CANONSBURG, Pa. – The newly named Marcellus Shale Coalition (MSC) today announced plans to establish itself as an independent non-profit organization to represent the Marcellus natural gas industry in Pennsylvania and elected new officers to the group’s executive committee. During its annual meeting held Nov. 19, the MSC also discussed plans to hire a president and enhance its ongoing communication with regulators, government officials, news media and Pennsylvania residents. The MSC anticipates hiring a full-time president and support staff by the end of January 2010.

“Over the last year, this organization has made significant strides to provide people throughout the Commonwealth with the facts about developing clean-burning natural gas from the Marcellus Shale formation,” said Ray Walker, chairman of the executive committee. “The MSC has added significantly to its membership and now represents over 90% of the companies that have applied for permits to drill Marcellus Shale wells. The MSC has established itself as the leading voice for the companies exploring the Marcellus Shale, and continues to improve our stakeholders’ understanding of how we safely extract natural gas and provide a needed boost to the economy of the commonwealth. The coming year will present new challenges and opportunities to tell the story of Pennsylvania’s most important energy and economic development initiative in the past several decades, and the MSC is positioned to tell that story.”

“The Marcellus Shale Coalition will work cooperatively with the other organizations working to advance the development of oil and gas resources in the Commonwealth,” added Walker. “The Independent Oil and Gas Association of Pennsylvania, the Pennsylvania Oil and Gas Association and the Associated Petroleum Industries of Pennsylvania will be members of the newly formed Coalition.”

Walker noted that the Pennsylvania Oil and Gas Association and the Independent Oil and Gas Association of Pennsylvania played a critical role in launching the Marcellus Shale Coalition and establishing the organization’s presence in the Commonwealth.

The annual meeting included a vote to change the organization’s name to the Marcellus Shale Coalition to reflect the broad base of companies that have joined ranks to support the industry’s efforts. The following MSC members were elected to serve on the executive committee:

  • Ray Walker, Jr, chairman (Range Resources)
  • David Spigelmyer, first vice chair (Chesapeake Energy Corporation)
  • Rich Weber, second vice chair (Atlas Energy, Inc.)
  • William Fustos, secretary (East Resources)
  • Kristi Gittins, treasurer (Chief Oil & Gas)

About the Marcellus Shale Coalition: The Marcellus Shale Coalition is committed to the responsible development of natural gas from the Marcellus Shale geological formation in Pennsylvania and the enhancement of the Commonwealth’s economy that can be realized by this clean-burning energy source.