Webinar to Focus on Effect of Economic Downturn on Local Government Revenues

Washington & Jefferson College Center for Energy Policy and Management (CEPM) will host the final webinar in its free series on “Effects of COVID-19 and the Economic Downturn on Western Pennsylvania Shale Gas Development” on July 14.

The hour-long webinar, part of the CEPM’s Shale Gas Knowledge Hub initiative, will feature Jesse Bushman, revenue analyst at the state Independent Fiscal Office, who will give a high-level overview of the trends in Pennsylvania natural gas production and how that affects statewide Act 13 Impact Fee revenues and local government revenues. It begins at 10 a.m. and there will be an opportunity for questions.

The first webinar featured Daniel J. Weaver, president and executive director of the Pennsylvania Independent Oil & Gas Association, who gave an overview of the shale gas industry in our region, the evolving economic situation, and the challenges and opportunities in the years ahead.

Local attorney Joseph Morascyzk spoke about current and future economic conditions and how they will impact property owners’ mineral rights leases and royalty payments from gas development in the second installment. Morascyzk has represented landowners in regard to a variety of issues relevant to the gas industry. Both of those webinars are available for viewing at shalehub.org.

To register for the webinar, visit https://www.eventbrite.com/e/effects-of-covid-19-and-the-economic-downturn-on-western-pennsylvania-shale-tickets-107701618440 or email lritzer@washjeff.edu. For further information, please contact Linda Ritzer, CEPM program manager/policy analyst, at 412-997-3164.