The ECC’s Approach to Marcellus Shale Fracking Technology

The ECC has developed a three-phase approach to the development and dissemination of information on Marcellus Shale fracking. Our purpose is to provide citizens and organizations with a look at the environment prior to the employment of fracking as the Marcellus Shale extraction technology and afterwards. In other words, we are developing a philosophical perspective of Marcellus Shale fracking technology, rather than a purely scientific one. The uniqueness of this perspective is that it looks at the social, cultural and ethical implications associated with the technology.

Phase One—Completed!

In Phase One, which was an evaluative study, the ECC worked with Duquesne University students in a service learning course titled “Philosophy of Technology.” Students worked with board members in researching the social, cultural and ethical implications of Marcellus Shale fracking on Washington and Greene counties in Pennsylvania. The research methodology employed interviews with affected residents. Topics included, but were not limited to, disruption of various aspects of the rural environment, effects on farming, health issues, increase in crime, and human conflicts that have developed within families and among friends over the issue of fracking as the method of extraction of the Marcellus Shale.

The information was presented to the ECC board at Duquesne University on November 15, 2010. At this time, the students provided the board with a summary of their interview findings. All aspects of Phase One occurred during 2010 and provided the building blocks for Phase Two of the project.

Phase Two—In process—2011 and ongoing

Phase Two will build upon Phase One. Phase Two’s purpose is to develop a position paper based on the information gathered through student interviews. Based on that paper, the ECC will develop their strategy in how best to assist the rural residents and address their concerns related to fracking technology.

The primary focus will be on developing ways in which to disseminate the information obtained to large numbers of rural residents in order to empower them with the knowledge necessary to make informed decisions. This will include community education sessions, electronic communications (web, e-mail, Facebook, etc.), and mass media, primarily print and radio.

Phase Three—In process—2011 and ongoing

Phase Three of the project proposes to further develop the knowledge gained in Phase One and seek the cooperation of other organizations to more fully analyze those questions. One question which the committee may address is the following. Given all the implications of employing fracking as the method of Marcellus Shale extraction, is it actually the case, as the industry claims, that extraction by fracking is necessary to keep gas prices down?

Tri-County Oil & Gas Expo

The Energy Conservation Council of Pennsylvania attended the Tri-County Oil and Gas Expo at the Washington County Fairgrounds on Saturday, May 8, 2010.  At the event which attracted more than 200 exhibitors and 1500 attendees, we urged everyone to proceed cautiously in the development of the Marcellus Shale industry in southwestern Pennsylvania.  We also reminded business owners and representatives that conducting an ethical business requires social responsibility to both shareholders and stakeholders as well as a return to the community, and encouraged their cooperation and collaboration with regulatory agencies, state and local municipalities, legislators and environmental groups.

Green Footprints Program

Today it is more vital than ever to lighten our ecological footprint. ECC believes that by reducing our electrical energy consumption in homes, schools, and workplaces, we can pave the way to a brighter energy future and a cleaner planet. The ECC Green Footprints Program is a step towards making that happen.
This program encourages people to set aside the first week of every month to find ways to conserve energy whenever possible, and makes suggestions on how to accomplish this goal in a fun and user-friendly way.  By reserving this week of every month, each of us will become more comfortable in applying permanent conservation changes to every life.
For those who wish to participate, we can provide a printable, cut-along-the-dotted-line green footprint to use as a reminder to conserve energy. ECC is currently distributing the footprints to schools, libraries, and places of business.
It is our sincerest hope that everyone will take part in this program and want to be sure that all their footprints on our planet are green footprints.

To get your own, printable green footprint reminder, click here.

“Hear our Voices” Quilt Project

This quilt is made up of 177 squares each created by individual children and teenagers from Washington, Greene, Allegheny and Fayette Counties, to express their feelings about a high-voltage transmission line that is proposed by Allegheny Power /TrAILCo to slice through rural Southwestern Pennsylvania.  Its finished size 27’x 18’. The contributors range in age from 3 to 18 years of age. 

This work of art is an expression of their feelings about why Allegheny Power’s proposal should not be approved.

One teenager wrote a letter to legislators asking them to help stop the towers for the safety of the ecosystem and environment, while another teenager wrote a poem expressing the devastation that would come with building the line. Other squares on the quilt illustrate trees being leveled, fish being sickened by chemicals used to control vegetation around the massive towers, farmlands being destroyed, and an increase in pollution and greenhouse gases.

The quilt has been on display at the Washington County Agricultural Fair and ECC’s Annual Public Meeting.

CFL Handout at Public Meetings

As part of our mission to raise public awareness on the issue of energy conservation, members of the Energy Conservation Council distributed Compact Fluorescent Light bulbs (CFL’s) at public meetings both in Washington County and in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.