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Marcellus Shale Gas Production: Pros and Cons

The Marcellus Shale is a deep gas formation in the Northeast that could hold 160 trillion to 500 trillion cubic feet (tcf) of recoverable gas. (Domestic gas producers marketed nearly 22 tcf of gas in 2009.) Production of shale gas is one of the top energy and environmental issues facing Pennsylvania. In 2008, the commonwealth's Department of Environmental Protection issued nearly 7,800 gas drilling permits.

There are pros and cons of boosting gas production in Pennsylvania. 

Pros - Gas could be one of the key bridge fuels for reducing dependence on oil and coal, and shifting to a low-carbon energy economy. Gas has numerous climate stewardship and air quality advantages over coal. Burning gas emits only half the carbon dioxide that burning coal emits. Gas combustion releases little of the particulate matter and none of the mercury that coal burning releases. Particulate matter is a respiratory and cardiac hazard, while mercury can be transformed into harmful compounds that enter aquatic food chains and contaminate edible fish. Domestic gas could supply power plants running elecric cars, significantly reducing America's dangerous dependence on oil.

Cons - A top environmental concern with shale gas production is potential impacts of hydro-fracturing, or "fracking," a production technique used to force deep shale gas into production wells. Concerns include heavy demand for water used in fracking, seepage of fracking chemicals into groundwater, and spills from surface waste storage pits into streams. Other concerns include impacts of roads, pipelines, and drilling pads on wildlife habitat and rural landscapes. Full disclosure of all fracking chemicals, well by well, is essential for ensuring protection of water quality.

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