SYRACUSE, NY (AP) -- 6:00pm Update:
The DEC's new recommendations include prohibiting any hydrofracking in the New York City and Syracuse watersheds. Anti-hydrofracking groups say blocking hydrofracking around Skaneateles and Otisco lakes would help help - but still gives energy companies too much leeway.
"Industry does not look toward the future. Industry takes fro the present and the effects are long reaching into the future and we want to be sure we're not guilty of the same thing people were 150 years ago," said Jack Ramden from Neighbors of the Onondaga Nation.
Advocates say hydrofracking can provide more natural gas, jobs and money for the area and that their methods of injecting high pressure water and chemicals into natural gas wells are safe. State Senator John DeFranciso said the new recommendations are a step forward.
"At least what we see now is there's a balance. The watersheds around our community are protected, the waste water has to be recycled, the chemicals have to be disclosed," said DeFrancisco.
The DEC says hydrofracking should not be allowed within 500 feet of a private well or 2000 feet of a public water source. They say all hydrofracking projects should be closely monitored with necessary restrictions. SUNY ESF Professor Dr. Peter Black was skeptical of that plan.
"How many miners lost their lives a year ago on the coal mine because of stringent restrictions or regulations? They just weren't followed. The companies just don't care," said Black.
A 60 day public comment period will start in August. It could be months before any policy becomes official.
Earlier Coverage:
New York's conservation chief says a controversial method of drilling for natural gas can be done safely with proper precautions and he's named an advisory panel including top environmentalists.
Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Joe Martens' comments Friday come a day after his agency outlined recommendations to permit hydraulic fracturing in most of the state's Marcellus Shale formation. He says no permits will be issued until after public comments, further review and final regulations, probably in late fall or early winter.
The DEC would prohibit "hydrofracking" in the New York City and Syracuse watersheds. The technology extracts natural gas from shale by pumping water, chemicals and sand into the ground to create fissures in the rock and release the gas.
The advisory panel includes lawyers from the Natural Resources Defense Council and Waterkeeper Alliance President Robert Kennedy Jr.
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