Friday, February 3, 2012
News Local
by Scott Detrow September 13, 2011
Can Pennsylvania’s State Forests Survive Additional Marcellus Shale Drilling?
Pennsylvania is strapped for cash. The state has run billion dollar-plus deficits for three straight years. But since 2009, royalties and bonus payments from Marcellus Shale drilling in state forests have brought in hundreds of millions of dollars. Some officials say additional drilling is the solution to the commonwealth’s financial problems. That’s raising the ire of people like Butch Davey, who worry additional leasing would damage the forests forever.
(Scott Detrow / StateImpact Pennsylvania)
A drilling rig in the Tioga Staet Forest
Pennsylvania is strapped for cash. The state has run billion dollar-plus deficits for three straight years. But since 2009, royalties and bonus payments from Marcellus Shale drilling in state forests have brought in hundreds of millions of dollars. Some officials say additional drilling is the solution to the commonwealth’s financial problems. That’s raising the ire of people like Butch Davey, who worry additional leasing would damage the forests forever.
Read the rest of this story at StateImpact Pennsylvania.
