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The Plastic Belt

Workers move a section of well casing into place at a Chesapeake Energy natural gas well site near Burlington, Pa., in Bradford County.
Ralph Wilson
/
AP
Workers move a section of well casing into place at a Chesapeake Energy natural gas well site near Burlington, Pa., in Bradford County.

Natural gas production in Ohio, West Virginia and Pennsylvania exceeded total production in Texas for the first time. The region, dubbed the "Shale Crescent" and rust belt, is being considered for a new name: The plastic belt. 

Today, we consider what impact this new industry can have on the jobs sector and local environment.

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