What’s your Point of View? Are you pro-drilling or against it? Post your thoughts on the Landowners point-of-view by clicking on “Leave a Reply”. Please include your group name, i.e. Save Our Fins and Fowl, in the subject line each time you post or comment on other posts.

54 thoughts on “

  1. As landowners, we as a group believe that this permit for gas well drilling should not pass. Landowners that own the gas well site could possibly have environmental problems due to the gas well workers making mistakes, or some kinds of minerals getting mixed with creeks. If you think about it, if creeks near gas well sites get harmed with undesirable chemicals, it could contaminate the entire town that comes in contact with the creek along with animals in it. For example, due to gas well drilling, people’s drinking water has been contaminated by methane, which is a major risk to people’s families with their drinking water. Landowners also sometimes get their drinking waters through wells in the ground. If you have a gas well site on your land, it could affect people’s overall water use because the ground water is polluted. Our group as landowners can argue this debate, mostly because gas companies acknowledge there are some concerns they have about the water the people use, but they claim that their technology is fundamentally safe. In our opinion, it does not matter if the gas well drillers equipment is safe if they can potentially harm people living in that areas drinking water or anything that comes in contact with that water is unacceptable!

    The only upside to the gas wells are the royalties coming off from the wells. Although the royalties are good for the families and economy, the water and creek damage is far worse than money.

    In conclusion, our group known as the “Warrior Landowners,” is against the gas well drilling near creeks or near families’ sources of water. We do not want this permit to be passed considering there is not a water treatment plant within twenty- five miles away which is very risky in our beliefs.

    • Lycoming County Homeowners Association

      We agree. The chemical that contaminates water, methane, may not be toxic but will cause side effects if ingested such as, dizziness, black outs, rashes, swelling, increased blood pressure, suffocation, headaches, nausea, and brain damage. All of these factors can lead to death. Another thing about methane in tap water is that it causes the water to become flammable and in-pipe explosions have been reported.

      • Lycoming County Homeowners Association and Warrior Landowners,
        Methane occurs naturally underground. It can leak into the home though basements and sewers. In the home methane may be used to fuel a water heater, stove and clothes dryer. People can be exposed by inhaling the chemical at work, cooking on a gas stove, or entering confined spaces such as manholes, silos, animal waste pits, septic tanks and sewers. It is a common misconception that methane only is released during drilling, but as you can see methane is found in our everyday lives and people just do not realize it. As for the explosions, this is also caused by these everyday occurrences. Another thing that has been found is that methane does not cause any real harm to the body unless the chemical by itself is exposed to the skin. I hope next time you can do more research instead of stating things people believe to be true without real evidence behind them. Thank you.
        Yoko Ono

    • We agree that the contamination of water can be a complication. Also, we think it is a good benefit that the gas wells produce many royalties. It also creates many jobs, which is great for the economy. Although there is water damage, the benefits on our economy can outweigh the risks because we are in a crucial, economic era.
      – Tree Huggers Association

    • Dear Warrior Landowners
      I suggest reading the Pros and Cons of Marcellus Shale Gas Development on the E forum-royalties are only one part of the picture to consider.

      Also methane in the water is not a simple situation. Many wells already contained methane long before “fracking” occurred. I know mine did in Bradford County.Check out this article for additional information:

    • Hello, Warrior Landowners! You made a lot of very good points concerning the environmental implications of drilling in the area. The contamination of our water sources is not a matter to be taken lightly. However, it is true that drilling in an area has a great local economic impact. You make a lot of uncited claims about the negative environmental impacts of drilling. I think that if you found concrete evidence to prove that these occurrences are a possibility your paper would be improved immensely.

      Over all great job!

      Ringo Star, local restaurant owner

    • I thought you made some good points in your blog. As a landowner I agree on a lot that you stated. However I feel like gas permit should be allowed to pass. A lot of the companies have to pass certain requirements. There is usually not a lot of problems with the rivers and streams near drilling sites. You did make some other good points though.

  2. Lycoming County Homeowners Association

    Although the thought may not have crossed your mind considering the decision of your grant is rapidly approaching, the ramification of the imminent Marcellus Shale drilling near our cherished dairy farm impacts us a tremendous amount. We obviously love our vicinity immensely for we consider our secuded, serene, and scenic neighborhood tight-knit and friendly, but an intruding Cobalt Gas Company may be the Yoko Ono to our happy family atmosphere. You will be destroying our environment, wrecking our county’s economic state, and deciding our unascertained future if your grant is passed.

