Sullivan County Energy Task Force

Mission
To serve as a public resource in the energy industries in Sullivan County; foster relationships with the industries, regulators and citizens of Sullivan County; address rumors and/or dispel myths about energy development and to provide a forum for related discussions, seminars and meetings.

• Specifically the Task Force is to focus on the Marcellus Shale natural gas industry but is also interested in alternate sources of energy which have benefits, such as wind and bio-fuels. Energy savings is another consideration of the Task Force.

• Consists of citizens and professionals organized within several sub-committees which are sensitive to the concerns of the community in the energy industry within Sullivan County.

The sub-committees are as follows:

Economic Development, Government Relations, Public safety, Planning, Environment, Public Education, Public Relations, Infrastructure, and Industry Relations.

The Task Force needs to be aware of its limitations, and should partner with DEP, County Commissioners , energy companies, and township and municipal officials for the benefit of the community.

• The Task Force cannot give legal or financial advice, but the Task Force should encourage the property owners to take these issues to professionals in the industry. (www.Northerntier.org and www.gomarcellusshale.com are two useful sites for use.)

• The individual sub-committees are encouraged to meet and make monthly presentations to the Task Force and public. Individual sub-committees should take turns in recommending a program for monthly meeting.

• To educate the community, a link should be created and maintained on the County government website. The public relations sub-committee should update this site at least quarterly as well as provide articles for the Sullivan Review on various related topics. The information on the site and articles can be related to natural gas as well as other energy topics. Click on : www.sullivancounty.pa.us and see TASK FORCE. This site be updated periodically.

• The Task Force has subscribed to the State ENOTICE system such that email notification of each applied for and/or approved well permit in Sullivan County, Pa is received by the Task Force. Location of approved permit sites should be mapped. A letter to the property owner should be sent informing the owner of contact names at DEP. First line of help is DEP. It is important to verify issues, and the Task Force would like to be informed of any issues.

• The success of the Task Force as a whole depends upon the diligence of each sub-committee to be active within its various scope of interest. The chairs of each sub-committee should feel they have the flexibility and creativeness for its success.

From the Energy Task Force:

The Sullivan County Energy Task Force Committee will meet at the Sullivan County Courthouse at 9:00 ,
the 4th Monday of each month unless otherwise advertised in the Sullivan Review.

MEETING SCHEDULE for 2010

INFORMATIONAL  MEETINGS

• Starting  Jan 21 at 1 pm free webinar: click onto: http:  naturalgas.extension.psu.edu/events.htm for additonal information or call Joann Kowalski  570-278-1158.l
• Lycoming College Williamsport Jan 29th , the Science of Marcellus Shale, 0830 to 3:30.  there is a small fee.  570-321-4185
• Feb 27 - 0900 at the Sullivan County High School there is a workshop on investments hosted by Penn State Extension.
• March 22 - general committee meeting, 0900
• Apr 26 - Penn College presentation by Larry Michael "Workforce needs in the Northern Tier counties within the Marcellus Shale Industry".  All business owners and entrepreneurs invited.  0900 courthouse.
• March 23rd, 7 pm, Mr Craig Konkle, EMS training and Operations Supervisor & Public safety Chairman  for Lycoming county will be presenting information for volunteer fireman and EMA volunteers.  This workshop will be at the Courthouse, and is in addition to the regular monthly mtng on Mar 22nd 0900.  
• April 26th: At 0900 , program at Courthouse.  Guest will be Larry Michael, Ex Dir of Workforce and Economic Dev from Penn College and will be presenting on job needs for the Marcellus Shale industry in our region.

Special programs will be planned on announced months and committee reports and committee business will be presented each month.

Sub-Committee List

Links

Myths/Facts about Gas Exploration

Northern Tier Regional Planning & Development Commission

Go Marcellus Shale a blog that contains information related to the Marcellus Shale.