Marcellus Shale

Why should our faith-based community be concerned about what appears to be a current Pennsylvania political issue? This issue is not only political but is every bit as much about preserving the gift of God’s Creation. The concern with Marcellus Shale, which is in the news now and will be for the next decades, is how the effects of these new drilling procedures will affect our land, water, air, our total environment, and the ecological world God has given us. Our faith requires each of us to be good stewards of this magnificent gift of Creation and care for the earth with respect so we can pass it on in even better shape to our children and to generations yet to be born. Therefore, it is essential that we do everything in our power to make certain the Marcellus Shale operations are carried out in a careful and respectful way to preserve rather than destroy the wonders of our beautiful earth.

Our Pennsylvania State constitution tells us in Article 1 Section 27 — “The people have a right to clean air, pure water, and to the preservation of the natural scenic, historic, and aesthetic values of the environment. Pennsylvania’s natural resources are the common property of all the people, including generations yet to come. As trustees of these common resources, the Commonwealth shall conserve and maintain them for the benefit of all the people resources.”

The Social Creed of the United Methodist Church has a Social Creed states: “We affirm the natural world as God’s handiwork and dedicate ourselves to its preservation, enhancement, and faithful use by humankind.”

The United Methodist Church also recognizes technology as a legitimate use of God’s natural world when such use enhances human life and enables all of God’s children to develop their God-given greatest potential without violating our ethical convictions about the relationship of humanity to the natural world.

We want very much to support the Marcellus Shale operations because of the economic value to our citizens with job opportunities, exciting new technology, and the development of new cleaner sources of energy, but we must safeguard the natural world that we depend on for the health and safety of our families and for our future.

What is Marcellus Shale?

Marcellus Shale is not a new “Rock Group.” Rather it’s an ancient, underground formation rich in natural gas that lies beneath much of Pennsylvania. It’s also a fascinating and complex issue that has significant implications for Pennsylvania and our country. How important is the drilling of natural gas to our economic and national well-being? What can be done to protect land, water, and air quality? What regulation and legislation are needed to balance revenue needs with environmental costs and property rights? These complex questions stem from the interplay of dynamic economic, environmental, and political factors.

First, there is money involved. While Pennsylvania has long been a site for drilling of oil and natural gas, tapping the resources of Marcellus Shale will bring a significant number of jobs to the State, provide unanticipated revenue to those who lease their drilling rights for the use of resources below the surface, and broaden the tax base during tight economic times. 

Second, nothing we do is environmentally neutral. Natural gas is a relatively clean fuel that promotes energy independence as a nation. However, gas extraction will have a significant impact on our water resources. It is projected that billions of gallons of water will be needed for the drilling process and then for the high-pressure, fracturing process that splits the shale to release the natural gas. Environmentalists predict severe problems created by these chemicals that affect air quality, as well as aquifer and surface water pollution.

Third, it has been said that all decisions are political ones. Marcellus Shale is the subject of legislation, litigation, and regulation. Currently, anyone wishing to drill a well requires a permit under the Pennsylvania Oil and Gas Act. The State also requires environmental impact statements (EIS) for such activities and provides public input through its EIS process. Currently, many groups are encouraging PA legislators to follow the lead of other states in imposing a severance tax to offset costs and to invest these funds in restoring and preserving our natural environment. As of February 2010, 692,000 acres of our state forests have been leased for Marcellus Shale gas drilling. Industry opposes taxation that will reduce profits and incentives for drilling. Instead of taxes, others, including the industry, are advocating that additional publicly owned lands be leased as a way to generate needed revenue for the State.

The League of Woman Voters of Pennsylvania and other groups have studied and analyzed this issue and can help sort out the information and misinformation.

To learn more about Marcellus Shale, go to www.palwv.org and click on the box for Marcellus Shale or go download this PennFuture fact sheet for updated news on Marcellus Shale.