Published in the Pittsburgh Business Times, by Justine Coyne

November 14, 2013

Gov. Tom Corbett told energy industry insiders at a Pittsburgh conference that the Marcellus Shale has had a huge impact on jobs in Pennsylvania.

Calling critics "economic change deniers," Corbett -- who announced his re-election bid last week -- said environmental objections to drilling and development have slowed. But opponents now question the number of jobs the industry has created in the commonwealth.

"When I say that more than 200,000 jobs have been created or made more prosperous or secure by the vast wealth tapped by the Marcellus, that number bothers some people," Corbett said at Hart Energy's 5th annual DUG East Conference at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center.

Some contend the industry has only created a fraction of that number in direct jobs. But Corbett said the amount of economic development in business, construction, transportation, engineering, and law firms is thanks in large part to the shale.

"Visit Pennsylvania and see the crowded restaurants, the full hotels, the hotels being built, the stores…Ask the people in those stores if they would be doing that kind of business without drilling," he said.

(Justine Coyne, "Corbett talks up jobs added by Marcellus Shale," Pittsburgh Business Times, 11/14/13)