[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 113 (Thursday, August 1, 2013)]
[House]
[Page H5332]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      NATURAL GAS ECONOMIC IMPACT

  (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, yesterday I addressed the 
positive economic impact on jobs of shale gas production that was 
documented during a recent hearing in Pennsylvania by the bipartisan 
Natural Gas Caucus, which I cochair.
  An additional area of economic impact of the natural gas production 
is the direct benefits to Pennsylvania. From 2008 to 2010, Pennsylvania 
established three leases for natural gas production on State forest 
lands. These leases have generated signing bonuses totaling $413 
million and earned the State another $100 million in royalties.
  Since 2007, a total of $1.7 billion in corporate taxes have also been 
paid. During 2012 and 2013, the natural gas industry contributed $406 
million in impact fees that are benefiting counties and communities 
across Pennsylvania.
  By 2035, shale gas will contribute $42.4 billion annually to 
Pennsylvania's economy, up from the $7.1 billion in 2010.
  Mr. Speaker, the economic impact from natural gas development in 
Pennsylvania is exceeding all expectations. Governor Corbett and the 
Pennsylvania State legislature are to be congratulated for their 
leadership in shale gas production.

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