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Urgent Call to Action

Your response to the Severance Tax is crucial. Due to its scope, Marcellus shale gas development in Pennsylvania is going to have a greater impact on our health and our land and than any previous extraction – lumber, oil or coal. We must begin mitigating the impact on the environment, roads, bridges and social costs now, or our children and grandchildren will be footing the bill for the rest of this century.

Plans for an Impact Fee (severance tax) are being discussed today in the PA legislature. The politicians have not yet decided how to distribute the money.

Because of pressure from the industry, some bills offer concessions, a form of trade-off to the gas companies. Examples include: stripping regulatory authority from local municipalities, requiring forced pooling, exempting low-producing wells, and giving tax breaks up front during the most lucrative phase of gas well productivity.

How can we claim to have a democracy if local rule is denied and unleased landowners are forced to allow mineral extraction from their property? In terms of new well exemptions, the gas industry already gets up-front cost recovery through a Federal tax break.

You are the only hope for the right tax benefiting the right things to be passed. If we sit back & wait for the politicians to decide, that could result in a low severance fee, a loss of our rights as citizens, and very little money dedicated to conservation and helping the communities most affected by gas extraction.

All of us must stand as one and make ourselves heard, or suffer the consequences.

Please contact your State Senator and Representative this week.

An in-person visit has the greatest impact. Letters, phone calls, and emails are needed by the thousands. Tell your legislator that we must have a Severance Tax bill that includes:

A solo tax that does not include poison pills such as Forced Pooling or limitations on the rights of municipalities.

A tax rate of at least 5%.

A percentage of tax proceeds dedicated to conservation and the environment.

Over time, an increasing percentage of tax proceeds to local affected municipalities.

What we do in the next two weeks will affect Pennsylvania for the rest of the century. Let’s get this one right. - from Dick Martin, PA Forest Coalition

Save the Date

Renowned Scientists Discuss Environmental Impacts of Shale Gas Development

When: Friday, Oct 8, 2010

Where: Room D001, Academic Center, Lycoming College, Williamsport, PA

Description: An exceptional educational opportunity co-sponsored by RDA and the Clean Water Institute. Speakers:

Professor Anthony Ingraffea, P. E. and Ph.D. in Rock Fracture Mechanics. Head of Cornell Univesity’s Rock Fracture Group and Dwight C. Baum Professor of Engineering at of Cornell. Dr. Ingraffea's research concentrates on computer simulation and physical testing of complex fracturing processes.

Professor Michael C. Boufadel, P.E., Ph.D. and Hydrologist. Chair of the Department of Environmental and Civil Engineering at Temple University. Head of the University’s Center for Natural Resources Development and Protection (NRDP). Dr. Boufadel focuses on large-scale studies of water and air quality accompanied with advanced modeling to provide the best available technology.

Bring along a pro gas development friend for a lively post presentation discussion. Free Admission.

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