Press Release

PUC Provides Additional Information on Special Hearing to Examine Marcellus Shale Jurisdictional Issues

Published on 3/26/2010

Filed under: Gas

HARRISBURG – The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) today issued additional guidance including invited speakers and questions for a special en banc hearing being held to examine PUC jurisdictional issues related to Marcellus Shale development.

The hearing will be held at 1 p.m. April 22, 2010, in Hearing Room 1 of the Commonwealth Keystone Building, 400 North Street, Harrisburg, PA. A tentative agenda is scheduled to be issued April 8, 2010, and will be available on the PUC website.

This development creates numerous issues and unanswered questions, many of which impact the Commission’s core functions. The en banc hearing is to examine these questions sooner rather than later so that the Commission can fully protect the public while not stifling economic growth. The hearing will not examine issues outside of the Commission’s jurisdiction such as water quality or other environmental issues.

Representatives from the following organizations have been invited to testify:

• Chesapeake Energy
• Energy Association of Pennsylvania
• Energy Future Holdings
• Independent Oil and Gas Association of Pennsylvania
• Marcellus Shale Coalition
• Office of Consumer Advocate
• Office of Small Business Advocate
• Pennsylvania Association of Township Supervisors
• U.S. Department of Transportation – Office of Pipeline Safety

For interested parties who were not invited to testify, the PUC also will accept written comments filed by 4 p.m. on April 16, 2010.  More direction on how to file comments including the questions the Commission would like to see addressed in parties’ comments can be found in the Secretarial Letter which provides a more detailed outline of the hearing.

The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission balances the needs of consumers and utilities to ensure safe and reliable utility service at reasonable rates; protect the public interest; educate consumers to make independent and informed utility choices; further economic development; and foster new technologies and competitive markets in an environmentally sound manner. For recent news releases, audio of select Commission proceedings or more information about the PUC, visit our website at www.puc.state.pa.us.

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Contact:

• Press Secretary
  717-787-5722