New York Formalizes Ban On Fracking, Ending 7-Year Review

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — New York has formalized its ban on high-volume hydraulic fracturing for natural gas after a seven-year environmental and health review.

Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Joe Martens announced the decision Monday, saying a ban was the "only reasonable alternative" after "years of exhaustive research and examination of the science and facts."

The agency concluded that existing safety precautions are inadequate to protect against harm to water, air, ecosystems, wildlife, community character and public health.

New York is the only state with significant natural gas resources to ban fracking, which has allowed other states to tap huge volumes of gas trapped in shale formations deep underground.

While environmental groups praised the ban, drilling proponents have said the decision was based on politics rather than on science.



WHAT DO YOU THINK?


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CRM  |  July 01, 2015
All the people involved with the decision should have any cars they own taken away. Have their electricity turned off. They cant have a chain saw to cut wood for heat because the burn gasoline .
James  |  July 01, 2015
This is the best news I have ever heard in recent times!! It should be banned worldwide.....let us rather seek for safer, cleaner and sustainable technology.
JIM  |  June 29, 2015
There are risks in everything we do,nothing is 100% safe. What about all the other states that are fracking and taking these risks . It only seems fair that New York should pay more for their gas and oil.


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