NY Legislators Consider Fracking Bills

UPDATE: on Wednesday, March 6 the NY Assembly passed the two-year moratorium by a vote of 95-40. 

News from both the NY Assembly and the NY Senate indicate that state lawmakers are considering a 2-year moratorium on high volume horizontal hydro-fracturing in shale formations. The Assembly, which passed a 1-year moratorium last year, has upped the ante. Now they are seeking a two-year moratorium that would specifically prohibit the state from issuing permits to drill in the Utica and Marcellus shale. That moratorium would expire in May 2015 - allowing enough time for some initial results of the Geisinger Health Study. They could vote as early as tomorrow on this bill.

Meanwhile, the Independent Democratic Conference, which shares control of the state Senate with Republicans, is calling for a two-year delay in hydro-fracking until the independent Geisinger health review is completed. The Senators also want two other reviews on drinking water to be completed as well, before the state begins permitting fracking.

Senator David Carlucci (D), representing Rockland and Westchester counties, told AP reporter Michael Gormley, "We have to put science first; we have to put the health of New Yorkers first."

NY Assembly Hearing on Fracking & Health Impacts

Between the Duke study and the focus on fracking on NPR yesterday (Science Friday), there's a lot of attention on potential health impacts of this new application of hydraulic fracturing techniques used in shale gas drilling.

Now NY Assembly members want to know more. So they're holding a hearing on Thursday, May 26. Both the NY Assembly Standing Committee in Environmental Conservation and the Assembly Standing Committee on Health will conduct a public hearing on Health Impacts of Hydraulic Fracturing Techniques.  In their announcement they note that "there are a number of concerns regarding the potential health effects of exposure to such chemicals".

This hearing will examine those potential health effects. Oral testimony will be accepted by invitation only. The assembly members will accept written testimony as well. To submit testimony  fill out a "public reply form" found below the hearing notice. Keep in mind that you'll need to send multiple copies if you present oral testimony.

The hearing will be Thursday, May 26 at 9:30 am in the Hamilton Hearing Room B, 2nd Floor
Legislative Office Building in Albany, NY.
Hearing announcement and form at http://assembly.state.ny.us/comm/EnCon/20110512/
Email/fax/mail the completed form to:
Michael Szydlo,Committee Assistant

Assembly Committee on Environmental Conservation
Room 520 - Capitol
Albany, New York 12248
Email: szydlom@assembly.state.ny.us
Phone: (518) 455-4363;  Fax: (518) 455-5182