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Marcellus Shale

Marcellus Shale and energy related issues are important to our district and are important to me and to my work in Congress.

Pennsylvania is uniquely positioned to play a major role in energy production in the coming decades because of the Marcellus Shale Natural Gas Play. Many believe that the Marcellus contains upwards of 500 trillion cubic feet of clean burning natural gas; and may be the largest unconventional natural gas play in the world. This equates to generations of natural gas production in Pennsylvania and the potential for long-term economic growth for the Commonwealth. In addition, the Utica Shale formation rests below, and the Upper Devonian layer can be found above the Marcellus. If developed properly, the Marcellus Shale on its own has the potential to revitalize our region, create massive new wealth, significant increases in tax revenue, and bring Pennsylvania out of our economic slump and into prosperity. This is not short term development – and we will continue to need the appropriate regulatory support. I have been active in engaging regulators, producers, landowners and institutions such as Penn State in order to work with the community and educate people on the potential of this vast resource.

The practice of horizontal drilling provides significant benefits by reducing the footprint of oil and gas production and allowing for directional drilling in order to leave areas of environmental concern undisturbed. Because of horizontal drilling, the Marcellus has become technologically and economically viable. And because of this technology, operators can drill upwards of five to eight horizontal wells in the Marcellus from a single well pad.

Discovering environmentally-friendly ways to produce natural gas and explore the ways natural gas can help meet our country's energy needs is fundamentally important in charting our nation's path to energy security.

For more information concerning my work and views on Marcellus Shale issues, please contact my Washington, DC office.

I look forward to your feedback.

Thank you.

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