Pennsylvania sits atop one of the largest natural gas deposits in the world. The Marcellus shale formation could hold enough recoverable natural gas to fuel the nation's gas needs for 19 years.

The resource is huge. And, as has been learned from gas operations around the country, so too will be the impacts of drilling it: pipelines, drilling pads and wastewater pits scarring our landscapes; air pollution from every stage of production; heavy rigs damaging our roads; billions of gallons of water taken from our streams; and operational errors contaminating our land and water.

The impacts have already begun to mount. Every day, we learn about a new community that is impacted by Marcellus Shale drilling. In just 2.5 years (the time period between January 2008 and July 2010), Pennsylvania Marcellus Shale drillers have amassed 1435 violations to state drilling laws.

What will the cumulative damage be through the decades as natural gas is drilled and piped around the state? What will our great grandchildren be left with when the last gas well is exhausted?

The answers depend largely on what happens now. By dedicating a portion of gas extraction tax revenues to land, water and wildlife conservation and to local governments impacted by gas exploitation, we can offset the damages caused by natural gas operations. Pennsylvania can lay the foundation for a prosperous future.

If, however, we fail to reinvest in our natural resources as this natural gas boom progresses, we will miss an historic opportunity to ensure that our descendants will receive a natural wealth equal to our own. We will miss an historic opportunity to invest in our communities so that they can prosper both during extraction activities and after the gas is gone.

Marcellus Shale Drillers in Pennsylvania Amass 1614 Violations since 2008: 1056 Identified as Most Likely to Harm the Environment
Read the Report.

Fair Compensation for Pennsylvanians: Understanding the Natural Gas Severance Tax.
Read the Report and Fact Sheet.