Governor Andrew Cuomo's environmental commissioner, Joe Martens, and acting Health Commissioner, Howard Zucker have recommended a ban on fracking across the state of New York, citing excessive environmental and health concerns. Governor Cuomo is deferring to their recommendations in making a final decision. A ban would end the state's current six-month moratorium on fracking.
The process of fracking involves shooting a mix of pressurized water, sand and chemicals to split rock formations to release natural gas and so-called tight oil. The widely used, deep-drilling process, combined with horizontal drilling, has resulted in a surge in domestic-energy production.
State and local governments are pushing for bans over the health and environmental concerns, including the potential for earthquakes and the contamination of natural water supplies.
New York sits atop the Marcellus shale formation, which stretches 600 miles along the Appalachian Basin and is rich in natural gas deposits.
The state’s Department of Environmental Conservation will put out a final impact study early next year that will suggest a ban on fracking. Martens will follow the report with an order prohibiting the process. (Fox News, 12/18/2014)
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