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Regional news outlets and community members are turning to Bruce Selleck ’71, Harold Orville Whitnall Professor of geology, for his expert analysis of one of the most controversial topics on the environmental front in years: the proposed drilling of the Marcellus Shale formation.

On Monday, Selleck weighed in as one of four panelists during a debate about the topic, broadcast on WAMC Northeast Public Radio. To listen to the discussion click .

Local community groups have also relied on Selleck to explain the issues surrounding the drilling of wells to produce large quantities of natural gas from the Marcellus
Shale.

“We are in the midst of a natural gas expansion,” Selleck said during a recent presentation to the Madison County Board of Supervisors. “We need to be aware of
it, take advantage of it, and realize the trade-offs involved.”

He believes the current “gas boom” provides an economic opportunity for landowners, but also involves environmental risks.

Environmentalists oppose it, fearing the drilling process used to reach the gas will pollute groundwater and pose a public health threat.

Gas drillers say billions of dollars’ worth of natural gas is in the shale formation, and New York state stands to reap millions in revenues by licensing the drilling, which they say can be done safely.