    The most substantial concern possesed by our county is the health of our friends and family due to the incoming consequences of fracking. Our water sources have a strong possibility of being contaminated by methane and other unspecified chemicals that could cause a synergistic effect. Our air pollution will increase due to the aftermath of drilling and it’s contributing factors. Many other worries about our environment perturbs us which challenge our acceptance of your drilling.

    Our economy will be distraught over the real estate market plummeting due to our scenic county turning into a disasterous and unnatural gas hotspot. Who wants to buy a house and raise their children around multiple disrupting drilling sites that ruin our county? Families will be reluctant to move in and our once toprated schools will become small and unsuccesful due to the lack of students.

    Our environment, our economy, and our future is in your hands. With one signature you could let our county thrive or crumble in your grasp. We hope our concerns aware you of how the Lycoming Homeowners Association perceives the Cobalt Gas Company.

    • Dear Lycoming County Homeowners Association,
      First off I would like to know where you are from. Second, I would like to address some topics you brought up in your post. I go to a school in Bradford County and have been on many well sites. Gas companies have given money to our school and families have moved into the school district because of the gas industry; not moved away like you feared.
      Also, with the gas industry in the area, our economy has not been distraught, it has actually gained status. Yes, the gas wells may destroy our land, but not as much as you said it would. Please check your facts.

      • Williamsport, Pa is in Lycoming County… not very far from Bradford County. Please refrain from attacking the writer’s geographical location but refute the facts. Show statistics about money given to your schools. Provide numerical examples of new families in the school districts. How has your economy gained status?

  3. This Land is Our Land

    Hydraulic fracturing has many effects on the environment. However, it also affects many people, including landowners. These effects can be good and bad but, the obvious are bad and include health hazards to families that own land nearby Marcellus wells or above shale deposits.

    As a landowner, I am completely against hydraulic fracturing. It is not an open enough problem and the rest of the world is really just ignorant to it. Like honestly, what even is this? All I know is that these fracking-idiots are trying to take over my land and abuse it. I don’t know what the lasting effects of hydraulic fracturing could be! Could it have a permanent damage upon my land? What is in it for me?

    Through research I found out that fracturing is good and bad. But, it all depends on how much money I get. I’ll leave if I get a lot of money; well, at least if I can move to somewhere else. Before I leave I would like to see the fracking operation regulated. The environment is still a concern that cannot be ignored. I am interested with the amount of money that could be included if selling my land. I do care for my property, but, I do know that selling it for fracking could give me a large profit. However, the scary part about this is that the companies don’t have to disclose chemicals used in the process. What if I were to live around my old land? Would the chemicals that the companies are using affect me? Would it affect the new land I own? There are so many questions about hydraulic fracking left unanswered and I really do not feel comfortable with the process around my land.

    • As a landowner and one who lives around MANY other landowners, the first thing I noted is that no one who lived in our area has ever moved from their property after working with the gas company and having made significant royalties. Rather, if anything, it works the other way. The families of the landowners sometimes returns to the farm or the property, as they now have the finances to better support more families on the property. I agree, not many people know much or anything about the situation and environment around the drilling activity. You have to live in that area to really understand what it is and how it can impact a community. Hojo

      • Dear Shaletalk 2
        As a former resident of Bradford County also, I think it is important to remember that we don’t speak for everyone in the county. There are many view points to consider. Also, a person does not have to live in the county in order to understand the communal impacts. Marcellus Shale and natural gas drilling impacts our nation not just our local area. Think of the watersheds involved. The point of the forum is to support our positions with facts and statistics from the resources provided.

        • As we were recently watching some commentary on the state of the bay, it was interesting how the number one source of pollution is storm water runnoff and number two is agricultural sources. There was little or no discussion of the drilling activities as a source that impacts the bay in any significant way when compared to the other sources. I agree, the immediate impacts are great for the 5 to 6 acres disturbed, but the stabilization methods for the soil and reintroduction of vegetation is great at most sites in our area. It appears not much different than urban development and sprawl, other than there is much more land around most of the drilling sites to contain run-off prior to making it to the streams.

