Shooting chemicals into New York State’s groundwater to capture an unsustainable energy source? Not in my backyard.

• New York State is days away from approving a temporary ban (moratorium) on high-volume hydraulic fracturing (a.k.a. “fracking”).
• Fracking (outside the parlance of Battlestar Galactica) is a method of drilling for natural gas trapped beneath shale rock. Water, chemicals, and sand are blasted into the rock until it gives, then the gas is collected.
• Environmental groups, and now New York State legislators, are concerned about shooting harmful chemicals into the state’s water supply. Gas industry people disagree.

Facts & Figures

• Natural gas trapped under the Marcellus Shale – a rock formation spanning NY, PA, OH, and WV – could meet U.S. gas demand for more than 10 years
• The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will release a report about fracking in 2012
• The moratorium will go into effect when Governor Paterson signs it before the end of this year

Best Quote

“Right now, we think any time-out is a good one. The gas isn’t going anywhere.” – Craig Michaels, Watershed Program Director at

Tags: drilling, environmental protection, fracking, natural gas, New York