Albany, NY, Feb 12, 2013 — It looks like the decision on whether to allow large-scale hydraulic fracturing in New York state will probably be delayed. In a letter this afternoon, State Health Commissioner Nirav Shah wrote his department needs more time to investigate fracking's potential health impacts. Shah said that's because the issues they're considering are very complex.  Go to full article

Albany, NY, Feb 05, 2013 — New York's Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Joe Martens suggested Monday that the state may miss a Feb. 27 deadline to complete its proposed fracking regulations. And that could stall a decision on gas drilling for months.

At a budget hearing Martens told legislators that there's no timetable for his agency's environmental review of fracking, known as the Supplemental Generic Environmental Impact Statement (SGEIS). He says the DEC is still waiting for the Department of Health to finalize its public health review.  Go to full article

Albany, NY, Jan 25, 2013 — Proponents and opponents of hydrofracking in New York state read Gov. Andrew Cuomo's budget closely for clues about fracking's future in the state.

They didn't see much. A decision on whether fracking will be allowed is expected after a health study is complete in February.

The agency overseeing the review, and in charge of permitting should fracking get the go-ahead, is New York's Department of Environmental Conservation. And it's in for a cut of five and a half percent in Cuomo's new budget.  Go to full article

Ithaca, NY, Dec 28, 2012 — New York's Department of Environmental Conservation released a draft set of regulations for hydraulic fracturing in November. Those proposed rules are open for public comment until Jan. 11, 2013.

Fracking opponents are preparing to make the most of the opportunity.  Go to full article

Albany, NY, Dec 13, 2012 — In conversation with public radio Wednesday, Gov. Andrew offered the first clues on what's in the health study on hydraulic fracturing that his health commissioner and three outside experts are currently reviewing.

"They're looking at the experiences of other states in the country where this has been done, reports of possible health consequences," said Cuomo. "They will then help us make a determination whether there's a true health risk or not."

New York's Department of Environmental Conservation opened a new public comment period on rules for hydrofracking yesterday. It's working under an extended deadline, pending the review of health experts. Under the new timeline, the Cuomo Administration is headed toward a decision by the end of February.

New York first put hydrofracking on hold in 2008. Since then, the state's environmental regulators have been crafting regulations to oversee the controversial drilling practice. The DEC released the latest draft of those rules in November. Now, neither side in the hydro fracking debate is satisfied.  Go to full article

Albany, NY, Dec 11, 2012 — New York's Department of Environmental Conservation appears to be nearing the end of its four-year hydrofracking review. If the DEC gives an OK to the controversial drilling technique, final regulations are expected in early 2013.

The DEC recently released regulations that would cover water use by the natural gas industry. And advocates of strict protections for freshwater aren't impressed.  Go to full article

Albany, NY, Dec 10, 2012 — The Cuomo Administration could be headed toward approval of hydraulic fracturing in New York by the end of February, when a 90-day extension on a rule making process ends.  Go to full article

Albany, NY, Dec 04, 2012 — A coalition of environmentalists and elected officials called on Governor Cuomo's health and environmental agencies to provide more information on a health review on hydraulic fracturing that they say has been shrouded in secrecy.  Go to full article

Dec 03, 2012 — The Cuomo Administration says it won't be ruling on whether to allow hydraulic fracturing in New York until an ongoing health review is finished.

The delays have have forced the state's Department of Environmental Conservation to open another public comment period, beginning December 12.  Go to full article

Albany, NY, Nov 30, 2012 — New York environmental officials have released a revised set of proposed regulations for hydraulic fracturing for natural gas and will begin taking public comment on them in December.  Go to full article