By Sam Harper,
posted on Tuesday, September 13, 2011.
Last week, the natural gas community came together in
Philadelphia to discuss the benefits of this abundant, American
resource at the Marcellus Shale
Coalition's Shale Gas Insight Conference. Attended by more than
1,500 industry leaders, local and state officials, and academics,
the event offered numerous examples of why natural gas is bringing
game-changing advances to Pennsylvanians and our nation.
Highlighting natural gas's profound contribution to our
environment, our economy and our country's national security, ANGA
President and CEO Regina Hopper told the gathering the industry can
build trust, and through this trust, we can demonstrate to
communities across this country that we are committed to the safe
and responsible development of this country's natural gas
resource.
"We are currently having a national energy policy discussion,"
Regina said. "We can wait on Congress for years, but it is the
state and local discussions that will form our national energy
policy."
The conference featured panel discussions and keynote addresses
from more than 70 speakers, including Pennsylvania Department of
Environmental Protection Secretary Michael Krancer, and local
community and industry leaders. Speakers pointed out the clean
energy and economic advantages natural gas offers the prolific
Marcellus Shale region and the country.
Rep. Jason Altmire, a Pennsylvania Republican, praised the
opportunity that natural gas provides the United States.
"The jobs impact, the predictability, the limitless reserves right
below our feet, it's an opportunity unmatched anywhere," Altmire
said.
Participation in events like the Shale Gas Insight Conference
allows leading industry players and local and state government
officials to come together and educate the public, and each other,
on the opportunities that exist in safe and responsible natural gas
development, such as ending U.S. dependence on foreign oil, fewer
emissions, and thousands of new domestic jobs.