Issue Position: Marcellus Shale Information

Issue Position

The Marcellus Shale is a rock formation that underlies approximately two-thirds of Pennsylvania and portions of the states of New York and West Virginia at a depth of 5,000 to 8,000 feet and is believed to hold trillions of cubic feet of natural gas and has long been considered prohibitively expensive to access. Recent advances in drilling technology and rising natural gas prices have attracted new interest in this previously untapped formation. The geology of the Marcellus Shale formation suggests that areas in the southwest, northcentral and northeastern regions of Pennsylvania that have not traditionally seen much gas well drilling may be especially productive.

At this time of economic turmoil and continued high unemployment, the development of the Marcellus Shale is a great opportunity for Pennsylvania to create jobs. It also offers a chance for landowners in rural regions of the state to profit from lease agreements with gas companies and royalty payments on the gas extracted.

Along with the benefits of the Marcellus Shale, there are risks. Opponents to drilling cite environmental concerns. The process used to drill in the shale, called fracking, uses large quantities of fresh water. The large equipment used to drill also impacts local infrastructure. For these reasons, it is vital that the state continues to monitor the effects of drilling and is vigilant in its environmental protection efforts.

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