            • Yea, I know….I was trying to find the link but could not find it after watching it….I think it was one of the Marcellus e-forum videos but they are not there anymore…..

    • Although we are environmental agency employees and mostly stick to the environmental issues that go along with fracking, we sympathize with your views on the fracking and your living situation, which happens to be close to the sites. We feel that it is ridiculous that the fracking companies are not required to share information about their fracking process with you. Shouldn’t you be the first to know the details since you live so close and it directly affects you?
      From YOLO

      • Interesting…we in our little school in the middle of Gasland has had gas companies come in and share the materials used in fracking. I was fortunate enough to be able to visit an active frack site and have a tour of the site. Nothing hidden.that we can note. especially with the company coming into the classroom and shareing that is used in the process. Hojo

    • If you don’t feel comfortable with the process then don’t get involved. You don’t have to let them on your land. In regards to the regulations of fracking, the fracking process are regulated and watched closely. The DEP constantly checks on these wells. I agree that these gas wells are bad for the environment I just disagree with some of your points.

    • This Land is Our Land,
      I would like to know where your research is. I don’t see any facts here that are backing up your statements as to why people should be against hydraulic fracturing. You said you are against it but then contradicted yourself by saying you are only concerned with how much money you are receiving. If you are against it then you should not be concerned with the money because you won’t be a part of it. You say that there are so many questions left unanswered about hydraulic fracturing but if you do the research the answers are there. Thank you.
      Yoko Ono

    • You made a good point about how drilling can have a health effect on landowners. I am also a land owner but in some ways I think what these companies are doing are good. This is helping many people with jobs and providing a lot of oil to our country. This business is just starting to boom. We are all just starting to see the beginning of it. Although you may feel other wise. There are still a lot of good that this drilling process is bringing.

  4. Hello. My name is Abigail Davies and I’m writing this to show my opposition to the drilling of the Marcellus Shale. As the drilling and fracking of the Marcellus Shale continues, I’ve found that my hometown, located in Pennsylvania, has become more and more resemblant of an out of control city, rather than a quiet, suitable home for my children and me. Not only is the noise pollution worrisome, but the possibility of pollution in my families drinking water has me scared for the health of everyone in town.

    Everyday when I take my children to school, I am not only annoyed, but also severely delayed by the heavy traffic caused by the employees of the neighboring gas company. In many cases, many natural gas vehicles are hauling too much weight (Kingsley, Jennifer). This is both aggravating because it causes the trucks to move at an even slower pace, but also extremely dangerous, especially in a small town such as ours where the roads are old and not built to support such weight. Even when I’m not on the road, the impact of the vehicles can still be felt. My neighbor, Debbie Finnerty, has told me me that her home shakes every time the dump trucks barrel through. These vehicles also cause me to be concerned about the harm they’re doing to the earth’s atmosphere pollution wise. I fully understand that the fracking fluid needs to be transported somehow, but the fossil fuels these trucks are burning and letting off every day is something one would have to see for themselves. If in just one year, 119 wells were drilled in just one town alone (Kingsley, Jennifer), it not only could affect the beauty of our town, but it could surely have a long term effect on the entire world, giving that many other towns are experiencing the same industrial boom.

    My other concern, and possibly my more pressing one, is the contamination of our drinking water. In many states, such as Wyoming and my own, sponsors of the gas companies have begun telling citizens that they should consider using bottled water only. I simply do not understand how that is acceptable. My family should not have to pay extra for our water, and we should not have to be concerned for our health every time we turn on the faucet. These warnings from the gas companies can only be the cause of hydraulic fracturing and pollution of groundwater (Mouawad, Jad)(Krauss,Clifford). In a town such as mine, where agriculture is such a huge source of income for so many of my neighbors, this could be detrimental. If the water they use for agriculture becomes unsuitable for crops, what will they do? Water their food with bottled water? The techniques used for fracking must be refined. Gas companies must realize that, to be able to scale up drilling, they must be in sync with people’s concerns about water (McClendon, Aubrey).

    • Dear Abigail , I am a tree hugger from PA.. I agree with you that it is annoying trying to get your kids to school when there is all the traffic from the gas industry. But if you want to help out our economy you should be more sympathetic or you could consider moving to an area such as where I live were will be no traffic.

