Webinar to examine stray shale-gas migration into groundwater
Sampling stray gas that is bubbling up through surface water.
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Investigations into natural gas from shale development migrating into groundwater will be the focus of a free, Web-based seminar offered by Penn State Extension.
To be presented at 1 p.m. on March 21, “A Geochemical Context for Stray Gas Investigations in the Northern Appalachian Basin,” is part of a monthly series of one-hour webinars.
According to presenter Fred Baldassare, senior geoscientist with ECHELON Applied Geoscience Consulting, as shale gas exploration and development has increased over the past five years, stray gas migration in groundwater has become a hot topic. He will discuss the various sources of methane and the need to review each case individually to determine its origin.
“The occurrence of methane in aquifer systems represents a natural condition in many areas of the Appalachian Basin,” he said. “The origin can be the result of microbial and thermogenic processes that convert organic matter in the aquifer strata to methane, and to lower concentrations of ethane and heavier hydrocarbons in some areas of the basin.
“Or it can result from the progressive migration of hydrocarbon gas over geologic time from the source and/or reservoir to the aquifer.”
But in some instances, Baldassare pointed out, the stray gas that occurs in the aquifer and manifests in private water supplies can be the result of gas-well drilling.
“That happens where pressure combines with ineffective casing cement bonds to create pathways,” he said. “Alleged incidents of stray gas migration must be investigated at the site-specific level and must include isotope geochemistry to determine gas origin and diagnostic evidence to determine a mechanism of migration.”
Presented by Penn State Extension’s Marcellus Education Team, the monthly natural-gas webinars usually are offered from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. on Thursdays. Upcoming webinars will cover the following topics:
–April 24: Utica Reservoirs — Mike Arthur, Penn State professor of geosciences and co-director of the Penn State Marcellus Center for Outreach and Research.
–May 16: Shale Energy Development’s Effect on the Posting, Bonding and Maintenance of Roads in Rural Pennsylvania — Mark Gaines, Pennsylvania Department of Transportation Bureau of Maintenance, Operations and Roadway Management, and Tim Ziegler, Penn State Larson Transportation Institute, Center for Dirt and Gravel Road Studies.
–June 20: Royalty Calculations for Natural Gas from Shale — Jim Ladlee, associate director, Penn State Marcellus Center for Outreach and Research.
Previous webinars, publications and information also are available on the Penn State Extension natural-gas website (http://extension.psu.edu/naturalgas), covering a variety of topics, such as Act 13; seismic testing; air pollution from gas development; water use and quality; zoning; gas-leasing considerations for landowners; gas pipelines and right-of-way issues; legal issues surrounding gas development; and the impact of Marcellus gas development on forestland.
Registration for this webinar is not necessary, and all are welcome to participate by logging in to https://meeting.psu.edu/pscems . For more information, contact Carol Loveland at 570-320-4429 or by email at cal24@psu.edu .
< http://news.psu.edu/story/267750/2013/03/08/webinar-examine-stray-shale-gas-migration-groundwater >
Carbon County Groundwater Guardians is a 501(c)(3) IRS approved nonprofit, volunteer organization and your donation is tax deductible to the extent allowed by law. Well water testing and educational program.
Registration open for May 8 Pa. Groundwater Symposium
‘Emerging Issues in a Changing Landscape’ is the theme of the event.
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — In observance of National Drinking Water Week, Penn State Extension and the state Department of Environmental Protection are collaborating with numerous other sponsors to offer the 2013 Pennsylvania Groundwater Symposium.
Scheduled for May 8 at Penn State’s University Park campus, registration for the event now is open at this website and is limited to the first 150 registrants.
“Emerging Issues in a Changing Landscape” is the theme of the symposium, which will provide a forum for researchers, students, professionals and educators working in the groundwater field to exchange information and promote protection of groundwater resources throughout the state.
“Millions of Pennsylvanians rely on groundwater for their drinking water,” said symposium coordinator Bryan Swistock, extension water resources specialist. “National Drinking Water Week provides the perfect opportunity for us to convene a symposium of groundwater experts who can share information to better understand and protect this vital natural resource.”
