image description

Meetings for Shale Commission Point of Frustration

November 19th, 2012 by WCBC Radio

The meeting schedule and more specifically locations of Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley’s Marcellus Shale Advisory Commission is becoming increasingly frustrating for Allegany County Commissioner Bill Valentine. While the group has met in far Western Maryland, most of the sessions have been conducted in Annapolis and Hagerstown. Allegany and Garrett counties are the only areas in the state with natural gas reserves in Marcellus Shale. Commissioner Valentine has repeatedly pointed out that “promises” were made early on to keep the meetings in Allegany and Garrett counties. Valentine said he and other Western Maryland members of the commission have expressed their concerns about several recent meetings outside the area, which made it difficult for local citizens to attend. The most recent “meeting” was conducted via telephone with little opportunity for the public to participate.





Leave a Reply