cepm pipeline task force report

8
FEATURE HIGHLIGHTS OF THE DRAFT REPORT FROM THE PENNSYLVANIA PIPELINE INFRASTRUCTURE TASK FORCE Recommendations for Future Natural Gas Pipeline Development The shale gas boom in Pennsylvania has precipitated a flurry of pipeline development activity. As natural gas production from unconventional wells has grown, so too has the need for pipelines that move the gas from well to market. Over the next several years, Pennsylvania is expected to see tremendous growth in its natural gas pipeline network. Some experts estimate that the number of miles of pipeline in the Commonwealth could quadruple, growing from about 12,000 miles today to about 48,000 miles in 2030 (The Nature Conservancy). Given the magnitude of growth in the pipeline network, the potential for impacts to local communities and the natural landscape is great. While pipeline projects are typically designed to minimize community and environmental impacts, many transmission lines inevitably cross communities and traverse sensitive areas such as farms, forests, mountains, and wetlands. Routing pipelines so as to be cost-effective but also environmentally- friendly and community-sensitive is often a complicated process. In addition to engineering and designing the pipeline itself, companies must acquire rights of way, easements, and other land rights for construction. Laying pipelines in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. Photo Courtesy of George Sheldon/Shutterstock.com

Upload: washington-jefferson-college

Post on 24-Jul-2016

234 views

Category:

Documents


9 download

DESCRIPTION

12/07/2015 - Washington & Jefferson College's Center for Energy Policy and Management

TRANSCRIPT

Page 1: CEPM Pipeline Task Force Report

F E A T U R E

HigHligHts of tHe Draft report from tHe

pennsylvania pipeline infrastructure task force

Recommendations for Future Natural Gas Pipeline Development

The shale gas boom in Pennsylvania has precipitated a flurry of pipeline development activity. As natural gas production from unconventional wells has grown, so too has the need for pipelines that move the gas from well to market. Over the next several years, Pennsylvania is expected to see tremendous growth in its natural gas pipeline network. Some experts estimate that the number of miles of pipeline in the Commonwealth could quadruple, growing from about 12,000 miles today to about 48,000 miles in

2030 (The Nature Conservancy). Given the magnitude of growth

in the pipeline network, the potential for impacts to local communities and the natural landscape is great. While pipeline projects are typically designed to minimize community and environmental

impacts, many transmission lines inevitably cross communities and traverse sensitive areas such as farms, forests, mountains, and wetlands.

Routing pipelines so as to be cost-effective but also

environmentally-friendly and

community-sensitive is often a complicated process. In addition to engineering and designing the pipeline itself, companies must acquire rights of way, easements, and other land rights for construction.

Laying pipelines in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. Photo Courtesy of George Sheldon/Shutterstock.com

Page 2: CEPM Pipeline Task Force Report

2 WASHINGTON & JEFFERSON COLLEGE SHALE GAS KNOWLEDGE HUB / FALL 2015

Furthermore, the framework in which pipelines are regulated is complex. Multiple agencies at the federal, state, and local levels have some role in regulating interstate natural gas transmission lines from construction to operation and maintenance. Because no single agency oversees pipeline development, the permitting, review, and oversight of natural gas pipeline projects can seem incohesive or disjointed. Consequently, companies working to build pipelines and members of the general public who want to know more about pipeline development in their community may have difficulty finding the information they need.

Appreciating the complexity of the regulatory environment and the growing need for clarity about the pipeline development process, Governor Tom Wolf formed the Pipeline Infrastructure Task Force in May 2015. The task force was formed as a part of an effort to develop policies and guidelines that will assist in the planning, permitting, construction, and operation of natural gas pipelines. Appointees to the task force include members of local, state, and federal governments; members of the oil and gas industry; and representatives from both non-profit and for-profit organizations.

