[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 159 (2013), Part 7]
[House]
[Page 9261]
[From the U.S. 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 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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