Natural Gas Community Spotlights Safe and Responsible Development in Pennsylvania

PITTSBURGH, July 19, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Today, America's Natural Gas Alliance (ANGA) launched an advertising campaign to help raise awareness of the natural gas community's commitment to safe and responsible development. The objective of the campaign is to be an active participant in the national dialogue surrounding our country's energy future. Our commitment includes answering questions in the communities in which we work and providing fact-based information about natural gas development, the extensive safety precautions already in place and the strict oversight that exists to govern our industry.

This is an extension of ongoing efforts to educate key stakeholders and the public in Pennsylvania and across the nation about the rigorous practices employed by the industry including water recycling, well integrity tests, and emissions reduction measures that safeguard local air, land and water. These practices are coupled with extensive federal, state and local regulations that exist to help ensure that natural gas development occurs in harmony with the environment and the needs of local communities.

"Through the safe and responsible development of natural gas, ANGA member companies in Pennsylvania are helping advance a clean energy future," said ANGA President and CEO Regina Hopper. "In many instances, people have been exposed to debate around natural gas development that is not based in scientific fact. Our goal is to bring the conversations about the risks and benefits of our energy choices as a nation back to an informed, science-based discussion. We are committed to developing American natural gas safely and responsibly in order to create jobs, advance a cleaner environment and promote U.S. energy security," Hopper said.

ANGA member companies support strong, state-based oversight that takes into account the unique geological characteristics of the shale plays in different parts of the country.  Additionally, ANGA supports disclosure of the components used in the hydraulic fracturing process through the FracFocus.org website that is run by the Groundwater Protection Council and the Interstate Oil and Gas Compact Commission—two organizations of state regulators who oversee the natural gas community's day-to-day operations and are tasked with protecting local groundwater supplies.

"Pennsylvania sits atop one of the richest natural gas plays on earth, the Marcellus shale," explained Kevin West, who works for EQT Corp. and is ANGA's Pennsylvania state lead.  "The abundance of this clean, American fuel has the potential to revitalize both Pennsylvania and the country, and propel the state to the forefront of our nation's energy future."

"We don't have to choose between natural gas and clean air and water — they can and do coexist," West said. "For example, in Pennsylvania, our companies are aggressively exploring and adopting water reuse technologies at the well site. This allows us to recycle water for use in similar projects. It also reduces the need for water treatment and disposal, curbs truck traffic and cuts emissions."

To view the ads and learn more about safe and responsible development, visit www.anga.us/safeandresponsible. 

America's Natural Gas Alliance (ANGA) represents 31 of North America's leading independent natural gas exploration and production companies. ANGA members are dedicated to increasing the appreciation of the environmental, economic and national security benefits of clean, abundant, American natural gas. Learn more about ANGA at www.anga.us.

SOURCE America's Natural Gas Alliance