Remarks of Kathryn Z. Klaber, Marcellus Shale Coalition president
As Prepared for Delivery

EPA Public Forum on Hydraulic Fracturing; Canonsburg, PA
July 22, 2010

My name is Kathryn Klaber, and I have the tremendous privilege of serving as the Marcellus Shale Coalition’s first president. And on behalf of the MSC – the organizational body that represents the vast majority of shale gas producers and midstream companies operating in the Commonwealth – I appreciate the opportunity to discuss the significant role hydraulic fracturing continues to play in the responsible development of clean-burning, job-creating natural gas. As the MSC said at the outset of this study in March, our industry is confident that an objective, science-driven, and peer-reviewed evaluation of fracturing will reach the same conclusions produced by a host of other studies, including most notably one issued by your agency in 2004.

In that report — the product of an intensive, four-year course of study first initiated under the Clinton administration — EPA found “no evidence” suggesting the fracturing of shallow coalbed methane reserves posed a threat to underground drinking water supplies. Certainly you’re aware that coalbed methane strata reside thousands of feet closer to the water table than shale formations, and that the technology used today to access clean-burning natural gas from these formations is much more advanced and sophisticated than what was available in the past.

Here in Pennsylvania, fracturing has been in use for more than 50 years, and has been tightly regulated by the state almost before we had a name for it. Today, as you know, fracturing is considered a safe and essential part of the responsible development of natural gas, which studies have shown has the potential to create nearly 212,000 new jobs throughout Pennsylvania over the next decade.

Because of tight regulations and laws in place, coupled with the commitment from industry to protect the environment, there’s never been a single case of groundwater contamination associated with fracturing, as noted by PA DEP, top EPA officials, other state regulators, and the Groundwater Protection Council.

As EPA’s study moves forward, it’s critical to consider what the top officials responsible for regulating fracturing in the Commonwealth have said. Scott Perry, director of DEP’s bureau of oil and gas management – with whom my members work closely with – said this in May:

• “We’ve never seen an impact to fresh groundwater directly from fracking.”
•“No one’s ever documented drinking water wells that have actually been shown to be impacted by fracking.”

Pittsburgh Congressman Mike Doyle has said that state officials have “done a great job in regulating” Marcellus Shale exploration.

Unfortunately, while perceptions remain that our industry continues to resist regulations, the truth is quite the opposite. In fact, my member companies met earlier today with top DEP officials about well-casing standards; the second of such productive meetings in just months.

Our industry is working tirelessly to ensure that fracturing is done effectively, prudently and in a way that continues to create thousands of good-paying jobs and delivers stable supplies of homegrown energy for U.S. consumers.

Once again, thank for the opportunity to speak here tonight about the critical role that hydraulic fracturing continues to play in realizing the Marcellus’s promise.

Editor’s Note: The flowing is attributable to Brad Gill, executive director of the Independent Oil & Gas Association of New York, in response to today’s news conference outside the Senate chamber.

“Today’s news conference to support proposed moratorium legislation is another example of the reckless disregard for the facts that ill-informed and dishonest opponents continue to put forth as they attempt to block the safe exploration of natural gas and economic recovery in New York.

New York is already under a two-plus year moratorium to explore the Marcellus Shale. Another moratorium is simply unnecessary, and would be an example of shortsightedness in an election year. The Department of Environmental Conservation will not issue a permit to drill until it completes the Supplemental Generic Environmental Impact Statement. It should be allowed to continue its work and publish its findings without unnecessary interference by environmental groups attempting to create fear. 

When I speak to business groups, struggling landowners, economic development professionals, and especially the scientists and geologists and operators who understand the technologies involved in extracting natural gas, it is absolutely clear that we can harvest this abundant natural resource safely and efficiently, benefiting our communities and our state.”

Check out our latest postcard advocating for safe natural gas exploration in New York that is being sent to the New York State Legislature.

I Love Natural Gas

6/25/10 – New Yorkers have sent nearly 12,000 e-mail messages to state lawmakers in the past month, strongly urging them to oppose two bills that would impose moratoriums on natural gas extraction in the state.

One bill sponsored by Sen. Antoine Thompson (D-Buffalo) and Assemblyman Robert Sweeney (D-Lindenhuurst) would place an immediate one-year moratorium on new natural gas drilling permits in New York. Another by Assemblyman Steven Englebright (D-Setauket) and Senator Joseph Addabbo (D-Howard Beach) would halt natural gas exploration using hydraulic fracturing until completion of a study by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). 

Through an electronic letter-writing campaign sponsored by IOGA of NY, residents have sent a strong message to the Legislature that a moratorium is not necessary. These bills are being considered as the state Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) is revising regulations for natural gas exploration in the Marcellus Shale. The agency’s final report is expected in late summer or early fall.

“New Yorkers sent almost 12,000 messages in a month. That is an outstanding accomplishment and a strong message that the DEC’s work over the past two years should not be blocked by a moratorium,” said Brad Gill, IOGA of NY executive director. “DEC must be allowed to do its job. Then we must allow New Yorkers – and New York State – to reap the benefits that safe natural gas development will bring.” 

The e-mail message stated, “These bills would further delay the greatest economic development opportunity that New York and its residents have seen in a generation, and would stifle economic recovery and vitality throughout the Southern Tier and across our state. In short, thousands of jobs and billions of dollars in economic impact are at stake.”

Expanded natural gas exploration will produce efficient, abundant and environmentally clean fuel and increase New York’s energy independence. It will also create thousands of jobs. The economic impact of just 300 Marcellus Shale wells is estimated to exceed $1.4 billion, with $108 million going to landowners, $19 million to municipal taxes, $32 million to state coffers and thousands of new jobs.