Sets Mutual Goals of “World-Class” Operations
Harrisburg, Pa. – Nearly 90 members of the Marcellus Shale Coalition (MSC) were on hand in Harrisburg to meet with PA Dept. of Environmental Protection (DEP) secretary John Hanger today, part of the Coalition’s ongoing and open dialogue with regulators, stakeholders, the public and the press on the many ways in which the responsible development of clean-burning natural gas resources in the Commonwealth can help the state achieve key priorities related to energy, the economy and the environment.
The meeting, requested by DEP last month, addressed the important work of managing shallow and Marcellus gas, and allowed for both regulators and industry to offer new recommendations on how best to produce these resources while continuing to protect public safety and the environment. Subsequent to the event, MSC president and executive director Kathryn Klaber issued the following statement:
“The Marcellus Shale Coalition remains fully committed to continuing its efforts to work closely and collaboratively with regulators at all levels of government to ensure that the promise and potential of the Marcellus Shale in Pennsylvania is realized in a safe and responsible way. Today’s meeting with DEP represents yet another honest and straightforward discussion about the best practices needed to fully achieve this vision. Positive progress on practices relating to the management of historic and naturally occurring shallow gas, as well as other initiatives related to transparency and well integrity, will help our industry continue to strengthen its safety and environmental record while continuing to create tens of thousands of jobs each year for residents of this state.”
Discussed today were amendments to Chapter 78 of the Pennsylvania Code, now in the formal rulemaking process. Additional proposals related to transparency and disclosure associated with the decades-old process of hydraulic fracturing were also addressed. Secretary Hanger expressed his appreciation at the industry’s technical assistance in updating Pennsylvania’s rules. The MSC also endorsed the creation of a Gas Management Task Force, which will work alongside DEP and other professional experts to provide technical expertise related to Marcellus shale gas production across the state.
Added Klaber: “Working to make certain that clean-burning shale gas production throughout the Commonwealth continues to be done effectively, prudently and in a way that continues to create thousands of good-paying jobs and economic activity is an aspiration shared by everyone who attended this meeting today. The opportunity to discuss reasonable ways to continue to achieve these shared goals demonstrates our commitment to being good neighbors, partners and stewards of the Commonwealth’s environment and its job-creating resources.”
