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Mike Lloyd. “Natural Gas Drilling: Questions Residents and Local Leaders Should Be Asking.” 2012.

Important Quotes:
 * Ohio tax law does provide for a severance tax for natural gas in the amount of 2.5 cents per 1,000 cubic feet of gas removed from the soils and waters of the state. Of the moneys received by the treasurer of state from this severance tax, 90% is credited to the oil and gas well fund; the remaining 10% is credited to the geological mapping fund. Local governments do not share in the severance tax; therefore, any direct increases in tax revenue are unlikely to be realized by the local jurisdictions (municipalities, counties, townships, and schools) where the largest impact on local services is likely to be felt. In addition, local businesses whose employees have similar skills to those used in natural gas production and extraction (such as diesel repair and welding) are likely to face worker turnover, difficulty with finding employees, and increased payroll costs. Inflation, increased cost of living, and lack of services are problems confronting communities with natural gas development in other parts of the country.

Things to Consider when considering drilling:


 * Migrant workers tend to be male (age 20-40)
 * Number of local hires depends on expertise of existing community
 * Long term increase in population from economic growth and permanent settlement of some workers – affects provision of services, labor force availability, local infrastructure
 * Strain on housing developments, temporary living environments. Land use issues – rapid increase in both temporary and permanent housing structures
 * Use of shared infrastructure (i.e. sewers, roads, telecommunications)
 * Increased demand for emergency services
 * Increase in crime
 * Stress on school systems – influx of new students
 * Community dynamics – can industry workers integrate into existing communities?