      • Although the gas industry would benefit my town, it will only do so for so many years. What will happen when my children grow up and they stop drilling? Those jobs will be lost and along with them, the economy of my town will suffer greatly, causing businesses to fail and forcing families to move.

        • I agree with shaletalk4. I know that the traffic and noise is bothersome, but look at the positive economic benefits of the drilling. The drilling has brought many jobs to the small towns of the area. These jobs are strengthening the economy and helping those people who don’t have jobs receive them. Now there is not as much unemployment and people have sources of income. Small towns are great for family living. These towns can easily disappear because the income that was provided to local businesses from the drilling will disappear. Thank you.
          Yoko Ono

    • I highly agree with your point of view of the health And safety of your area due to the harsh effects of drilling. I too feel that if the water that is used for this drilling is starting to enter some cities water supplies. Many times ,through research I’ve done, polluted water is able to catch fire due to the flammable chemicals in the water. Also your statement on landowners with crops might lose their crops due to the chemicals in the water supply, I feel that these people wouldn’t be able to have a better choice than to contact the EPA to show their issues with water toxins. Good Job!
      – Chubber-Badger

      • Dear Chubber-Badger,
        You said that through research, the water has been able to catch fire from the chemicals released from the gas wells. This is quite intersting considering water in areas has been able to catch on fire decades before the natural gas industry even came near their area.

        • Dear Chubber Badger
          Good point but strengthen your position by providing specific examples and resources, Many people mistakenly believe that methane is only linked to drilling. Enlighten them with the facts.

    • Land Owners
      Hello Abigail Davies! I completely agree with your opposition on the drilling of the Marcellus Shale. I myself can relate to your beliefs and problems with being delayed by traffic. In my hometown in Pennsylvania, I always get stuck behind lines of gas well workers trucks. Including big water trucks, along with workers following them. Also, our roads cannot handle all the weight either, which causes all the pot holes. Mostly, my biggest concern is what the future holds for our town with all of this gas well drilling.
      Chris Coe

      • Dear Chris Coe,
        Thanks for your input! Although the traffic argument seems petty at first, I’m glad you see the harmful impacts it can have on the roads. The vehicles can cause dangerous holes and cracks in the roads making accidents far more likely. I completely agree with your point about being mostly concerned with what the future holds. That, I believe, is the number one problem with the drilling companies. They fail to look at the long term impacts all of this will have on both people and the environment. It seems to me that we as a country rushed into this business much too fast with very little knowledge. I’m sure that will negatively effect our country in the long run if important regulations are not made quickly. The practices need to be safer so as not to pollute our earth’s natural water, and the amount of pollution released into our atmosphere must be reduced.
        Abigail Davies

    • Dear Abigail Davies,
      The first thing i would like to express to you is our common concern with groundwater pollution. But, the fact of the matter is, while there is drilling there is going to be some water pollution. With that being said, we need to hold gas companies 100% accountable for their actions. We all have seen the videos of residents near fracking sites observing their drinking water as a cloudy, opaque liquid. No matter how much economy boosting can be done, no household should have to deal with such an altercation. In some cases, the gas company that is believed to be responsible for the pollution of their water, does not give an adequate amount of compensation for these residents. I.e., clean drinking water. Gas companies need to be held at a higher standard.
      -John Smith, local business

      • I completely agree. While I believe the drilling can be extremely beneficial, the way it’s being done and regulated (or rather unregulated) is extremely concerning. These companies need to realize that they are destroying the environment and making life less enjoyable for those of us who just so happened to choose to live in these areas.

  5. Betty Jones
    As a landowner I’m very disappointed in the Marcellus Shale company. I recently found out that I do not have the mineral rights to my land. I should have the rights to everything that is on my land. Marcellus Shale has recently started drilling on my land. I was all happy to let them use my land until recently. I was unsure that I did not have the mineral rights on my land. This is making me very upset with the company it’s self. They did not even give me a heads up. I am just struggling to make ends meet as it is. I am working two jobs just trying to get by with the bad economy. This is not helping my situation.

