COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) - Ohio, West Virginia and Pennsylvania have agreed to cooperate in attracting shale gas development and jobs to their region over the next three years rather than compete with each other.

The states signed an agreement Tuesday during the Tri-State Shale Summit in Morgantown, West Virginia. They say they've agreed to coordinate marketing efforts, workforce development, investment strategies and academic research as they capitalize on Utica and Marcellus shale development "in an environmentally sound manner."

Shale gas has become available through the horizontal drilling practice commonly known as fracking.

Ohio Lt. Gov. Mary Taylor says challenges and opportunities surrounding the industry don't recognize state lines so collaboration is essential.

The U.S. Energy Information Administration reports the three states have had 85 percent of the increase in U.S. natural gas production since January 2012.

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