The Best Economic Hope for NY? Marcellus Gas Drilling

MDN friend Tom Shepstone (from Energy in Depth) has a viewpoint article in today’s Binghamton Press & Sun-Bulletin. Titled “Best hope for N.Y. economy is gas drilling,” Tom makes a strong case for Marcellus drilling in New York. Among the eye-opening facts he brings to light, Tom points out:

» Every county in western New York lost population between 2000 and 2010.

» Our populations are aging. The median age in most counties is up 2.9 years, and 20 percent of the population will be age 65 or older by 2030. The implications of a community without a mix of ages are wide-ranging and all negative.

» School enrollments are declining. Broome County, for example, lost 4,745 students for the decade. This pattern is being repeated across all of our rural areas, and if you think maintaining schools is hard with growth, try to pay for the same infrastructure with a shrinking student base.

» We are becoming a service-based economy with fewer manufacturing jobs. Southern Tier manufacturing employment dropped by almost one-third between 2000 and 2010. Government is the largest employer in several counties, which is unsustainable without other economic activity to pay for it.*

Marcellus drilling can address all of those issues, with an economic jolt at a time when New York needs it most. Tom points to the economic renaissance happening just across the border in Bradford County, PA.

Read the rest of his enlightening article by clicking the link below.

Note: Energy in Depth is one of MDN’s advertising sponsors.

*Binghamton Press & Sun-Bulletin (Mar 7, 2012) – Best hope for N.Y. economy is gas drilling