[vc_row animation=””][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_column_text]Today’s post contributed by Bill desRosiers – Coordinator, External Affairs[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row animation=””][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_column_text]By all accounts Shale Gas Insight 2012 exceeded every expectation at fostering a fact-based debate about responsible Marcellus Shale development in Pennsylvania. With networking and education opportunities galore, there was literally something for everyone. The convention was keynoted by a number of well-respected speakers especially Jack Williams, president of XTO Energy, Frank M. Semple, president MarkWest Energy Partners, and Jack Welch, former CEO General Electric. Here is a rundown of each.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row animation=””][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_column_text]Jack Williams of XTO Energy addressed thousands at the convention by boldly stating, “The world is entering a golden age of energy because of natural gas.” He then supported this with a number of substantial accomplishments that could never have been possible without the “unique set of conditions that existed in USA that allowed natural gas to prosper,” including:

• For the first time ever, more electricity is being generated with natural gas than coal.
• The carbon footprint for the entire country has reduced to 1990 levels.
• While idle refineries are finding new life processing wet natural gas into dry gas by stripping propane, butane and ethane.

Mr. Williams finished his address by profoundly stating, “What will be the next chapter in American shale success? It’s not technology; its government manufacturing and, most of all, society embracing the benefit of natural gas!”[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row animation=””][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_column_text]Jack William’s presentation was followed by Frank Semple’s, CEO MarkWest, and inspirational speech about separating facts from fiction concerning Marcellus Shale development. In his words, “the facts are undeniable… Marcellus and Utica Shale development — along with many other unconventional resources plays in the United States — are creating hundreds of thousands of good-paying jobs and generating tens of billions of dollars in new government revenue. It’s also producing an energy resource that is clean and affordable, and making our nation more energy secure in the process.” To put everything into perspective Mr. Semple anecdotally compared  the cost of building one Comcast Center in Philadelphia, a cost of $540 million dollars, to 1/70 the investment from Marcellus Shale development economic impact of Marcellus Shale development.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row animation=””][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_single_image css_animation=”” image=”1712″ border_color=”” img_link_large=”” link=”http://cabotsusq.files.wordpress.com/2012/09/img_0706.jpg” img_link_target=”_self” img_size=”full”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row animation=””][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_column_text]To finish off Shale Gas Insight 2012 on an absolute high note, Jack Welch, formerly of GE, fielded questions from audience on business, innovation and the Marcellus Shale revolution. Here are some of his more memorable quotes:

• “Natural Gas is a chance to truly transform America into a global leader in energy!”
• “Forget those who don’t want to understand…Identify your friends and work with them.”
• “Don’t get caught not being transparent. Stand up tall and define your principles.”

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