The extraction of natural gas from the geological formation known as Marcellus Shale is a game changing event of multi-state proportions. Deep below the surface of the states of Pennsylvania, Ohio, New York, and West Virginia exists one of the most abundant natural gas deposits in the world. The formation, directly adjacent to the heavily populated markets of the Mid Atlantic region of Washington, D.C., New York City and Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey, presents an issue that influences the water and gas consumption of millions of people and influence thousands of acres of land, infrastructure investment and development patterns.

Policy makers have and are overlooking the impacts deep-well natural gas extraction is having on land use consumption and infrastructure. As a result, laws being created do not take into account the full impacts of natural gas extraction or opportunities related to resources being developed. Unlike ‘traditional’ natural gas extraction, which has existed for over a century in these states, deep well drilling is a resource intense industrial activity. The drilling of a single well requires a drill pad five to six acres in size and thousands of gallons of water to initiate the fracturing of the shale formation. The land impacts of single drilling sites are joined by the construction of compressor stations, transfer facilities and the development of pipelines that stretch across the landscape – each consuming hundreds of acres of land often times in rural or areas lacking zoning.

On March 8th Professor Tim Kelsey of Penn State University's Cooperative Extension presented at the 10,000 Friends of Pennsylvania Policy Advisory Council. Dr. Kelsey's presentation provided attendees with numerous insights on impacts of Marcellus Shale extraction and Pennsylvania's communities. The presentations and policy briefs can be found here.

photo: ruhrfisch