Pennsylvania Natural Gas Summit explores impacts of Marcellus find

Summit promises nonpartisan, objective information on challenges and opportunities of natural gas exploration

University Park, Pa. — Most residents of Pennsylvania realize that Marcellus Shale exploration will have an impact on their communities, but few realize just how broad and deep these impacts may be.

The Pennsylvania Natural Gas Summit, which will be held at the Ramada Conference Center in State College on Dec. 10 and 11, will explore the far-reaching challenges and opportunities of the Marcellus Shale find.

"This is meant to be a forum to discuss the challenges and opportunities of increased revenue, labor migration, transportation, retail pressures, employment and income impacts of Marcellus Shale exploration in our communities,' said Mike McDavid, northeast regional director of Penn State Extension. "We hope these discussions will help communities improve local decision making, empower communities to guide their own decisions and improve the social and economic well being of our communities and citizens."

Keynote speakers include Terry Engelder, of Penn State's College of Earth and Mineral Sciences; John Pinkerton, chief executive officer of Range Resources and John Matthews, county commissioner of Johnson County, Texas.

Legislators, legal authorities, county and municipal elected officials, county or community task forces, chambers of commerce, and planning officials and community groups are welcome to attend. During this two-day summit, participants will have the opportunity to discuss and identify all natural gas exploration issues and impacts in their respective communities and region.

Information about the course is available at http://www.outreach.psu.edu/programs/natural-gas/ online.