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Shale gas areas in the Northeast. Source: Wikipedia Commons
First fracking hearing draws hundreds
Deposit, NY, Nov 17, 2011 — Groups for and against the natural gas drilling process called hydro-fracking plan media events in Binghamton today, the second day of state hearings on proposed regulations.
Fracking involves injecting millions of gallons of chemical-laced water into a gas well to free gas from dense shale underground. The state hasn't issued permits for drilling in the lucrative shale formation in southern New York since 2008, when it began reviewing the controverisal process.
The Department of Environmental Conservation held the first of four public hearings on hydrofracking yesterday. As the Innovation Trail's Zack Seward reports, the majority of the 800 or so people who came to the small town of Dansville for the hearing were against hydrofracking.
Fracking involves injecting millions of gallons of chemical-laced water into a gas well to free gas from dense shale underground. The state hasn't issued permits for drilling in the lucrative shale formation in southern New York since 2008, when it began reviewing the controverisal process.
The Department of Environmental Conservation held the first of four public hearings on hydrofracking yesterday. As the Innovation Trail's Zack Seward reports, the majority of the 800 or so people who came to the small town of Dansville for the hearing were against hydrofracking.
More than 150 people signed up to speak at Wednesday’s hearing.
Jason Ballard spoke in favor of natural gas extraction.
"We are running on fumes. And we are sitting on a tank. A full tank. One of the biggest in the world."
But the majority voiced strong opposition, including Ken Zeserson.
"We will confront you in the streets until you realize you cannot hydrofrack in the Finger Lakes."
The state is collecting public comments on its latest draft of hydrofracking
regulations until December 12th.
Upcoming hearings in Binghamton and New York City are expected to draw even
larger crowds
