An Associated Press report says that New York is unlikely to see the start of fracking in 2013, even if the state does green-light the process. The article gives two simple explanations. For one, industry officials expect that if the state OK’s high-volume hydraulic fracturing and horizontal drilling in deep shale formations, getting a permit […]
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Poll results show fracking support differs by region
The majority of respondents to a recent Siena Research Institute poll say they support fracking. But there’s a catch. The poll results, which were released yesterday, say that 42 percent of the 822 registered voters polled support fracking and 36 percent oppose it; the numbers were the same in October, the last time Siena asked […]
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State issues revised fracking regulations
Yesterday, the state Department of Environmental Conservation released a revised version of its proposed regulations for high-volume hydraulic fracturing. The DEC released the regs late in the day, and many of the folks who’ve been studying the regulations haven’t yet commented or shared their impressions. But some environmental groups and fracking critics have rung in, […]
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DEC to extend fracking review
The state Department of Environmental Conservation is making a move that should prevent it from having to redo its proposed high-volume hydraulic fracturing regulations. The department faces a November 29 deadline for approving the proposed regulations, which it introduced in 2011. But the state is still conducting an environmental review of fracking in shale formations, […]
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Fracking’s insurance issues
Environmental and economic issues have so far dominated New York’s discussion of high-volume hydraulic fracturing. But there are other issues to consider if state officials decide to green-light fracking, including the complex question of insurance. The State Assembly’s Insurance Committee has been studying the implications of fracking on homeowner, mortgage, and title insurance policies for […]
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Proposed county fracking law stalls
For now, Democrats’ proposal to prohibit the county from treating fracking-related waste water won’t move forward. Last night, Republican John Howland, the chair of the County Legislature’s Environment and Public Works committee, referred the proposal to the Brooks administration for further study. He said it’s a complex issue with lots of facts coming from each […]
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Jill Stein and the politics of courage
Despite the public’s frequent frustration with the quality of candidates for elected office, third parties have historically had trouble gaining traction. They lack the money and other resources necessary to be competitive.
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Utica’s gassy, but not like Marcellus
Recently, the US Geological Survey released its first estimate of “undiscovered, technically recoverable” natural gas in the Utica Shale: 38 trillion cubic feet. That’s a lot of gas, but for the sake of perspective, the estimate isn’t even half of the USGS estimate for the Marcellus Shale: 84 trillion cubic feet. The federal agency also […]
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Congress backs laws that help members
Public opinion of Congress has reached all-time lows, according to some polls. And a recent article in the Washington Post isn’t likely to help. The Post examined financial disclosure forms and public records of all members of the House and Senate. The findings help explain why the public has become so cynical. More than 70 […]
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Dems propose moratorium on treating fracking wastes
Democrats in the Monroe County Legislature are proposing legislation to temporarily ban the county from treating fracking wastes. Legislator Justin Wilcox of Brighton is sponsoring the referral. He wants a temporary ban so that the county can study the possible negative impacts of treating the waste, says a press release from the Democrats. The county’s […]
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A loss and a win on Binghamton’s fracking ban
A state Supreme Court justice has struck down the City of Binghamton’s moratorium on fracking and related activities, reports the New York Times. But the same judge also affirmed that communities have the right to exclude drilling activities through zoning laws. The New York Times quotes state Supreme Court Justice Ferris Lebous’s decision, which according […]
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Another delay in fracking review
A technicality will probably delay New York’s decision on fracking until next year. Recently, state Department of Environmental Commissioner Joseph Martens announced that the state would study the potential health impacts of high-volume hydraulic fracturing. The effort will be led by Dr. Nirav Shah, commissioner of the state Department of Health. But the study means […]
