With residents across the state asking questions about the Marcellus Shale formation, natural gas exploration, mineral rights leasing and a number of other associated issues, WPSU-TV is responding with a one-hour live call-in program.

At 7 p.m. Thursday, WPSU-TV in central Pennsylvania will present "Pennsylvania's Gas Rush." This live call-in program also will be simulcast statewide on The Pennsylvania Cable Network and web cast via http://wpsu.org/gasrush/.

Residents with questions can call in during the live broadcast or submit them online from 7 to 8 p.m. This program will offer objective and reliable advice for Pennsylvanians about the drilling and exploration development on leased land, the process of negotiating with gas companies, signing leases and creating addenda, as well as information about financial, environmental and infrastructure impacts.

Hosted by Patty Satalia, the one-hour program will explore natural gas issues with an expert panel, which will include: a lawyer specializing in mineral right leases and addenda, a representative from the state Department of Environmental Protection focusing on environmental concerns in the state, an educator from Penn State's cooperative extension who is well versed in many of the specific issues of the exploration process and a gas industry representative.

A phone bank of nonbiased experts also will be on hand during the program to take calls from viewers and answer questions. Questions also can be submitted online at http://wpsu.org/gasrush/.

While geologists and gas companies have long known natural gas exists about 6,000 feet deep in Pennsylvania's shale, it has not been accessible until now. With discoveries of new drilling technology and rising prices of fossil fuels, the natural gas rush in Pennsylvania is unfolding. This natural gas has the potential to fuel the entire country for two full years.

Topics covered in the program will include legal issues and ramifications for landowners, the drilling and exploration process, and water quality and environmental impact.

WPSU serves central Pennsylvania with programming, educational services and community outreach. The public media service produces, acquires and distributes programs addressing local interests and reflecting diverse cultural, political, geographic and demographic characteristics of an audience within central Pennsylvania.