September 7, 2011

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Congressman Jason Altmire (PA-04) today participated in a congressional panel at the Marcellus Shale Coalition's Shale Gas Insight 2011 conference in Philadelphia, PA. The panel, The Hill and the Drill: The Federal Government's Role in Shale Gas, included Congressmen Joseph Pitts (PA-16), Tim Murphy (PA-18), Mark Critz (PA-12), and Tom Reed (NY-29).

"Shale gas represents a tremendous opportunity for economic growth, not only in western Pennsylvania, but across the country," Congressman Altmire said. "Promoting the safe and efficient development of natural gas sites will lower energy costs on families and small businesses and create good paying jobs when we need them most. Today's panel addressed many of the questions western Pennsylvanians often ask me, and I look forward to continuing our dialogue in the future."

The panelists discussed a variety of issues related to shale gas, including the economic impact on local communities, the permitting process and shale gas's ability to lower energy costs. In Pennsylvania, each mile of the Marcellus Shale pipeline represents a nearly $1 million investment into the state's economy.

Congressman Altmire is a co-sponsor of the New Alternative Transportation to Give Americans Solutions Act of 2011, H.R. 1380. This bipartisan legislation provides tax credits for certain equipment needed for natural gas exploration and takes steps to eliminate numerous burdensome regulations that could increase natural gas prices and slow down extraction. More information on this legislation can be viewed by clicking here.

To view more information from the Shale Gas Insight 2011 conference, please click here.