Shale Gas Forum Examines Economic Benefits, Environmental Concerns of Natural Gas Production
Industry, Environmental Community Discuss Best Paths Forward
WASHINGTON, DC – Representatives from industry, state regulatory bodies, and the environmental community met today on Capitol Hill to discuss the economic role that natural gas production can play in the United States and Canada. The forum, hosted by the Canadian American Business Council (CABC) and Consumer Energy Alliance (CEA), also examined potential environmental impacts and best practices for future development, including existing state regulations and industry standards.
Guy Caruso of the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) gave the introduction, followed by morning keynote addresses by Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) and Eric Spiegel, President of Siemens Corporation. Representatives from the following companies and organizations also participated: Shell Oil, the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), ExxonMobil, Canada West Foundation, Nucor Steel, Embassy of Canada, American Gas Association, GE Oil and Gas, and DOW. Senator John Hoeven (R-N.D.) gave the afternoon keynote address.
After the event, CEA President David Holt released the following statement:
“If we want to keep energy prices affordable and create new jobs in America, then increasing domestic energy production is absolutely necessary. Further, we must be committed to developing our energy resources both responsibly and efficiently. As the panelists at today’s forum articulated, producing more natural gas will not only bolster energy security and create good paying jobs, it will also foster the development of new technologies and innovation – all while helping both the United States and Canada maximize their competitiveness with the rest of the world.
“America needs a balanced energy policy that seeks to increase the availability of affordable energy supplies, and shale gas production, when done in an environmentally responsible manner, can and should be a major component of that policy.”
