Gas extraction needs done safely, responsibly
The latest statistics from the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry released in October reveal that 214,000 Pennsylvania jobs are tied to Marcellus shale-related industries. This economic boom, made possible by the expansion of the Marcellus natural gas industry, promises to transform the Keystone State’s economy and add thousands more jobs if allowed to develop, not only in Pennsylvania, but across the U.S. The key to maintaining this economic engine, however, is safe and responsible development practices.
Safe and responsible development was the recurring theme at Nemacolin Energy Institute’s (NEI) recent Marcellus Shale Educational Conference & Invitational. During the forum, government and business leaders from across the country discussed the careful balance between protecting our environment and tapping the vast, clean natural gas resources throughout the region.
The importance of this balance could not have been more evident than in comments from Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Secretary Mike Krancer and David Mustine, general manager of energy at JobsOhio Inc. and the former top regulator of the oil and gas industry in Ohio. Both Krancer and Mustine repeatedly stressed “getting it right” in Ohio and Pennsylvania by strengthening the collaboration of environmental and energy policy and law. There is a middle ground where we can have a robust economy, responsible energy production and environmental protection. And, as both Secretary Krancer and Mr. Mustine agreed, that protection should be at the state level.
The unique geological formations of each state and region of the U.S. make a one-size-fits-all regulatory approach untenable. Geology forces drilling practices to vary from region to region. This means things like well design, operation, water management, wildlife impact and other issues are better dealt with at the state level. This doesn’t mean the federal government plays no role, in fact state agencies enforce federal regulations, ranging from the Clean Water Act to the Clean Air Act to the Safe Drinking Water Act to the National Environmental Policy Act.
In addition to supporting millions of American jobs, the natural gas industry also advances national security. In his NEI address, former Governor Tom Ridge provided a sobering discussion on how natural gas and other domestic energy sources are vital to our national defense. As Governor Ridge said, “The more natural gas the United States extracts from shale rock, the safer the country will be.”
NEI recognizes the significance of developing the Marcellus shale. It is helping America move forward on a path toward energy independence. So at a time when the U.S. is importing more than 10 million barrels of oil each day, domestic natural gas will enable America to reduce energy imports from countries whose interests run counter to our own.
The Marcellus shale natural gas play may be the second largest in the world. As such, forums for discussion on exploration and production technology, best management practices, regulatory and legislative policy, workforce training and all the issues surrounding natural gas are essential to getting it right. NEI is proud to have hosted such a forum and looks forward to working with community leaders on safe and responsible natural gas development.
Jim Samuel is a Nemacolin Energy Institute board member, and founder and principal at Capitol Integrity Group.