Drilling Supporters Rally at Courthouse
Energy independence touted as benefit
Morgantown Dominion Post
22 June 2011
By Alex Lang
To show their support for the gas drilling industry and its employees,
about 100 people gathered on Courthouse Square on Tuesday.
“Economic growth through energy independence” and “Local energy=local
jobs” were two of the signs on display in the crowd.
“We’re responsible, we do things right,” Independent Oil and Gas
Association of West Virginia President Michael McCown told the crowd.
“Our industry is responsible for 35,000 jobs.”
That number represents both the direct and indirect jobs tied to the
drilling industry. He also said the workers are going to fight for
their jobs and their honor.
McCown was one of four speakers at a rally at the courthouse. Those
involved in the gas drilling industry, most notably Marcellus shale,
attended the rally before heading to the Morgantown City Council
meeting. The council voted to ban Marcellus shale drilling in the city
and within a 1-mile radius of city limits.
One of those employees in attendance was Zach Toothman. He recently
graduated from WVU with a degree in petroleum engineering. He said he
is a field engineer for Chesapeake Energy and spends most of his time
around Marcellus shale drilling.
He said he was happy the rally was organized.
“We need to do more like this,” Toothman said.
Delegate Doug Skaff, D-Kanawha, told those at the rally that students
like Toothman will have a chance to stay in West Virginia and raise a
family thanks to the drilling industry. He said the state is at a
crossroads and production of natural gas can be a game-changer for the
state.
The drilling industry must work with the various government
environmental protection agencies, Skaff said. He added “we’re not
going to this half-heartedly.”
Chesapeake Energy Vice President of Corporate Development and State
Government Regulations Scott Rotruck said safety is the number one
priority. Not only in terms of worker safety, but environmental safety
as well.
“That is extremely important to us,” Rotruck said.
Matt Sutton, who helped organize the rally, said it wasn’t in reaction
to the several recent Marcellus shale protests. He added it was an idea
that was talked about in the past.
“They want to get out and show support for workers in the area,” Sutton
said.