The Pipeline Infrastructure Task Force has held five meetings in 2015. The task force split into 12 workgroups, each of which was charged with the task of exploring a single issue in-depth. The twelve issues taken on by the workgroups were: Agriculture, Conservation, County Government, Emergency Preparedness, Environmental Protection, Historical/Cultural/Tribal Involvement, Local Government, Natural Gas End Use, Pipeline Safety/Integrity, Public Participation, Siting/Routing, and Workforce/Economic Development Issues. The task force used the dialogue from the workgroups to inform the content and form of the draft report.

At the federal level, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) oversees the transmission and sale of natural gas, which includes reviewing and permitting the siting of interstate natural gas pipelines and storage facilities. Also at the federal level, the Pipeline and Hazardous Material Safety Administration (PHMSA), an arm of the US Department of Transportation, works to ensure that na tu ra l gas , petroleum, and other hazardous materials are transported by pipeline safely.

At the State level, the Public Utility Commission (PUC) enforces federal regulations pertaining to the design, installation, operation, and maintainenance of pipelines lines. It is important to note that while the PUC may establish regulations that are more stringent than those at the

Agencies Involved in the Oversight and Regulation of Natural Gas Pipelines

federal level, Pennsylvania, is one of two states that has no additional regulations. The Pennsy lvan ia Depar t men t o f Environmental Protection (DEP) also has regulatory authority. Specifically, the DEP oversees pipelines that cross streams and wetlands. The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) is involved in the oversight of construction, operation, and maintenance of pipelines on public lands that are a part of the Pennsylvania State Park or State Forest systems.

A t t h e l o c a l l e v e l , m u n i c i p a l g o v e r n m e n t s , i n c l u d i n g c i t i e s , townships, and boroughs, may enact zoning and subdiv is ion ordinances which guide or restrict the siting of pipeline-related surface facilities.

Federal State Local

Federal Energy Regulatory

Commission (FERC)

Pipeline and Hazardous

Material Safety Administration

(PHMSA)

Department of Environmental

Protection (DEP)

Public Utility Commission (PUC)

Department of Conservation and Natural Resources

(DCNR)

County/Township/Borough Planning

Commission & Council

Page 3: CEPM Pipeline Task Force Report

WASHINGTON & JEFFERSON COLLEGE 3SHALE GAS KNOWLEDGE / FALL 2015

Consistency: Consistent and predictable rules, regulations, and operating procedures for transmission lines are necessary for pipeline projects to be successful. Natural gas companies and property owners alike expect the decisions of regulators to follow a pattern. Calls for consistency were highlighted in the recommendations made by the Environmental Protection and Siting and Routing Workgroups, both of which stressed the value of consistency for the industry and the general public.

Prevention: With the possibility of accidents, leaks, and/or other undesirable impacts, several workgroups called for reasonable and appropriate preventive measures. Preventive measures help to reduce risks to human health and safety as well as the environment. The Conservation and Natural Resources, Emergency Preparedness, Environmental Protection, and Pipeline Safety and Integrity Workgroups all cite hazard prevention as a cornerstone of pipeline development.

Monitoring: Tracking and recording conditions before, during, and after pipeline development is paramount to the success of not only the project itself, but also the community and environment adjacent to the project. Several workgroups called for additional measures to monitor conditions on the ground. Calls for enhanced air, land, and water quality monitoring programs near pipelines appear throughout the report.

Mitigation: Finally, a number of workgroups called for additional reasonable and appropriate measures to mitigate, repair, or otherwise address issues associated with pipeline development. Wetland, stream, forest, and water quality mitigation efforts were cited throughout the report. The report emphasizes that mitigation efforts are key to reducing any impacts that pipeline development may have on communities and/or the enviornment. For a full listing of the recommendations, refer to the table on the next page.

Because numerous agencies oversee pipeline projects and because pipelines often cross a number of jurisdictions, the task force workgroups stressed the importance of coordinated efforts and streamlined processes. The importance of coordination was particularly pronounced in the recommendations made by the Emergency Preparedness, Environmental Protection, Local Government, Natural Gas End Use, and Siting and Routing Workgroups. Each of these groups stressed the fact that improved coordination and collaboration promotes more effective and efficient regulatory

environments. Communication: The workgroups also

identified communication as an integral part of future pipeline development. Communication and information sharing among private firms, public officials, residents, agencies, and the general public facilitates a better understanding of pipeline projects. Publishing information online and/or creating databases (e.g. Geographic Information System databases) helps to inform stakeholders about the status of proposed and ongoing projects. Furthermore, improved communication helps to alleviate tensions between opposing parties during pipeline development (e.g. private landowners and the companies looking to accumulate land rights for pipeline construction).

