DEP official to meet with Gas Task Force

An official from the Pa. Dept. of Environmental Protection (DEP) will be guest speaker at the next meeting of the Potter County Natural Gas Task Force, to be held at 7 pm Tuesday, July 14, at the Gunzburger Building.

The meeting is open to the public.

Mike Welch, assistant regional director based at the Williamsport office, has extensive experience in oversight of oil and natural gas exploration and drilling operations. He'll briefly discuss DEP's regulatory role and answer questions from Task Force members.

Also at Tuesday's meeting, the Task Force will decide on committee assignments and discuss topics to be explored for future meetings.

Members who have not yet returned their committee questionnaires are asked to do so as soon as possible. They can be sent by email to tbrown@pottercountypa. net or dropped off at the Commissioners' Office in the Gunzburger Building. Anyone with an interest in serving as a member of the Task Force should send an email to the same address.

Mission of the Potter County Natural Gas Task Force is "to identify key issues; conduct research; review and propose public policy regarding the economic, environmental and social impact of gas exploration of the Marcellus Shale in Potter County; and educate the public on gas exploration and related topics."