    A neighbor of mine who lives just a couple houses down is making a big sum of cash off this drilling process. He is making it because he has the mineral rights to his land. I don’t think that it is very fair that just because he has the rights and I don’t, I am not making any money off this process! I still own the property that Marcellus Shale is drilling on. To get my mineral rights, Marcellus Shale coordinator told me to go down to the BLM District office and I would have to fill out an application and mail it to with a non refundable payment of $50 and one of $2,500. I was never aware of this until now. I don’t think that it is fair that I was never warned about the mineral right process of my land. I looked up ways of somehow buying the mineral rights to my land back but came up with nothing. I also looked into ways to find out if you own the mineral rights before you buy the property. I found out that it is very hard to break a lease of this source. I feel like this is very wrong. We, as landowners, are paying the money to buy the land and paying the taxes on the land. We should not have to pay for the mineral and gas rights.

    This has not just happened to me. A man in Jewett, Ohio, had the same thing happen to him. He stated, ” They never notified me. They just went in and started drilling,”. We are not the only two landowners that this has happened to. There are a handful of people. When they come and take over your land they won’t even let you use any of it. Although we are asking some money off of this whole process. The land owners that have had mineral rights problems feel like we could be making a whole lot more then we actually are.

    I have never had a problem with the drilling Marcellus Shale or any other drilling company before. I think that what these companies are doing could really benefit us in the long run. Also all the jobs it provides has really helped my town get back on its feet. I am just very disappointed that they have the right to just come in and start drilling on my land. Also they are doing so, without my permission and then make all the money from the minerals that are found.


    “Land and Mineral Ownership.” Land and Mineral Ownership. BLM, n.d. Web. 31 Jan. 2013.

    “Buying Wv. Property.” – Mineral Rights Forum. Mineral Rights, n.d. Web. 31 Jan. 2013.

    • Dear Betty Jones,
      I find a lot of problems with your response. First off, where do you live because around us, gas companies ALWAYS contact landowners about drilling because they need to have permission to drill either on, or under your land. I have never heard of a gas company just coming in “taking over” the land.

      • This did happen to a guy out in Ohio. The company did not come and talk to him. They just started drilling on his land. They said they had talked to the mineral owner and got their permission. He was very upset. I’m sure that if this happened to him it has happened to other people as well. Although it may not happen a lot I’m sure it still does.

    • Dear Betty
      I included a link and information on mineral rights. Unfortunately, it is the landowner’s responsibility to do the research prior to purchasing the land. The gas company does not set the fees. The Bureau of Land Management determines this. http://www.blm.gov/es/st/en/prog/lands/00.html#F

      How can I obtain the mineral rights under my property?

      The BLM regulations establish procedures under section 209 of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976, for conveyance of mineral interests owned by the United States where the surface is or will be in non-Federal ownership. The objective is to allow consolidation of surface and subsurface or mineral ownership where there are no “known mineral values” or in those instances where the reservation interferes with or precludes appropriate non-mineral development and such development is a more beneficial use of the land than the mineral development.

      Application Procedures – Applications must be filed in the appropriate BLM District Office. No specific form is required but each application shall include the name, legal mailing address and telephone number of the existing or prospective record owner of the land; proof of ownership; a certified copy of any patent or other instrument of conveyance with supporting survey evidence. The application must also include a statement concerning the nature of federally-reserved or owned mineral values in the land; existing and proposed uses of the land; why the reservation of the mineral interests in the U.S. is interfering with or precluding appropriate non-mineral development; how and why such development would be a more beneficial use of the land; a showing that the proposed use complies with state and local zoning requirement; and a non-refundable filing fee of $50.00 and administrative fee of $2,500.00. Please note that these fees in no way insure favorable action on an application.

      • Yes, I found out the hard way that it is my right to get the mineral rights. It is not a very difficult process and can be done. However I don’t think that it should be the land owners responsibility to find this information out about their land. The link that you posed was very helpful though. Thank you for this information!

    • Betty Jones – I think you bring up some good points about how complicated situations can be where a mineral rights have been severed from the surface rights. Unfortunately when you are buying land you don’t always know who owns the mineral rights. There are cases where the surface owner doesn’t want gas drilling, but the mineral rights owner sells the gas underneath the property. A gas company has a right to drill even against the surface owners’ wishes.

      • These types of situations are very complicated and many people are having to deal with this. You did make some good points.i just feel like when you buy land you should get all the mineral rights and eveyrthing on your land. The process is not all that hard, it just takes a little time. Also what makes me mad is how I payed for my land and now someone else is making money off of it.

