PENNSYLVANIA  -- Recent drilling for natural gas is quickly gaining throngs of supporters and opponents in rural Western Pennsylvania.
  
Companies like Range Resources have created 50,000 jobs throughout the state. Range Resources has already drilled 400 wells into the so-called "Marcellus Shale" in Greene and Washington Counties this year.
  
Environmental activists say the drilling leaves toxic chemicals that pollute local waterways like the Monongahela River.  However, some local farmers say the drilling is economically beneficial during the recession, with about $20-million paid out to lease holders thus far.


(Copyright 2009 by VERTEXNews/Newsroom Solutions)