Anti-fracking protesters rally. Photo: still from the Innovation Trail video
(01/11/12) The state Department of Environmental Conservation has a lot of reading to do about hydrofracking. The deadline to comment about new regulations was midnight. The DEC already had more than 21,000 comments on the issue. And yesterday, both supporters and opponents of the controversial gas-drilling technique brought box after box filled with more comments.
Speaking at a press conference, Karen Moreau of the state Petroleum council said opening up New York to hydraulic fracturing would mean low cost energy. Others in support said it would mean jobs, and money for landowners, such as small farmers.
Bill Cooke is with the Citizens Campaign for the Environment. He spoke at a different press conference - one held by fracking opponents. He says the DEC to further extend the comment period – and take more time to study the issue.
“Every day we are seeing new issues, new evidence of problems with technology across the country. And for New Yorkers to say, ‘Hey, wait, we need to know more” is not unreasonable. It’s the biggest environmental issue, the biggest public health issue, in 100 years, and DEC doesn’t look at human health impacts in their study? That’s outrageous. That needs to change.”
The Times Union says the DEC will probably have more than 50,000 comments to consider before moving forward with hydrofracking rules.
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