  6. Charlie Gordon, Landowner
    Although many people are complaining about the possible negative effects produced from the local companies drilling in our area, I have actually benefited substantially from the drilling sites being located on my land that I own. Before these drilling companies came to my town and started drilling, I was struggling to make ends meet and pay for my son’s college bills. I recently lost my job due to my current illness that doesn’t allow me to work. I was unable to hold a job and my medical bills left me without any income and I was afraid that I would soon lose everything, including my house. Many of my fellow neighbors also faced similar circumstances with mounting bills and threatening home foreclosures. After these drilling companies decided to use my land, I quickly became a very wealthy landowner only because of the drilling processes. I am now able to pay off my son’s student loans and I currently have no chance of losing my house.

    Many environmentalists are currently concerned over the pollution and contamination risks that this drilling imposes on our environment. I actually disagree with their arguments to stop all drilling procedures because I believe most of the drilling companies are taking all the necessary precautions to prevent any environmental damage. I have seen firsthand the steps that the workers take to ensure that there are minimal chances of contamination to the nearby water supplies. I am fully aware that some of the people living close to the drilling sites are experiencing contaminated water issues, but these issues are temporary and several improvements have been made to specially prevent this from happening again. These people must also realize that the drilling companies will continue to invest in safer equipment and procedures that will dramatically reduce the risks of pollution and contamination.

    I also believe the more landowners that are benefitting from this income, the more our local economy will grow and prosper due to increased spending of the wealthy landowners. This will also increase employment in our neighboring towns and helps families afford their daily expenses. The gas drilling companies have also considerably increased the nation’s economy, sending thousands of men to work all across the country for a decent paying job. One example of the towns benefitting from the drilling is the small village of Black Walnut. This was formerly a deserted village with few inhabitants but with the appearance of the local drilling workers, the village has recently received profound changes in lives of the citizens, the local economy, and political negotiations. There are already approximately 700 land owners in the village of Black Walnut alone that leased their land to be drilled. These landowners will receive $5,750 for every acre of land they lease. These people that gave up their land for drilling rights created a group that helped distribute their 37,000 acres of land, which proves that the leasing of land can generate significant amounts of economic growth throughout the whole country. This is not the only booming town directly resulting from the developing drilling sites.

    Turner, Ford. “Marcellus Shale Brings Big Checks for Some Landowners.” http://Www.pennlive.com.
    The Patriot-News, 27 Sept. 2009. Web. 30 Jan. 2013.

    • Here is the deal. As a landowner, your point of view on the subject was much different than mine. I was unaware of all of the positive outcomes of hydraulic fraturing upon one’s own land. You have definitely skewed my point of view on the topic slightly, although I believe you may be forgetting about something. What happens when all of the workers leave and the project is finished? The economy of your town will plummet and there could be some long term affects that are not economically sound. I know that right now the hyraulic fracturing in your twon is very helpful, but you really have to think long term when it comes to things like this.

      • Dear shaletalk6,
        You mentioned how after the natural gas industry leaves, the economy will plummet; but the truth is, the economy will not plummet. For one, there are more than one gas site, and after the rig leaves, it is constantly checked upon. Our economy around us has not plummeted when the industry has slowed down. Also, the gas companies are not leaving the area for a while, therefore, bringing in business for the local shops for years to come.

      • I guess it remains to be seen. The gas production off of a unit may be 10 to 30 years or more for the initial wells. Most pads have one to as many as four wells on them. Many pads have the potential total of 6 to 8 wells. This means someone will need to come back and drill the other wells at some point in the future. Thus this may extend the activity and royalty to 20 to 40 years or more. There is also another layer (or more) of gas at these locations. Who knows where that might take us. The companies are happy when there is one or more wells on a pad, as that unit of land is then locked up. They will return to these pads as the infrustructure is already in place and the cost of drilling a new well and getting it on-line is much less than going to a new pad. Therefore, the economic effect will continue for many years to come. Even if no drilling occurs, people with “extra” money tend to spend it on “extra” things, thus boosting the local economy.
        So, getting back to the scenario….we are indifferent to the status of the proposed gas well. It could help the local economy there should they drill. If they do not drill there, it will put a bit less gas into inventory and allows for the drilling to perhaps return to the pads that are already in place and active to only further increase the economy in another area. Hojo

    • Thank you Charlie, you are how most landowners should be. This is a great opportunity for land owners to make a profit. When the company asks you for your land, they will give you profits in return. This will not only boost your revenue but the revenue of all the land owners whose land can be drilled on. So I agree this will make the economy flourish.

