Clarion College Republicans will host a legal symposium, “21st Century Energy Vitalization: Marcellus Shale-Boom or Bust?” from 7 to 9 p.m. March 22 in the James Gemmell Student Complex Multi-Purpose Room. The event is free and open to the public.
The legal symposium will provide a comprehensive review of the Marcellus shale industry in Pennsylvania. The program was designed over the last three months under the direction of Maria Battista, faculty member in Clarion University Department of Communication and symposium planner, to help educate students, faculty, administration and surrounding communities about the Marcellus shale industry and its impact on the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. It is the intent of this program to educate the public about the regulatory, environmental and legal aspects, and development of natural gas from the Marcellus Shale.
“This is a chance for our university community to engage all stakeholders involved in the Marcellus shale industry so that we are all better informed about this new source of energy development. Only through continual engagement and dialogue can we begin to increase our understanding and comprehension about this subject which impacts all of us,” Battista said.
Symposium panelists include: James H. Cawley, chair of Public Utility Commission; Kathryn Klaber, president and executive director of Marcellus Shale Coalition; Scott Perry, director of Bureau of Oil and Gas Management, Department of Environmental Protection; David Spigelmyer, vice president of government relations, Chesapeake Energy; and Mike Love, vice president of government relations, UGI Corporation, and former CEO of Energy Association.
The master of ceremonies will be Pennsylvania Lt. Gov. Jim Cawley. Each panelist will have the opportunity to present information and take questions from the audience and from moderators Judge Renee Cohn Jubelirer of the Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania, and Battista. U.S. Congressman Glenn Thompson, Pennsylvania State Representative of the 5th Congressional District, will provide special remarks. Pennsylvania Cable Network will also be in attendance.
Doors will open at 6:30 p.m. for the 7 p.m. event. This program has been approved by the Pennsylvania Continuing Legal Education Board for two hours of substantive law CLE credit. Pennsylvania Bar Institute is approved by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court Continuing Legal Education Board as an accredited CLE provider. PBI will provide CLE credits for this program for $150. To register for continuing legal education credits, call 800-932-4637 or visit the PBI website at www.pbi.org.
The legal symposium student committee is comprised of Clarion College Republicans, Political Science Association members, Student Senate members and other interested students on campus. The University Activities Board is a major donor for the event. The Office of Social Equity also supports the symposium.
Advisor to the College Republicans is Anita Lahr. Tom Rourke, chair of Clarion’s political science and philosophy department, and Sal Mazzocchi, Mazzocchi Realty, are also on the university/community committee.