11/18/24 - 107 New Stories - REAL Environmental & Conservation Leadership In PA: http://tinyurl.com/3zb7jppr
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Corbett Announces Formation of Marcellus Shale Advisory Commission
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As part of his 2011-12 budget address to the General Assembly, Gov. Corbett announced the formation of a Marcellus Shale Advisory Commission (all members are listed below).
The purpose of the commission, Corbett said, is “to oversee how we can build around this new industry and how we can make certain we do this while protecting our lands, our drinking water, our air – all the time growing our workforce.’’
Led by Lt. Governor Jim Cawley, the commission is to report to Gov. Corbett with its findings within 120 days of its first meeting.
The commission is to address the needs and impacts of natural gas development on local communities, as well as promote the efficient, environmentally sound and cost-effect development of Marcellus Shale and other natural gas resources.
Commission Member Comments
Matt Ehrhart, Pennsylvania Executive Director for the Chesapeake Bay Foundation issued the following statement on being appointed to the Commission:
“I greatly appreciate Gov. Corbett’s commitment to address the complex issues associated with developing the Marcellus Shale resource. I am honored to be selected to serve on the Commission.
“ There are numerous areas where we have an opportunity to improve the Commonwealth’s management of Marcellus Shale related issues, including: addressing social and economic impacts, providing adequate support for environmental protection and restoration programs, establishing an emergency fund, and making significant improvements to Pennsylvania’s Oil & Gas Regulations.
“There are also issues that lack a consensus on the facts. We need to understand the long-term impacts drilling will have on our water quality, our landscapes, our air quality, and our communities and public health. It is my hope that this Commission will work together to find constructive ways to reach a consensus through unbiased, collaborative, and science-based methods.”
Anthony S. Bartolomeo, the chairman of the Pennsylvania Environmental Council, was also been named to the Commission.
“The Marcellus Shale is obviously a significant economic opportunity,” said Bartolomeo. “This new industry will be with us for a century or more, which is why it’s essential that we take the proper steps now to protect the environment for future generations. We can learn from the mistakes of the past and provide an effective framework that will allow Pennsylvania to meet the environmental challenges posed by deep shale drilling and development and reap the economic benefits well into the future.”
Under Bartolomeo’s leadership, the Pennsylvania Environmental Council has been a driving force for regulatory controls on Marcellus Shale drilling that will enable the gas industry to succeed while still safeguarding the natural environment. Its July 2010 report, “Developing the Marcellus Shale,” outlined a number of specific measures to achieve this objective.
PEC is heavily engaged in a number of critical initiatives surrounding the development of the Marcellus Shale in Pennsylvania, trail and green space development, green energy and climate change programs, sustainable community and stormwater infrastructure projects. The organization is also actively involved in seeking to restore Pennsylvania’s Growing Greener program to support environmental conservation and remediation programs across the state.
Cynthia Carrow, vice president of Government and Community Relations at the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy, said in response to her being named to the Commission, "The Western Pennsylvania Conservancy protects and restores exceptional places to provide the region with clean waters and healthy forests, wildlife and natural areas for the benefit of present and future generations.
"For more than 78 years, the Conservancy has worked to improve Western Pennsylvania’s environment and quality of life, conserving nearly 229,000 acres and restoring rivers and streams throughout the region. For this reason, we are pleased to have the opportunity to participate in a commission that is addressing this significant issue."
Also named to the Commission was Ronald Ramsey, senior policy advisor at The Nature Conservancy. Here is the complete list of individuals invited to join the commission:
-- Mike Krancer, acting Secretary of Environmental Protection, Harrisburg.
-- George Grieg, acting Secretary of Agriculture, Harrisburg.
-- C. Alan Walker, acting Secretary of Community and Economic Development, Harrisburg.
-- Barry Schoch, acting Secretary of Transportation, Harrisburg.
-- Patrick Henderson, the Governor’s Energy Executive, Harrisburg.
-- Robert Powelson, chairman of the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission, Harrisburg.
-- Glenn Cannon, executive director of Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency, Harrisburg.
-- James W. Felmlee, president of the PA State Association of Boroughs, Harrisburg.
-- Clifford “Kip’’ Allen, president of the PA League of Cities and Municipalities, Harrisburg.
-- Gene Barr, vice president, Government & Public Affairs, Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry, Harrisburg.
-- Terry R. Bossert, vice president, Government & Regulatory Affairs, Chief Oil & Gas, Harrisburg, and former Chief Counsel at DEP.
-- Jeff Wheeland, Lycoming County Commissioner, Williamsport.
-- Vincent J. Matteo, president Williamsport-Lycoming Chamber of Commerce, Williamsport.
-- Terry Engelder, professor of geosciences, Penn State University, Department of Geosciences, University Park.
-- Matthew J. Ehrhart, executive director of the Chesapeake Bay Foundation’s Pennsylvania office, Harrisburg.
-- Ronald L. Ramsey, senior policy advisor, the Nature Conservancy, Pennsylvania Chapter, Harrisburg.
-- David Porges, chief executive officer, EQT, Pittsburgh.
-- Christopher J. Masciantonio, general manager, State Government Affairs, U.S. Steel, Pittsburgh.
-- Cynthia Carrow, vice president of Government & Community Relations, Western Pennsylvania Conservancy, Pittsburgh.
-- David Sanko, executive director of the PA State Association of Township Supervisors, Enola.
-- Dave Spigelmyer, vice president, Government Relations, Chesapeake Energy, Canonsburg.
-- Randy Smith, U.S. Government Affairs Manager, Exxon Mobil, Fairfax, Va.
-- Ray Walker, chairman Marcellus Shale Coalition, Canonsburg.
-- Chris Helms, NiSource Gas Transmission and Storage, Houston, Texas.
-- Terry Pegula, Delray Beach, Fla. (founder of East Resources).
-- Jeff Kupfer, Chevron, Washington, D.C.
-- Gary Slagel, chairman, PA Independent Oil & Gas Association, Wexford.
-- Anthony S. Bartolomeo, chairman, Pennsylvania Environmental Council, Philadelphia.
-- Nicholas S. Haden, vice president, Reserved Environmental Services, Mt. Pleasant.
Gov. Corbett’s executive order creating the commission is available online.
Links: Text of budget address
House Republican Budget Spreadsheet Related Budget Press Releases
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3/14/2011 |
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