Marcellus Shale Jobs Hearing
By: Jody Gill
Updated: March 31, 2010
Majority Policy Committee evaluates Marcellus Shale jobs
EBENSBURG, March 31 – The House Majority Policy Committee held a public hearing today at the Ebensburg Borough Municipal Building to evaluate economic development and jobs within the Marcellus Shale industry, according to committee Chairman Mike Sturla, D-Lancaster.
State Rep. Frank Burns, D-Cambria/Somerset, requested the hearing and served as co-chair. House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee Majority Chairman Camille "Bud" George, D-Clearfield, also co-chaired the hearing.
“The natural gas in Pennsylvania’s Marcellus Shale can provide energy and jobs for many years to come,” said George. He said the Commonwealth must dissect all the ramifications to determine if the gas is a short-term bonanza for the few, but a long-term disappointment for the people of Pennsylvania.
Burns added, “Marcellus Shale provides my legislative district and much of Pennsylvania with a unique opportunity for economic growth. This hearing allowed us to explore the different ways gas drilling will create jobs and spur economic development.”
Sturla said, “Marcellus Shale is a growing industry in Pennsylvania that impacts us both environmentally and economically. I commend Representative Burns for requesting this hearing so the Policy Committee can further investigate the industry’s economic effects, and I applaud Chairman George for being an important leader on the Marcellus Shale issue.”
Those testifying at the hearing included Jim Ladlee, extension educator, Penn State University; Frank Thompson, director, Northern Tier Workforce Investment Board; Eric Conrad, project manager of Oil and Gas Industry Partnership, North Central Workforce Investment Board; a panel from the Marcellus Shale Coalition, and Terry Bossert, vice president of Government Affairs, Chief Oil and Gas.
For more information about the Policy Committee and hearing materials, go to www.pahouse.com/PolicyCommittee.
