UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Penn State Extension’s Marcellus Shale Gas Education Team will present two web-based seminars this month.

The first, Jan. 16 from 1-2 p.m., will focus on the Oil and Gas Best Practices Design Guide prepared by the Pennsylvania Wilds Planning Team.

The session will feature Jim Weaver, Tioga County planner, who will discuss various guidelines regarding protection of scenic views, roadway corridors, environmental responsibilities and collaborations, and education.

“We have had excellent cooperation and input from the natural gas industry in the development of our design guide,” Weaver said. “We are now entering uncharted waters in implementation to protect community character and encourage stewardship of our natural and cultural resources in partnership with all the players.”

The Pennsylvania Wilds is a 6-million-acre landscape in 13 northentral counties that provide unique outdoor, historical and tourism experiences. The Pennsylvania Wilds Planning Team worked on the oil and gas best practices to strengthen and sustain the region’s natural-asset-based economy.

Second chance

The second webinar to be presented this month will be offered from 1-2 p.m. Jan 23. It will examine the recent state Supreme Court ruling on Act 13, Pennsylvania’s oil and gas law.

Ross Pifer, clinical professor of law and director of Penn State’s Agricultural Law Resource and Reference Center and the Rural Economic Development Clinic, will preside over the session.

Penn State Extension’s Marcellus Education Team provides monthly webinars on a variety of topics. Upcoming webinars for 2014 include: Feb. 20, “A Look at Recent Well Waste and Production,” featuring Dave Yoxtheimer, extension associate with the Penn State Marcellus Center for Outreach and Research, and Matt Henderson, shale gas asset manager for the center.

March 20, land and property valuations with shale development, featuring Jeffrey Kern, senior appraiser for Resource Technologies Corp.

April 17, “Pennsylvania Royalty Calculations and Decline Curves,” featuring Jim Ladlee, associate director of the Penn State Marcellus Center and director of special initiatives for the Penn State Shale Training and Education Center.

Registration for the webinars is not necessary and all are welcome to participate by logging on to https://meeting.psu.edu/pscems.

For more information, contact Carol Loveland at 570-320-4429 or by email at cal24@psu.edu.