The recent Albany Times-Union editorial, “Up to you on drilling, Governor,” got it all wrong regarding the Assembly’s passage of the hydrofrcking moratorium. This bill is overbroad and will unnecessarily halt gas exploration in Western NY and other areas outside the Marcellus Shale. To arbitrarily suspend all drilling statewide without any evidence of danger to our water supply is not in the best interest of our economy. There is a de facto moratorium on natural gas exploration in the Marcellus Shale because funding for 29 additional DEC inspectors was not included in the FY 2010-2011 state budget. Without the added inspectors, no new permits can be issued for expanded natural gas exploration in the Southern Tier, which makes this legislation redundant. In addition, recent budget cuts have decimated DEC and will slow the permitting process for new and existing wells.
Within days of the vote, I received an email from Mr. John Holko, President of Lenape Resources, Inc. (Alexander, NY), who informed me that the blanket moratorium on natural gas exploration will force his company to close. Mr. Holko employs New York residents who pay taxes and support their local economy. Instead of enacting job-killing legislative impediments, we should allow the DEC to continue to revise regulations for exploration in the Marcellus Shale area. Once the DEC’s review is released, we will have a greater understanding of the impact of hydraulic fracturing on the quality of the local water supply and impact on the surrounding environment. Until then, I recommend that we avoid a rash and unnecessary moratorium that will undoubtedly impact important economic activity. Instead, we should protect our future by becoming less dependent on foreign sources of energy, while continuing to develop alternative energy sources in America. And New York can be a leader in the safe extraction of natural gas.
For the aforementioned reasons, I strongly urge Governor Paterson to veto A.11433-B/S.8129-B. [polldaddy poll=4196344]
I’d like to support fracking in new york, especially since some speculate it could bring nearly 6 thousand jobs into the state, but the Gasland documentary made a fairly convincing case for the average person to be against supporting Hydraulic fracturing, aka “fracking”, as it is currently employed within the Marcellus Shale region. We should protect our future by taking steps to ensure we will endure long enough to have one. I’m sure there are means of getting to natural gas that are nowhere near as damaging that could be developed and put into use.
While I agree that we have to reach the goal of becoming less dependent on foreign sources of energy and continuing to develop alternative energy sources in America. The other part is developing methods and means to go about also reducing our consumption of fossil fuels to begin with.
If you’re really concerned about getting new yorkers employed and reducing fossil fuel consumption, why aren’t you voicing a bit more frustration with the automobile industry and its continued manufacturing of cars with steel and aluminum, instead of light weight plastics. With a car half the weight of conventional models, you’d have to fuel up your car half as often to accomplish the same frequency of use since the car uses most of it’s fuel to just move itself.
If America were to insulate their homes and the rental properties properly, we would save so much fuel per year people would hyperventilate when they found out the savings! There should be an effort to give people a tax break to do this.
Just think – no fuel crisis and no dirty water, methane release and no radiation seepage involved.
Why not give it a try ??
I don’t know how much plainer my language must be. The post says that the bill is flawed for two reasons: (1) it’s too broad and bans vertical hydraulic fracturing which has not been the target of criticism (i.e., fear-mongering) and (2) a de facto moratorium is in effect because the State DEC has not finalized its new rules regarding gas exploration in the Marcellus Shale and recent budget cuts have decimated the Department. I do support properly regulated gas exploration in NY’s Southern Tier. The rancor that has accompanied this debate is counterproductive. Please re-read my post.
NYSERDA has long had an energy-saving program for homes and residential dwellings. The State has long promoted the use of EnergyStar appliances, energy-saving light bulbs, and home insulation. The weatherization program has helped many low-income homeowners and renters. Visit their website for the latest information: http://www.nyserda.org. Increasing available tax credits might be difficult given the State’s expected $9 Billion budget deficit but there is much NYers can do on their own to reduce utility costs.
Makes no sense, fracking is terrible for the environment and economy. Unless you work for the gas company, eh?
Mr. Benjamin:
You didn’t read the two comments which responded in a concise and clear way to your blog. Your response was pompous, smug and dismissive much like the fossil fuel industry you are defending.
There is no safe gas drilling giving it’s greenhouse gas emissions are likely worse than coal when looking at even conservative estimates of methane leakage.
Hear of climate change?
Linda