University Park, Pa. -- The Marcellus Shale has unique elements that set it apart from other economic developments with far greater social and environmental impacts, said an industry spokesman.
“Range Resources and the entire gas-producing industry want to educate the public on what is fact and what is fiction with Marcellus Shale natural gas development,” said Matt Pitzarella, director of public affairs for Range Resources Appalachia (RRC). “While gas drilling companies may be competitors, the industry is working together closely to help educate an engaged public in Pennsylvania. Most importantly nearly every Pennsylvanian realizes the enormous long-term benefits of developing clean-burning natural gas from the Commonwealth.”
Pitzarella will give a talk, “Public Outreach and Education in the Marcellus Shale: Hype, Hope and Factual Information,” at 4 p.m. Monday, March 30, in 112 Walker on the University Park campus of Penn State.
Open to the public, the talk also will be available online at http://www.eesi.psu.edu/news_events/EarthtalksSpring09.shtml
Advances in modern drilling technology and a desire to move towards secure, domestic, and clean energy sources could position Pennsylvania as a leader in the nation's energy portfolio, Pitzarella said. With that comes, a cleaner environment and good-paying jobs for future generations in Pennsylvania, he added.
RRC is the largest natural gas producer in Pennsylvania, having operated in the Commonwealth for more than 25 years. The company pioneered the commercial development of the Marcellus Shale in 2004. Headquartered Fort Worth, Texas, RRC is an independent oil and gas company operating in the Southwestern, Appalachian, and Gulf Coast regions of the United States. The company has a regional headquarters south of Pittsburgh and employs more than 200 Pennsylvanians.
Pitzarella’s talk is part of the 2009 EarthTalks Spring Colloquium Series on “The Marcellus Shale Play: Boon or Burden?” that is sponsored by the Penn State Earth and Environmental Systems Institute, the College of Earth and Mineral Sciences (EMS), the College of Agricultural Sciences, the Environment and Natural Resources Institute, the Penn State Institutes of Energy and the Environment, the EMS Energy Institute and the John A. Dutton e-Education Institute.
All talks are archived and can be viewed at http://www.eesi.psu.edu/news_events/EarthtalksSpring09.shtml.