The Marcellus Shale Coalition Returns to Philly

Philadelphia, are you ready for some fracking? The Marcellus Shale Coalition is, and they’ll be having that discussion (for the third year in row) right here in Philly starting on Wednesday. That’s right, hundreds of oil and gas CEOs, politicians, and industry captains all under the Convention Center’s non-union roof. It’s enough to make a liberal cry.

So what can we expect from this year’s festivities? Well, according to Coalition Vice President of Policy and Communications Steve Forde:

He says the three day conference will include 20 panel discussions on what to do with the natural gas extracted from shale, environmental protections, economic development and more.

As in years past, protesters are likely.

Well, duh. Don’t worry, though, the Coalition has a little bit of “reeducation” planned for the inevitable protestors:

“The best way to deal with those who oppose the safe extraction of natural gas in Pennsylvania is to respond to their fear with facts. That’s what we’ve been doing for the past several years.”

Meanwhile, Kathleen Kane is prosecuting tracking outfit XTO on criminal charges. But, yes, the gas company’s facts ought to straighten this whole thing out. [CBS]