ALBANY (AP) -- The state Department of Environmental Conservation says natural gas production in New York's part of the Marcellus Shale could bring up to 24,795 full time drilling-related jobs and more than 29,000 jobs in other segments of the economy.
In its updated environmental impact study on natural gas production in the Marcellus, released for public comment on Wednesday, the agency says the job predictions assume drilling of 1,652 wells annually. Under a low-development scenario with 413 wells drilled annually, DEC says 6,198 industry jobs would be created.
The report outlines New York's rules for natural gas drilling using high-volume hydraulic fracturing, which injects chemical-laced water at high pressure into a well to crack surrounding shale and release gas.
Permitting has been on hold since the environmental study was launched in 2008.
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