The natural gas resources available in the Marcellus and Utica Shale regions have the potential to “drive economic development and job creation across the state,” according to a report released last week by Gov. Tom Wolf and the Team Pennsylvania Foundation.

According to “Prospects to Enhance Pennsylvania’s Opportunities in Petrochemical Manufacturing,” an independent report by IHS Markit, the Marcellus Shale resource alone represents the second largest natural gas field in the world and underlays two-thirds of Pennsylvania.

“In 2015, natural gas from the Marcellus and Utica Shale reserves accounted for a quarter of all natural gas produced in the United States, and is expected to account for more than 40 percent of the nation’s natural gas production by 2030,” the report stated.

“Pennsylvania has a once-in-a-generation opportunity to develop and implement a strategy that will cultivate a manufacturing renaissance and transform our economy across the Commonwealth,” Gov. Wolf said.

“We look forward to participating in the strategic planning process as part of a cross-agency and multi-stakeholder effort to ensure that our natural resources are utilized to create jobs right here in Pennsylvania,” said Ryan C. Unger, President and CEO of the Team Pennsylvania Foundation.

His nonprofit was established in 1997 to connect private and public sector leaders to achieve and sustain progress for Pennsylvania.

Newtown Square-based Sunoco Logistics currently transports natural gas liquids from the aforementioned regions, through its Mariner East pipeline, to the Marcus Hook Industrial Complex. Mariner East 2 is now under construction.

Click here to read the statement from the Team Pennsylvania Foundation.

Click here to read a summary of IHS Markit’s report.

[uam_ad id=”58459″]