Major two-day conference focuses on economic, environmental and societal impacts of Shale Gas and Shale Gas Drilling

CLEVELAND – The distinguished list of presenters and their topics have been announced for the June 18-19 National Academy of Engineering’s Topical Meeting on Shale Gas: Promises and Challenges. The agenda of the non-biased informational and educational meeting is a balance of academia, industry and scientific viewpoints on shale gas and shale gas drilling.

The two-day conference will explore various topics, focusing on both the risks and rewards of shale gas, with the chief goal to raise awareness and enhance understanding for a general audience, giving them the opportunity to ask questions and receive answers. “We have assembled a full presentation with experts in their fields on the benefits and costs of shale gas, and we expect the conference to be very insightful and engaging for those on all sides of the issues,” said conference co-chair Steve Percy, interim Dean of Cleveland State University’s Monte Ahuja College of Business and the past Chairman and CEO of BP America.

Day one of the meeting will concentrate on the impact of shale gas on the economy and energy security, with both a view from industry and from science and technology communities. Mary Taylor, the Lieutenant Governor for the State of Ohio will share insights on the opportunities for shale gas in the state. Additional highlights of day one include a discussion of Energy Security and Broader Energy Policy from James Bartis, the Adjunct Researcher for the Rand Corporation; a presentation on the Economic Impact on the Manufacturing Sector by Chad Moutray, the Chief Economist for the National Association of Manufacturers; and the Scientific Challenges of Shale Gas Development presented by Mark Zoback, the Benjamin M. Page Professor of Earth Science and Professor of Geophysics in the Department of Geophysics at Stanford University. Each session throughout the day will end with a panel discussion and an audience question and answer session.

ay two focuses on the environmental, health, safety and societal impact of shale gas. Topics to be covered include Shale Gas and Water Usage and Pollution presented by Joseph Ryan, the Director of the Colorado Water and Energy Research Center at the University of Colorado; Air Pollution Issues Associated with Shale Gas Production and Usage discussed by Gabrielle Petron, Atmospheric Scientist with the National Oceanic Atmospheric agency; and Occupational Health and Safety Risks by Karen B. Mulloy, Visiting Professor of Environmental Health at Case Western Reserve University. As on day one, the day will end with a discussion and be followed by a summary of all sessions that were held throughout the conference.

There is no charge for admission to the June 18-19 event; however, advance registration is required; for more information and to register, please visit www.naeshalegas.com.

The National Academy of Engineering is sponsoring and organizing this event. Case Western Reserve University is hosting the event and co-sponsoring with Cleveland State University. This meeting marks one of several NAE conferences in Cleveland over the past decade. Earlier sessions involved questions surrounding vaccine production and 21st-century energy options.

About the National Academy of Engineering Founded in 1964, the National Academy of Engineering (NAE) is a private, independent, nonprofit institution that provides engineering leadership in service to the nation. The mission of the National Academy of Engineering is to advance the well-being of the nation by promoting a vibrant engineering profession and by marshaling the expertise and insights of eminent engineers to provide independent advice to the federal government on matters involving engineering and technology.

The National Academy of Engineering is an integral part of the National Academy of Sciences (NAS), which was established in 1863 by President Abraham Lincoln. NAS is the principle advisor to the US government on matters of science, engineering and medicine.

MEDIA CONTACT: Joe Mosbrook, Cleveland State University, 216-523-7279, j.mosbrook@csuohio.edu
CONTACT: Kevin Mayhood, Case Western Reserve University, 216-368-4442, kevin.mayhood@case.edu
CONTACT: Regina Loiko, naeshalegas@gmail.com