ALBANY, NY (06/23/2010)(readMedia)-- A coalition of business and economic development groups, led by the Independent Oil & Gas Association of New York, today appealed to the New York State Legislature to oppose legislation to establish a statutory moratorium on gas drilling in New York.
Thirty-three groups, including chambers of commerce and other pro-business and pro-taxpayer groups, implored lawmakers to allow the State Department of Environmental Conservation to complete its review of the environmental impact statement governing natural gas exploration.
"We need your support for this compelling economic development opportunity, one that could benefit the State and localities significantly for years to come," the groups wrote. "We believe that the way forward to the safe development of the Marcellus Shale is now clear. We should embrace our state's ability to bring New York-produced gas to New York customers, and by so doing create new opportunity and prosperity in our own state."
One bill, A.10490-A (Englebright)/ S.7592-A (Addabbo), would impose a moratorium on hydraulic fracturing until 120 days after the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency completes yet another study on the technique. Another bill, S.8129-B (Thompson)/ A.11443-B (Sweeney) would block all permits for horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing in the Marcellus Shale until at least May 15, 2011.
The Marcellus is perhaps the largest natural gas reserve in the United States with the potential to dramatically increase America's energy independence while vastly improving economic recovery and job creation.
"We ask you to let the process proceed with the DEC continuing the review and revisions to the SGEIS. There are no permits being issued at this time. There is no need for a statutory moratorium," the signers wrote. "We believe that New York cannot afford to turn away or postpone the tremendous opportunity for economic resurgence and a clean energy supply presented by the Marcellus Shale."
To view the letter, visit www.marcellusfacts.com.
Supporting Organizations include:
Independent Gas & Oil Association of NY
Delaware County Board of Supervisors
Greater Binghamton Chamber of Commerce
Greater Syracuse Chamber of Commerce
Independent Power Producers of NY
Manufacturers Association of Central New York
National Federation of Independent Business
New York Construction Materials Association
New York State Economic Development Council
New York State Petroleum Council
New York State Motor Truck Association
Railroads of New York, Inc.
Southern Tier Economic Group
The Business Council of New York State, Inc.
Unshackle Upstate
Finger Lakes Railway
The New York, Susquehanna & Western Railway Corporation
Owego Harford Railway
Delaware & Hudson Railway/Canadian Pacific Railway
Clarendon & Pittsford Railroad Company
New York & Ogdensburg Railroad Company
Northeast Gas Association
Joint Landowners Coalition of New York, Inc.
B & H Rail Corporation/Livonia, Avon, Lakeville Railroad Corporation
Western New York & Pennsylvania Railroad Company
Chesapeake Energy Corporation
Energy In Depth
New York & Atlantic Railway
New York Building Congress
Associated General Contractors of NYS
New York & Lake Erie Railroad
Marcellus Shale Coalition
New York State Pipe Trades Association