What’s all this about Fracking? Ithaca College Nov. 3, 6:30PM

October 25, 2010

 “What’s All This About Fracking?” forum at Ithaca College Wed. Nov. 3, 6:30 p.m.

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The subject of fracking crosses a multitude of fields — the sciences, agriculture, business, citizenship, economics, employment, health, philosophy, politics, psychology, media, recreation, sociology, tourism, and more.

Ithaca College is hosting an educational forum that will touch on some of these multidisciplinary aspects.

“What’s All This about Fracking?” will be held in Emerson Suites, Phillips Hall, starting at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, November 3.

Moderated by Crystal Sarakas of the Binghamton NPR affiliate WSKG, it will feature noted experts from various fields as well as an industry professional and a representative of a pro-drilling landowners’ coalition.

Tony Ingraffea, Ph.D., P.E. (NYS), the D.C. Baum Professor of Engineering at Cornell University, will lead the forum with a look at the physics of the gas extraction process via fracking. Ingraffea’s research concentrates on complex fracturing processes, and he has been a principal investigator on research and development projects from the National Science Foundation, NASA, the Gas Research Institute, and Schlumberger, among many others. His numerous awards include two Research in Rock Mechanics Awards from the U.S. National Committee for Rock Mechanics and awards for outstanding teaching at Cornell. He organized and was the first director of the Synthesis National Engineering Education Coalition, a team of eight diverse engineering colleges.

John Holko, president of Lenape Resources, Inc., and also representing the Independent Oil and Gas Association of New York, will share the industry perspective on jobs and economic benefits of drilling. Lenape Resources is the operating arm of Lenape Energy, Inc. Along with its sister companies Lenape Drilling, Inc. and Lenape Gathering Corp, Lenape Resources is involved in the exploration, development, gathering, and marketing of oil and gas in the Appalachian basin, with a primary focus in New York and Pennsylvania.

Lorin Cooper, chair of the Political Action and Public Relations Committee of of the Steuben County Landowners Association, will discuss how this drilling education and advocacy group works to ensure the most favorable contract provisions for those who lease their land to drilling companies and the economic benefits the coalition expects. Cooper is retired from the Steuben Allegany BOCES, where he was the director of vocational education and alternative high schools. He had previously worked as a research analyst for the New York State Education Department.

Jannette Barth, Ph.D., will discuss her findings about the deep and broad economic impacts of fracking in the Marcellus Shale. Barth is president of J. M. Barth and Associates, an economics research and consulting firm specializing in demand analysis and forecasting. In her study, which unlike others was not funded by industry, she looked at employment and demographic information in areas where drilling has taken place in Pennsylvania and western states. The report, titled “Unanswered Questions About the Economic Impact of Gas Drilling in the Marcellus Shale: Don’t Jump to Conclusions,” was released in March.

Robert Howarth, Ph.D., will discuss his study on the greenhouse gas footprint of Marcellus shale. Howarth, who is the David R. Atkinson Professor of Ecology and Environmental Biology at Cornell University, aims in his research both to address fundamental ecological questions and to contribute to practical issues of environmental management. He is conducting a full life-cycle analysis of greenhouse-gas emissions from shale gas development relative to existing fossil fuel and alternative renewable energy sources.

Helen Slottje, a public interest attorney with the nonprofit law firm Community Environmental Defense Council, Inc., will address legal challenges confronting residents and communities. She was lead attorney for citizens on the lawsuit challenging the Village of Horseheads’ finding that there would be no significant environmental impact from a new 88-acre drilling services facility operating right in the town. Slottje also works with landowners who are trying to understand their leases, students at Cornell’s Water and Land Clinic, and other community groups trying to protect themselves from the negative impacts of fracking and volume of wells slated for towns like Ithaca that lie above the Marcellus shale.

Finally, New York State Assemblywoman Barbara Lifton will speak about fracking from her legislative point of view. Lifton is finishing her fourth term representing the 125th Assembly District, which includes all of Tompkins County, the City of Cortland, and the towns of Cortlandville and Virgil in Cortland County. She serves on six committees in the Assembly: Agriculture, Commerce & Industry, Election Law, Environmental Conservation, Higher Education, Job Creation, and Mental Health, and is vice chair of the Assembly Steering Committee.

There will be a question-and-answer session after the forum. The public is invited and reminded that the Ithaca College culture is one of collegiality and respect for diverse opinions.

The free forum is being hosted by the School of Business, the Commit to Change program, and Sustainability at Ithaca, with further support from the School of Communications, the School of Humanities and Sciences, and the Departments of Departments of Biology, Chemistry, Economics, Environmental Studies and Sciences, Philosophy & Religion, Physics, Politics, Psychology, and Sociology.

For more information, or for individuals with disabilities requesting accommodations, contact Marian Brown at 607-274-3787 or mbrown@ithaca.edu. Those requesting accommodations are asked to do so as soon as possible.
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