McKean County Natural Gas Taskforce Hydraulic Fracturing Series

The McKean County Natural Gas Taskforce is hosting a series of three free events focused on Hydraulic fracturing. Hydraulic fracturing has been and continues to be a hot topic related to natural gas development. May and June will feature investigative films, with opposing viewpoints, focused on hydraulic fracturing. The final event scheduled on this topic is a presentation on alternative fracturing techniques being developed for the gas industry.

The views and opinions expressed in the documentary films and presentations being presented as part of this series are those of the film producers and speakers, and do not necessarily represent the views or opinions of the McKean County Natural Gas Taskforce, its members, or its member agencies. The McKean County Natural Gas Taskforce strives to provide information that represents both sides of the natural gas debate. Individuals are strongly encouraged to attend both movies and the presentation to hear both sides of the issue and draw their own conclusions.

FrackNation - Throughout this documentary, Journalist Phelim McAleer faces threats, cops and bogus lawsuits while questioning green extremists for the truth about fracking. McAleer uncovers fracking facts suppressed by environmental activists, and he talks with rural Americans whose livelihoods are at risk if fracking is banned. Emotions run high but the truth runs deep. This film will be presented on May 28, 2013 from 7:00 - 8:30 PM in Room 162 Swarts Hall, University of Pittsburgh at Bradford Campus.

Triple Divide - Questions in the corners of society behind the controversial technology known as "fracking" are being answered in the new documentary film Triple Divide from PublicHerald.org. An 18-month investigation discovered recurring impacts: contaminated water, air, and land; intimidation and harassment; loss of property, investments, and standard of living; community disruption; destruction of the public trust; illness; fragmentation of Pennsylvania's last stands of core forest; and lack of protection over basic human rights. Triple Divide reveals the failure of state regulations to protect the public and the environment, and the failure of natural gas companies to prevent real and immediate dangers, whether or not they're in compliance with regulations. This film will be presented on June 25, 2013 from 7:00 - 8:30 PM in Room 107 Fisher Hall, University of Pittsburgh at Bradford Campus.

Alternative Fracturing Technologies - Russell Marold a sophomore enrolled in the Petroleum Technology program at the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford will give a presentation on Alternative Fracturing Technologies including liquid nitrogen, liquid carbon dioxide, and compact crystallized natural gas. These and other technologies may someday eliminate the need for water to be used in the fracturing process used to harvest natural gas. The research that will be presented was conducted by Mr. Marold under the supervision of Dr. Panah, Director of Petroleum Technology and Geology and Environmental Science Programs, at the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford. Mr. Marold recently gave a similar presentation at the PA Academy of Science Conference held at the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford in April. This presentation will be held on August 27, 2013 from 7:00 - 8:00 PM in the Mukaiyama University Room located in the Frame-Westerberg Commons building, University of Pittsburgh at Bradford Campus.

All three events are free of charge and are open to the public. Additional information and resources related to the natural gas industry are available at the McKean, Potter, and Cameron County Natural Gas Resource Center website at http://naturalgasresourcecenter.com/.