HARRISBURG — Rep. Martin Causer, R-Turtlepoint, on Wednesday stood with area oil and gas producers at the state Capitol to unveil a report demonstrating the importance of the conventional oil and gas industry to the local and state economies.

“This report speaks volumes about the economic impact of this industry and the tremendous number of jobs it supports,” Causer said. “To people in our area, especially those who make their living in the oil and gas fields, these numbers come as no surprise. But as we work at the state level to help ensure the future of this 150-year-old industry, these statistics will be a valuable tool in making our case.”

The report, conducted by Econsult Solutions Inc., found the industry has a $1.4 billion economic impact in the Commonwealth each year, generates $17 million in state taxes and supports 5,600 jobs.

“As we look at these impressive numbers, we have to make sure our regulatory agencies don’t screw this up,” Causer said. “We’ve seen agencies like the Department of Environmental Protection coming forward with overly burdensome regulations that hamper and hinder the industry. The jobs and economic impact cited in this report are exactly why the Legislature worked so hard to halt the Chapter 78 regulations being pushed by DEP over the last few years.”

The report focused on 19 counties in northwestern and southwestern Pennsylvania, including McKean, Potter and Cameron counties. It was commissioned by American Refining Group Inc., the Pennsylvania Grade Crude Coalition, the McKean County Industrial Development Council, McKean County Office of Economic Development, and the North Central Regional Planning and Development Commission.