Williamsport, Pa., used to be most known for housing the Little League World Series. Now it's known for Marcellus shale drilling. Back in October, we sent a crew there to find out how the drilling industry has affected all aspects of life since it first hit nearly five years ago. Our hopes were to show the Valley what it might expect as gas companies begin leasing and drilling our own Utica shale formation.
You can find out about what we learned and read the personal stories of Williamsport residents in the series of articles under the Living with the Gas Rush Tab. There's also an extensive list of other stories, video and images featuring anything from leasing and the environment to the economy and transportation on this Shale News webpage.
Marcellus and Utica bring extreme highs and extreme lows for residents in Williamsport, but there are a few things they said those in the Valley need to know.
"What the people of Ohio need to understand, don't lease just for the money," said Drake Saxton, a Lycoming County homeowner whose water is contaminated with methane. "You need to wait. You need to you need to understand all of these issues."
Those issues include how the drilling could affect your wallet and your land. Environmentalist Barb Jarmoska said stick to your guns.
"Look at what you most need in your life," said Jarmoska. "I admit, I can feed myself and I can pay my mortgage. If I was hungry and was about to be homeless, would my values differ? Yeah. They would."
Pristine Williamsport saw major environmental change, but what it didn't have pre-Marcellus was culture steeped heavily in its industrial past. That's something that could benefit Youngstown as companies move in to capitalize on shale.
"Youngstown has has a history of industrial activity," said Dave Thompson, reporter for the Williamsport Sun-Gazette. "It may not be nearly as noticeable in a lot of ways."
Thousands of jobs are mostly likely going to become available here. They aren't easy jobs, but if you're willing to work, you can make a good living.
"Again, it's not for everybody," said Scott Chesebro, an engineer manager with Anadarko Petroleum Corporation. "But the people that do become part of the industry really enjoy it.Very satisfying jobs. Very good paying jobs."
And if you own or work in a business related to shale, get ready for the busiest time of your life.
"If you have a business that requires their service, whatever you think it will be, it will probably be 10 times what you can imagine," said Randy Pfirman, founder of a hose line business in Williamsport.
"Nobody really knows what's going to happen with Marcellus shale," said Matt Murawski, Lycoming County transportation planner. One thing we do know: there's a lot of it under our feet."
So get ready Youngstown, the gas rush is here.
