By Amanda Cregan
What is fracking? How do companies determine where to drill for natural gas? Will it pollute my water?
These are just a few questions that are likely to come before the Marcellus Shale Coalition this summer.
The coalition has launched a new online survey aimed at capturing the questions on the minds of residents across Greater Philadelphia about the development of natural gas in Pennsylvania and its impact on our region.
The online survey, available at www.AskAboutShale.org, will collect any and all questions related to natural gas drilling until July 20.
The site is a comprehensive and collaborative process, involving stakeholders across industry, academia, government, labor, conservation groups and other interest groups, to provide fact-based answers to those questions, said Marcellus Shale Coalition President Kathryn Klaber.
“Everybody’s got a stake in this, and everybody should have their questions answered,” she said.
The coalition will compile questions in August, and will present answers to those frequently-asked-questions in September.
Residents’ questions will be divided into four general categories: gas drilling operations; safety and environmental issues; economic impact; the role of government and regulations.
Environmental groups, like the Delaware Riverkeeper, have emphasized that gas drilling operations remain a danger to public health; mostly because of the potential risk for air pollution and drinking water contamination.
Marcellus Shale is a massive reserve of natural gas that sits thousands of feet below much of northern and western Pennsylvania. It is not found under the five-county Philadelphia area, but recent U.S. Geological Survey scientists have rated the South Newark Basin – which is located below most of Bucks and Montgomery counties – the third-highest untapped natural gas resource on the East Coast.
Currently, a drilling company is seeking a state permit to begin exploratory gas drilling in Nockamixon Township. About 300 gas leases have already been signed by residents in Upper Bucks communities.
From drilling operations within a community to workforce opportunities and the price of gas utility bills, everyone in Pennsylvania is impacted by the Marcellus Shale, said Klaber.
“There are 12.7 million Pennsylvanians, and everybody is involved in some way or another,” she said.
The Marcellus Shale Coalition largely represents energy companies.
To participate in the online forum, visit www.AskAboutShale.org. For more information, visit www.marcelluscoalition.org. Join the conversation on Twitter by using #AskAboutShale.
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