NY Senate Approves Moratorium On Hydraulic Fracturing

August 5, 2010 |

Author myles

ALBANY – The New York State Senate approved a bill to delay hydraulic fracturing for natural gas.

Lawmakers voted 48 to 9 for a moratorium on gas drilling in the Marcellus Shale until May 15, 2011. During that time, the state would fully review the potential side effects of hydraulic fracturing on health, the environment and the economy.

The Senate cites the impact of the natural gas boom in Pennsylvania as an example. There have been several accidents related to drilling in Pennsylvania, ranging from polluted drinking wells and waterways, explosions and fatalities at drilling sites.

The moratorium bill now heads to the Assembly.