Visible Manifestations of the New Gas Economy (Williamsport, Towanda: 2015, hotels)

[ki0eh]

On US 220 near Towanda I saw a billboard for Lone Star beer as a white pickup truck marked "Halliburton" whizzed past me.

At the Blossburg exit from US 15 a sign popped up to the effect: "Coming Soon, Hydraulic Fracturing Fluid Manufacturing Facility."

3 places in Sullivan and Tioga counties I saw new contractor's yards from downstate site contractors: Liberty, Brubacher, H&K.

I thought it would be interesting to have a thread of observations and explanations (not so much whining) about the new gas economy in PA.

[HappyRider]

For 50 years people bemoaned the decline of coal and steel in PA and the resulting loss of jobs and decline of once bustling towns. Now we have a potential replacement. I know nothing about "fracking" or other environmental issues. I do know that there are forces that are opposed to anything oil and gas so I won't be getting my facts from them for sure.

[sp2007]

Originally Posted by ki0eh

I thought it would be interesting to have a thread of observations and explanations (not so much whining) about the new gas economy in PA.

Yeah guys, stop whining about the devastating environmental effects of unregulated and greedy drilling of the beautiful new gas economy that will bless everyone in PA.

[PeeAye Native]

Interesting thread. The out of state plates on the trucks and cars are the easiest thing to see. Less visible is the money flowing into the bank accounts of the small business owners, hotels, motels, etc. and the resulting tax payments to the local municipalities.

In and around Williamsport, it's so noticeable that it's hard to avoid. Go to any grocery store, bar, restaurant, or many of the small businesses (auto and truck repair, trucking, etc.) and you see "it".

[sr1234]

Originally Posted by sp2007

Yeah guys, stop whining about the devastating environmental effects of unregulated and greedy drilling of the beautiful new gas economy that will bless everyone in PA.

True. We are blessed that out-of-staters are making money off of the destruction of our land and lives. Nothing is better than owning property in a cancer cluster where the water is undrinkable.

[Duderino]

Originally Posted by ki0eh

I thought it would be interesting to have a thread of observations and explanations (not so much whining) about the new gas economy in PA.

Yeah, sorry to be the "wet blanket," but it's not exactly the most fair characterization to call opponents to natural gas drilling practices "whiners."

I respect the opposing views of those who believe that the positives of natural gas drilling outweigh the negatives, but I feel like when those who think that environmental devastation is not worth the positive effects of gas drilling, they are likely to labeled "whiners," "tree-huggers" or some other insulting title.

I'm all for a fair debate, but let's keep things balanced.

[HappyRider]

So if you had something to do with it there would have been no coal in Pennsylvania.

[Duderino]

Originally Posted by HappyRider

So if you had something to do with it there would have been no coal in Pennsylvania.

The coal industry was obviously a huge boon to Pennsylvania's economy, and you actually bring up a good point in that PA's history in the coal industry is comparable to the natural gas industry. However, to claim that detrimental effects of the coal industry cannot be felt in the Anthracite Region to this day would just be denying reality.


"...the mining process left a significant percentage of northeastern Pennsylvania covered by gaping pits, huge mounds of coarse material, and sterile deposits of mine wash. The mining process created profound disruptions to the natural ecosystems in which they occurred. As noted, the ecological effects have both terrestrial and aquatic components."

Wilkes The Mining Procedure and Its General Ecological Impacts

Obviously, the state's growing natural gas industry is not going to just go away, but we'd be monumentally shortsighted to not learn from our state's mistakes. Getting back to the point of this thread, the new gas economy absolutely needs to avert past environmental errors of water pollution, loss of important vegetation from occurring -- not to mention heavy reliance one industry that can be economically devastating for small towns. Natural gas proponents need to acknowledge that there are a number of environmental issues that should be addressed proactively as opposed to responding afterward, which unfortunately is how coal industry damage is being handled today.

[ki0eh]

I agree there are many legitimate concerns about how and indeed whether PA should move forward with the new gas economy. However, because like it or not it is moving forward, I thought it would be helpful to have a thread of observations and explanations. Maybe I'll start another thread on issues.

[rsrobbins]

Originally Posted by PeeAye Native

In and around Williamsport, it's so noticeable that it's hard to avoid. Go to any grocery store, bar, restaurant, or many of the small businesses (auto and truck repair, trucking, etc.) and you see "it".

I've seen money before. We are not that poor! But seriously, I've seen no sign of the natural gas industry. Of course, I don't go out much in winter.