Penn State College of Agricultural Sciences

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Marcellus shale has the potential to affect many parts of Pennsylvania. This Web site is your official entry point for Penn State Cooperative Extension's educational and research materials about Marcellus shale, natural gas, and how it may affect the Commonwealth. Since 2001, we have been actively helping citizens, landowners, businesses, local governments, and others understand the opportunities and challenges arising from Marcellus shale. Let us help you, too.

Natural Gas Primer

If you own land in northern or southwestern PA, you already may have been approached to lease your property for natural gas exploration. But before you sign on the dotted line, you should gather and understand completely as much information as possible about the legal, economic, and environmental implications of this decision.

There's "Gold" in Those Pennsylvania Hills

Pennsylvania is experiencing a “gold rush” unlike anything seen in the state perhaps since Edwin Drake struck black gold (oil) near Titusville in 1859. But instead of oil, it’s natural gas, contained in a geologic formation known as the Marcellus shale. (pdf)