WV’s GDP Soars Thanks to Marcellus/Utica Wells & Pipelines

Last year West Virginia's gross domestic product--the total value of all goods and services produced in the state--increased by 5.1%. Only two other states--Texas and North Dakota--had bigger increases in GDP. What was the reason for the growth? Was it tourism? Nope. The solar and wind industry? Nope. Timber harvesting? Nope. Surely because of coal--WV is a big coal state? Nope. Coal is in decline in the state. You may have guessed by now the reason for WV's hot GDP growth rate is the Marcellus/Utica industry. With the expansion of drilling, the buildout of "massive" processing plants and yes--the addition of major new pipelines--the state is on a tear economically. So what? Higher GDP equals more investment, more jobs, more prosperity for everyone in the Mountain State...

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