MARCELLUS SHALE NATURAL GAS EXTRACTION

Delegates at the 2009 LWVPA State Convention unanimously adopted a new study: Marcellus Shale Natural Gas Extraction. The Study will examine the benefits and costs of Marcellus Shale natural gas extraction including its ramifications for Pennsylvania’s water, air, infrastructure, agriculture, forests, tourism, and economy.

Study topics will include but are not limited to:

1. Background of Marcellus Shale natural gas extraction

2. Costs to state and local governments

3. Economic benefits

4. Negative and positive impacts on landowners

5. Regulatory issues

6. Air, water, and land use impacts

7. Pros and cons of severance tax on nonrenewable resources

WHY THIS STUDY IS IMPORTANT

WHY EVERY LEAGUE SHOULD PARTICIPATE

Marcellus Shale, a rock formation lying approximately a mile underground under two-thirds of Pennsylvania, contains the largest natural gas reserve in the United States. Pennsylvanians will be affected whether they live over the shale or have the natural gas pipelines running through their counties. Each well will use one to nine million gallons of pressurized water and chemicals to break up the shale and release the gas. Thousands of jobs will be created. Money will be spent and earned. The League of Women Voters of Pennsylvania wants to be part of the conversation, but first we need to study the issues and join in consensus.

Please include the Marcellus Shale study in your 2009-10 calendar planning. The consensus deadline is March 26, 2010.

PLAN FOR THE STUDY

The study kit will be available on the PA website. The study materials will come in two parts:

• Part I, to be available in September, will focus on the extraction process and the environmental impact.
• Part II, to be available in October will focus on the economic/tax issues and include the consensus questions.

Local Leagues are urged to schedule one or more informational meetings from September to February. Consensus will be held in March and the local League responses are due by March 26.

During your calendar planning sessions, consider who will be on the Marcellus Shale study committee. The committee can determine a calendar for its meetings and schedule public meetings with speakers. Voter articles can inform non-committee members.

Leading the Marcellus Shale study will be the Indiana County League of Women Voters. Contact Indiana LWV for more information.

PRE-STUDY RESOURCES

• Article to be included in the Summer LWVPA Voter.
• Powerpoint presentation prepared by the LWV of Indiana County on www.palwv.org/indiana.
• Penn State will offer “Webinars” at 1 p.m. on the following dates: June 25, July 23, August 27, September 17. For registration click the following link Natural Gas Impacts Webinar
• Previous Webinars regarding Natural Gas Impacts can be found at this link PSU Webinars - Previous Sessions
• Penn State Cooperative Extension Natural Gas Impacts Page
• The Pennsylvania Budget and Policy Center report says Severance Tax Will Protect Pennsylvania Taxpayers

06/29/09