As the debate about the safety of fracking continues, so does the industrial buildup for Marcellus Shale extraction in PA. Gov Tom Corbett spoke at the Shale Gas Insight yesterday in Philadelphia. He warned the industry to take the long economic view, which will maximize the benefits for all involved. He recalled the oil boomtowns in the 1800s that went bust and disappeared.

Most fascinating to me was Community and Economic Development Secretary C. Alan Walker’s statement that the shale gas industry in PA could employ 500,000 workers by 2020. That would be a tenth of the PA workforce. The refineries and processing plants planned near Philadelphia and Pittsburgh would be major construction projects and long term employers.

If you’re of a mind to learn more about this huge shift in PA, the Wikipedia Marcellus Formation article has a great shale gas explanation. I particularly like this graph.

If you live in this region, or if you are looking for work and could get to this region, you should take some time to understand the Marcellus Shale phenomena. Don’t be that guy that misses the fascinating history being made (and opportunities to prosper) because he’s too busy watching TV.