March 2, 2018 at 3:30 pm

Chow is Keynote at OHIO Shale Policy & Technology Symposium, April 4-5

Ed Chow

As part of its ongoing research related to shale development across the state of Ohio and the Marcellus and Utica shale plays, Ohio University hosts a second OHIO Shale Policy and Technology Symposium April 4-5 at the Ohio University Dublin Integrated Education Center in Dublin, Ohio.

The symposium is hosted by Ohio University’s Russ College of Engineering and Technology, Voinovich School of Leadership and Public Affairs and College of Arts & Sciences.

The keynote speaker on April 5 is Edward Chow ’71, ’72M, Senior Fellow at the Energy and National Security Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies and a Glidden Visiting Professor this year at Ohio University. Chow earned a bachelor’s degree in Economics in 1971 and an MAIA in 1972 in Southeast Asia Studies from the College of Arts & Sciences.

The 2018 symposium builds off of an inaugural event last year in Athens. More than 80 attendees from across the state and region joined the OHIO research team to discuss the changing landscape of shale development for both communities and businesses.

The focus of these events, as well as the research work at OHIO, is to identify ways in which communities and businesses can attract, develop, and retain the benefits derived from shale development activity using innovative policies, partnerships and technologies for a stronger energy future.

The event begins Wednesday, April 4, with an optional tour of the Ohio University energy labs in Athens; roundtrip transportation is provided for registered attendees. The pre-symposium field trip provides a firsthand look at the innovative research being conducted by the faculty, staff and students at the Russ College of Engineering and Technology. Researchers from the Institute for Sustainable Energy and the Environment, the Institute for Corrosion and Multiphase Technology, the Coal Research Center and the Center for Air Quality will discuss their work related to improving the understanding and efficiencies in the production, delivery and monitoring of shale gas.

The formal symposium takes place on Thursday, April 5, at Ohio University-Dublin, offering a dual-track agenda on policy and technology; additional plenary sessions, networking breaks, a student poster session and catered meals are included. With more than two dozen shale energy experts confirmed to present, the event will explore ways regional communities and businesses can attract, develop, and retain the benefits derived from shale development activity using innovative policies, partnerships and technologies. Commissioner M. Beth Trombold, vice-chair for the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio, will provide the morning remarks.

“The Ohio Shale Symposium gives us a fantastic venue to feature the great work of the Russ College of Engineering, the Voinovich School of Leadership and Public Affairs, and the College of Arts and Sciences in the area of shale energy, policy and economics,” said Dr. David Bayless, Gerald Loehr Professor of Mechanical Engineering at the OHIO Russ College of Engineering and Technology & principal investigator on the project. “I’m excited that we are able to move the Symposium to Dublin to help attract a potentially broader audience on this statewide topic.”

This event builds off of the inaugural event, which hosted more than 80 participants, held last year in Athens.

Discounted registration is available for student, academic, government and nonprofit attendees. A full agenda and registration information can be found on the website.

Schedule of Events

Wednesday, April 4: Optional Tour of Athens Campus Research Labs

10:30 a.m.: Depart from Dublin site
12:30 p.m.: Lunch presentation: Overview of OHIO Research Priorities and Growth Opportunities
1:30 : Poster session and tour of Institute for Corrosion and Multiphase Technology and Institute for Sustainable Energy and the Environment
3 p.m.: Depart from Athens
5 p.m.: Arrive in Dublin; tour concludes

Thursday, April 5: OHIO Shale Policy & Technology Symposium

8 a.m.: Registration and continental breakfast
8:30 a.m.: Welcome and introductions
8:45 a.m.: Morning keynote speaker: Commissioner M. Beth Trombold, Vice-Chair, Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO)
9:30 a.m.: Networking, poster session and coffee break
9:45 a.m.: Plenary Session: Managing Risk in Shale Development
- Moderator: Michael J. Zimmer, Executive in Residence and Senior Fellow, OHIO Voinovich School of Leadership and Public Affairs and Russ College of Engineering and Technology
- Phil Hopkins, Director, Economics and Country Risk Consulting, IHS Markit
- Bill Rish, Principal Engineer, ToxStrategies, Inc.
- Todd Stephenson (’77), VP Geoscience Technology – Retired, Chesapeake Energy
- Matt Warnock, Partner, Oil and Gas, Bricker and Eckler, LLP
11:15 a.m.: Networking, poster session and coffee break
11:30 a.m.: Breakout Session 1

Policy Track 1: Building Regional Wealth

Moderator: Jonathan Norris, Research Assistant and MSES Candidate, OHIO Voinovich School
Kathiann Kowalski, Journalist, Midwest Energy News
Iryna Lendel, Director, Center for Economic Development, Maxine Goodman Levin College of Urban Affairs, Cleveland State University
Jeannette Wierzbicki, Executive Director, Ohio Mid-Eastern Governments Association

Technology Track 1: Innovations in Shale Production, Development and Recovery

Moderator: Dr. David Bayless, OHIO Russ College of Engineering & Technology
Srikanta Mishra, Institute Fellow, Senior Research Leader & Chief Scientist, Energy, Battelle
Michael Spencer, ISEE Researcher and Ph.D. candidate, OHIO Russ College of Engineering and Technology
Todd Stephenson (’77), VP Geoscience Technology – Retired, Chesapeake Energy

12:30 p.m.: Buffet lunch with keynote speaker: Edward C. Chow, Senior Fellow, Energy and National Security Program, Center for Strategic and International Studies & Glidden Visiting Professor, Ohio University

2 p.m.: Breakout Session 2

Policy Track 2: Balancing Regional and Export Industries

Moderator: Dr. Daniel Karney, Assistant Professor, OHIO Department of Economics
Mike Chadsey, Director of Public Relations, Ohio Oil and Gas Association
Gordon Erndt, Senior Market Analyst, Ariel Corporation
Phil Hopkins, Director, Economics & Country Risk Consulting, IHS Markit

Technology Track 2: Pollution Monitoring & Remediation Related to Shale Development

Moderator: Dr. David Bayless, OHIO Russ College of Engineering & Technology
Kevin Crist, Professor, OHIO Russ College of Engineering and Technology and Director, OHIO Center for Air Quality
Jason Trembly, Associate Professor, OHIO Russ College of Engineering and Technology and Director, OHIO Institute for Sustainable Energy and the Environment
Andrew Williams, Director, Regulatory and Legislative Affairs, U.S. Climate and Energy, Environmental Defense Fund

3 p.m.: Breakout Session 3 and afternoon snack

Policy Track 3: Ethane Cracker Update for Eastern Ohio

Moderator: Mike Jacoby, VP of Business Development, Appalachian Partnership for Economic Growth
Jenn Klein, President, Ohio Chemistry Technology Council
Larry Merry, Executive Director, Belmont County Port Authority
Dana Saucier, Jr., Senior Managing Director, Energy & Petrochemical Industry, Jobs Ohio

Technology Track 3: Innovations in Shale Technology from Ohio University

David Bayless, OHIO Russ College of Engineering and Technology
Ramin Mehrani, ISEE Researcher & Ph.D. Candidate, OHIO Russ College of Engineering and Technology
Mohammed Mohtami, ISEE Researcher & Ph.D. Candidate, OHIO Russ College of Engineering and Technology

4 p.m.: Symposium concludes

The Shale Innovation Project is an interdisciplinary collaboration between Ohio University’s Russ College of Engineering and Technology, the Voinovich School of Leadership and Public Affairs, and the College of Arts and Sciences, examining the impact of shale development on businesses and communities in Ohio’s shale region. This project is generously supported by a three-year Innovation Strategy Award from the Ohio University Research Division.