Buffalo, NY, Aug 02, 2012 — A recent poll conducted by Quinnipiac University poll shows New York residents are evenly split on the issue of hydrofracking. The survey comes hard on the heels of a new pro-fracking public relations effort in upstate communities.

Last week, Buffalo was the stage for a screening of "Truthland," a film financed by the Independent Petroleum Association of America. As Daniel Robison reports, the event highlighted how starkly polarizing the topic can be for the public.  Go to full article

Syracuse, NY, Apr 13, 2012 — For the first time in a long time, political observers had been eyeing New York's Republican Presidential Primary, wondering if New York voters might actually have an impact on who's running for the White House. But it appears the GOP nominee has all but been decided before a single ballot is cast in the Empire State.

The Innovation Trail's Zack Seward looks at Mitt Romney's positions on a couple of key economic issues.

Marie Cusick, Ryan Delaney, Matt Richmond and Daniel Robison contributed reporting on this story. The Innovation Trail is a collaboration between five upstate public media outlets, reporting on New York's innovation economy. Support comes from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.  Go to full article

Albany, NY, Sep 29, 2011 — New York environmental regulators have formally issued proposed regulations for hydraulic fracturing. Drilling companies want to "hydro-frack" the Marcellus Shale region of southern New York. The Department of Environmental Conservation has scheduled four public hearings on the proposed rules.

The document, originally posted online in July, outlines regulations for companies that want to "hydrofrack". It's a process where water, chemicals, and sand are pumped at high pressure deep into wells to release natural gas from the bedrock.

New York hasn't allowed "hydrofracking'' in the Marcellus Shale over the past three years and it won't be allowed until the process completes its new permitting rules.

Dennis Holbrook is vice president of the North Exploration, with offices outside of Buffalo. He's been drilling in New York for twenty years and is glad the process is moving forward.

Claire Sandberg is with the group Frack Action. She says even though New York looked at problems in Pennsylvania and other states before drafting its rules, environmentalists have many reasons to be concerned. Julie Grant has more.  Go to full article

Albany, NY, Sep 09, 2011 — New York's Department of Environmental Conservation says it may now reconsider which areas in the Marcellus shale are deemed flood plains, in the light of recent catastrophic flooding. But the department says it will not delay the environmental review of fracking over the issue. (see related story)

Karen DeWitt has the DEC response.  Go to full article

May 23, 2011 — Horizontal hydrofracking, the controversial natural gas drilling technique, is still a long ways off in New York's Marcellus Shale region.

The Innovation Trail's Emma Jacobs has more on the long process ahead.  Go to full article