The shale industry’s role as a crucial part of America’s energy sector was evident at the Shale Insight 2014 conference Sept. 24-25.

The Marcellus Shale Coalition put on the conference, held at the David L. Lawrence Conference Center in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Among the speakers were Sean Hannity, syndicated talk show host and Fox News host, Tom Ridge, 43rd governor of Pennsylvania and first secretary of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and Tom Corbett, governor of Pennsylvania.

Energy independence

Hannity discussed how the oil and gas industry could solve some of the hurdles — like poverty and health care —  to the American dream.

“Everyone in this room can solve all of our problems,” Hannity said.

Describing energy as the core of the United States’ economy, Hannity said that it is one of the factors that the government needs. The other factors include health care, secure borders and education.

Sean Hannity spoke at the Marcellus Shale Coalition’s Shale Insight conference Sept. 25.

Energy security

Referring to the recent security breaches and cyber attacks on various American companies, Ridge explained that energy security is a priority. He said that energy infrastructure must be safe from the threat of natural disasters, Internet attacks and human attacks.

Energy is also critical to America’s national security, allowing for a strong economy and a strong system of defense, according to Ridge.

“The energy sector could drive the economy of this country for the next 30 to 40 years,” Ridge said.

Energy means job

Governor Corbett said that the oil and gas industry has created jobs for Pennsylvanians.

He said that drilling violations have occurred in the past, so the state has taken action. Future violations will be handled, and if violations are recurring, drilling permits will be at stake.