A new study was released today that is another body blow for Marcellus Shale, an industry that increasingly is finding itself in the public eye for all the wrong reasons. The report, issued by Cornell University, found that that methane produced from shale gas has as large or even larger “greenhouse gas footprint” than coal.

According to the study, led by Robert W. Howarth, a Cornell professor of ecology and environmental biology, “methane leaking or venting from Marcellus Shale wells, and also during the processing and transportation of natural gas, will contribute ‘substantially to the greenhouse gas footprint of shale gas’ in the next 20 years.”

Whatever side of the fence you sit on with the Marcellus Shale issue, this report will likely only support those concerned with the environmental impacts of natural gas drilling.

The natural gas industry needs to take notice now. Sitting idly by or counting on the efforts of the Marcellus Shale Coalition will not be enough to combat the negative feelings about potential environmental impacts that are growing in Pennsylvania and other gas rich states by the day. Nor will the support of Gov. Corbett or any other local or state politician.

Grass roots efforts, more disclosure into drilling practices and other operations, and a genuine effort to quell the public’s fears about any damages to the environment – whether they be fact or fiction – are the only way to correct the backlash I predict the MS industry may soon be facing. While these efforts should have started in earnest years ago, it’s not too late to communicate to the public in an effective and meaningful way.