[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 86 (Monday, June 17, 2013)]
[House]
[Pages H3669-H3670]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              ABUNDANT, CLEAN, AND AFFORDABLE NATURAL GAS

  (Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania asked and was given permission to 
address the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, America is blessed with 
abundant, clean, and affordable natural gas. As the amount of known 
natural gas reserves continually increases, we are also blessed with 
the technology to be environmentally responsible when accessing this 
resource.
  In my home State of Pennsylvania, the discovery and extraction of the 
Marcellus shale has been transforming. During the difficult years of an 
economy in recession, unemployment numbers in the Keystone State have 
remained well below the national rates. We can attribute a substantial 
portion of this prosperity to development related to this plentiful 
natural resource.
  A study by the Allegheny Institute for Public Policy is a recent 
testament

[[Page H3670]]

to this fact. The report shows that rents and royalties reported on 
Pennsylvania income tax returns from 2006 to 2010 have increased 61 
percent statewide and 119 percent in counties with Marcellus shale 
activity.
  Mr. Speaker, we must continue to responsibly develop this resource so 
that we ensure it offers future generations the same and greater 
economic opportunities.

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