PITTSBURGH — The U.S. Department of Energy says that Pennsylvania may close out 2013 as the second-largest producer of natural gas in the nation, behind Texas.

The Tuesday release from the Energy Information Administration shows that soaring production from the Marcellus Shale has put both Pennsylvania and West Virginia into the top 10 gas producing states.

The EIA reports that Pennsylvania may edge out Louisiana for the number two spot, while West Virginia is now 10th nationally. Production in Pennsylvania grew by 72 percent from 2011 to 2012.

U.S. home builders’ confidence bounced back strongly this month, a sign that construction and industry hiring may pick up in coming months.The National Association of Home Builders/Wells Fargo builder sentiment index released Tuesday climbed to 58.That was up from 54 in November and matched an eight-year high reached in August. Readings above 50 indicate that more builders view sales conditions as good than poor.