Gov Paterson Calls for Fracking Timeout & Directs NYS Environmental Agency to Revisit 'Fracking' Plan

ALBANY, NY (12/13/2010)(readMedia)-- Governor David Paterson today issued Executive Order #41, which will place a temporary timeout on high volume hydraulic fracturing and horizontal drilling for natural gas and calls for a revised draft of the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation's (DEC) DRAFT Supplemental Generic Environmental Impact Statement. This action will allow for another round of public review and input. In doing so, Governor Paterson signaled his understanding that high volume hydraulic fracturing, or "fracking," threatens both public health and the environment and that such drilling is among New Yorkers' top concerns.

The Executive Order places a timeout on horizontal wells for fracking for natural gas until the DEC's plan is finalized. In the Executive Order, Governor Paterson directs the DEC to release a revised draft on or around June 1, 2011, and opens no less than a 30-day public comment period. Given current staff levels at the agency, it's uncertain the DEC will be finished with its review.

"New York's draft plan to oversee fracking was fatally flawed and wouldn't protect our waters or our health," said Katherine Nadeau, Water & Natural Resources Program Director, Environmental Advocates of New York. "Re-releasing a revised draft plan for public comment will give New Yorkers another opportunity to demand the strongest possible protections."

"We're now calling on Governor-elect Cuomo to continue Executive Order #41 under his administration. During the campaign, the Governor-elect said that he 'would not support any drilling that would threaten the State's major sources of drinking water.' He has also said that 'any drilling in the Marcellus Shale must be environmentally sensitive and safe.' Continuing this Executive Order would be a good first step to protecting New York from fracking dangers," said Nadeau.

Under Assemblyman Robert Sweeney and Senator Antoine Thompson's leadership, as well as that of Senator Liz Krueger and Assembly members Brian Kavanagh and Barbara Lifton, the state legislature overwhelmingly passed legislation earlier this year that outlined a moratorium on both horizontal and vertical wells May 15, 2011. Without their efforts, it's unlikely that Governor Paterson would have issued this Executive Order.

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For more information about Environmental Advocates of New York, please visit www.eany.org.