Tagged: DEC

 New York environmental officials have released a revised set of proposed regulations for hydraulic fracturing natural gas and will begin taking public comment on them in December.

  The Department of Environmental Conservation says the voluminous technical document was initially posted Wednesday, a day before a deadline for adopting rules for the controversial drilling known as "fracking" or making changes and allowing more comment. It's been a year since the last public hearings on the original proposal.

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation has come under increased scrutiny as questions have arisen over the agency's ability to oversee Hyrdraulic Fracturing, should the process of extracting natural gas from shale be legalized in the state. In the eyes of environmental activisits, the leadership of the DEC is strong and solid... Hudson Valley Bureau Chief Dave Lucas reports.

21 state, county and municipal leaders have signed a letter calling on New York State to fine New York City 13-point-5 million dollars for sending turbid waters into the Lower Esopus Creek... Hudson Valley Bureau Chief Dave Lucas reports.

The 21 leaders sent a letter to the State Department of Environmental Conservation, which must decide whether to allow the releases of muddy water to go on...  those opposed to the releases argue they damage ecosystems in the Lower Esopus and hinder business and recreational opportunities for communities situated along the Creek.

Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Joe Martens says there's no timeline for a decision on whether fracking of shale gas wells will be allowed in New York state, but the review will likely continue through the summer. More from WAMC's Dave Lucas...

Speaking Thursday at the annual Spring Environment Conference held by the Business Council in Albany, Martens says the agency doesn't have a specific date yet for an update on the environmental review and proposed regulations for high-volume hydraulic fracturing of shale gas wells.