You are invited to join me as we go on a multi-day study tour organized by the Institute for Journalism and Natural Resources that will take us through the Marcellus and Utica shale regions of Pennsylvania, Ohio and New York. During this trip we will hear from and talk with government officials involved in regulating and planning for the shale boom, executives with companies involved in resource extraction and community activists. We'll visit sites ranging from fracking wells to communities struggling to adjust to both the benefits and challenges of this relatively new and growing energy resource.
IJNR's mission is to advance public understanding and civic engagement about issues of environment protection, resource conservation and responsible economic development through better journalism. As part of its mission, IJNR conducts expedition-style programs of training and professional development for journalists at all career stages and from all sorts and sizes of news outlets — ranging from newspapers and magazines to radio, television and online operations.
I applied to join this trip as part of a competitive selection process. My name is Pat Bywater and I am executive editor of The Meadville (Pa.) Tribune. I have about 25 years of experience as a reporter and editor.
My aim with this blog is to give you a window into this study tour so that you can join us in learning more about the promise and peril of the shale boom.
