The Marcellus Shale Coalition (MSC), formed by natural gas producers to advance energy development in Pennsylvania, this week launched plans to become an independent nonprofit.

A full-time president and support staff are expected to be in place by the end of January.

“Over the last year, this organization has made significant strides to provide people throughout the Commonwealth with the facts about developing clean-burning natural gas from the Marcellus Shale formation,” said Ray Walker, chairman of the MSC executive committee. Walker is vice president of Appalachia Shale for Range Resources Corp., one of the biggest operators in the Marcellus play.

“The MSC has added significantly to its membership and now represents over 90% of the companies that have applied for permits to drill Marcellus Shale wells,” he said.

The coalition, formerly called the Pennsylvania Marcellus Shale Committee, includes not only producers but also representatives of the Independent Oil and Gas Association of Pennsylvania, the Pennsylvania Oil and Gas Association and the Associated Petroleum Industries of Pennsylvania.

In February the coalition began an advertising campaign that targeted the 21 Pennsylvania counties where most of the natural gas drilling in the state was occurring. The advertising stressed three primary messages: energy independence, jobs and economic prosperity, and environmental stewardship.

“The coming year will present new challenges and opportunities to tell the story of Pennsylvania’s most important energy and economic development initiative in the past several decades, and the MSC is positioned to tell that story,” Walker said.

In addition to electing Walker to chair the MSC, the coalition elected Chesapeake Energy Corp.’s David Spigelmyer as first vice chair. Rich Weber of Atlas Energy Inc. was elected second vice chair, William Fustos was named secretary, and Kristi Gittins of Chief Oil & Gas was elected treasurer.

Information about the MSC is at www.pamarcellus.com.

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