Consider the benefits of natural gas development

A lengthy article in the April 13 Post-Gazette seeking to attach environmental justice concerns to natural gas development in Greene County (“Public Sounds Off on DEP Policies at Meeting”) completely missed the mark on what happens when drilling activity takes place and the benefits to property owners and communities where natural gas is extracted.

Natural gas producers provide lease and royalty payments to families to access the natural gas those families own. In many cases, these property owners can make improvements to their land or farms through this steady stream of income. Natural gas drilling also provides jobs for people across a huge spectrum of experience and capabilities, and the pay scale for those workers is much higher than the state’s average. It also generates significant economic activity in communities, many of which have lacked investment and growth for many years.

Let’s also not forget the impact fees natural gas producers pay. This money is distributed to counties and townships that host drilling activity. You can look it up: Greene County and local governments there received millions of dollars in impact fees between 2011-2015, and those payments will continue.

Lastly, natural gas development drilling activity is temporary. The rig and all ancillary equipment are removed following the drilling and hydraulic fracturing process. What’s left is production equipment on a small footprint, along with natural gas wells that will generate energy for decades.

The idea of making some type of environmental justice claim on these positive developments is completely misplaced. MARY KAYE SORIANO

Zelienople