Pennsylvania State University, August 2009. This recent study, sponsored by the Marcellus Shale Committee, and conducted by researchers at the Pennsylvania State University, is intended to educate the public about the current size, economic impacts, and future prospects of the Marcellus Shale gas industry in Pennsylvania.

Key findings of the report:

In 2008, the Marcellus gas industry generated $2.3 billion in total value added, more than 29,000 jobs, and $240 million in state and local tax revenue. Economic output is estimated to top $3.8 billion in 2009, state and local tax revenues will be more than $400 million, and total job creation will exceed 48,000.

Activity in the Marcellus will continue to expand, with natural gas production anticipated to rise to almost 4 billion cubic feet (BCF) per day by 2020, generating $13.5 billion in value added and almost 175,000 jobs.

Drilling would decline by more than 30 percent, with an estimated $880 million net loss in the present value of tax revenue between now and 2020, should the recently proposed severance tax on natural gas production be passed.

Download the full report below.