The development of Wayne County’s energy-related natural resources such as coal, water, and wind, have at times provided great opportunities while also presenting challenges. To meet those challenges several groups have formed the Wayne County Oil and Gas Task Force.
The Task Force evolved from county groups and organizations that have been meeting to discuss the opportunities and challenges presented by this new industry in the County.
“It will be our goal to capture economic opportunities, protect the environment, and educate the community as to the many issues involved in Marcellus Shale development in Wayne County,” said Robert Muller, Wayne Conservation District. Recognizing the need for preparation, the following organizations have come together to become part of the Task Force: Workforce Wayne, Wayne Conservation District, Wayne County Township Officials Association, Penn State Cooperative Extension, Wayne Economic Development Corporation, Wayne County Emergency Management, Wayne County Department of Planning, Wayne County Commissioners, Wayne County Chamber of Commerce, and the Northern Wayne Property Owners Alliance, along with representatives from the natural gas industry. “We realize that it will take cooperation from many entities to gather the information necessary to understand this new and complex industry,” said Jim LaBar, task force member and Canaan Township Supervisor.
Michele Stahl, representing the Northern Wayne Property Owners Alliance, said, “The first step is the formation of sub-committees that will help bring together issues and communities as this industry grows in Wayne County. The Task Force will operate strongly through the sub-committee structure in order to bring as much awareness and understanding as possible to the task force which can then be circulated through the community by public meetings, news releases and the internet.”
The oil and gas industry will touch many segments of the community. Therefore, in order to cover those topics sub-committees are to be formed as follows: Workforce, Public Safety, Planning, Outreach, Government, Environment, and Economic Development, task force membes said.
Edward Coar, Wayne County Department of Planning, has agreed to serve as Chairman of the Task Force. Coar said, “There is much to learn about the oil and gas industry and how it may affect Wayne County. No one person has all the answers and the formation of this task force, with the sub-committee structure, will enable us to research and collect information that can prepare us for the challenges and opportunities that will be presented to Wayne County.”
The natural gas industry will impact our region and it is important for all those who work and live in Wayne County to become more familiar with this new industry as it evolves. Mary Beth Wood, WEDCO executive director said, “It will be our mission to identify key issues, research facts, collect information, and review and provide public education regarding the economic, environmental, and community impacts of oil and gas exploration of the Marcellus Shale field and potentially other geologic formations in Wayne County.”
Coar explained, “The task force will be developing a web site that will state the mission and goals of the organization and provide a point of reference for the public. The web site will be designed to provide links to the many organizations and agencies that can supply factual information to those having questions and seeking answers.” The web site is expected to be operational in the near future.
Task Force members are include:
Dennis Chapman, Wayne County Township Officials Association
Edward Coar, Wayne County Department of Planning
Dr. Joann Hudak, Wayne/Pike Educational Partnership
Donna Labar, Wayne County Chamber of Commerce
James Labar, Wayne County Township Officials Association
Dave Messersmith, Penn State Cooperative Extension
Robert Muller, Wayne Conservation District
Jennifer Porter, Workforce Wayne
Steve Price, Wayne County Emergency Management Agency
Brian Smith, Wayne County Commissioner
Michele Stahl, Northern Wayne Property Owners Alliance
Laura Travis, Wayne County Township Officials Association
Mary Beth Wood, Wayne Economic Development Corporation
Robert Suhosky, Consultant, Wayne Economic Development Corporation
Peter Chacon, Newfield Exploration
Michael Narcavage, Chesapeake Energy
Honesdale, Pa. —