Morning and afternoon keynote speakers will address important water issues in Pennsylvania, including emerging contaminants and the potential impacts of natural-gas development.
The symposium also will feature several concurrent sessions with presentations on groundwater budgets and yields, tools for describing groundwater during natural-gas exploration, and broader studies characterizing groundwater and water wells.
A lengthy afternoon break and poster session will allow attendees to network while viewing numerous poster presentations. Abstracts for additional poster presentations will be accepted through April 3 on the registration website.
A nominal registration fee of $30 for the symposium is made possible by funding support from Penn State Extension and its Master Well Owner Network, the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, the Mid-Atlantic Water Program, the Pennsylvania Ground Water Association and the Penn State Water Resources Research Center.
Additional partnering agencies include the U.S. Geological Survey and the Susquehanna River Basin Commission.
For more information, contact Swistock at 814-863-0194 or by email at brs@psu.edu.
news.psu.edu/story/142152/2013/02/07/registration-open-may-8-pa-groundwater-symposium
Land-use webinar offered by Penn State Extension on Feb. 20
news.psu.edu/story/264504/2013/02/18/land-use-webinar-offered-penn-state-extension-feb-20
UNIVERSITY PARK — A Web-based seminar focusing on limitations in municipal land-use authority will be offered by Penn State Extension at noon and 7 p.m. Feb. 20.
“How Pre-emption of Zoning and Other Local Controls Impacts Planning” will provide participants with an appreciation of how state laws can impact local land use.
In the one-hour session, attorney Charles Courtney, of McNees Wallace & Nurick LLC, will explain why planners, elected officials and other interested parties should understand how certain statutes can limit municipal land-use authority.
“Although municipalities have broad land-use authority under the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code, various commonwealth statutes limit that authority in specific areas — for example the Oil and Gas Act and the Nutrient Management Act,” he said.
“Under many of these statutes, the municipality is forbidden to impose any requirement that is inconsistent with the state statute. This pre-emption can be expressly written in the statute, or it can be implied.”
Understanding the limitations in local land-use authority will help municipal officials to be better planners, Courtney noted. The webinar, which will be moderated by Neal Fogle, Penn State Extension educator based in Northumberland County, will provide that insight.
The Feb. 20 presentation is part of Extension’s Land Use Decision-Making Monthly Webinar Series, which provides information about current planning issues, land use planning tools and techniques, local regulation and community engagement. The sessions are designed to help planners, elected officials and citizens better engage in land use decision-making processes.
Upcoming webinars will cover the following topics:
–March 20: “Renewable Energy Implementation and Land Use Regulations — Is There Conflict?”
–April 17: “Developing More Effective Citizen Engagement: A How-To Guide for Community Leaders”
–May 15: “Low Impact Development and Smart Growth: How Are They Best Integrated and Utilized in Our Communities?”
A webinar held Jan. 16, “Planning in Pennsylvania: Land Use, Communities and Beyond,” was recorded and is available to registered participants for viewing.
Registration cost for the entire webinar series is $25, and registrants can watch as few or as many webinars as they like. For more information, contact Jeff Himes, extension educator based in Tioga County, at 570-724-9120 or jhimes@psu.edu, or visit http://agsci.psu.edu/land-use-webinar.
Contacts:
Chuck Gill
cdg5@psu.edu
Work Phone:
814-863-2713
Webinar to highlight best shale gas extraction conservation practices
Shale-gas development in Pennsylvania forestlands has raised concerns about whether it can be done with minimal impact to the environment.
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — The best conservation practices for shale-gas extraction will be the focus of a free, Web-based seminar offered by Penn State Extension at 1 p.m. on Feb. 21.
The presentation, “Evaluating the Scientific Support of Conservation Best Management Practices for Shale Gas Extraction in the Appalachian Basin,” is part of a monthly series of one-hour webinars.
This month’s webinar focuses on research done by the Nature Conservancy. That organization’s shale-gas specialists, Scott Bearer and Tamara Gagnolet, will discuss their analysis of practices that could benefit the environment.
“Shale-gas development in Pennsylvania forestlands has raised a broad range of concerns about whether it can be done with minimal impact to the environment and still allow the forests to provide outdoor enjoyment for the public,” Bearer said.
