New York Begins Public Hearings on Hydraulic Fracturing

New York State is conducting public hearings starting Wednesday and lasting throughout the end of the month to discuss rules on hydraulic fracturing.

The hearings in Dansville are being conducted by the state's Department of Environmental Conservation. There are four hearings planned, which will end Nov. 30 at the Tribeca Performing Arts Center in New York City.

The hearings, according the conservation's website, is to allow more public comment on New York's Supplemental Generic Environmental Impact Statement and draft regulations for hydraulic fracturing operations.

All comments, whether they are made in person or in writing, will be carefully considered as we develop the final SGEIS, said Emily DeSantis, a spokesperson for the New York's Department of Environmental Conservation.

The oil industry has said that the state's draft regulations are too stringent, but that enviornmental groups think the regulations are not tough enough, according to an Associated Press report.

The final impact statement will be released to the public by 2012. Public comments will be accepted up until Dec. 12.

The environmental impact statement is studying the effects hydraulic fracturing on water supplies and the local environment in the Marcellus Shale area that stretches into south east New York.

Hearings are being conducted at the following locations:

• Nov. 16: Dansville Middle School Auditorium, 31 Clara Barton St., Dansville, NY 14437
• Nov. 17: The Forum Theatre, 236 Washington Street, Binghamton, NY 13901
• Nov. 29: Sullivan County Community College, Seelig Theatre, 112 College Rd, Loch Sheldrake, NY 12759
• Nov. 30: Tribeca Performing Arts Center, 199 Chambers Street, New York, NY 10007