Energy Secretary to Stump for Shale Innovation | StateImpact Pennsylvania Skip Navigation

Energy Secretary to Stump for Shale Innovation

Brendan Smialowski / Getty Images

Secretary of Energy Steven Chu speaks during a meeting of the Department of the Interior, September 22, 2010.


Ever wonder how the oil and gas industry came up with new methods such as fracking? Or new ways to treat frack water? Much of that research takes place at labs run by the Department of Energy. D.O.E chief Steven Chu will be touring the Department’s National Energy Technology Laboratory in Pittsburgh on Thursday. D.O.E researchers are focusing on what to do with waste water produced from drilling. When it comes to tapping the Marcellus Shale, that waste water often contains more than just salt and heavy metals, it also comes up from the ground with radionuclides. NETL also conducts research, such as a recent report comparing greenhouse gas emissions of coal and natural gas, tracing the gas from cradle to grave. Secretary Chu will be joined on the tour with Pittsburgh Mayor Luke Ravenstahl. Later, he plans to meet with gas industry executives and members of the Marcellus Shale Coalition.

Up Next

Corbett Praises Impact Fee Vote