Meeting Is Open to the Public

HARRISBURG, Pa., March 24, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Marcellus Shale Advisory Commission, created to address the needs and impacts of natural gas development on local communities, as well as promote the efficient, environmentally sound and cost-effect development of Marcellus shale and other natural gas resources, will hold its first meeting on Friday, March 25.

The panel, chaired by Lt. Governor Jim Cawley, will meet from 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. in Room 105 of the Rachel Carson State Office Building, 400 Market Street, Harrisburg.

In announcing the commission's creation on March 8, Governor Tom Corbett said the panel's purpose is "to oversee how we can build around this new industry and how we can make certain we do this while protecting our lands, our drinking water, our air – all the time growing our workforce.''

The commission, comprised of state and local government leaders, industry, and environmental experts, has been established to insure the successful development of the natural gas industry and advise the governor on pertinent issues, including possible legislative and regulatory changes.

The meeting agenda and related materials are available through the Public Participation Center on the Department of Environmental Protection's web site at http://www.depweb.state.pa.us. Enter "Marcellus shale advisory" in the search bar and the first result will be the commission's page.

Seating in the conference room is limited, so individuals planning to attend are requested to contact Christopher Gray at 717-783-8727 or chrgray@state.pa.us to help organizers in planning. Reserved seating is not available.

In addition, public comment can be directed to the following:

Marcellus Shale Advisory Commission
Office of the Governor
225 Main Capitol Building
Harrisburg, PA 17120

Or, send comments by email to: marcelluscommission@state.pa.us

Persons in need of accommodations, as provided for in the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, should contact Christopher Gray at 717-783-8727 or the Pennsylvania AT&T Relay Service at 800-654-5984 (TDD).

Media contact: Chad Saylor, 717-787-3300

SOURCE Pennsylvania Office of the Lieutenant Governor