HARRISBURG, Pa., March 25, 2009 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ ----The Marcellus Shale Committee, the Independent Oil and Gas Association of Pennsylvania and the Pennsylvania Oil and Gas Association issued the following joint statement today regarding the introduction of House Bill 1050 (D. Reed - Indiana) to increase leasing opportunities on state forest land and provide millions of dollars in revenue from that activity to local conservation districts, municipal governments and the Commonwealth.
"Significant natural gas reserves can be found in Pennsylvania's state forest land, and the opportunities it can create for new jobs and new revenue for state and local government and conservation districts is even more significant. This industry is poised to develop these gas reserves responsibly and in cooperation with the state Bureau of Forestry and the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. Advances in technology, including the development of multiple wells from a single pad and horizontal drilling techniques allow for a far more efficient means of securing natural gas reserves, impacting fewer acres in development, a reduced number of roads to access this single location, fewer gathering pipelines and far less surface disturbance.
"Leasing 130,000 acres of land for three years amounts to less than 20 percent of the state's total forest resources, and will produce an indigenous source of clean energy and provide good-paying jobs to thousands of people. The distribution of funding from leasing and royalty payments among local and state governments and conservation districts ensures that revenue is directed where it can meet the needs of communities and programs that protect the environment.
"This approach to create sustainable, long-term revenue for the Commonwealth through responsible leasing of land is sound and deserves the support of the legislature."
About the Marcellus Shale Committee: Formed in 2008, the Marcellus Shale committee represents the oil and gas industry in Pennsylvania on matters pertaining to the acquisition, exploration, drilling, and development of the Marcellus Shale natural gas resource and provides a unified voice before all state, county, and local government or regulatory bodies. The committee, sponsored jointly by the Pennsylvania Oil and Gas Association and the Independent Oil and Gas Association of Pennsylvania, includes independent producers with historical expertise in the Pennsylvania oil and gas fields and national companies dedicated to bringing their industry experience and resources to achieve common goals.
About IOGA-PA: The Independent Oil and Gas Association of Pennsylvania (IOGA: undefined, undefined, undefined%) is the principal non-profit trade association representing Pennsylvania's Independent oil and natural gas producers, marketers, service companies and related businesses.
About POGAM: The Pennsylvania Oil & Gas Association is the non-profit trade association of the Commonwealth's independent oil and gas producers. The association promotes the general welfare of Pennsylvania's crude oil and natural gas exploration and production industry. The association and its members are committed to the economical and environmentally responsible development, production and use of the Commonwealth's crude oil and natural gas resources.
SOURCE Marcellus Shale Committee; IOGA-PA; POGAM
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