New Castle — A seminar on Marcellus Shale natural gas is planned here for Oct. 6 to 8.

Penn State Extension, Butler Community College, the Lawrence County Economic Development Corporation, and West Central Job Partnership organized a comprehensive overview on the Marcellus Shale.

Three perspectives are being offered: local officials' options regarding the Marcellus Shale, landowner issues and the impact on business.

Government officials will have an opportunity to learn about regulations and ordinances for Marcellus gas drilling. Attorney Ross Pifer, a professor at Penn State University Park, will discuss those issues.

Also, Mel Bliss, director of a public safety training facility and BC3 Hazmat coordinator, will answer questions about public safety and first responder training.

This program is sponsored by the Lawrence County Council of Governments at 6 p.m. Oct. 6 at the Jameson Conference Center.

Reservations can be made with Bob Callen at 724-656-2459.

At 6 p.m. Oct. 7, there will be a presentation at the Jameson South Conference Center for property owners.

Attorney Joseph R. Lawrence of Strassburger, McKenna, Gutnick & Gefsky will talk about land ownership, mineral leases and royalties, and oil and gas rights. Dana Rizzo, a Penn State Extension water quality specialist, will talk about water issues.

To register for this event, call the Penn State Lawrence County Extension at 724-654-8370. There is a $10 fee for materials.

At 11 a.m. Oct. 8 the Lawrence County Economic Development Corporation and the West Central Job Partnership will offer a program about the business opportunities of Marcellus Shale.

This will take place at BC3's Lawrence Crossing facility.

Tim Kelsey, a professor at Penn State, will provide an overview of the opportunities associated with the drilling of the wells. The drilling of a single well requires 400 people working in nearly 150 occupations.

To register, call Jackie Haggerty at 724-658-2501. There is a $25 fee for the program. Advanced Materials and Diversified Manufacturing Industry Partnership members are free.

For information on all the programs, call the West Central Job Partnership at 724-658-2501.