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Canonsburg, PA – Member companies of the Marcellus Shale Coalition (MSC) invested more than $411 million over the past three years to repave, rebuild and improve roadways and transportation infrastructure across the state of Pennsylvania, according to a survey of participating members. Since 2008, approximately 21% of the payments have been made toward local roads, while approximately 79% went toward improving roads maintained by the state.

Kathryn Z. Klaber, president and executive director of the MSC, issued the following statement on the industry’s commitment to improving the roads and infrastructure that support Marcellus activity:

“Preparing and restoring roads associated with Marcellus development is a responsibility that our coalition members take very seriously. We understand and recognize the concerns regarding the increase in truck traffic and its impact on our roads. And we also understand, as good neighbors, that we must do everything to ensure that we leave these roads in better condition than when our operations started. This $411 million industry investment in our roads since 2008 is just one example of the natural gas industry addressing local concerns in a direct and straightforward manner. It’s an investment that will continue to grow as responsible shale gas development continues across the Commonwealth.”

Natural gas operators are required by law to bond each mile of posted road traveled, submit road management plans (Excess Maintenance Agreements) to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, and acquire hauling permits prior to truck traffic traveling on a given road. Road management plans outline which roads an operator may travel while also stipulating a maintenance plan for each roadway.

NOTE: Today, the MSC is hosting the second annual Marcellus Transportation Safety Day. This seminar is designed to better educate carriers and truck drivers supporting the natural gas industry on Pennsylvania’s regulations to continuously improve their safe operating practices. Speakers include representatives from the Pennsylvania State Police, Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection and the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission. For additional information, visit www.marcelluscoalition.org.

Posted At: Marcellus Shale Coalition.org

Recently, tractor trailer/truck accident frequency has increased on the roadways in Northeastern and Central Pennsylvania.  Increased truck traffic in the gas drilling industry may be a factor in the increased number of tractor trailer/truck accidents.  The twelve lawyers at DLP represent many truck accident/tractor trailer accident victims throughout Northeastern and Central Pennsylvania including Potter, Tioga, Susquehanna, Sullivan, Lycoming, Wyoming, Wayne and other counties.

Recent reports estimated 48,000 new job positions related to gas rig drilling in Pennsylvania.  However, a new report claims only approximately 10,000 jobs have been created and the original numbers inflated to include “new hires”.  The twelve lawyers at DLP continue to monitor this issue as they represent individuals in gas drilling rig accidents, Pennsylvania tractor trailer/truck accidents and other serious injury claims throughout Northeastern and Central Pennsylvania including the Northern Tier.

A recent drive on Pennsylvania Route 6 in Bradford County revealed a tremendous increase in truck traffic on rural roads in Pennsylvania.  This increase in truck traffic has led to an increase in truck accidents in rural Pennsylvania.  Recently a Wyoming County driver was killed when she turned in front of a tractor trailer on a usually low traffic volume rural roadway.  The twelve lawyers at DLP handle Pennsylvania truck accident cases involving death or serious injury.

Reports this morning note that Northbound Interstate Route 81 is closed at Mile mark 191 in Lackawanna County due to a serious tractor trailer accident.  DLP is following this story closely.  The twelve lawyers at DLP handle serious Pennsylvania tractor trailer truck accident cases with many excellent results for its clients.

A recent survey indicates that most Pennsylvanians will risk environmental problems in favor of the economic benefits of gas drilling and gas production.  The survey revealed that 63% of Pennsylvanians favor gas drilling.  30% were not in favor primarily due to environmental problems.  The twelve lawyers at DLP continue to handle serious Pennsylvania truck accident cases, drilling rig accident cases and other serious personal injury actions in Bradford, Susquehanna, Wyoming, Sullivan, Tioga, Potter and other counties throughout Northeast and Central Pennsylvania.

With the increase in gas drilling rig gas production and gas drilling rig accidents and production affecting local communities throughout the Commonwealth reports in Harrisburg show increasing support for some type of “gas tax” in Pennsylvania.  Many politicians have voiced opposition to any tax on the gas industry.  DLP continues to monitor this issue while representing victims of Pennsylvania truck accidents. gas drilling rig accidents and other serious incidents.

In Harrisburg, Pennsylvania  anti gas rig drilling advocates rallied yesterday citing water polution as the number one concern in the fight against the gas industry.   Wyoming County Pennsylvania officials held an informational meeting at which a DEP representative answered question about the gas drilling industry, gas drill rig accidents, truck traffic, truck accidents and water quality.  Dallas township, Luzerne County Pennsylvania held a meeting on the proposed construction of a thirty mile gas transit pipeline in the community.  The twelve lawyers at DLP continue to monitor all issues involved in the gas drilling rig industry including representing clients injured in Pennsylvania/Northeastern and Central Pennsylvania truck accidents, drilling rig injury and death cases and othe gas drilling accident cases.

Recent favorable reports note almost 50,000 new jobs created in the gas drilling industry in Pennsylvania.  Also, with the increase in drilling rig construction, truck traffic numbers have increased and Pennsylvania truck accidents have also dramatically increased.  The twelve lawyers at DLP represent people seriously injured in Pennsylvania truck accident cases and Pennsylvania drilling rig accidents.  DLP has achieved numerous seven figure results for Pennsylvania truck accident victims.

Drilling rig operators have nearly eliminated the disposal of gas drilling rig waste water in streams and rivers in Pennsylvania.  Along with drilling rig accidents, truck accidents and ground water pollution, the discharge of drilling rig waste water into Pennsylvania waterways is a major concern of environmental groups.  The twelve lawyers at DLP continue to monitor this issue while representing drilling rig accident victims, Pennsylvania truck accident victims and other gas industry related injury clients.