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Law360 recently reported that Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf’s recent announcement of a task force on pipelines could help neutralize opposition with the public focus on safety concerns.

A poll conducted by the University of Michigan and Muhlenberg College estimated that 54 percent of the state’s population in September 2014 supported natural gas development, leaving just about half of the research group in opposition of development.

The article reports that the industry has and continues to change as a result of greater public engagement.

"The hue and cry from landowners, environmentalists and others has gotten more sophisticated. The access to information is a lot better," Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney Energy Shareholder Alan M. Seltzer tells the publication.

As for keeping an open discussion, Seltzer says, "I think political pressure, absolutely, is something that people in these businesses need to and will consider. They can either participate, or sit by and be reactive." 

Read the full article – "New Pa. Task Force Heralds Emerging Pipeline Fight" (Law360, May 29, 2015). Subscription required.