The Broome County Legislature is expected to make a final decision Thursday on an offer to lease county-owned land for natural gas drilling.
The offer, from Inflection Energy, would be worth more than $7.5 million up front and a guaranteed 20 percent in royalties on any gas collected.
Broome County Executive Barbara Fiala is one of the staunchest supporters for the deal, which she thinks will help the county overcome its budget crisis.
Legislative Chair Dan Reynolds opposes Inflection’s offer, and says the vote should be close.
Some have said that the issue should be decided by the new legislature in January, but Inflection’s offer expires at the end of this month.
Four legislators will not be able to vote on the proposal because they are either members of gas coalitions or have already signed a lease with a drilling company.
