hydrofracking

  Environmentalists are celebrating after Governor Andrew Cuomo says there will be no hydrofracking in New York for now, citing inconclusive scientific evidence on the health effects of the gas drilling process.

Health professionals and scientists are out with two new independent summations of the risks and harms of shale gas development and hydraulic fracturing. The two documents were formally released Thursday at the Legislative Office Building in downtown Albany.

Federal energy regulators have approved a $700 million pipeline project designed to ferry cheap Marcellus Shale natural gas from Pennsylvania into high-priced markets in New England and New York. The 124-mile Constitution Pipeline could be operational by next winter.

Now that elections are over, supporters and opponents of hydrofracking are wondering what will be Governor Andrew Cuomo’s next move on the long-stalled gas drilling process in New York State.

During Wednesday’s only gubernatorial debate in New York, Governor Andrew Cuomo said that the long-awaited health review on potential dangers of hydrofracking will be completed by the end of the year.

As Election Day draws nearer, polls show the Green Party candidate for governor of New York with higher-than-expected support. Today, Howie Hawkins discussed hydrofracking and the Common Core.

The Green Party's Howie Hawkins spoke to reporters at length about one the key planks of his political platform: making sure hyrdrofracking never sees light of day in New York.    "Astorino's obviously for it. Cuomo's sittin' on the fence, waiting for the election to be over."

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo has made some of his most extensive comments on the controversial topic of hydrofracking to date. But the governor says he’s still studying the matter and won’t make a decision before Election Day.

The issue of hydrofracking played a role in the recent Democratic primary for governor in New York, and those who oppose the gas drilling process hope it will influence the general election as well.

A Yale University study has found people living within the shadows of natural gas wells and hydrofracking pads exhibit higher instances of health problems. The study of Pennsylvania residents comes days after New York Governor Andrew Cuomo promised to visit a gas drilling site in the Keystone State.

The Yale study of people in southwestern Pennsylvania found a greater prevalence of health symptoms reported among residents living close to natural gas wells, including those drilled via hydraulic fracturing.

A Time Warner Cable News/Siena College poll released late Wednesday showed 51 percent of voters in the Southern Tier and Hudson Valley oppose hydrofracking.

In survey after survey, New Yorkers have been 50-50 on the gas extraction process hydraulic fracturing, which is on hold under a de facto moratorium.