News stories tagged with "hydraulic-fracturing"

(01/11/12) The state Department of Environmental Conservation has a lot of reading to do about hydrofracking. The deadline to comment about new regulations was midnight. The DEC already had more than 21,000 comments on the issue. And yesterday, both supporters and opponents of the controversial gas-drilling technique brought box after box filled with more comments. more

(01/03/12) Ohio leaders are prohibiting the use of four hydro-fracking waste-water wells from opening, after a series of earthquakes. Julie Grant reports that the state is concerned there's a link between the two. more

(11/16/11) Drilling companies have been criticizing New York for delaying permits to drill for gas in the state's underground shale formations. The Department of Environmental Conservation says it is still considering regulations, and might not issue permits until 2013.

Deborah Rogers is glad New York is asking questions before allowing this type of drilling. Rogers has become a leading critic of the economics of shale gas exploration. She's an advisor to the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas, Texas. Rogers spoke Tuesday night at Clarkson University, and earlier in the day with Julie Grant.

(09/29/11) 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.

(08/22/11) State Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Joe Martens says he's "not shutting the door" on holding a longer public comment period and new public hearings on hydrofracking. In Albany, Karen DeWitt reports. more

(08/10/11) New York State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli is proposing a remedial fund for hydro fracking, similar to the state's oil spill fund, to reimburse citizens if they suffer environmental damage from the gas drilling process. In Albany, Karen DeWitt has the details. more

(07/01/11) After a lot of controversy, Governor Andrew Cuomo's Environmental Commissioner says New York will permit the natural gas extraction process known as hydraulic fracturing, to proceed with some limitations. more

(02/09/11) In a unanimous vote, the Buffalo Common Council has banned hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, within the city's borders. The Innovation Trail's Daniel Robison reports the law's supporters hope the move sways other communities in New York to follow suit. more