Natural Gas and Our Future

The Energy Debate Comes to Western Maryland

As the energy debate rages on, communities are left to decide whether or not oil, gas, wind, and coal companies looking to drill, mine, or build across the country represents a boon or bust. By virtue of its mountain terrain, the Casselman Mine, and a prime location atop the Marcellus Shale, Western Maryland is at the epicenter of energy options and the varied impacts of the industry. 

On March 2, MHC had the pleasure of hosting a discussion for the public in Allegany county, “Natural Gas and Our Future”, which explored the benefits and risks of hydraulic fracturing, also known as “fracking”, of the Marcellus Shale in Western Maryland. Prior to the discussion date, two films were screened on the subject, Gasland and Shale Gas and America’s Future.   

View footage of the discussion on YouTube.

 The panelists - Gregory Wrightstone, the president of the eastern section of the American Association of Petroleum Geologists and Director of Geology for Texas Keystone, Inc., and Josh Fox, director of the Academy-award nominated film Gasland - faced off in front of over 200 members of the community at the Palace Theatre in Frostburg.  The moderated talk featured film clips and responses, followed by questions from the audience.

Thank you to the evening’s moderator, Roger Wolf, Professor Emeritus at the University of Maryland School of Law.  The event was produced in partnership with Frostburg State University’s sustainability initiative, “Learning Green, Living Green” and The Palace Theatre.

We're listening!  We welcome your feedback and comments on our Practicing Democracy Facebook page or via email to Beth Barbush at ebarbush@mdhc.org.

Event Photos: