ALBANY – The Forum Theater in Binghamton will host one of four public hearings scheduled throughout the state in November on the proposed permitting rules governing hydraulic fracturing in the lucrative Marcellus Shale region of southern New York.
State environmental regulators issued the draft regulations yesterday. They create a legal framework for implementing mitigation measures (known as the draft Supplemental Generic Environmental Impact Statement) that were originally posted in July.
The NY Department of Environmental Conservation’s permitting rules have been three years in the making as regulators studied the process and ramifications of pumping highly pressurized water, chemicals and sand into deep wells to release natural gas from shale formations. During that time, energy companies have been prohibited from fracturing shale.
The Independent Oil and Gas Association of New York welcomed the hearings:
“... we are working with our members to finalize our comments and remain encouraged that the review of the SGEIS is a positive step forward. Safe natural gas exploration in New York’s Southern Tier will help to stabilize the economy of the region and provide significant energy and environmental benefits for decades,” a press release stated.
A Siena Research Institute poll released also on Wednesday stated that 44 percent of voters say they favor DEC’s recommendation to allow hydraulic fracturing, while 40 percent are opposed. That results were virtually unchanged from 45 to 43 percent in Siena’s July poll, with a majority of Republicans, independents, conservatives, men and suburban voters in favor and a majority of liberals opposed.
The Department of Environmental Conservation will accept public comments on both documents until Dec. 12.
Hearings are scheduled Nov. 16 in Dansville, Nov. 17 in Binghamton, Nov. 29 in Sheldrake and Nov. 30 in Manhattan.
“Public review of the proposed requirements and regulations governing high-volume hydraulic fracturing is an important part of the environmental impact statement process,” said DEC Commissioner Joe Martens.

U.S. EPA began hearings this week
Meanwhile, the federal Environmental Protection Agency began its series this week of public hearings on proposed rules for limiting pollution at oil and gas drilling operations. The new rules would focus on having operators capture and sell natural gas that now escapes into the air.
EPA estimates its fully implemented proposal could significantly reduce emissions of greenhouse gas methane and other hazardous air pollutants.
The hearings venues are in the states of Texas, Colorado and Pennsylvania.

Chenango County SGEIS comments
The Chenango County Natural Gas Advisory Committee and other groups, such as the Chenango County Agriculture and Farmland Protection Board, are finalizing their comments for submission to the DEC. On Tuesday, the gas committee tabled the ag board’s comments, suggesting that bulleted items regarding drilling mud and frack water containment pits require further clarification.
Chenango County Farm Bureau President Bradd Vickers argued the board needs to be included in the siting process of wells.
“The Farmland Protection Board is the appropriate agency to be dealing with this on ag property. They are going to see that all of the issues of agriculture are properly addressed. The reality is they are hiring contractors and subcontractors who want to get the job done quickly. Property owners are going to want their crop land protected and issues such as compaction and water flow, erosion kept in mind,” he said.