Local Government Survey Results from Clinton and Lycoming Counties
A review of an economic impact study conducted by the Marcellus Shale Education and Training Center (MSETC)
This is the last of a four-part series highlighting the results of an economic impact study conducted by the Marcellus Shale Education and Training Center, a partnership of Penn College of Technology and Penn State Extension.
The economic impact survey was sent to nearly 500 Pennsylvania townships, boroughs and cities in a 12-county region, which included Clinton and Lycoming Counties. The survey was conducted in the fall of 2010 and was designed to provide insights into what occurred across the Marcellus Shale region.
Responses were received from 10 of 29 Clinton County municipalities, and 37 of 52 Lycoming County municipalities (response rate of 58 percent). Of the respondents, 23 reported that Marcellus Shale-related natural gas drilling or development currently is occurring in their municipality. The analysis below represents responses from these 23 (2 are in Clinton County, and 21 are in Lycoming County).
Please indicate whether or not the development or drilling of Marcellus Shale has increased or decreased each of the following areas. If there has not been an impact on a certain area, please check “No Change” for that area.
Population
Cumulative    Cumulative
Q8A    Frequency    Percent      Frequency      Percent
————————————————————–
Increased         10            43.48           10           43.48
No Change        13            56.52           23         100.00
Road maintenance
Cumulative     Cumulative
Q8B     Frequency    Percent       Frequency       Percent
————————————————————–
Increased         15            65.22           15           65.22
No Change          8            34.78           23         100.00
Road construction
Cumulative     Cumulative
Q8C     Frequency    Percent       Frequency       Percent
————————————————————–
Increased            6           27.27             6          27.27
No Change         16           72.73           22         100.00
Frequency Missing = 1
Tourism
Cumulative    Cumulative
Q8D     Frequency    Percent       Frequency       Percent
————————————————————–
Increased          1             4.55             1          4.55
Decreased          1              4.55             2          9.09
No Change        20             90.91           22        100.00
Frequency Missing = 1
School enrollment
Cumulative    Cumulative
Q8E      Frequency    Percent       Frequency      Percent
————————————————————–
Increased           9             39.13            9         39.13
No Change        14             60.87           23        100.00
Property values
Cumulative    Cumulative
Q8F      Frequency    Percent       Frequency      Percent
————————————————————–
Increased         11             47.83           11          47.83
Decreased          2               8.70           13         56.52
No Change        10             43.48           23        100.00
Crime
Cumulative    Cumulative
Q8G      Frequency    Percent       Frequency      Percent
————————————————————–
Increased          4              17.39            4         17.39
No Change        19             82.61           23        100.00
Use of emergency services
Cumulative    Cumulative
Q8H      Frequency    Percent       Frequency      Percent
————————————————————–
Increased          7              30.43            7          30.43
No Change        16             69.57           23        100.00
Unemployment
Cumulative   Cumulative
Q8I       Frequency    Percent       Frequency      Percent
————————————————————–
Decreased          6             26.09            6          26.09
No Change        17             73.91           23        100.00
Employment
Cumulative   Cumulative
Q8J       Frequency    Percent       Frequency      Percent
————————————————————–
Increased         11             47.83           11         47.83
No Change        12             52.17           23        100.00
Residential construction
Cumulative    Cumulative
Q8K       Frequency    Percent       Frequency      Percent
————————————————————–
Increased          2            9.09             2         9.09
No Change        20             90.91           22        100.00
Frequency Missing = 1
Hotel construction
Cumulative    Cumulative
Q8L       Frequency     Percent      Frequency      Percent
————————————————————–
Increased          5          21.74            5          21.74
No Change        18             78.26           23        100.00
Other commercial construction
Cumulative    Cumulative
Q8M       Frequency     Percent      Frequency      Percent
————————————————————–
Increased          7              30.43            7          30.43
No Change        16             69.57           23        100.00
Workforce migration into municipality
Cumulative    Cumulative
Q8N        Frequency     Percent      Frequency      Percent
————————————————————–
Increased         12             52.17           12          52.17
No Change        11             47.83           23        100.00
Community conflict
Cumulative   Cumulative
Q8O        Frequency     Percent      Frequency      Percent
————————————————————–
Increased           5             21.74            5          21.74
No Change         18            78.26           23        100.00
Water use/disposal
Cumulative    Cumulative
Q8P         Frequency     Percent      Frequency      Percent
————————————————————–
Increased          12            52.17           12         52.17
No Change         11            47.83           23        100.00
Manufacturing
Cumulative    Cumulative
Q8Q         Frequency     Percent      Frequency      Percent
————————————————————–
Increased           3             13.04            3          13.04
No Change         20            86.96           23        100.00
Water quality
Cumulative    Cumulative
Q8R          Frequency     Percent     Frequency     Percent
————————– ————————————
Decreased           4            17.39            4          17.39
No Change         19            82.61           23        100.00
Air quality
Cumulative    Cumulative
Q8S          Frequency     Percent     Frequency     Percent
————————————————————–
Decreased           3            13.04            3          13.04
No Change         20            86.96           23        100.00
Stormwater runoff
Cumulative   Cumulative
Q8T          Frequency      Percent     Frequency    Percent
————————————————————–
Increased            6            26.09            6          26.09
No Change         17            73.91           23        100.00
Other environmental issues
Cumulative   Cumulative
Q8U             Frequency    Percent    Frequency    Percent
————————————————————-
Increased            3            17.65            3          17.65
No Change         14            82.35           17        100.00
Frequency Missing = 6
Reprinted from the Clinton County Natural Gas Task Force www.clintoncountypa.com.
The survey was written by Timothy W. Kelsey, professor of agricultural economics and Melissa M. Ward, graduate student of rural sociology and human dimensions of natural resources and the environment, Penn State, with Tracy Brundage (Penn College), Jim Ladlee (Penn State), Jeff Lorson (Penn College), Larry Michael (Penn College), and Tom Murphy (Penn State).
