Workshop to Focus on Shale, Other Energy Impacts Across Ohio
photo: Ken Chamberlain, CFAES
COLUMBUS, Ohio — The effects of Ohio’s unprecedented oil and gas boom will be seen
far beyond the 1,600 horizontal wells now dotting the landscape in eastern Ohio.
Authorities say the pipelines that will criss-cross the state and other new infrastructure required to make use of the state’s newfound energy riches will likely have a presence in every county in the Buckeye State.
In addition, solar, wind and other alternative sources of energy have become a strong presence in some parts of the state in recent years.
To help keep landowners and public officials such as county commissioners, township trustees, state representatives and economic development directors informed about the potential impact of energy development in their communities, Ohio State University Extension is organizing a daylong workshop.
“Statewide Impacts of Shale and Alternative Energy Development” will be held 9 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. Oct. 27 at the Ohio Farm Bureau and Nationwide 4-H Center, 2201 Fred Taylor Drive, on the Columbus campus of The Ohio State University. The $30 registration fee includes lunch and refreshments. Online registration is available at go.osu.edu/energyinfrastructure. More details about the event are available at go.osu.edu/shalewkshp15.
“After the general sessions, we’re going to break into two tracks: landowner issues and community issues,” said Chris Penrose, one of the event’s organizers and co-leader of OSU Extension’s Shale Education Program. “We want to help Ohioans make sense of the energy boom — where it is going, what is likely to happen in the future, and what are the social, economic and environmental changes to expect.”
Topics to be addressed include:
• The future of the shale oil and gas industry and the impact for Ohio.
• Pipeline and infrastructure development across the state and how it will affect individuals and communities.
• Regulation of pipelines, including who is responsible and how they are involved.
• Understanding the rights of landowners and communities.
OSU Extension is the outreach arm of the university’s College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences. The Extension Shale Education Program is also affiliated with the university’s Subsurface Energy Resource Center.
