Marcellus Shale natural gas is helping to create family-sustaining jobs in Blair County and across Pennsylvania, Lt. Governor Jim Cawley said during a tour of New Pig Corporation in Tipton this week.

"Whether it is at one of the drill sites in the southern end of the county or right here at New Pig, Marcellus Shale is creating good, family-sustaining jobs. Governor Tom Corbett and I want to see more of this happen across the state," said Cawley.

Cawley cited recent Department of Labor and Industry statistics showing that 29,000 people are working in the drilling industry in the state with average annual earnings of $81,000. There are about 238,000 people working in related industries.

He also noted that natural gas drilling has produced $1.6 billion in state tax revenues since 2006 and helped to reduce energy costs across Pennsylvania.

"Putting Pennsylvanians back to work is a top priority for Governor Corbett and me.  We see the economic potential of Marcellus Shale, but we must develop this resource in a responsible way," said Cawley.

Since 1985, New Pig has manufactured products for leak and spill management.  Employing nearly 360 people in Tipton, it makes 4,000 different products which are used in 70 countries to protect the environment and keep employees safe.

In 2011, New Pig developed a well pad containment liner for natural gas drilling sites. This innovation has already led to the creation of a dozen new jobs and increased business for trucking, warehouse and suppliers that work with New Pig.

"More trucking, more warehousing, more supply materials all mean more jobs for Blair County," Cawley added. "We want to create more good-news stories like the one here in Tipton all over Pennsylvania."

7/30/2012