Pennsylvania Governor Tom Corbett wants to lift a statewide moratorium on gas well drilling on state land, including state forests, state prisons, and college campuses. He proposed that campuses situated over the Marcellus Shale Gas Reserve could be opened to natural gas drilling. Preliminary talks with school officials have already begun and a bill has been drafted allowing campus drilling. The announcement comes after he proposed to cut state funding to the schools by 50% in the budget.
There are six college campuses located within the Marcellus Shale Gas Reserve: Mansfield University, Lock Haven University, Indiana University of Pennsylvania, California University of Pennsylvania, Clarion University, and Slippery Rock University. Discussion regarding the ownership of the gas royalties is ongoing.
The University of Texas at Arlington began natural gas drilling in 2009. The drilling has generated millions in royalties for the university (The Meadville Tribune, 5/29/2011) (Erie Times-News, 5/29/2011).
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