The Draft Report produced by the Pipeline Infrastructure Task Force includes an overview of the pipeline development process in Pennsylvania, a description of the mission of the Task Force, a list of the Task Force members, and the recommendations made by the workgroups. The 184 recommendations made by the workgroups address a host of issues, ranging from community involvement to emission reductions. Included in the report with each recommendation is a detailed explanation of the issue at-hand (e.g., potential landscape impacts, emergency training, stakeholder engagement, etc.) along with a list of the agencies relevant to implementing or facilitating the recommendation, a justification for the approach described, a list of challenges for implementation, resources that might prove useful in providing additional guidance, and a brief discussion of the issues or impacts addressed by the recommendation. The initial overview included in the report, coupled with the substantive discussions of each recommendation, provides a wealth of information for those unfamiliar with natural gas pipeline development.

While each workgroup developed separate recommendations, a number of common themes emerged. Many of the recommendations and best practices listed are similar. The frequency with which these themes appear and the emphasis placed on each suggests that calls for better coordination, more communication, greater consistency in rules and regulations, enhanced efforts to prevent accidents, improved monitoring of pipelines, and additional efforts to mitigate impacts are the key takeaways from the Pipeline Infrastructure Task Force Draft Report.

Coordination: Several workgroups recognized a need for greater coordination in the pipeline development process. This includes both inter-agency and inter-jurisdictional coordination.

“tHrougH smart planning, pennsylvania

can experience economic prosperity,

acHieve energy security, anD protect tHe environment anD

communities”-JoHn Quigley, secretary pa

Dep

Recommendations Made by the Task Force Workgroups

Page 4: CEPM Pipeline Task Force Report

4 WASHINGTON & JEFFERSON COLLEGE SHALE GAS KNOWLEDGE HUB / FALL 2015

Agriculture 1. Educate Landowners on Pipeline Development Issues

1. Communicate Pipeline Development Conservation Practices to the Public2. Develop Public Access to Pipeline GIS Information3. Use a Landscape Approach for Planning and Siting Right-of-Way Corridors4. Give Special Consideration to Protected / Designated Lands in Pipeline Siting5. Mitigate the Loss of Public Use of Public Lands Resulting from Pipeline Development6. Avoid Geological Hazards During Planning7. Implement Full-Time Environmental Inspections During Pipeline Construction8. Monitor Water Quality During Construction9. Require Post-Construction Monitoring for 5 Years10. Tie Permitting Standards to the Duration of Impact11. Implement a Mitigation Bank to Improve Water Quality12. Reduce Forest Fragmentation in Pipeline Development13. Promote Biodiversity in Pipeline Development

Conservation & Natural Resources

County Government

1. Counties Should Partner in Implementation of Task Force Recommendations2. Counties Should Include Pipelines Development in County Comprehensive Plans3. Counties Should Make GIS Mapping Available to Operators and Require Them toProvide Their Mapping to Counties and Municipalities4. Develop Training Opportunities for County Officials5. Develop Tools to Educate the Public on Pipeline Development

6. Operators Should Engage in Timely Communications7. Develop Advisory Standards for Pipeline Setback and Buffers8. Amend Municipalities Planning Code to Empower County Comprehensive Plan9. Require Shared Right-of-Ways10. Empower GIS Mapping11. Create a Commonwealth Library of Pipeline Information12. Require Pipeline Abandonment Plans

14. Develop Rare Species Work Windows to Avoid Impacts15. Minimize Impacts to Riparian Areas at Stream Crossings16. Promote Wildlife Habitat Opportunities Along Pipeline Corridors17. Restore and Maintain a Border Zone in Forested Areas18. Minimize Aesthetic Impacts in Pipeline Development19. Minimize Recreational Impacts in Pipeline Development20. Provide Recreational Opportunities in Pipeline Development21. Reseed Right-of-Ways Using Native Plants22. Use Pennsylvania-Sourced Plant and Seed Vendors and Landscape Services23. Require Performance-Based Metrics for Long Term Maintenance of Right-of-Ways24. Prevent Invasive Plant Species Establishment25. Finalize Functional Protocols for Impacts and Offsets26. DEP Should Follow the 2008 Final Mitigation Rule for all Mitigation Sites

2. Build a GIS Database of PA’s Farms

1. Standardize Emergency Response Plans2. Train Emergency Responders3. Require Infrastructure Mapping4. Coordinate Pipeline Mapping Plans5. PUC Should Develop a Comprehensive List of Pipeline Classifications6. Enhance Emergency Response Training for Responder Agencies

7. Create County/Regional Safety Task Forces8. Provide Training to Local Emergency Responders9. Assess Need for Additional Training for Local Responders10. Establish Protocol for Emergency Movement of Heavy Equipment during Off-Hours11. Assign a 9-1-1 Address to Pipeline-Related Facilities12. Authorize a Fee for Emergency Response to Pipeline Incidents

Emergency Preparedness

Environmental Protection

5. Sponsors Should Review the Pennsylvania Erosion and Sediment Pollution Control Program Manual6. Sponsors Should Request Pre-Application Meetings with Regulatory Agencies7. Sponsors Should Perform Alternative Analysis to Avoid/Minimize Impacts8. Develop Standard Water Quality Monitoring Practices

1. Establish Early Partnerships and Coordination in Relationships with Regulatory Agencies2. Establish Early Coordination with Local Non-Governmental Groups3. Establish Early Coordination with Local Landowners and Lessors4. Project Sponsors Should Review Pennsylvania Stormwater BMP Manual

Recommendations Submitted by the Task Force Workgroups

Page 5: CEPM Pipeline Task Force Report

WASHINGTON & JEFFERSON COLLEGE 5SHALE GAS KNOWLEDGE / FALL 2015

41. Develop Construction Sequencing Plan42. Stockpile Topsoil During Construction for Use in Restoration43. Soften Forest/Right-of-Ways Edges and Promote Canopy Closure44. Create Onsite Habitat45. Prevent Invasive Species from Entering Sites46. Ensure Ecologically Sensitive Revegetation of Right-of-Ways47. Conduct Site Monitoring (Quantitative)48. Conduct Regular Site Maintenance49. Properly Use and Maintain Pipeline Components50. Implement Leak Detection and Repair for all Above-Ground Components of Pipeline Infrastructure51. Clarify Remediation of Spills Under Shale Regulation52. Establish Forest Mitigation Program53. Implement Electronic Permit Submissions for Chapters 102 and 10554. Establish Electronic Payment for Chapters 102 and 105 Permit Fees55. Evaluate Need for Hard Copies of Chapter 102 and 105 Permit Submissions56. Evaluate Erosion and Sediment Control General Permit (ESCGP-2) Expedited Review57. Ensure Adequate Agency Staffing for Reviewing Pipeline Infrastructure Projects58. Evaluate DEP Retention and Attrition of Staff and Succession Planning59. Evaluate the Effectiveness of the Permit Decision Guarantee Policy60. Evaluate the Permit Decision Guarantee Priority Status Hierarchy61. Increase DEP Staff Training62. Eliminate Duplicate Questions in Erosion and Sediment Control General Permit (ESCGP-2) Notice of Intent (NOI)63. Create Pipeline Erosion and Sediment Control Manual64. Consider Limited Permit Review Assistance Using Qualified Contractors65. Convene Annual Regulatory Agency Meetings 66. Re-Assess and Update Standing Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) between State and Federal Agencies67. Incorporate Cumulative Impacts into Applications and Review Process68. Conduct Joint Agency Coordination Meetings During Pre-Application and Planning69. Assess Oil and Gas Programs’ Chapter 102 Training

