Two major universities in our region are recognizing the impact shale development is having on Ohio and West Virginia.  Ohio State University and West Virginia University are partnering to research the economic implications as well as environmental, community, and public health impacts of natural gas and shale development.  The schools will exchange information on Utica and Marcellus shale development and are expecting to create field laboratories throughout the region.

Ohio State President Gordon E. Gee signed the agreement on February 8, although the idea first came to light last April at the Public and Land-Grant University Conference on Energy Challenges.  President Gee elaborated on the project in the university’s newspaper, The Lantern:

This singular partnership demonstrates the wisdom of universities collaborating with one another. West Virginia University and Ohio State have complementary research strengths in this area. Working together, our faculty will take a unique leadership role that will advance our shared, scientific understanding of the complex environmental and economic issues in shale energy—President Gordon E. Gee (Ohio State, West Virginia agree on costly shale energy deal, 2/20/13)

Jeff Daniels, earth sciences professor at Ohio State, will be heavily involved in the project.  Energy In Depth has repeatedly visited the student group he coordinates at the university, the Buckeye Shale Energy Organization.  The students have a shared interest in the shale industry and hope to become involved after graduation.  Many of the students will assist in research for the project.  BSEO President Vince Melillo spoke with Energy In Depth about the significance of shale development and why the research is being done:

BSEO is very excited about the recent partnership between WVU and OSU. Moving into 2013, shale energy exploration continues to rise as a prominent area of interest in our state. The proposed topics of research focus (subsurface area, utilization, environment and public policies) represent elements vital to the all-around success of the shale industry in Ohio and throughout the nation—Vince Melillo

Daniels said researchers will come from across the university including from the College of Food, Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, the School of Environmental Sciences, the School of Environmental and Natural Resources, the College of Arts and Sciences, the College of Engineering, and the College of Public Health.

Daniels echoed President Gee’s comments on the complementary research efforts the two universities will provide:

I think we have two universities that happen to have strengths in certain areas that are very complementary.  And combining our efforts, we’re clearly going to make the sum greater than the parts, the total greater than our individual efforts, and we will be able to be more effective in our research and educational outreach efforts in the Appalachian region—Professor Jeff Daniels (Ohio State, West Virginia agree on costly shale energy deal, 2/20/13)

READ THE REST AND ABOUT WV: http://www.eidohio.org/ohio-state-wvu-team-up-for-shale-research/