PA Environment Digest

The House Democratic Policy Committee held a public hearing this week at Penn State Fayette's The Eberly Campus in Uniontown to examine water quality issues related to Marcellus Shale extraction, according to Chairman Mike Sturla (D-Lancaster).

"The Marcellus Shale industry holds great promise for our state, but before Pennsylvania fully engages in this promising industry, it is important to understand all the potential consequences, including quality of life factors," Rep. Sturla said. "I applaud Rep. (Deberah) Kula (D-Fayette) for wanting to examine the effects of Marcellus Shale on water quality in her region and in the Commonwealth as a whole."

"Companies are eyeing western Pennsylvania because our portion of the formation is believed to be very profitable for the amount of natural gas it holds," Rep. Kula said. "Landowners need to be aware of their rights should they be approached to lease their land, and it is equally important that residents understand any potential hazards to ground and surface water at and around drilling sites. The Marcellus Shale drilling industry is fairly new in Pennsylvania and we need to be diligent in providing residents with information about any local licenses awarded as well as the opportunity to voice their concerns about drilling."

Those testifying at the hearing included John Walliser, vice president of legal and government affairs, Pennsylvania Environmental Council; Katie Klaber, president, Marcellus Shale Coalition; Jeffery Kupfer, senior vice president, Atlas Energy; Terry Engelder, professor of geosciences, Penn State University; and Eric Conrad, project manager of Oil and Gas Industry Partnership, North Central Workforce Investment Board.

John Walliser, PEC, provided an overview of the water-related issues presented on the May 3-4 Marcellus Shale Conference presented by PEC and Duquesne University. A report from the Conference is due out in the coming weeks.

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