New York Receives Record Public Comments as it Weighs Fracking Regulations
A four-year study on hydraulic fracturing by New York's Department of Environmental Conservation is about to come to an end -- hanging in its balance is whether or not fracking will allowable in the state. The stakes are high and the public knows it -- the Department is currently weighing through 66,000 public comments.
Fracking has become a polarizing issue in America, and the record amount of input from New York residents seemingly reflects current sentiment.
States governments across the nation, as well as the federal government, are evaluating the fracking process to determine its safety for the public and the environment. However, New York is one of only two states, Maryland being the other, to ban hydraulic fracturing while it conducts its research. Considering the Marcellus Shale represents the world's largest deposit of unconventional natural gas, this decision has significant economic implications.
The agency's environmental impact statement is expected to be released by the end of the year. After the findings and recommendations are released, the Department of Environmental Conservation will have 10 days to determine whether fracking will be allowed or not.
Read the full story at InsideClimate News: New York Weighs 66,00 Comments on Pending Fracking Regulations
Image credit: Lee via Flickr
Nathanael Baker is the Managing Editor of EnergyBoom. He has researched and reported on the issues of renewable energy, sustainability, and climate change for over two years. He has provided research to the New York Times and The Economist, as well as being published on different media outlets including, The Energy Collective.
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