Two major universities in the Marcellus and Utica Shale have signed a “memorandum of understanding” (MOU) pledging to pool academic resources and work together on projects to research and leverage the rapidly expanding shale energy industry. Ohio State University and West Virginia University announced their new compact yesterday. Part the arrangement includes possibly developing shale energy field laboratories.
The attitude on the part of both institutions seems to be, “Let’s figure out how we can promote shale energy so it’s safe, and so everyone benefits.” Right attitude, right approach. Now, any bets as to how long before anti-fracking malcontents among the faculty and staff at those fine institutions begin a fracking witch hunt like happened at University at Buffalo? (See UB CLEAR: Burn the Fracking Witches and Their Castle.)
