Energy Forum next Monday to highlight Marcellus Shale

Western Pennsylvania is at the epicenter of conflict over global energy resources, as governments, energy companies, landowners and environmentalists grapple with how to best tap its vast Marcellus Shale natural gas deposits.

To help residents sort through the facts and the arguments, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette will co-sponsor a series of three Energy Forums, featuring experts representing all perspectives. The first 90-minute forum will be next Monday at 6 p.m. at the Heinz History Center in the Strip District. The topic is "Balancing the Need for Energy and the Desire for Environmental Protection."

The five panelists represent the natural gas industry, environmental concerns and include legal and engineering experts:

Lou D'Amico is president and executive director of the Pennsylvania Independent Oil and Gas Association, a trade association representing more than 850 oil and natural gas producers, drilling contractors, service companies, professional firms and royalty owers. He has a background in engineering, gas marketing and operations management.

Ray Walker Jr. is senior vice president of Range Resources, a major developer of the Marcellus Shale fields, and chairman of the Marcellus Shale Coalition. He is a registered petroleum engineer with more than 34 years of oil and gas management experience.

Jan Jarrett, president and CEO of Citizens for Pennsylvania's Future, has spent more than 20 years working on environmental and conservation concerns.

Ed Rubin, professor of engineering and public policy at Carnegie Mellon University, is a member of the United Nations Intergovermental Panel on Climate Change, which shared the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize with former Vice President Al Gore.

John Hanger, special counsel at the Eckert Seamans law firm, specializes in energy, utility and environmental law, with a special focus in alternative and clean energy, transportation infrastructure, energy efficiency, smartgrid and competitive energy markets. He is a former secretary of the state Department of Environmental Protection.

The forum will be moderated by David Shribman, executive editor of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. The co-sponsor is Babst Calland, a law firm specializing in issues related to Marcellus Shale development.

First published on April 4, 2011 at 12:00 am