McKinley Helps Form Gas Drilling Caucus in Congress

Charleston Gazette
1 March 2011
By The Associated Press

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. -- U.S. Rep. David McKinley has co-founded a bipartisan Marcellus Shale Caucus to tackle concerns about the rapidly growing gas drilling industry.

The Republican from West Virginia's 1st District said Friday he is joined by Republican Rep. Tom Reed of New York and Democratic Rep. Mark Critz of Pennsylvania.

McKinley, a professional engineer, says he's concerned about overregulation. He says the caucus formed earlier this month to begin discussions about finding a balance on economic development, energy independence and protections for landowners and the environment.

Natural gas companies are rushing to tap the vast shale gas deposits underlying parts of Appalachia while legislators wrestle with regulating and monitoring the technologies involved.