Lt. Gov. Jim Cawley today led the Marcellus Shale Advisory Commission on a fact-finding mission to see the impact the natural gas industry is having on communities throughout Lycoming County.
"I want commission members to see for themselves how the growing natural gas industry is affecting Pennsylvania and its communities," Lt. Gov. Cawley said. "This experience will be helpful as we begin work to finalize our recommendations to the governor."
About two dozen members of the commission took part in the tour, which was arranged by the Lycoming County Chamber of Commerce.
Lt. Gov. Cawley and commission members talked with local government leaders and met with several residents who have wells on their properties. Other tour stops included well sites operated by Anadarko as well as several local employers that are doing business with the natural gas industry.
One such company, Ralph S. Alberts, in Montoursville, has for years made products used in amusement parks but has adapted its techniques for natural gas drilling. It now makes durable plastic well-pad liners used to contain spills at drilling sites. Like many other companies in this region, it is growing.
"There is only so much we can accomplish working in a hearing room in Harrisburg. That's why we needed to get out and see with our own eyes how this industry in impacting the region, its residents and the economy," said Lt. Gov. Cawley.
The next meetings of the Governor's Commission work groups will happen the week of June 6. The full Commission meets again on June 17. The Commission must complete its work by July 22.
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