MEDIA ADVISORY

DATE: 7 p.m. April 16, 2013

EVENT: A town hall meeting, panel discussion and webcast about the future of deep hydraulic fracturing in Michigan.

Hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, and horizontal drilling have enabled the energy industry to unlock vast stores of natural gas and oil from deep rock formations over the past decade. In the coming years, Michigan could see more of this type of energy development.

Panelists and the public will discuss the technology and its implications. The University of Michigan College of Engineering’s short documentary “Fracktopia” will be shown. The video examines the drilling techniques and their potential consequences. Speakers include:

• Moderator Lester Graham, an investigative reporter with Michigan Radio and former senior editor of The Environment Report
• Brian Ellis, assistant professor, U-M Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering
• Erik Bauss, Michigan field director, Energy in Depth
• Hugh McDiarmid Jr., communications director, Michigan Environmental Council
• Bill Mitchell, senior geologist, Michigan Department of Environmental Quality

PLACE: Blau Auditorium, Ross School of Business, 701 Tappan Ave., Ann Arbor.

LIVE WEBCAST: http://mconnex.engin.umich.edu/events/2013/fracktopia-town-hall

SPONSORS: U-M College of Engineering, MConneX College of Engineering alumni initiative and Michigan Radio

INFORMATION: Video and related story, including outlook for Michigan, at
http://www.engin.umich.edu/college/about/news/dme/fracktopia/#

Hashtag: #fracktopia

U-M Sustainability fosters a more sustainable world through collaborations across campus and beyond aimed at educating students, generating new knowledge, and minimizing our environmental footprint. Learn more at sustainability.umich.edu.