AFTON - The Afton Town Board adopted a resolution last night supporting New York’s ability to develop its natural gas resources in a safe, responsible and competitive manner.
The vote was 4 to 1 with Councilwoman Mary Jo Long opposed. Two speakers representing both sides of the argument addressed the board for an alloted 20 minutes. Based on applause and other encouragement heard from the 65-member audience, the board’s action was overwhelmingly supported.
Afton joins the towns of Bainbridge, Preston, and Guilford, who also chose to endorse the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation this week. All but Preston adopted a resolution that was written and proposed by the Central New York Landowners Coalition. The CNYLC document specifically advises against bans or maratoriums on drilling that would jeopardize a potential statewide influx of $11.4 billion from natural gas development. Preston’s version, although original, also recognized the DEC’s ability to safeguard the local environment, recognize property owners’ rights and hold the gas industry to the same standards as other industries operating in the state.
The DEC has been compiling and composing safe drilling procedures since 2008, when concerns were raised about high-volume hydraulic fracturing, the method that made it economically feasible to extract oil and gas from the Marcellus Shale. Fracking, as it’s called, unlocks trapped gas by injecting a well with millions of gallons of highly pressurized water mixed with a solution of soap, sand, and chemicals that some worry has the potential to contaminate drinking water.
New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo and NYSDEC officials indicated in late April and again on Monday that permitting and drilling would begin first in those Southern Tier municipalities that expressed sentiment to proceed.
Afton Town Supervisor John H. Lawrence requested input from town attorney James Downey before beginning the public comment period prior to the vote. Downey, in a written statement, advised the board that it would be less likely to encounter lawsuits if the resolution simply remained on the table.
Long, supported by members of the Afton-based Chenango Delaware Otsego Gas Dilling opposition group, have adamantly pushed for a road use law since 2010 and later, lobbied for a moratorium on drilling. In her public comment, she advocated for more time to write local zoning law before the SGEIS is released, and also suggested honoring the town attorney’s opinion and “do nothing.”
“Whatever the rules are, we want to have our say first,” she said. Long added that DEC officials are appointed not elected, and the agency hasn’t enough staff to monitor well development and drilling, and that polls show more people want local governments to use zoning and home rule to restrict drilling.
Lawrence made the motion to adopt, and it was seconded by Robert Tallmadge. Before casting his vote, Lawrence said he hoped the new industry would bring jobs to Afton, tax breaks to everyone, and a boost to the region’s economy.
“Landowners have the perfect right to extract natural gas from their land and the DEC has done a good job in crafting those safeguards,” Lawrence said.