Lt. Governor Cawley Says Marcellus Shale Creating Jobs in Western PA

WARRENDALE, Pa., July 8, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ --  During a tour of Talisman Energy's regional headquarters, Lt. Governor Jim Cawley today pointed to how the Marcellus Shale natural gas production industry is creating jobs, even in communities where drilling is not taking place.

"Natural gas is already providing thousands of jobs for Pennsylvania. You can see it right here in suburban Pittsburgh," Cawley said. "Producers may not be drilling here in Warrendale, but jobs are being created here and across the state."

Cawley said the natural gas industry and related businesses generated more than 72,000 new hires in Pennsylvania over the last 18 months alone. These are family-sustaining jobs; paying on average nearly $70,000.

Canadian-based Talisman invested $1 billion in Pennsylvania in 2010, including establishing its 50,000-square-foot American headquarters in Warrendale. The company employs more than 200 people, including geologists, landsmen, regulatory and legal experts, among others.

Talisman plans to invest more than $1 billion in PA again this year, including expanding their headquarters and employing another 50 people.

"To those who say Marcellus Shale is not benefiting Pennsylvania, I say come to Warrendale and see it for yourself," Cawley said.

Cawley heads the Governor's Marcellus Shale Advisory Commission, which has been working to develop policy recommendations for natural gas drilling in Pennsylvania. The commission's final meeting is July 15, and its final report is due to the Governor by July 22.

For more information, visit www.pa.gov.

Media contact: Chad Saylor, 717-787-3300

SOURCE Pennsylvania Office of the Lieutenant Governor