UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Penn State is hosting the annual Shale Network Workshop on May 18 and 19 at the Penn Stater Hotel and Conference Center in State College. The theme for the 2023 workshop is “Environmental and Policy Challenges and Opportunities” and will focus on fostering data-driven and multi-stakeholder discussions on the environmental and social impacts of unconventional energy development. The workshop is free and open to the public.
The workshop provides an opportunity for citizen scientists, researchers, government officials, energy company representatives and environmental professionals to discuss water and environmental issues in regions experiencing shale energy development. Some of the topics that will be addressed this year include the Shell ethylene cracker plant, orphaned and abandoned wells, and the energy-water-health nexus.
Day one of the workshop on May 18 includes a poster session and mixer from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. and plenary opening remarks at 7:30 p.m.
Richard Negrin, secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), will deliver the keynote address from 7:30 to 9 p.m. on Thursday, May 18, in Deans Hall of the Penn Stater Hotel and Conference Center. Negrin, who was appointed by Gov. Josh Shapiro, will discuss his vision for the DEP.
Day two on May 19 features presentations from members of academia, government, industry and nongovernmental organizations, as well as panel discussions. Jennifer Baka, associate professor of geography and workshop organizer, will start the day with an overview of the workshop.
“We’ve been running the workshop here at Penn State for more than 10 years, and we bring together a nice mix of academics, industry, government and civil society stakeholders to discuss the latest environmental issues related to shale production,” said Baka.
This year’s workshop is sponsored by Penn State, Oak Ridge Associated Universities, the National Science Foundation, the University of Pittsburgh, HEI Energy, Syracuse University and Evergreen Conservancy.