I am discussing the need for a tax policy on the harvesting of Marcellus Shale in Pennsylvania in my persuasive essay. One aspect of the need for compensation from the oil companies for drilling in Pennsylvania hits especially close to home for me. In fact it hits so close to home that it was the cover story 2 weeks ago for my home-town paper, the Scranton Times. The article was pathos driven, and it described an adverse side effect of oil drilling that is easily overlooked by companies and states concerned with the bottom line.
The article was a story of a retired couple from New York, Maurice and Anna Aubree, who bought a house in the Poconos to retire and enjoy the peace and quiet of nature. I live in the Poconos, and it is a popular tourist location for couples looking for the serenity of nature...well at least it was until the oil drilling began. The Aubree's are now looking to sell their house and leave the Poconos because the 24 hour drilling is disrupting their sleeping and waking life.
The drill sites are not only a noise nuisance, but also an obstruction to the surrounding countryside. In the article as the Aubree's walked their property, a 150 ft. oil well could be seen through the blue spruce trees just 200 ft. away from their property. The drillers have extracted more than oil, they have extracted the appeal of living in the woods in Northeastern Pennsylvania.
I believe that if done properly, Marcellus Shale can be a great resource and source of economic development for our state's economy. However, without compensation for the negative externalities that oil drilling produces on the tourist industry, infrastructure, and local governments the oil companies are stripping Pennsylvania bare at no cost to the companies. The cost instead is transferred to citizens and taxpayers are paying to lose the pristine beauty of Pennsylvania. Taxes on oil drilling would place these costs back on the oil companies and provide some compensation for the extraction of a valuable resource.
It is sad to see a retired couple who enjoyed living in Northeastern Pennsylvania for 17 years leave because of oil drilling. It would soften the home-hitting blow to know that that state government was being directly compensated for the negative side-effects of a valuable mineral market.
Katie,
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry to hear about your neighbors, that really is sad. It is a difficult issue because on one hand we need the oil but on the other hand we don't want to destroy our planet because of it. Great post though, I can't wait to hear your speech!
Sophia