in late 2007 and ended in 2010. (Washington Observer-Reporter, 3/27/14)
  • “Cheap shale gas fueling boom for chemical industry”: Thanks to low-cost shale gas, U.S.-based chemical makers will boost output capacity by 30 percent in the next decade, according to IHS Inc. The boost will also help to increase jobs, as chemical manufacturers like Dow Chemical Co. plan to invest billions in factories. (Pittsburg Business Times, 3/28/14)
  • Shale gives U.S. “a dramatic impact on our competitive edge”: John Larson, a vice president with IHS, a global energy research company, says one of their recent studies found an estimated $100 billion will be pumped into the U.S. economy by 2020 as a result of the low energy prices. That may be good news for the U.S. economy, but it is a cause for concern in Europe. Larson says the shifting of European companies to the U.S. is having a dramatic impact on the continent’s competitive edge. (NPR, 3/26/14)

CONSUMER SAVINGS, LOCAL INVESTMENTS

  • Shale “helps lower costs of natural gas” for Western Pa. families, businesses: Western Pennsylvanians will pay as much as 7 percent less for natural gas this spring than they did a year ago, with robust supply from the Marcellus shale helping to restrain prices, gas utilities reported on Monday. “Despite the very cold winter, natural gas prices have remained at historically low levels. It’s a good result for our customers,” said Joe Gregorini, vice president of rates and regulatory affairs at Peoples Natural Gas Co. (Tribune-Review, 3/31/14)
  • Shale impact fees revitalizing local communities: Looking to capitalize on the growth of the Marcellus shale industry in the region, Fallowfield Twp. hopes to grow its housing and recreation – and ultimately its tax base. With that goal – and in part utilizing revenues from Marcellus shale impact fees – the township supervisors hired Delta Development Group Inc. to create a Development Strategy Plan. … The supervisors last week approved application for a state grant to fund 50 percent of the $30,750 Phase II of the parks and recreation project. The township’s share is being funded by Marcellus shale impact fees. The parks would not only serve existing residents but those looking to relocate. “From everything we’ve studied, one of the things people look into is what do you have for my kids?” Caldwell said. “They look at school system, the parks facilities.” (Tribune-Review, 4/1/14)
  • Western Pa. community “experiencing growth related to Marcellus shale”: Using revenue from Marcellus shale impact fees, [West Pike Run Twp. manager] Erin Sakalik started a capital reserve account to be used for infrastructure projects. “We’ve never had a bank account,” Sakalik said. “They always had to borrow money through a tax anticipation note to start the first few months of the year. I haven’t had to do that in a couple of years.” … The township is experiencing growth related to Marcellus shale. The DEP has 193 active permits for gas wells. Last year, the township received $79,000 for gas well fees and should increase this year, Sakalik said. (Tribune-Review, 4/1/14)

LNG EXPORTS = JOBS

  • “Natural gas exports spur new job growth”: Now the country is looking to start exporting natural gas, and Cheniere is leading the way, turning its importing plant into a facility that will convert natural gas into LNG and transport it oversees. … The U.S. is the No. 1 producer of natural gas in the world and has the highest reserves in the world. … LNG exports means more jobs created, reducing the U.S. trades deficit by as much as $7 billion each year. (Tyler Morning Telegraph, 3/31/14)
  • “White House Backs Gas Exports”: The White House made its strongest statement yet Wednesday that it views U.S. natural-gas exports as one tool to curb Europe’s reliance on Russian energy and diversify supplies. From the joint U.S.-European Union statement issued alongside the U.S.-E.U. summit in Brussels: “The situation in Ukraine proves the need to reinforce energy security in Europe, and we are considering new collaborative efforts to achieve this goal. We welcome the prospect of U.S. LNG exports in the future since additional global supplies will benefit Europe and other strategic partners.” (National Journal, 3/26/14)
  • Sen. Landrieu: “Increased natural gas exports means U.S. jobs, weakened Russian influence”: U.S. Sen. Mary L. Landrieu, D-La., presided over her first hearing as chair of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, immediately calling for an increase in new natural gas exports as a means to create high-paying jobs and turn the United States into an energy superpower while “pushing back against the influence of Russia.” (KATC-TV, 3/25/14)
  • “Yes, we can export natural gas and revive manufacturing”: There is clear recognition that our domestic natural gas resource is sufficient not only to power our economy and fuel a manufacturing renaissance here at home, but also to help our friends and allies globally power their economies and improve the global environment. The U.S. is the world’s leading natural gas producer. Thanks to innovative technology that allows us to safely produce this vast domestic resource, we are cleaning our air, strengthening our economy and enhancing our energy security. (The Hill op-ed, 3/26/14)