“During the webinar, we will provide an overview of our assessment of various conservation practices related to shale-gas extraction. We also will discuss which best-management practices are most supported by the science and therefore should be considered when developing a conservation-minded shale gas lease.”
Presented by Penn State Extension’s Marcellus Education Team, most of the monthly webinars will be offered from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. on Thursdays. Upcoming planned topics and presenters include:
– March 21: Stray Gas Migration — Fred Baldassare, senior geoscientist with Echelon Applied Geoscience Consulting.
– April 24: Utica Reservoirs — Mike Arthur, Penn State professor of geosciences and co-chair of the Penn State Marcellus Center for Outreach and Research.
–May 16: Shale Energy Development’s Effect on the Posting, Bonding and Maintenance of Roads in Rural Pennsylvania — Mark Gaines, Pennsylvania Department of Transportation Bureau of Maintenance, Operations and Roadway Management, and Tim Ziegler, Penn State Larson Transportation Institute, Center for Dirt and Gravel Road Studies.
–June 20: Royalty Calculations for Natural Gas from Shale — Jim Ladlee, associate director, Penn State Marcellus Center for Outreach and Research.
Previous webinars, publications and information also are available on the Penn State Extension natural-gas website (http://extension.psu.edu/naturalgas), covering a variety of topics, such as Act 13; seismic testing; air pollution from gas development; water use and quality; zoning; gas-leasing considerations for landowners; gas pipelines and right-of-way issues; legal issues surrounding gas development; and the impact of Marcellus gas development on forestland.
Registration for this webinar is not necessary, and all are welcome to participate by logging in to https://meeting.psu.edu/pscems . For more information, contact Carol Loveland at 570-320-4429 or by email at cal24@psu.edu.
REMINDER – water webinar January 30 on baseline water testing for gas drilling
Bryan Swistock <brs@psu.edu>
The next webinar in our Water Resources series will be Wednesday, January 30, 2013 from noon to 1 PM (EST). More details below. Hope you can join us!
When: Wednesday January 30, 2013 from noon to 1 PM
Topic: A Study of Pre-Drilling Groundwater Quality in 700 Water Wells and Springs in North Central Pennsylvania
Speaker: Jim Clark, Water Resources Extension Educator, Penn State Extension, McKean County
Where: The live webinar can be viewed at https://meeting.psu.edu/water1
Webinar Description:
Jim Clark, a Penn State Extension Water Resources Extension Educator based in McKean County, PA, will discuss the results of a study of approximately 700 private drinking water supplies covering eight counties in North Central Pennsylvania. Clark has been a Penn State Extension Educator for 24 years and has completed private water supply testing projects in McKean County in 2006 and Cameron County in 2011. This current water testing effort was administered by the Headwaters Resource Conservation and Development Council and the Clearfield County Conservation District. A grant from the Colcum Foundation funded the project. The Penn State Extension Water Resources Team partnered to offer a Water Test Report Interpretation Workshop in each of the eight participating counties and offered individual consultations for many of the private water supply owners who participated in the study. The combined workshop evaluation results and the results for the 21 parameters tested on the private water supplies will be shared and discussed.
About the Presenter:
Jim Clark is a native of Elmira, New York. He holds an Associate Degree in Animal Husbandry from Alfred State College and a Bachelor of Science and Masters in Arts and Teaching from Cornell University. He has been an Extension Educator with Penn State Extension since July of 1989, based in McKean County, Pennsylvania. He is Co Chair of the Penn State Water Resources Team.”
How to Participate
The live webinar will occur from noon to 1 PM and is accessible at: https://meeting.psu.edu/water1
You can access this webinar simply by signing in as a “guest”.
Taped versions of each webinar in the series are available at: http://extension.psu.edu/water/webinar-series/past-webinars
If you have not registered for past water webinars, please visit the following website to register so we can keep you updated about future webinar offerings: http://extension.psu.edu/water/webinar-series/schedule/registration.
