Last week, the Women’s Energy Leadership Coalition, a new group formed to speak about the value of shale gas development to upstate New York quality of life, went to Albany to show strong support for natural gas exploration. Both men and women took the trip up to tell their representatives the people of upstate are ready for natural gas. It was an inspiring and productive day, jam packed with activities, and the opportunity to be heard by the individuals paid to represent these constituents.

The Women’s Energy Leadership Coalition or WELC is a group formed to give a voice to the women of upstate New York. These mothers and grandmothers have spent the last four years educating themselves on natural gas development and after careful research and observation are ready to stand up for what they believe in and help to educate others on the benefits natural gas development will bring. Many of them have already been doing this and are now banding together with others.

The group is comprised of toxicologists, doctors, former and current elected officials, farmers, house wives, retirees, natural gas industry reps and even some high school and college students just to name a few of their backgrounds. Nicole and I went to their inaugural meeting a couple months ago and listened as each of these women told their story and why natural gas development is important to them. It was an awe-inspiring and eye opening meeting, as each brings something unique to the group.

http://eidmarcellus.org/marcellus-shale/silent-no-more-womens-energ...