Cornell Cooperative Extension (CCE) will host a series of public meetings across New York's Southern Tier during July and August to educate residents about issues associated with development of natural gas production in the Marcellus Shale.

The Marcellus Shale region runs from the Southern Tier of New York through western Pennsylvania, eastern Ohio and West Virginia. Natural gas production companies hope to use a new method of drilling to tap previously unreachable underground formations. The output is expected to significantly increase natural gas production in the region.

CCE has organized a team of Cornell faculty members and extension educators to provide education, training and support to local officials, landowners and concerned citizens. The CCE "road show" will bring Cornell educators to communities to discuss environmental, community and economic development, and regulatory and leasing issues related to natural gas drilling.

"Intensive natural gas development in other states has, in recent years, been accompanied by substantial changes in established trends in population, land use, environment, community and economy," said Rod Howe, assistant director for CCE and a road show facilitator. "These changes have the potential to transform the fabric of many -- especially rural -- communities in New York in ways that are both positive and negative."

Howe added that examining the ramifications of natural gas drilling at the outset "makes it more likely that negative impacts will be minimized and positive aspects realized."

Meetings will take place from 7-9 p.m. Residents should contact their local CCE office for more details. The tentative schedule is as follows:

CCE is planning a New York Marcellus Shale Summit on Nov. 30 at the Owego Treadway Inn.

Cornell faculty and staff are researching the expected impact of natural gas exploration in the region, as well as possible mitigation strategies. CCE maintains an online Natural Gas Leasing Resource Center with information and studies about the ramifications of drilling at http://gasleasing.cce.cornell.edu. The site also contains details about the public information sessions.

Cornell's Community and Rural Development Institute recently issued a research and policy brief on "Emerging Trends in the Marcellus Shale": http://devsoc.cals.cornell.edu/cals/devsoc/outreach/cardi/publications/research-and-policy-brief-series.cfm.

CCE will continue to promote cross-collaboration of outreach and education at educational and research institutions throughout the Marcellus Shale region.