9. Develop An Advanced High-Quality Environmental Resources Planning Tool10. Sponsors Should Use Landscape Level Planning11. Minimize Water Withdrawals for Testing12. Do Not Locate Pipelines Parallel to Streams Within its 100-Year Floodway13. Employ Smart Timing of Construction14. Assess Potential Subsurface Hazards in Planning15. Route Pipelines to Minimize Disturbance to Forest Interiors16. Avoid Steep Slopes and Highly Erodible Soils17. Share Rights-of-Ways18. Identify Barriers to Sharing Rights-of-Ways19. Establish Setbacks from Wetlands and Watercourses20. Use Dry Seals for Centrifugal Compressors21. Minimize Methane Emissions During Compressor State Shutdown Periods22. Use Pump-Down Techniques Before Maintenance and Repair23. Develop Plans for Construction, Operation, and Maintenance24. Implement Directed Inspection and Maintenance Program for Compressor Stations25. Implement Wetland Banking/Mitigation Measures26. Use Antidegredation Best Available Combination of Technologies to Protect EV and HQ Waters27. Avoid Dams and Reservoirs28. Avoid Water and/or Wastewater Discharge29. Develop Plans for No Net Loss of Forests in Headwater Watersheds30. Develop Plans for No Net Loss of Forested Riparian Buffers31. Develop Plans for No Net Loss of Wetlands32. Study Long-Term Impacts of Pipeline Infrastructure on Water Resources and Sensitive Landscapes33. Minimize Methane Emissions34. Minimize Impacts of Stream Crossings35. Conduct Research to Improve Revegetation BMPs36. Require ShutOff Valves for Liquid Product Pipelines37. Use Dust Suppression Controls Near Water Resources38. Test Efficacy of Silt Fencing39. Test Soils in Acid Deposition Impaired Watersheds to Identify Need for Additional Liming40. Sponsors Should Review the Pennsylvania Natural Diversity Inventory (PNDI) Environmental Review Tool

Environmental Protection (cont’d)

Page 6: CEPM Pipeline Task Force Report

6 WASHINGTON & JEFFERSON COLLEGE SHALE GAS KNOWLEDGE HUB / FALL 2015

Historical/Cultural/Tribal

1. Improve Communications with Landowners2. Consult with Federally Recognized Tribes on Section 106-Related Projects3. Consult with Citizens’ Groups, Including Heritage and Historical Organizations and Non-FederallyRecognized (NFR) Tribes for Oil and Gas Development

Local Government

Natural Gas End Use

1. Communicate Early and Often with Local Government Officials

2. Minimize Impact on Local Roads3. Allow Local Regulation for Surface Facilities

4. Implement Best Practices for Upstream and Midstream Oil and Gas Development thatFall Outside of USACE Permit Areas5. Conduct Early Outreach with Affected Communities6. Conduct County-Based Siting and Mitigation Research

1. Create A State Level Permit Coordinator2. Create Regional Energy Corridors and Energy Action Teams3. Create Energy Opportunity Zones

4. Expand Distribution System Improvement Charge (DSIC), Act 11 of 20125. Develop Municipal Guidelines for Natural Gas Distribution Lines

Pipeline Safety & Integrity

Public Participation

Class 1 Locations8. Establish Mapping/GIS for Emergency Response9. Designate PA1Call As Enforcement Agency for Underground Utility Line Protection Law10. Enhance Public Awareness via Mapping/GIS11. Create A Public Education Program on Gathering Systems12. Enhance Public Awareness of Pipeline Location13. Develop Public Education Program for Emergencies

1. Require Leak Detection Survey Schedules2. Require Leak Repair Schedules3. Establish Publicly Available Pipeline Inspection Information4. Require A Cathodic Protection Program5. Require An Integrity Management Program (IMP) for Gathering Pipelines6. Authorize PA Public Utility Commission (PUC) Regulation of Non-Jurisdictional Pipelines7. Require Best Practices and Standards for Production Lines Located Beyond the Well Pad and Gas Gathering Lines in

