New Yorkers Appeal to Legislature in Droves

Citizens send nearly 12,000 letters asking lawmakers to reject gas-drilling moratorium bills.

LAKEVIEW, NY (06/25/2010)(readMedia)-- New Yorkers have sent nearly 12,000 e-mail messages to state lawmakers in the past month, strongly urging them to oppose two bills that would impose moratoriums on natural gas extraction in the state.

One bill sponsored by Sen. Antoine Thompson (D-Buffalo) and Assemblyman Robert Sweeney (D-Lindenhuurst) would place an immediate one-year moratorium on new natural gas drilling permits in New York. Another by Assemblyman Steven Englebright (D-Setauket) and Senator Joseph Addabbo (D-Howard Beach) would halt natural gas exploration using hydraulic fracturing until completion of a study by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

Through an electronic letter-writing campaign sponsored by IOGA of NY, residents have sent a strong message to the Legislature that a moratorium is not necessary. These bills are being considered as the state Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) is revising regulations for natural gas exploration in the Marcellus Shale. The agency's final report is expected in late summer or early fall.

"New Yorkers sent almost 12,000 messages in a month. That is an outstanding accomplishment and a strong message that the DEC's work over the past two years should not be blocked by a moratorium," said Brad Gill, IOGA of NY executive director. "DEC must be allowed to do its job. Then we must allow New Yorkers – and New York State – to reap the benefits that safe natural gas development will bring."

The e-mail message stated, "These bills would further delay the greatest economic development opportunity that New York and its residents have seen in a generation, and would stifle economic recovery and vitality throughout the Southern Tier and across our state. In short, thousands of jobs and billions of dollars in economic impact are at stake."

Expanded natural gas exploration will produce efficient, abundant and environmentally clean fuel and increase New York's energy independence. It will also create thousands of jobs. The economic impact of just 300 Marcellus Shale wells is estimated to exceed $1.4 billion, with $108 million going to landowners, $19 million to municipal taxes, $32 million to state coffers and thousands of new jobs.

IOGA-NY was founded in 1980 to protect, foster and advance the common interests of oil and gas producers, as well as professionals and related industries in the State of New York. To send a message to Albany in support of natural gas exploration, visit marcellusfacts.com.

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