By Dave Lucas
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wamc/local-wamc-988019.mp3
Albany, NY – New York Environmental Regulators have formally issued proposed regulations for hydraulic fracturing of natural gas wells in the state's Marcellus Shale region... today environmental advocates, geologists and business professionals gathered in Albany to discuss the prospects of hydrofracking. WAMC's Dave Lucas has an update.
The Department of Environmental Conservation has already issued a draft environmental analysis and is accepting public comments on it and the proposed regulations until December 12th. The new draft regulations create a legal framework for implementing the proposed mitigation measures in the revised dSGEIS. Hearings are scheduled November 16th in Dansville, the 17th in Binghamton, 29th in Sheldrake and 30th in Manhattan.
Steve Myers is the chair of the Eastern Chapter of the Air & Waste Management Association, which conducted what he described as a "neutral" hydrofracking forum Wednesday afternoon in Albany, in conjunction with the Society of Army Military Engineers. Myers describes hydrofracking in the Marcellus Shale and the smaller Utica Shale as a "topic of interest" among professionals.
Four speakers representing a cross-section of business, science and technology led discussions with local area technical professionals, advocates and attorneys: broadcast recording equipment was prohibited. One of the panelists acknowledged that gas extracted by hydrofracking could be liquified and shipped to countries where it sells for three times its domestic value. They're keeping an eye on fracking developments in nearby Pennsylvania, and at least one panelist regards the current Public Comment period as "a tremendous opportunity to prevent problems before they start."
DEC Commissioner Joe Martens touched on potential revenue from hydrofracking following a Monday afternoon meeting at the agency's headquarters. He says the panel is looking into imposing a "severance tax." Martens and his group have met on several previous occasions: they'll meet again in a few weeks.