NY Landowners, Farmers, Businesses and Industries Launch New Advertising Campaign Supporting Shale Gas Develop

ALBANY, NY (08/13/2012)(readMedia)-- A group of landowners, farming, business, industry and construction trade groups today launched an advertising campaign supporting safe and responsible shale gas development in New York. The campaign includes a series of newspaper advertisements and 60-second radio spots featuring like-minded local business leaders, farmers and service providers.

"There is a strong labor force in New York that wants to get to work," said Greg Lancette, head of Plumbers and Steamfitters Local 267 and one of the subjects in the ad campaign. "Allowing shale gas development in New York will open the door for new job opportunities and help our rural communities thrive again."

"We are proud to join with this broad group of New Yorkers who agree our state is ready to enjoy the benefits that responsible shale development can bring," said Brad Gill, executive director of the Independent Oil & Gas Association of New York (IOGA of NY). "We've watched as other states safely developed their natural resources and lowered their unemployment rates while delivering clean energy. Now it's New York's turn."

The campaign underscores the diverse base of local support throughout the state for shale gas development and highlights potential benefits to the economy, job market and public services.

"New Yorkers across the state believe in the potential of shale gas development to create jobs and generate millions of dollars of tax revenue for our schools and public services," said Lou Santoni, President & CEO of the Greater Binghamton Chamber of Commerce. "This campaign is about demonstrating that people throughout New York support safe and responsible shale gas development and the benefits it can provide to communities throughout the state."

Sponsoring organizations include the Associated General Contractors of New York, Business Council of New York State, Friends of Natural Gas NY, Greater Binghamton Chamber of Commerce, Independent Oil & Gas Association of New York, Joint Landowners Coalition of New York, Rebuild New York Now, Southern Tier Economic Growth, Unshackle Upstate and Farm Bureaus representing Broome, Chemung, Chenango, Schuyler, Sullivan, Steuben and Tioga Counties. Ads will run in Albany, Buffalo, central New York and Southern Tier markets.

For more information, or to view the ads, please visit www.marcellusfacts.com or http://

www.scribd.com/doc/102771259/We-re-Together-Shale-Gas-Ad.

IOGA of NY, representing more than 400 individuals and companies engaged in the oil and natural gas industry, promotes the common interests of its members who represent all industry sectors. IOGA of NY members are committed to operating safely, efficiently and with great care and stewardship on behalf of the state's natural resources. IOGA of NY and its members strive to educate the public about the positive impacts the oil and gas industry has had – and will continue to have – on New York's economy and quality of life.