Submitted by Anonymous on Fri, 05/02/2008 - 4:59pm.
There is currently legislation under review in NYS Assembly (bill A10526) (and paralell in Senate) to essentially enable the deep horizontal drilling (and associated fracturing) to be readily permitted. The 2005 NYS oil and gas legislation did not clearly address horizontal drilling. Such drilling is essential for the most cost-effective capture of gas in the Marcellus. Th Oil/Gas lobbies have been weighing in on the legislation and the Farm Bureau has been watching. However, I am not aware of any "citizens" groups involved. The legislation is being pushed pretty hard and fast and as written will become effective immediately. I believe that it should be slowed down so that reasonably concerned individuals can have time to understand, reflect, and consider the many complex implications. In my checking around in the Broome and Cortland county area I am not finding any degree of knowledge or concern about this. It is completely clear that once this legislation passes the O&G Cos will have a green lite to rock and roll. I believe A10526 is flying largely under the radar and is moving way to fast. As best I can tell, the DEC is the only monitoring agency and they are seriously understaffed. Given the likely large number of drillings coming soon, there will be little or no substantive macro environmental protection. Lobbying to first slow down A10526 into at least the next legislative session (this one ends around June 15), and then understanding and lobbying for appropriate structuring so that there is as much environmental protection as possible is critical. Stan Scobie Binghamton, NY
Horizontal drilling for natural gas
There is currently legislation under review in NYS Assembly (bill A10526) (and paralell in Senate) to essentially enable the deep horizontal drilling (and associated fracturing) to be readily permitted. The 2005 NYS oil and gas legislation did not clearly address horizontal drilling. Such drilling is essential for the most cost-effective capture of gas in the Marcellus. Th Oil/Gas lobbies have been weighing in on the legislation and the Farm Bureau has been watching. However, I am not aware of any "citizens" groups involved. The legislation is being pushed pretty hard and fast and as written will become effective immediately. I believe that it should be slowed down so that reasonably concerned individuals can have time to understand, reflect, and consider the many complex implications. In my checking around in the Broome and Cortland county area I am not finding any degree of knowledge or concern about this. It is completely clear that once this legislation passes the O&G Cos will have a green lite to rock and roll. I believe A10526 is flying largely under the radar and is moving way to fast. As best I can tell, the DEC is the only monitoring agency and they are seriously understaffed. Given the likely large number of drillings coming soon, there will be little or no substantive macro environmental protection. Lobbying to first slow down A10526 into at least the next legislative session (this one ends around June 15), and then understanding and lobbying for appropriate structuring so that there is as much environmental protection as possible is critical. Stan Scobie Binghamton, NY