Regulators Get Firsthand Glimpse of College's Oil/Gas Industry Training

Published 08.31.2016

News
Workforce Development

Tracy L. Brundage (left), vice president for workforce development, explains ETEC's significance as a vehicle for teaching teamwork and safety before introducing her colleagues in that enterprise. From left center are Diane H. Bubb, ShaleNET U.S. case manager; Craig Konkle, energy development emergency response coordinator for the Lycoming County Department of Public Safety; and Rex E. Moore, ShaleNET U.S. consultant/instructor.Hard-hatted ETEC visitors watch a live burn from a safe distance ...... while capturing the simulation on cellphone cameras.Ladlee and Bubb watch from the control tower as Moore lights another of the facility's realistic props.Gary Eide (left), representing the Virginia Bureau of Mines, Minerals and Energy, Division of Gas and Oil, uses a self-propelled welder to heat-seal an absorbent mat. Aiding the demonstration are (from left center) New Pig field operations manager Drew Huff; Moore; and Beth Powell, the company's vice president and general manager.Regulators from 17 states and four Canadian provinces toured the region Wednesday, stopping by the Center for Business & Workforce Development on Penn College's main campus and the Energy Technology Education Center to its south. The visit was arranged by James R. Ladlee, interim assistant director of energy, entrepreneurship and community development programs for Penn State Cooperative Extension.  Following a stop at the wellfield training lab, facilitated by Daniel R. Mendell, ShaleNET U.S. consultant/instructor, the group was treated to a variety of demonstrations at ETEC (a collaborative training site for current and prospective gas-industry employees, as well as emergency response crews). New Pig Energy, among the generous corporate partners in the center's operation, showcased its spill-containment liner before the guests traveled to lunch and other industry-related locations.