By Tim Stuhldreher

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Pennsylvania stands to reap huge benefits if it aggressively promotes the use of natural gas as vehicle fuel, argues a report released today by the Marcellus Shale Coalition.


Doing so would reduce pollution and fuel costs, increase energy security and create jobs, the report said.

One major recommendation is establishment of a "clean transportation corridor" for natural gas vehicles, or NGVs, such as tractor-trailers, coalition executive director Kathryn Klaber said.

The report calls for building refueling stations along roads connecting Pittsburgh, Harrisburg, Philadelphia and Scranton. Three of the 17 stations would be built around Harrisburg near major interstate interchanges.

The report also calls for converting municipal and state vehicle fleets to natural gas and providing incentives for private and commercial NGV use.

Pennsylvania sits at the heart of the Marcellus Shale formation, one of the world's largest natural gas reserves. The shale has sparked numerous public policy debates over taxes, economic development and environmental protection.

State House Republicans plan Wednesday to introduce their "Marcellus Works" initiative, a package of incentives to promote natural gas use, including NGV use. Klaber said that plan and the report were similar but not related, calling the timing "fortuitous."

Santa Monica, Calif.-based environmental consulting firm Gladstein, Neandross and Associates prepared the report on the coalition's behalf.


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