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House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
House of Representatives
Session of 2013 - 2014
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | June 18, 2013 10:54 AM |
|---|---|
| From: | Representative Stephen McCarter |
| To: | All House members |
| Subject: | Resolution Directing the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee to Conduct a Study of Jobs in the Natural Gas Industry in Pennsylvania |
In the near future, I will be introducing a resolution that would direct the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee to conduct a study of jobs in the natural gas industry in Pennsylvania to determine the number of core and ancillary jobs created, the salary ranges of these jobs, whether healthcare and workers’ compensation benefits are provided, the number of Pennsylvania residents employed in this industry, and ways to increase the percentage of Pennsylvania residents employed in this industry. The development of Pennsylvania’s oil and natural gas resources has had a profound impact on the Commonwealth, stimulating many local economies and creating family-sustaining jobs. Although the positive economic factors associated with the continued development of natural gas are clear, a discrepancy appears to exist between the data collected by the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry and the number of jobs cited by the natural gas industry relative to both core industry jobs and ancillary jobs. The Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry has stated that 245,000 direct and indirect jobs have been created as a result of oil and natural gas development. In relation, it has been estimated by the Marcellus Shale Coalition that the unconventional oil and gas sector on a direct, indirect, and induced basis will support nearly 1.8 million jobs in 2015, 3 million in 2020, and nearly 3.5 million in 2035. However, the industry practice of importing out-of-state workers to perform industry-related jobs has caused concern, leaving many Pennsylvanians wondering if the promise of job creation has been overstated. Unfortunately, there has yet to be a reliable and official study conducted to determine the number of jobs created and the number of Pennsylvania residents employed as a result of the development of the natural gas industry in the Commonwealth. In addition, there is no available information relative to whether these jobs provide health benefits or workers’ compensation benefits. |
Introduced as HR375