Date: November 14, 2013

Time: 1:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Location: Friend 008

This forum is the second in a series of talks featuring speakers from industry, government and NGOs that will explore key topics associated with shale gas and tight oil in conjunction with the course, “U.S. Shale Gas and Tight Oil: Implications and Opportunities,” being taught by Michael Schwartz, the Gerhard R. Andlinger Visiting Professor in Energy and the Environment.

The public debate surrounding shale gas has centered on the environmental impacts of fracing. This speaker forum will feature three speakers representing a respected environmental NGO, a representative from the oil/gas industry and a former state regulator who will provide their perspective of the key environmental issues related to shale gas/tight oil exploration and production. Mark Brownstein of the Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) will focus on methane and air emissions as well as identify areas which he believes need to be address by industry and government. Jim Benton of the New Jersey Petroleum Council will discuss the industry’s approach to environmental management and provide its perspective of the role of industry and government in mitigating environmental impacts. Michael Sponsler, former chief of the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Division of Mineral Resources Management and a Senior Project Manager with TRC, a leading environmental consulting firm, will trace the history of shale gas regulation in Ohio and describe the framework of industry regulation in Ohio.