Hydraulic fracturing disclosure adopted for organization’s members
Canonsburg, Pa. – At its second annual members meeting this week, the Marcellus Shale Coalition (MSC) — among the largest industry trade organizations in the region, representing more than 250 member companies — sharpened its outlook for 2012 with a focus on building upon the many of successes over the past year. This year’s meeting marks the one-year anniversary of the adoption of the MSC’s Guiding Principles, an overarching set of objectives the industry is committed to upholding throughout all of its operations.
“While our organization is young, in relative terms, the collective and collaborative progress we continue to make is nothing short of remarkable,” said Kathryn Klaber, president and executive director of the MSC. “Our Guiding Principles are now woven into the core of our industry’s operations. We, of course, recognize that there is more to be achieved and more positive progress to made. And to be even better stewards of our environment, better neighbors, and a greater source of economic and energy security, we remain squarely focused on building upon these successes in the days, months and years to come.”
At the meeting, a measure to achieve disclosure of hydraulic fracturing fluids from all operator member companies — in line with the Guiding Principle’s commitment to transparency — was adopted. The measure endorses participation in FracFocus.org, a national online database that discloses fracturing fluid compositions on a well-by-well basis, bolstering Pennsylvania’s current disclosure requirements. Additionally, the MSC continued its implementation of best management practices on an industry-wide basis, with particular focus on contractor environmental health and safety training, standardization of pre-drill testing of private water wells, and operational safety of its facilities.
“I’ve been working, very proudly, in America’s oil and natural gas industry for several decades, and can say that the past several years, as part of the MSC’s leadership team, have provided a deep sense of achievement, gratitude and pride,” said Ray Walker, chairman of the MSC and senior vice president of Range Resources, whose two-year leadership term will conclude later this year. “We have made monumental strides on key fronts: from landmark environmental and regulatory initiatives aimed at protecting our air and water, to revitalizing the Commonwealth and region’s economy, while bolstering America’s energy security. I thank our executive committee, and the entire membership, for this extraordinary opportunity and responsibility.”
The membership of the organization heard presentations on the MSC’s many accomplishments for the year from the organization’s Executive Committee: Ray Walker, Chair, Range Resources; David Spigelmyer, Vice Chair, Chesapeake; Kristi Gittins, Treasurer, Chief Oil & Gas; Tom Lopus, Secretary, J-W Energy; Rob Broen, Talisman USA; and Dan Merz, Williams. (Executive Committee member Randy Albert, CNX Gas, was not in attendance.
