The New Martinsville City Council ordinance that prohibits natural gas drilling and exploration within city limits is detrimental to the local economy. If this ordinance stays in place, companies will take their business to other parts of the state.

Local economies benefit from natural gas production not only through taxes paid and jobs, but also through the investments the company makes in the area. During the last year, the natural gas industry spent over $770 million in new capital investments. Millions were also put back into local county economies through buying supplies, eating at restaurants, staying in hotels, purchasing gasoline, and shopping in our local communities. Also, if New Martinsville hopes to have an ethane cracker plant built in the area, it must lift the ban.

Without question, the grinding arrest of an industry of this size will not only weaken business development opportunity in the New Martinsville area, it is sure to irreparably harm investment opportunity for years to come. With this much opportunity for the area, it is vital that we support the development of the industry in our part of the state.

Mike McCown, Vice President, Northeast; and Trish Livergood, Field Safety Manager, both of Gastar Exploration Ltd.

Clarksburg, W.Va.