Tom Ridge To Aid Gas Drilling Group

Former Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Ridge will consult for an organization that consists of many of the businesses involved in drilling for natural gas in the massive Marcellus Shale formation.

The Marcellus Shale Coalition announced Friday that the two-term Republican governor and former U.S. Homeland Security secretary had agreed to serve as strategic adviser.

A coalition spokesman says Ridge's communications and policy groups will be paid $75,000 a month for help in such areas as public outreach, education and coalition building.

That adds up to $900,000 a year for Ridge.

"I am pleased to work with the members of the Marcellus Shale Coalition to ensure that this clean and abundant natural gas resource is developed for the full benefit of my home state of Pennsylvania and the nation,'' Ridge said in a statement.

"Joining the planning effort at this early stage will allow my voice to be added to efforts already underway to ensure worker safety and environmental protection and to encourage the fullest economic benefit for our state,'' Ridge said.

There is also speculation that Ridge will work with the Marcellus Shale Coalition to combat efforts in Harrisburg to tax natural gas products derived from drilling.

Some estimates put tax revenue between $100 million and $300 million annually from the natural gas drilling in the state, if a tax can legally be placed on that activity.