The Yale Center for Environmental Law and Policy presents: The Policy Workshop Webinar Series: Emerging Issues in Shale Gas Development

The Yale Center for Environmental Law and Policy presents:     The Policy Workshop Webinar Series: Emerging Issues in Shale Gas Development   Environmental Implications of Shale-Gas Development: Frack versus Fiction Wednesday, October 10, 2012 | 4:00-5:00 PM EDT  Speaker: Dr. Jim Saiers, Professor of Hydrology, Yale University    Register here: https://www4.gotomeeting.com/register/856567871

The Yale Center for Environmental Law and Policy invites you to participate in our second annual policy workshop webinar series, Emerging Issues in Shale Gas Development. Natural gas extraction generally, and shale gas extraction in particular, has become a highly charged issue as stakeholders debate its effects on environmental and public health and its role in our future energy mix. This webinar series seeks to answer important questions about extraction, the environment, and the future of energy by grounding that debate with expert speakers from a variety of disciplines.    Dr. Jim Saiers, Professor of Hydrology at Yale University, will launch the series with an overview of the environmental implications of shale gas development.   His presentation will be followed by a Q&A session with the audience.  Presentation Abstract:  Is U.S. shale gas a blessing or a curse? In this presentation, Professor Saiers will evaluate several of the claims made by proponents and opponents of shale-gas development in light of available evidence. More generally, he will present a primer on shale gas, focusing on the effects of shale-gas extraction and its attendant activities on the environment. This primer will cover the nature and supplies of shale gas and the history of the fracking methods used to unlock this resource. Professor Saiers will, through the course of the presentation, distinguish between what is known, only suspected, and unknown, leaving you to decide whether shale gas is a blessing or a curse, if it's too early to judge, or if its future defies this either/or characterization.   About the Speaker: Professor Saiers studies the circulation of water and the movement of waterborne chemicals in surface and subsurface environments. One element of his research centers on quantifying the effects that interactions between hydrological and geochemical processes have on the migration of contaminants in groundwater. Another focus is on the dynamics of surface water and groundwater flow in wetlands and the response of fluid flow characteristics to changes in climate and water management practices. His work couples field observations and laboratory-scale experimentation with mathematical modeling.   About the Series: Hosted and sponsored by the Yale Center for Environmental Law and Policy, our second annual webinar series highlights emerging issues in shale gas development. The series is publicly available online and promoted to both domestic and international academic and policy communities, including governmental officials, think tank analysts, climate change advocates, professors, and students. The webinar format enables interested parties to access and participate in these presentations from anywhere in the world.    The series is free and open to the public.    The next presentation is scheduled for Thursday, November 8, at 12:00 PM EST. Dr. Ramón Alvarez, a senior scientist in Environmental Defense Fund's Texas office, will discuss the ongoing efforts to better quantify the methane losses associated with natural gas production. Registration is available online at  https://www4.gotomeeting.com/register/790770447. For more information visit the Center website.     Follow the Yale Center for Environmental Law & Policy on Facebook and Twitter!        ***    To register for the October 10 event: 1. Go to https://www4.gotomeeting.com/register/856567871    2. Click "Register." 3. On the registration form, enter your information and then click "Submit." Once the host approves your registration, you will receive a confirmation email message with instructions on how to join the event.    A recording of the presentation will be posted online for public access after the event.   System Requirements: PC-based attendees Windows® 7, Vista, XP or 2003 Server Mac-based attendees Mac OS® X 10.5 or newer Mobile attendees iPhone®, iPad®, Android™ phone or Android tablet