The American Ground Water Trust will hold an all-day program on Thursday, December 13, from 8 – 5 at the University of Massachusetts Lincoln Campus Conference Center, Room 163C.  Basins have been identified.  Will there be winners and losers? When might development start?  What are the potential environmental impacts? Anti-hydraulic fracturing protests in many parts of the country show that the development of shale-gas can provoke local controversy. Much of the “protest” in other states has been after the fact when shale gas exploration and production is already underway. Although shale gas development may be years away, Massachusetts has an opportunity now to be ahead on awareness and information if, and when, the time comes for shale-gas development in the Connecticut Valley area. Right now, a potential shale-gas basin in central Massachusetts has been identified but has not yet been targeted for exploration or had its potential reserves quantified.

This one-day program will provide an information-exchange opportunity among experts with experience of areas where shale-gas has been developed and citizens and communities in central Massachusetts where shale-gas might be developed. A principal concern is likely to be that of the potential impact on the long-term environmental sustainability of water sources and water-dependent ecosystems. However, in addition to environmental issues in areas of shale-gas development there are typically legal and jurisdictional questions concerning property rights, property values, infrastructure capability, planning and zoning authority and economic benefits. The objective is to facilitate informed discussion to ensure that when the time comes; science-based policy decisions are made on energy development that will best serve the citizens of central Massachusetts.  The fee is $100 ($65 for AGWT members) and you may register on line at www.agwt.org/civicrm/event/info?reset=1&id=38.