If this will be your first webinar, you may want to test your
computer and internet connection for compatibility at:
https://meeting.psu.edu/common/help/en/support/meeting_test.htm
Additonal Upcoming Webinars
Additional webinars on various water resources topics will be offered each month – generally on the last Wednesday of the month. A full schedule of webinars for the next 12 months can be found at: http://extension.psu.edu/water/webinar-series/schedule.
The February webinar will be offered on 2/27/13 at noon on Innovations in Youth Water Education by Jennifer Fetter, Water Resources Educator, Penn State Extension, Dauphin County.
Please pass this along to anyone that might be interested in attending these webinars.
Other Training and Presentations on Common Water Quality Problems and baseline water testing.
Online Class for Homeowners with Private Wells
The Private Well Class is a free online service, grant-funded to educate homeowners about their private wells.
The Rural Community Assistance Partnership has received a grant from the USEPA to develop a free, online class for homeowners with private wells. We ask that you help promote the class with well owners and those that serve them in your region. If your organization has little contact with private well owners, please feel free to pass this information along to others who might be interested.
The class is set up to be self-help over 10 weeks, with materials emailed once a week to participants. Well owners can sign up anytime, and though the first week was sent on Jan 2, 2013, anyone signing up after that will start as soon as they sign up. So, someone just finding out about this in April can sign up and start the class then. There are three webinars that will provide well owners a chance to reinforce what they are seeing in the class material and ask questions of the presenters. Each webinar will be repeated every three months through August 2013, so no matter when someone starts the class, they will be able to see all three at least once.
Please take a look at the materials attached, visit the website [ http://www.privatewellclass.org/ ] and we encourage you to sign up as a partner. Partners will receive an email when a new webinar date is announced, or when additional information is added to the website. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact me.
Cassia Smith
cassiars@illinois.edu
217-333-8700
other
privatewellclass.net
PA Groundwater Online Survey
National Groundwater Issues Online Survey
For Local Case Studies on Groundwater Quality
More Videos on Groundwater Education
Adult volunteer leaders sought for 4-H Stream Teams program
live.psu.edu/story/63390#nw69
Wednesday, January 2, 2013
Penn State Extension is looking for caring adults to be volunteer leaders for the 4-H Stream Teams program, which teaches youth about local water resources.
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Penn State Extension is offering environmentally minded Pennsylvania adults the chance to share their interests with young people in their community.
Extension is seeking volunteers for its 4-H Stream Teams program, which guides youths in learning about local water resources and encourages them to become water stewards and involved citizens, now and in the future.
A four-part, Web-based training series for prospective 4-H Stream Teams adult volunteers will begin Jan. 29. Each live, one-hour webinar will be offered at noon and repeated at 7 p.m.:
– Jan. 29, Part 1: What is a 4-H Stream Team?
– Jan. 31, Part 2: Teaching Hands-On Water Education
– Feb. 5, Part 3: Connecting Youth to Local Water Resources
– Feb. 7, Part 4: Leading Youth in Water-Based Service Projects
This free training is open to anyone who already works with youth — such as 4-H volunteers, Scout leaders, camp directors or classroom teachers — and to any adult looking for an opportunity to share their interest in the environment with youth. 4-H programs also provide important leadership, citizenship and life skills that will benefit youth throughout their lives.
Registration for the training is required and can be completed at http://psu.ag/S5rX90. For more information, contact Jennifer Fetter at 4HWater@psu.edu or 717-921-8803, or visit http://ecosystems.psu.edu/youth/4-h-stream-teams-information.
Shale gas webinar focuses on published research about water impacts
live.psu.edu/story/63120#nw69
Friday, December 7, 2012
Water resource protection has been at the forefront of the environmental concerns associated with shale-energy production.
UNIVERSITY PARK, PA. — A web-based seminar focusing on published research about the effects of shale-gas development on water quality and quantity will be presented by Penn State Extension at 1 p.m. on Dec. 20.
The one-hour webinar, “Shale Energy and Water Impacts: A Review of Recently Published Research,” will be hosted by David Yoxtheimer, a hydrogeologist with Penn State’s Marcellus Center for Outreach and Research.
Water resource protection has been at the forefront of the environmental concerns associated with shale-energy production, according to Yoxtheimer.
