July 21 webinar to focus on natural gas pipelines

A web-based seminar to be presented by Penn State Extension (PSE) July 21 from 1 to 2 p.m. will explore pipeline development and regulation in regions of the state affected by drilling for natural gas in the Marcellus Shale formation. Speaking in the webinar will be Wayne County extension educator Dave Messersmith, based in Honesdale, who is part of Penn State’s Marcellus Education Team and coordinates the university’s annual Marcellus Summit, and Paul Metro, chief of the Gas Safety Division of the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission. They will discuss pipeline construction, associated surface infrastructure (valves, compressor stations, etc.), pipeline impacts on the landscape and in communities, ways to reduce pipeline impacts, negotiating terms for a pipeline right-of-way and regulatory oversight of gas pipelines in Pennsylvania. Penn State Extension offers a publication called “Negotiating Pipeline Rights-of-Way in Pennsylvania,” which Messersmith authored. On August 25 a new webinar will provide an update on research on the effects of drilling on wildlife. On September 15, PSE will present a webinar on legal issues surrounding Marcellus Shale development. An updated schedule of webinars is available online. Previous webinars, publications and information on topics such as air pollution from gas development, the gas boom’s effect on landfills, water use and quality, zoning, gas-leasing considerations for landowners, and implications for local communities also are available on the PSE natural-gas website. For information, visit http://extension.psu.edu/naturalgas/webinars or contact John Turack, extension educator in Westmoreland County, at 724/837-1402, or send email to jdt15@psu.edu.

PA Marcellus Commission completes recommendations

PA Governor Tom Corbett’s Marcellus Shale Advisory Commission has completed work on over 100 recommendations related to natural gas development which include adoption of an impact fee and forced pooling of natural gas properties. A copy of the complete set of recommendations and an additional paper on Marcellus Shale in Pennsylvania will be reviewed by the Governor and released on July 22, according to PA Environment Digest.