Siting & Routing

1. Establish Statewide Pipeline Information Resource Center2. Adopt Guidelines for Public Participation3. Amend General Information Form to Require Information on Public Participation

4. Form Pipeline Advisory Committee5. Require Publication of Intent to Apply for DEP Permits Association with Pipeline Development6. Issue Annual Report Implementations on the PITF Recommendations

1. Utilize Planning Process Appropriate for the Scale of the Pipeline Project2. Create an Inter-Agency Coordinating Committee to Resolve Conflicting Construction Requirements3. Create a Statewide Technical Review Committee Within DEP for Multi-Region Pipeline Applications4. Create a Taskforce of Affected Stakeholders to Study the Creation of New Regulatory Entity, or Empower Existing Regulatory Entity to Review and Approve the Siting and Routing of Intrastate Gas Transmission Lines

5. Create DEP Plans and Procedures Design Manual for Pipeline Construction6. Create Third Party Consultant Staffing at DEP7. Expand PA1Call for All Classes of Pipelines8. Pipeline Developers Should Engage with Private and Governmental Stakeholders and Educate Landowners9. Invest in Digital Infrastructure to Improve Data Availability

Workforce & Economic

Development

1. Commission Workforce Assessment and Economic Development Impact Study2. Enhance STEM Education3. Promote Apprenticeship and On-the-Job Training4. Attract Military Veterans to the Energy Workforce5. Conduct a State Employee Workforce Audit to Identify Training and Other Needs of Pertinent State Agencies6. Enhance Workforce Training

7. Develop a Pipeline Map8. Coordinate Project Management for Projects Using Natural Gas in PA9. Create Last Mile Funding10. Expand Distribution System Improvement Charge (DSIC) to Cover Pipeline Payback Period Extension, Advertising Cost

Recommendations Submitted by the Task Force Workgroups (cont’d)

Page 7: CEPM Pipeline Task Force Report

WASHINGTON & JEFFERSON COLLEGE 7SHALE GAS KNOWLEDGE / FALL 2015

Geographic Information System (GIS) software is a tool that allows users to spatially visualize data. GIS can store and map many different types of information including demographic, economic, political, and topographic data. The maps created using GIS software are easy to share and can be used by the industry, regulators, and the general public alike.

The Pipeline Infrastructure Task Force noted the usefulness of GIS and recommended the establishment of GIS pipeline databases.

The benefits of establishing a GIS database for natural gas pipelines are numerous. Such a database would help the industry plan the safest and most cost-effective routes possible given human, environmental, topographic, and other constraints. The community would benefit by having the ability to see the locations of pipelines and proposed projects. Such a tool would facilitate communication as property owners would have the opportunity to review pipelines electronically. Finally, GIS would help regulators by allowing them to monitor pipeline networks and tie permits, reports, inspections, and other important documents to specific locations.

GIS will prove to be an invluable tool in the construction, operation, and maintenance of natural gas pipeline networks.

The Role of GIS in Future Pipeline Development

to implement, keeping in mind that pipeline development is estimated to afftect 300,000 thousand acres of land in the Commonwealth (The Nature Conservancy). Alternatively, the Task Force might consider organizing the recommendations by time horizon, identifying which recommendations could or should be implemented in the short-term, mid-term, and long-term.

By focusing on fewer recommendations and/or prioritizing the recommendations, the Task Force can signal to policymakers which aspects of pipleine development are most critical.

Modifications to the Draft Report require, however, input from all stakeholders. It is imperative that members of the general public, policymakers, local officials, and members from the industry provide input over the coming weeks. Only then will the Final Report submitted to Governor Tom Wolf prove informative, meaningful, and representative of diverse interests.

The scope of the Pipeline Infrastructure Task Force Draft Report is broad. The document provides a wealth of information about a number of important issues pertaining to natural gas pipeline development. And while the comprehensive approach taken in the Draft Report is useful, moving forward, the Task Force will need to take a more focused approach by organizing and prioritizing the list of 184 recommendations and providing more in-depth analysis.