“This webinar will review the implications from recent publications and identify areas where additional research efforts are needed,” he said.
“The webinar will help participants, including landowners, environmentalists, academia and legislators, to gain an increased awareness of current research findings and needs and how to interpret the information.”
The Dec. 20 webinar is part of a monthly series offered from 1 to 2 p.m. on Thursdays. Upcoming topics include the following:
– Jan. 17: “America’s New Industrial Revolution: A Renaissance for U.S. Chemical Manufacturing,” with Dan Borne, Louisiana Chemical Association.
– Feb. 21: “The Science behind Best-Management Practices,” with Nels Johnson, director of the Nature Conservancy.
Registration for the webinars is not necessary, and all are welcome to participate by logging in to https://meeting.psu.edu/pscems. For more information, contact Carol Loveland at 570-320-4429 or by email at cal24@psu.edu.
Previous webinars, publications and information also are available on the Penn State Extension natural-gas website (http://extension.psu.edu/naturalgas), covering a variety of topics, such as Act 13; seismic testing; air pollution from gas development; water use and quality; zoning; gas-leasing considerations for landowners; gas pipelines and right-of-way issues; legal issues surrounding gas development; and the impact of Marcellus gas development on forestland.
Tree Risk Assessment for community trees webinar scheduled
www.tnonline.com/2012/nov/28/tree-risk-assessment-community-trees-webinar-scheduled
Wednesday, November 28, 2012
Tree Risk Assessment for Community Trees webinar, Tuesday, Dec. 4, 12-1 p.m. ET. Participation in the web seminar does not require any special software. To view live and previously recorded seminars all you need is a high-speed Internet connection and sound. To take part in the live seminar, visit https://meeting.psu.edu/pacommunityforestry. Login in by registering as a guest (type your name). To view previously recorded webinars, please visit: http://www.pacommunityforests.com/webinar/index.htm.
Webinar to analyze options for establishing the value of shale gas
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — A Web-based seminar, “Analyzing the Options for Monetizing the Shale Gas Resource,” will be presented by Penn State Extension at 1 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 15.
The one-hour webinar will examine the growing supply and varying demand for natural gas produced from deep shale formations in Pennsylvania and elsewhere.
Uday Turaga, founder and chief executive officer of ADI Analytics LLC — who is internationally known for his expertise in shale-gas production and the resource’s market — will provide his insight during the session.
While news reports regularly feature stories about new shale-gas basins, increased gas estimates or higher production yields, a thorough public understanding of natural-gas demand often is lacking, webinar organizers said.
Turaga will discuss research conducted by his company, looking at current and future uses of natural gas and options for utilization, conversion and monetization of this resource.
“Shale gas supply is growing rapidly and will significantly impact both the North American and the global energy industry,” said Turaga, a recognized thought leader in the energy and chemical industry, and a frequent speaker on energy issues at conferences and events globally.
“In addition to being used for power, chemicals and vehicles, shale gas could position North America as a major supplier of liquid natural gas in a world that wants more of it,” he said. “Such development would, collectively, stabilize natural gas prices and incentivize continued investments in shale gas and other unconventional resources.”
Presented by Penn State Extension’s Marcellus Education Team, the Nov. 15 webinar is part of a monthly series offered from 1 to 2 p.m. Thursdays. Upcoming topics include:
– Dec. 20, “Shale Energy and Water Impacts: A Review of Recently Published Research”
– Jan. 17, “America’s New Industrial Revolution: A Renaissance for U.S. Chemical Manufacturing”
– Feb. 21, “The Science behind Best-Management Practices”
Registration for the webinars is not necessary, and all are welcome to participate by logging in to https://meeting.psu.edu/pscems. For more information, contact Carol Loveland at 570-320-4429 or by email at cal24@psu.edu.
Previous webinars, publications and information are available on the Penn State Extension natural-gas website, covering topics such as Act 13, seismic testing, air pollution from gas development, water use and quality, zoning, gas-leasing considerations for landowners, gas pipelines and right-of-way issues, legal issues surrounding gas development and the impact of Marcellus gas development on forestland.
live.psu.edu/story/62611#nw69
Friday, November 9, 2012