The Marcellus Shale Formation is estimated to hold trillions of cubic feet of natural gas—enough to supply the United States with natural gas for well over 100 years. In fact, the Marcellus Shale region of the Mid-Atlantic is believed to contain the third largest natural gas reserve in the world.
As production in Pennsylvania and surrounding states has ramped up, landowners and residents have expressed serious concerns about the drilling, extraction, and transportation of natural gas.
The Citizens’ Guide to Marcellus Shale in Pennsylvania
The Citizens’ Guide to Marcellus Shale in Pennsylvania is geared to landowners who might lease land for natural gas exploration, as well as residents who are simply seeking information on the process. The guide, which was prepared by the National Sea Grant Law Center & Pennsylvania Sea Grant, aims to provide a brief overview of potential impacts of Marcellus Shale exploration and extraction, the regulatory process in Pennsylvania, how residents can participate in the process, and where to go for more information.
JARI has also made available a separate guide entitled:
Natural Gas Exploration: A Landowner’s Guide to Leasing Land in Pennsylvania.
Natural Gas Exploration: A Landowner’s Guide to Leasing Land in Pennsylvania was published by Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences, Agricultural Research and Cooperative Extension, the 20-page guide is meant to outline for property owners what the Marcellus Shale-Gas resource is, how and why landowners are likely to be contacted, how a gas lease works, and what to consider when making decisions about natural gas leasing.
Both guides provide valuable information and additional contacts to facilitate further study and review. For additional questions, email Linda Thomson at or call 814.262.8370.