-------- Original Message --------
    
    
    
    
    An action alert from our friends at the Oil and
        Gas Accountability Project:  
    
    U.S. Department of Energy to hear from
          citizens of the Marcellus Shale ~ Share your knowledge and
          tell your story!
        
    Monday, June 13, 2011                       
      7:00pm – 9:00 pm (sign up to speak begins at 6:30 pm)
      Washington Jefferson College
      60 South Lincoln Street, Washington PA
    
    In May, U.S. Secretary of Energy Steven Chu announced the
    establishment of the Energy Advisory Board Natural Gas Subcommittee
    on Fracking Issues to make recommendations on improving the “safety
    and environmental performance” of hydraulic fracturing in shale
    formations.
    
    It’s very positive that this critical issue is being investigated at
    the federal level. But many organizations and citizens loudly voiced
    concern that many of the Subcommittee’s members are closely tied to
    the oil and gas industry, that no one directly impacted by shale gas
    development was included, and that meetings were only being held in
    Washington, DC, far from the areas already damaged by drilling. 
    
    Thanks to this outcry, the Subcommittee just announced it will hold
    a meeting in Washington, PA, next week. 
      
      Members need to hear from people whose water, property, and
        health have been impacted by gas drilling, and they need to be
        told why current industry practices and regulations are not
        nearly enough to protect our communities.
    
    This meeting is open to the public but space is limited and
        comments will be limited to two minutes. Those wishing to speak
        should arrive early to sign up.
      
    If you can’t make it there in person or have more information to
      share, you can submit a written statement and other documentation
      to:
    
    Renee Stone
    U.S. Department of Energy
    1000 Independence Avenue, SW
    Washington D.C. 20585
    
    or by email to: shalegas@hq.doe.gov.
    
    For more information see:
    New York Times article: Energy Dept. Panel to Revise
    Standards for Gas Extraction, http://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/07/science/earth/07frack.html?_r=2&hpw
    Natural Gas Subcommittee on Fracking Issues website: www.shalegas.energy.gov
    OGAP Press release on the make-up of the Subcommittee: http://earthworksaction.org/PR_DOE-fracking-panel.cfm
    -- 
Julie Archer
WV Surface Owners' Rights Organization
1500 Dixie Street
Charleston, WV 25311
(304) 346-5891
(304) 346-8981 FAX
www.wvsoro.org