Polish Shale Gas Regulators Visit the United States

24 January 2011

Bright Angel Shale Slope

A group of 10 Polish officials will meet with federal, state, and city government officials; federal and university research institutions; and private companies and industry associations during a January 23 –February 2 shale gas study tour in the United States.   The goal of the visit, which is hosted by the U.S. State Department, is to learn more about the U.S. experiences and approaches to developing and regulating shale gas as a new and secure source of energy. 

The visit is one of a series of Embassy initiatives to support new Polish natural gas production – and Polish energy security – in a cost effective and environmentally friendly way.  Ambassador Lee Feinstein welcomed the visit saying, “The United States is becoming self-sufficient in natural gas production thanks to the innovation of U.S. entrepreneurs and the support of a flexible, adaptive regulatory system.  We hope that achievement can be replicated in Poland.  With the right regulatory approach to support the introduction of U.S. innovation, Poland has great potential to bring natural gas from its own shale.”

The group includes experts from the Ministry of Environment, the Ministry of Economy, the Polish Geological Institute, and the State Mining Authority.  Their 10-day tour will take them to Washington (DC), West Virginia, Pennsylvania, and Texas.  This diverse program will allow the group to make a variety of contacts and gain knowledge about shale gas development in the Marcellus and Barnett shale formations, two of the major areas of shale gas production in the United States.