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).