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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
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State
Rep. Jesse White
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White public meeting will address Marcellus Shale concerns
HARRISBURG, June 4 – State Rep. Jesse White, D-Washington/Allegheny/Beaver, will host an informational public meeting to air questions, comments and concerns brought up by district residents about Marcellus Shale gas exploration.
The meeting will be held at 7 p.m. Thursday, June 11 at Fort Cherry High School, 110 Fort Cherry Road, McDonald.
White said a representative from the Department of Environmental Protection will be on hand to address questions and concerns.
"Many residents are concerned about their rights and how the expanding development of Marcellus Shale will impact them," said White. "That includes homeowners anxious about how drilling activities might affect local water supplies.
"The questions carry over to what is being done with the discharge of large amounts of water used in the drilling process."
White has introduced a bill in the House that would allow property owners to assume the mineral rights for their land if specific conditions are not met over a 10-year period. The legislation would not affect current mineral rights owners.
"In order to allay anyone's fears about Marcellus Shale drilling, we must act proactively and with great transparency to earn the public's confidence throughout the development process," added White. "I will continue to do the utmost to ensure that people have answers to their questions, and to protect their rights in dealing with the developers and state agencies involved.
"At the same time, we must be prepared to meet the opportunities for job creation and other benefits that tapping the Marcellus Shale gas deposit brings to the region."