U.S. Energy and Economic Freedom
Mary Schaper
Posted December 1, 2014
Energy’s Latest Target: Women
U.S. News: After two decades changing diapers, nanny Shelly Alexander was ready for a change herself.
“I wanted a job I could use my brain for,” says Alexander, who lives in Spring Valley in northeast Pennsylvania. “I had a great job, but I had no retirement, I had no benefits. It was just time.”
She tried working for a local gym. She made meal plans for friends, flirting with the idea of becoming a dietitian. But at age 40, four years of college to get the degree she'd need for that job held little appeal. Plus, in the past decade, a far more lucrative opportunity had moved into the area: hydraulic fracturing.
Fracking and horizontal drilling have unleashed an energy extravaganza in the Midwest and mid-Atlantic. American and international energy companies are churning out billions of barrels of oil and gas and attracting thousands of workers eager for entry-level paychecks of $50,000 to $60,000. In fact, in boom states like North Dakota, demand for workers is outstripping supply, as jobs remain unfilled for lack of qualified workers.
Read more: http://bit.ly/1FHxlBW
More industry news:
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Struggling Farmers Say Fracking Can Help Save Their Farms: http://bit.ly/1A8dISl
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Oil Boom Brings Jobs, Tax Revenue to South Central Texas: http://bit.ly/15MHUst
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Miss Montana Takes a Tour of the Bakken: http://bit.ly/1FHwa5m
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Blog: The Case for Keystone XL: http://on.wsj.com/1A8ew9E
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Oil at $40 Possible as Market Redraws Politics: http://bloom.bg/1CyMsBo
About The Author
Mary Schaper is a Digital Communications Manager for the American Petroleum Institute. She previously worked on Capitol Hill for the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee as Digital Director and for Senator Lisa Murkowski. Before coming to D.C., she spearheaded digital strategy for Murkowski's successful Senate write-in campaign in 2010. Schaper enjoys traveling and taking in the local culture alongside her husband, their son and loyal springer spaniel.