UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Daniel Raimi, author of "The Fracking Debate: the Risks, Benefits, and Uncertainties of the Shale Revolution," will give a presentation at Penn State, sponsored by Penn State Law and its Center for Energy Law and Policy, Penn State Earth and Environmental Systems Institute and Penn State Marcellus Center for Outreach and Research.
Raimi, who will bring a holistic perspective on shale energy from his travels talking to people and communities affected, will speak from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, March 1, at the Sutliff Auditorium in the Lewis Katz Building at the University Park campus. The free program is open to the public.
The rise of the shale-gas revolution in the 21st century has been due mainly to advances in the technology of horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing. The Marcellus has generated strong dissension, largely as the result of the varying views of hydraulic fracturing or ''fracking."
Rami will share common questions and concerns people shared with him about shale energy development in his three years of traveling to all major oil and gas regions in the United States. He has interviewed a diverse range of people impacted by or involved in this form of energy development, extensively researched key issues, and gained a holistic perspective on unconventional oil and gas exploration.
Rami's presentation will address the following questions: Is shale energy production good for the economy? Is shale gas a global trend? Will this technology lead the U.S. to energy independence? What are the impacts for climate change? And what are the implications for water supplies and earthquakes?
Based on his thorough understanding of the shale-gas issue and background gained from conducting research, Raimi will highlight stories of the people and communities affected by the shale revolution, with an in-depth look at current research.
"Daniel's research digs into aspects of shale development that are important to evolving public policy and that impact citizens at the community level," said Tom Murphy, co-director of the Penn State Marcellus Center for Outreach and Research. "He provides a fair and unbiased perspective in offering a nuanced but accessible understanding of the shale revolution."
Raimi's presentation will be followed by an open question-and-answer period and a book-signing opportunity.