Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver of Manhattan and Environmental Conservation Committee Chair Robert Sweeney from Lindenhurst have announced the Assembly will pass legislation establishing a one year moratorium on hydraulic fracturing in New York.
Hydraulic fracturing, commonly referred to as hydrofracking, injects chemicals and highly pressurized water into underground rock formations to extract natural gas and could potentially threaten vital drinking water supplies.
The measure would suspend hydrofracking operations in the state until June 1, 2012, in order to allow more time for health and environmental safety concerns surrounding this practice to be thoroughly examined.
According to Silver and Sweeney, testimony taken at a recent Assembly public hearing on hydrofracking has highlighted concerns about possible drinking water contamination, habitat destruction and chemical spills.
Under the bill, the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) would suspend issuing new permits for the drilling of natural gas and oil wells throughout the state until next June.
Silver noted that during the proposed moratorium period several significant reports on the safety and environmental impact of hydrofracking are expected to be released, including studies by DEC and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
