A Pennsylvania organization going by the handle "Citizens For Pennsylvania's Future" have expressed this dislike of a new move in the U.S. Congress to open up land for Marcellus development. PennFuture has rejected plans by House Republicans to open up state forests for oil and gas drilling, and instead wishing to impose a severance tax on all drilling in the state. Because, you see, that's what other states do. But wait, it gets better. PennFuture president and CEO Jan Jarrett says, “This plan to open up hundreds of thousands of acres of state forest, whether or not it harms our natural resources, is the height of fiscal and environmental irresponsibility." Wait a minute, you need to read that again. “This plan to open up hundreds of thousands of acres of state forest, whether or not it harms our natural resources, is the height of fiscal and environmental irresponsibility." Did you read that right? Did Jarrett really say that it was environmental irresponsible to permit drilling, even if it doesn't harm the, you know, environment? Do not attempt to adjust your screen folks. You've just entered the Outer Limits. But wait, there's more! “The Republican Energy Task Force wants to give the industry a free pass to drill anywhere without paying a severance tax – the same tax they have to pay in most other states." To drill anywhere? What kind of spook story tactic is that? Don't worry folks, I'm sure the oil industry isn't going to drill through your living room. Jannett is also inconsistent with his argument. He argues that the presence of shale operations will require at least 6 million gallons of water each. And that water's going to have chemicals in it! Gee, it's a shame that once water comes into contact with nasty solutions, it's just ruined forever. But wait, it's not! We have this thing called the water cycle that continually cleans water. It's a miracle. Then Jarrett warns that trucks are going to have to transport water, spraying out nasty pollution. But he still refers to oil as Pennsylvania asset. Um, what do YOU plan on using oil for? Is there some way it can be used that doesn't pollute? Perhaps to seal up the holes in PennFuture's arguments. –Stephen Payne, Editor, Oil and Gas Investor This Week; www.OilandGasInvestor.com; spayne@hartenergy.com