[vc_row animation=””][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_column_text]The following is a guest post from John (Jack) Carr discussing his experience with the Marcellus Shale industry and the benefits he has seen firsthand for his family. Mr. Carr is a Financial Advisor for Northwestern Mutual in Moosic, Pa.
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[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row animation=””][vc_column width=”1/2″]My wife Sue and I and our four children, Danielle, Ryan, Natalie and Kyle, have in our home in Exeter, Pennsylvania for almost 17 years. It was constructed in 1994, and is 100% natural gas heating and cooking.  We also have a natural gas fireplace in our family den.
[/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image css_animation=”” image=”7414″ border_color=”” img_link_large=”” link=”https://wellsaidcabot.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/Jack-Carr.jpg” img_link_target=”_self” img_size=”full”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row animation=””][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_column_text]I have noticed a sustained reduction in our natural gas bills over the last few years, and it is certainly most welcome.  The efficiency and cost-effectiveness is hard to beat.  Any savings realized over the last few years has helped us fund our educational expenses, and home improvements we have made.
[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row animation=””][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_column_text]Obviously, my family has benefitted personally from the Marcellus Shale gas exploration and production.  It has delivered a high-paying, satisfying career to my son, and has benefitted the area businesses as well.  Ryan just purchased a brand new vehicle, purchased from a dealer in Wilkes-Barre, financed by a bank based in Dunmore, and insured by an agency based in Kingston.  He pays local income taxes, and spends his discretionary income locally.  Most of his friends are pursuing careers outside of NEPA due to a lack of employment opportunities here.
[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row animation=””][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_column_text]I also have friends and clients who has benefitted from the industry locally.  One in particular was employed by PennDot for many years, but always was laid off during the summer months.   This was frustrating to him since he has a young family, living in Swoyersville.  A couple of years ago, he became employed full-time by Chesapeake, in a good-paying permanent position with a company vehicle.  I have another friend who is a principal in a local engineering firm that has done extensive partnering work with the energy companies and the service companies in the Marcellus Shale region.
[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row animation=””][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_column_text]I have always been a proponent of the vital energy development industry in our area and nationally, due to the overwhelming evidence that it is in the best long-term interest of our economy, and national security.  Misinformation has cost all of us dearly by scaring people for no reasons other than to promote the proponents’ agendas.
[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row animation=””][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_column_text]Sincerely,
[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row animation=””][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_column_text]Jack Carr
Longtime NEPA resident[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]