Comments on: WVU releases study of “The Economic Impacts of the Natural Gas Industry & Marcellus Shale Developments in West Virginia” https://www.frackcheckwv.net/2011/01/26/wvu-releases-study-of-%e2%80%9cthe-economic-impacts-of-the-natural-gas-industry-marcellus-shale-developments-in-west-virginia%e2%80%9d/ Just another WordPress site Wed, 14 Feb 2024 02:06:39 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 By: Nicole https://www.frackcheckwv.net/2011/01/26/wvu-releases-study-of-%e2%80%9cthe-economic-impacts-of-the-natural-gas-industry-marcellus-shale-developments-in-west-virginia%e2%80%9d/#comment-85 Nicole Thu, 27 Jan 2011 15:57:29 +0000 http://www.frackcheckwv.net/?p=703#comment-85 I found it very irresponsible of the Charleston Gazette reporter to directly quote industry, but not environmental groups, especially considering the quote at the end of the article by Corky DeMarco, director of WVONGA (Oil and Natural Gas Association), "There is no evidence of contamination of water wells from fracking." Legally speaking, this is a true statement-- the EPA has not concluded their studies to prove whether or not fracking can causes groundwater contamination. But the general population reading the Charleston newspaper probably hasn't thoroughly researched Marcellus gas drilling all that much, and may look to the newspaper to learn about it. They may not know about the townspeople of Dimmock, Pa whose wells were contaminated with methane after drilling operations commenced nearby (they now have fresh water provided by the drilling company). Or about citizens of Wyoming with similar experiences, including frack chemicals ending up in their wells. I found it very irresponsible of the Charleston Gazette reporter to directly quote industry, but not environmental groups, especially considering the quote at the end of the article by Corky DeMarco, director of WVONGA (Oil and Natural Gas Association), “There is no evidence of contamination of water wells from fracking.”

Legally speaking, this is a true statement– the EPA has not concluded their studies to prove whether or not fracking can causes groundwater contamination. But the general population reading the Charleston newspaper probably hasn’t thoroughly researched Marcellus gas drilling all that much, and may look to the newspaper to learn about it. They may not know about the townspeople of Dimmock, Pa whose wells were contaminated with methane after drilling operations commenced nearby (they now have fresh water provided by the drilling company). Or about citizens of Wyoming with similar experiences, including frack chemicals ending up in their wells.

]]> By: Natan https://www.frackcheckwv.net/2011/01/26/wvu-releases-study-of-%e2%80%9cthe-economic-impacts-of-the-natural-gas-industry-marcellus-shale-developments-in-west-virginia%e2%80%9d/#comment-84 Natan Thu, 27 Jan 2011 15:24:42 +0000 http://www.frackcheckwv.net/?p=703#comment-84 I was curious about this study, especially because I'd heard the claim that much of natural gas drilling's economic stimulus is temporary and doesn't provide long-term local jobs. I wanted to see if the study accounted for this. After a cursory reading, I was disappointed. Even the "Future Economic impacts..." section did not address this issue. Perhaps I shouldn't have been surprised though. The first few sentences of interest I found on the title page were: "Funding for this research was provided by the West Virginia Oil and Natural Gas Association (WVONGA). The opinions herein are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of the WVONGA, the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission, or the West Virginia University Board of Governors." That's not to say that the document doesn't provide valuable data and insight. There are some very interesting sections about the tax, environmental, and legal policy issues "facing the natural gas industry and marcellus shale development". Overall, the study seems concerned with providing useful and incomplete research to natural gas developers. It does not robustly address the economic impacts of the natural gas industry and marcellus shale development in West Virginia. As such, its title is presumptuous and its claims deeply indicative of how problematic mainstream conceptions of "economy" are. I was curious about this study, especially because I’d heard the claim that much of natural gas drilling’s economic stimulus is temporary and doesn’t provide long-term local jobs. I wanted to see if the study accounted for this. After a cursory reading, I was disappointed. Even the “Future Economic impacts…” section did not address this issue. Perhaps I shouldn’t have been surprised though. The first few sentences of interest I found on the title page were: “Funding for this research was provided by the West Virginia Oil and Natural Gas Association (WVONGA). The opinions herein are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of the WVONGA, the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission, or the West Virginia University Board of Governors.”

That’s not to say that the document doesn’t provide valuable data and insight. There are some very interesting sections about the tax, environmental, and legal policy issues “facing the natural gas industry and marcellus shale development”.

Overall, the study seems concerned with providing useful and incomplete research to natural gas developers. It does not robustly address the economic impacts of the natural gas industry and marcellus shale development in West Virginia. As such, its title is presumptuous and its claims deeply indicative of how problematic mainstream conceptions of “economy” are.

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