LWVPA Straight Scoop on Shale Project
Position In Brief
LWVPA supports the maximum protection of public health and the environment in all aspects of Marcellus Shale natural gas extraction, storage, transmission, waste disposal, inspection, and enforcement. The League further advocates for transparency and responsiveness to stakeholder input in all aspects of natural resources management.
The Straight Scoop On Shale
The League of Women Voters of Pennsylvania’s Citizen Education Fund started an educational project in 2011 called, “The Straight Scoop on Shale Drilling”. Its purpose is to educate and engage the public regarding Extraction of Natural Gas from Marcellus Shale, its impact on our water and communities and how government is involved through permitting, taxation and regulation. As part of this commitment, The Straight Scoop on Shale organizes a yearly conference “Shale & Public Health” featuring a large variety of experts speaking to topics related to the public health impacts of shale gas and petrochemical development.
The Marcellus natural gas trend, which encompasses 104,000 square miles and stretches across Pennsylvania and West Virginia, and into southeast Ohio and upstate New York, is the largest source of natural gas in the United States. The Marcellus is an example of shale gas, natural gas trapped in low-permeability shale, and requires the well completion method of hydraulic fracturing to allow the gas to flow to the well bore.
The Indiana County League observed the issue and brought it to the attention of Leagues across PA at our state convention in June 2009. 27 League chapters organized study groups, sponsored public forums with experts representing various viewpoints, visited drilling sites, participated in webinars and other presentations at various colleges and universities and reached consensus on this important issue.
Our League Study required members to look at all sides of the Marcellus Shale issue and think about the needs of Pennsylvanians, our visitors and communities in the months and years ahead as we reached consensus and adopted our position. The facts and issues will continue to change, and we will continue to update our project as we learn more.
Recent Events
April 2021, LWV of Lehigh County Hot Topics Meeting: Our speaker was Maame Mensah, US Account Director, Brand Partnerships, TerraCycle US, LLC. Her topic was “TerraCycle - Eliminating the Idea of Waste®”.
March 2021, Bioplastic: Hype or Hope? Building a Bioplastic Industry.
2020 Shale & Public Health Conference: The eighth annual Shale & Public Health Conference featuring new research presented by national experts on shale and public health impacts, and practical applications.
Learn More
Check out the LWVPA Straight Scoop on Shale website for more information & resources. Or reach out to shalemarcella@gmail.com with questions, concerns, or information on getting involved!