Keystone Energy Forum

West Virginia is sitting on a buried treasure called the Marcellus Shale formation. This resource holds, at its core, more than 489 trillion cubic feet of clean-burning natural gas.

"Hydraulic fracturing and horizontal drilling technology in conjunction with the Marcellus shale gas is a godsend we should cherish, protect, and celebrate." -- Zane Shuck, retired professional engineer and a former WVU professor, writing in the July 8, 2011 Charleston Daily Mail.

The oil and natural gas industry understands that there are environmental risks associated with hydraulic fracturing, however, these risks are mitigated through the establishment of stringent standards, operational procedures and regulations, many of which were established by oil and natural gas companies based on over a century of experience.

In West Virginia alone, the oil and natural gas industry already supports 35,000 jobs in West Virginia, and over 7,000 new jobs can be created through Marcellus Shale development.

The Marcellus Shale formation has a nationwide impact. Development in this region could increase energy security, increase American jobs and add revenue to local, state and federal coffers.