Take Action Now!

Let your PA Senators know that it is important to enact Severance Tax on Marcellus Shale. This is not a new tax! PA has lost more than $54 Million in revenues since October 2009 because there is no Severance Tax. Read our Severance Tax Fact Sheet. See how much money the Pennsylvania is losing by not having enacted the Severance Tax.

Natural Gas Extraction from Marcellus Shale

Observe A Problem~Study All Sides~Member Consensus~Action

We invite you to join with us to learn more about the Extraction of Natural Gas from Marcellus Shale, its impact on our water and communities and how government is involved through permitting, taxation and regulation.

Our League Study required members to look at all sides of the Marcellus Shale issue and think about the needs of Pennsylvanians, our visitors and  communities in the months and years ahead as we reached consensus and adopted our position. The Indiana County League observed the problem and brought it to the attention of Leagues across PA at our state convention in June 2009. 27 League chapters organized study groups, sponsored public forums with experts representing various viewpoints, visited drilling sites, participated in webinars and other presentations at various colleges and universities and reached consensus on this important issue. On May 1, 2010, League of Women Voters of PA Board Directors voted to adopt the results of member consensus which will now be referred to as the Marcellus Natural Gas Extraction Position. Right now we are asking the PA General Assembly vote for a severance tax and a moratorium on leasing addition state forest lands.

The facts and issues will continue to change and we will continue to update this page as we learn more. We must all keep learning if we are to fight for what is best for Pennsylvania on this critical issue.

We hope others will want to learn about Natural Gas Extraction from Marcellus Shale as the League has and will continue to do in the coming months and years. We have listed below the links to our original study materials, links to articles, fact sheets, meetings, press releases, videos, and other websites that can help us all learn more about this critical issue affecting all Pennsylvanians.

Latest news

League Articles

• LWVPA Adopts A One Year Study on Marcellus Shale
• Marcellus Shale Is Not "A New Rock Group"
• Rock and Roll: The Marcellus Shale Play
• Frac Action

Public Statements by the League

• February 14, 2010 - Marcellus Shale Update
• March 11, 2010 - Letter to Governor - Leasing State Forest Lands
• Statement by President, Olivia Thorne announcing position
• May 3, 2010 Press Release
• May 26, 2010 Letter to PA Senators - Severance Tax

League's Marcellus Shale Study Materials and Position:

• Background on the Marcellus Shale Natural Gas Extraction Study
• Study Guides: Parts 1-5
• Biographical Sketches of the Marcellus Shale Study Committee
• Marcellus Natural Gas Extraction Position

Fact Sheets

• Severance Tax Fact Sheet
• Facts and Questions: Focusing on Natural Gas Extraction

You Tube Videos

• January 19th Marcellus Shale meeting hosted by PA Rep. Greg Vitali at Delaware County Community College. Part 1 and Part 2 (Questions)

Links to other web sites with differing perspectives

• Marcellus Shale - LWV Indiana County
• Marcellus Shale - PA Oil and Gas Coalition
• PA Independent Oil and Gas Association
• Geraldine R Dodge Foundation - Webinar and slides
• Potential Natural Gas Resources in Marcellus Shale-National Park Service
• Marcellus Shale - Play and Surface Issues - Penn State
• Severance Tax Will Protect PA Taxpayers - PA Budget and Policy Center
• Preserving, Forests, Protecting Waterways - PennEnvironment Research and Policy Center

Updated 5/26/10

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