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Ridge Says U.S. Natural Gas Production Worth the Risk

Susan Phillips / StateImpactPA

StateImpactPA's Scott Detrow interviews former Pennsylvania Governor Tom Ridge.


Former Pennsylvania Governor Tom Ridge says he’s more willing to take the risks associated with natural gas drilling rather than send more Americans overseas to fight wars over oil. Ridge spoke to reporters after delivering the keynote speech at the industry sponsored natural gas conference in downtown Philadelphia today. The former head of the country’s Department of Homeland Security focused his early morning talk on how natural gas has the potential to free the country from its dependence on foreign oil. He says any security risks associated with an increase in pipeline production can be managed. Ridge said environmentalists concerned with gas drilling are exaggerating the environmental impacts. He told reporters that some are so attached to renewable sources that they reject any other form of energy.

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