(ALBANY, NY)-Today the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) released the Draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (DSGEIS) for oil and gas drilling.  The final environmental impact statement will determine how New York State regulates industrial natural gas drilling and hydraulic fracturing (often called “fracking”) in the Marcellus and Utica Shale formations. In other parts of the country, fracking has poisoned wells and spilled toxic chemicals into waterways and across landscapes.  

Environmental and civic organizations are calling for at least a 120-day public comment period and at least seven public hearings throughout the areas affected by drilling, including New York City. Only by allowing adequate time to review and comment on the documents will the DEC have the requisite information to revise the draft and issue a comprehensive final Supplemental Generic Environmental Impact Statement.

In order to protect New York State from the dangers of industrial drilling, state leaders and lawmakers in the Capitol must listen to the concerns of New Yorkers with regard to potentially contaminating and exploiting the state’s water resources.  The final Supplemental Generic Environmental Impact Statement will guide the regulation of an industry that has the potential to contaminate New York’s drinking water, pollute the state’s air, and decimate sensitive ecosystems. Therefore, DEC must afford New Yorkers enough time to review and comment on the draft documents. 

For more information on the DSGEIS visit:www.dec.ny.gov/energy/47564.html