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The clock continues to tick in New York on whether the state will allow hydraulic fracturing.
Earlier this year, Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced that a decision could come sometime this year, and currently that is exactly what the Department of Conservation is purporting.
DEC officials said they’re in the process of preparing responses for the close to 80,000 comments they received within the two comment periods. The responses will be included in the final Supplemental Generic Environmental Impact Statement and regulations.
“If the final documents determine high-volume hydraulic fracturing could move forward in New York, we could begin to review permit applications after the final SGEIS and findings statements are released,” DEC spokeswoman Lisa King said.
Many municipalities have enacted moratoriums or out-right bans on hydrofracking, including about 92 communities within the state.
In February, judges in two separate decisions ruled in favor of two towns – Dryden in Tompkins County and Middlefield in Otsego County – that had local ordinances to ban gas drilling.
As of early January, 16 out of 26 towns in Oneida County had imposed moratoriums, according to Observer-Dispatch archives.
Meanwhile, most recently in Herkimer County the city of Little Falls voted for a one-year moratorium in March in order to discuss the concerns about the practice.
Many other municipalities — like New Hartford — have brought the idea of a moratorium or ban to the table.
The clock continues to tick in New York on whether the state will allow hydraulic fracturing.
Earlier this year, Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced that a decision could come sometime this year, and currently that is exactly what the Department of Conservation is purporting.
DEC officials said they’re in the process of preparing responses for the close to 80,000 comments they received within the two comment periods. The responses will be included in the final Supplemental Generic Environmental Impact Statement and regulations.
“If the final documents determine high-volume hydraulic fracturing could move forward in New York, we could begin to review permit applications after the final SGEIS and findings statements are released,” DEC spokeswoman Lisa King said.
Many municipalities have enacted moratoriums or out-right bans on hydrofracking, including about 92 communities within the state.
In February, judges in two separate decisions ruled in favor of two towns – Dryden in Tompkins County and Middlefield in Otsego County – that had local ordinances to ban gas drilling.
As of early January, 16 out of 26 towns in Oneida County had imposed moratoriums, according to Observer-Dispatch archives.
Meanwhile, most recently in Herkimer County the city of Little Falls voted for a one-year moratorium in March in order to discuss the concerns about the practice.
Many other municipalities — like New Hartford — have brought the idea of a moratorium or ban to the table.