      Governor Robert “Bob” Jones

    • Dear Charlie Gordon,
      Although it’s wonderful you’ve benefitted so greatly from the drilling, I just don’t believe that the benefits of it could possibly outweigh the risks. The truth of the matter is, if a landowner just so happens to live near a drill site and their water supply becomes contaminated, the company does not have a responsibility to help fix the problem. And in all actuality, big companies usually don’t spend the time to ensure their practices are exceedingly safe. Most companies are in it for the money obviously, and although there’s nothing wrong with that, it usually involves taking a few unsafe risks. Also, companies are unlikely to invest in safer equipment unless the government mandates it. That would be extremely unlikely however, since the government would so greatly financially benefit from the increased drilling.
      Abigail Davies

  7. Marcellus Shale Coalition is all about creating jobs, and helping to make natural gas cleaner and safer. We think that this is a good idea to have Marcellus Shale come into Pennsylvania because it has many benefits. One reason, Marcellus Shale will provide at least 200,000 jobs for Pennsylvania citizens. Such as, operators, steelworkers, truck drivers, and also the hotels, and retail stores. They will also have to provide more people for the jobs of all the local businesses. Especially, around the drilling areas, all of the workers have to stay in the hotels and buy their food and supplies from the local area, in turn, making profits increase. Together averaging about $204 millions dollars more than without the Marcellus Shale coming into the area. Also Marcellus Shale would also have to be covered by an insurance company, so that would also cost money. Construction companies and inspectors would have to be called in before the drill got started. In 2012, the state of Pennsylvania will benefit from about 300 new wells coming online over the course of the year — about 25 per month. For the wells on state land, each well will pay an average of $100,000 per month in fees and royalties, or about $1.2 million per year. Multiply times 300 and that’s $360 million to state coffers per year. Using natural gas as a source of by cutting down on the air pollution that is caused by burning coal. And natural gas only emits only half the CO2, and other chemicals that can be released from burning coal.

    Natural gas is an alternative energy source that has the least impact on our environment. It will help make our country stronger with all the jobs opportunities. It will also cut down of the green house gas effects, and help make planet earth greener and more efficient.

    • Dear Marcellus Shale Coalition, I agree with all the topics you have discussed above. I believe that the gas drilling companies are providing more benefits to our local and national economies than they are providing more negative impacts toward our environment. The benefits of Marcellus Shale clearly outweigh any environmental impacts they produce. I also believe strongly in gas drilling because I have noticed first hand the steps that these companies are currently taking to reduce contamination risks and pollution rates. Another topic that you could have discussed more would have been the fact that although the sites of some gas wells do become abandoned over time, they still provide benefits and profits to the local economy of the town. I myself live in a small town and the benefits of the gas workers appearing on our land has already been shown through the rise of the hotels, restaurants, and construction companies incomes. It also has been obvious that since the workers have shown up in my state, the employment rate has steadily increased. This helps struggling families pay their bills and I have my own personal experience of how these gas companies digging on my land has completely turned my life around.

    • Dear Marcellus Shale Coalition,
      Your point of view on the Marcellus Shale drilling is very interesting. I’m a hunter, so I’m not a big fan of the drilling sites, but you’re statistics might make me think otherwise! 200,000 jobs is a lot of jobs created in one state! Wow! And the examples you gave of these jobs were great evidence to help back up your claim. Also, you did a great job describing the money point of view on drilling. Plus, natural gas is better for the environment. I’m a hunter, so I enjoy the environment. I might have to think twice about this drilling for Marcellus Shale. Your point of view really made me reconsider it.
      PA Hunter,
      Ronald Rubarb

      • Natural Gas in my opinion makes the environment less efficient Ronald Rubarb! If you are a hunter I can almost guarantee you do not hunt on a gas well pad. So please explain how this is “BETTER” for the environment.
        -Chief Squating Bear

    • Marcellus Shale Coalition
      How would you reassure worried landowners and the community about the most publicized issue related to natural gas development, the potential for groundwater contamination from hydraulic fracturing?

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