Task Force Meeting Notes: 2009 May | June | July | September | October | November

Task Force Meeting Notes: 2010 January | February

PGE Executives Advise Patience. Two representatives of Pennsylvania General Energy Company told members of the Natural Gas Task Force at their February meeting that development of Marcellus Shale natural gas in Potter County will be incremental. Members also heard about the Citizen Conservation Corps being developed by Pennsylvania Trout Unlimited and debated a state severance/production tax on natural gas. For details on the Feb. 9 meeting, click on "February" above.

Next Task Force meeting: Tuesday, March 9, 7 pm, Gunzburger Building:

How will Potter County’s economy be affected by the dawning natural gas boom? How will our communities change? How should local leaders respond? Those are among the issues that will be addressed as a respected rural economics professor from Penn State, Dr. Tim Kelsey, speaks at the next meeting of the Potter County Natural Gas Task Force. The session is scheduled for 7 pm on Tuesday, March 9, at the Gunzburger Building Auditorium and is open to the public.

Dr. Kelsey has studied the potential impact of Marcellus Shale gas production in Pennsylvania. He forecasts that many sectors of the economy will benefit, with opportunities for a number of industries, including construction, retail and trade. He says the two-fold economic challenge is:

• Finding ways to help local businesses and workers compete for the new business opportunities arising from natural gas.
• Finding ways to encourage businesses, workers, and royalty owners to spend locally.

Kelsey also states that “local jurisdictions with natural gas wells very likely will face higher demands for services and thus higher costs, and yet receive little new revenues to pay for those services.” For a copy of a report he wrote on the topic, click here.

In recognition of the far-reaching consequences of increased drilling for natural gas in Marcellus Shale formations identified throughout much of Potter County, in April 2009 Commissioners Doug Morley, Susan Kefover and Paul Heimel formed the Potter County Natural Gas Task Force. Almost immediately, the organization began to grow and its mission broadened.

Mission: Purpose of the Natural Gas Task Force is to identify key issues; research facts and examine trends; review and propose public policy regarding the economic, environmental and social impact of gas exploration of the Marcellus Shale in Potter County; and educate the public on gas exploration and related topics.

Membership consists of a broad cross-section of individuals representing the natural gas industry, water specialists, emergency services personnel, township officials, environmental scientists, educators and numerous business interests.

Task Force meetings are held at 7 pm on the second Tuesday of each month and are open to the public.

Because of the complexity of the natural gas issue and its many implications, the Task Force has formed six study committees that meet independently and report to the larger group at each month meeting. These committees are focused on the following issues:

Water Quality: Jim Clark, Pete Ryan, Judy Bear, John McLaughlin, Jim Hough and Robert Volkmar.

Employment/Training and Industry Technical Issues: Helene Nawrocki, Susan Kefover, Terry Cole, Dick Ford, Gerald Kane, Bob Veilleux, Neal Goodenough and Tom Veazey.

Public Education: Curt Weinhold, Paul Heimel, Ron Doughtie and Mary Anne Heston.

Taxation: Joe Lewis, Carl Roberts, Don Tanner and Todd Brown.

Public Safety/Law Enforcement: John Hetrick, Joe Gerhart, David Saulter, Joe Parr and Glenn Dunn.

Township & Borough Impacts/Planning: Larry Hirst, Charlotte Dietrich, Doug Morley, Mike Cole and Tom Jacoby.

Anyone who is interested in joining the Task Force, serving on a study committee and/or being added to the organization’s mailing list should contact Todd Brown at 814-274-8290, Extension 206, or tbrown@pottercountypa.net.

Use the links above to read summaries of each of the Task Force’s monthly meetings since its inception. Please see the References/Links tab under the Marcellus Shale/Natural Gas header on this website for further information and links related to Marcellus Shale natural gas development in Potter County.