WASHINGTON — The National Research Council will hold two workshops in the spring and summer of 2013 to review and discuss the state of knowledge about the risks associated with the development of shale gas resources and about various possible approaches to managing and reducing risks.

The workshops are being organized by a special committee on risk management and governance issues in shale gas development under the council’s board on environmental change and society.

Characterizing the risks

The first workshop, to be held May 30-31, is addressed to characterizing the risks of shale gas development.

Presenters will review the state and limits of scientific knowledge on selected risk issues posed by widespread use of hydraulic fracturing and related technologies for gas production.

The second workshop will be held on Aug. 15-16 and will focus on possible governance approaches to managing and reducing the risks of shale gas development.

Presenters will review the state of knowledge regarding the potential for various kinds of rules, regulations, processes, and institutions to ensure desired levels of safety, pollution prevention and risk reduction in the industry.

Registration

Both workshops are open to the public and will take place in Washington, DC.
Space is limited, but the workshops will also be webcast. To register to attend in person or to join a webcast, visit http://sites.nationalacademies.org.