The Task Force should focus on some of the recommendations that are most desirable and/or most feasible

11. Encourage Natural Gas Use in Ports12. Develop Targeted Investment, Business Attraction Effects and Regional Energy Hubs13. Collaborate to Promote Downstream Shale Manufacturing Opportunity14. Encourage Virtual Pipeline (Trucking) Delivery Systems15. Allow Creation of Natural Gas Municipal Authorities

16. Compile Funding and Resource Guidebook17. Support Natural Gas for Compliance with Pennsylvania’s Clean Power Plan (CPP)18. Assess Requirement of Consulting Services for Permitting19. Ensure Pipeline Permit Consistency20. Reform Application of the Pennsylvania Natural Diversity Index (PNDI)

Workforce & Economic

Development (cont’d)

Moving Forward: Recommendations to the Task Force

The Pipeline Infrastructure Task Force will accept public comments on the Draft Report until Tuesday December 29, 2015. You can read the report in its entirety and submit comments by visitng the website of the Department of Environmental Protection (www.dep.pa.gov). Also, you can contact the Pipeline Infrastructure Task Force at [email protected].

The recommendations made in the Draft Report are not final and may change based on comments from the public, discussions between members and workgroups of the Task Force, and observations made by other organizations. The Task Force will reconvene on December 16, 2015 and again on January 13, 2016 to modify and finalize the report. The Final Report is to be submitted to Governor Tom Wolf by February 2016.

Public input is paramount to the success of the Final Report of the Pipeline Infrastructure Task Force which will be submitted to Governor Tom Wolf February 2016.

Page 8: CEPM Pipeline Task Force Report

Shale Gas Knowledge Hub www.shalehub.org

Diana Stares, Director, Center for Energy

Policy and Management

[email protected]

Corey Young, Shale Gas Program

Coordinator

[email protected]

(724) 531-6863

for local government officials and the public on issues related to shale gas development in their communities.

The W&J Center for Energy Policy and Management has two partners in the Knowledge Hub. The first partner, the Environmental Law Institute, is a non-

partisan policy and research organization located in Washington, D.C., which is dedicated to healthy environments, prosperous economies, and vibrant communities.

The second partner is the Pittsburgh-based Local Government Academy, a non-profit and non-partisan organization, which supports a strong and responsive local government by developing local leaders, educating public employees and the public, and promoting collaboration.

The Richard King Mellon Foundation invests in the future of southwestern Pennsylvania and in the protection and restoration of America’s environmental heritage. Its current giving priorities are regional economic development and conservation, along with education and human services and nonprofit capacity building.

The Shale Gas Knowledge Hub is a project undertaken by the W&J College Center for Energy Policy and Management with the generous funding and support of the Richard King Mellon Foundation. The mission of the Knowledge Hub is to be a source of objective information about shale gas development in southwestern Pennsylvania so that the citizens of the region can better understand the risks and opportunities presented by the development and make informed decisions about it.

The Knowledge Hub will identify critical and emerging issues pertaining to shale gas development in southwestern Pennsylvania; aggregate, analyze, and summarize data, information, and research related to shale gas development; disseminate knowledge about shale gas development to members of the general public; and conduct training and outreach activities

The Washington & Jefferson College Center for Energy Policy and Management is dedicated to fostering the development of energy policies that minimize environmental impacts and promote economic growth. The CEPM facilitates the exchange of information by bringing together scientists, industry leaders, elected officials, advocates, and citizens to engage with polices while ensuring that these conversations take place in a spirit of mutual respect and concern for the common good. In addition, the CEPM coordinates the development and publication of the W&J Energy Index, which measures the nation’s progress toward energy independence and security; and facilitates research opportunities, internships, and hands-on experiences in energy and energy-related issues for W&J students.

A New Initiative of the W&J Center for Energy Policy and Management

Panel discussion on Land Use, Zoning, and Addressing Impacts of Shale Gas Drilling After the PA Supreme Court Act 13 Rulings. Event hosted by the Shale Gas Knowledge Hub on June 4, 2015.