Shale development is providing an array of economic benefits across the United States, creating jobs and reducing our reliance on energy imports, all while providing affordable, clean-burning natural gas for American consumers. But one of the most remarkable achievements of the shale revolution is its dramatic impact on America’s manufacturing sector.
As President Obama stated in his 2014 State of the Union address, “businesses plan to invest almost $100 billion in new factories that use natural gas.” The reason? Low-cost supplies of natural gas and natural gas liquids (NGLs) — made possible through the use of horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing — are reducing feedstock costs for American manufactures by as much as $11.6 billion per year. According to PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), the development of America’s vast shale gas resources “could add more than 1 million workers to the U.S. manufacturing industry” by 2025.
From new plastics facilities along the Gulf Coast to new steel facilities in the Rust Belt, shale development is revitalizing America’s manufacturing base – providing thousands of jobs, lower energy bills, and cleaner power along the way. Check out EID’s newest video — U.S. Shale Brings Manufacturing Back to America — and learn more about what industry leaders are saying about this amazing opportunity for our economy and workforce alike.