Taking a page straight from David Letterman’s book, a coalition of environmental groups released today a top 10 list of its most pressing concerns with the state Department of Environmental Conservation’s latest proposed regulations for mitigating the environmental impacts of hydraulic fracturing for natural gas.
Five groups—Environmental Advocates of New York, Earthworks, Earthjustice, Citizens Campaign for the Environment, and Riverkeeper—were part of the list, ranking the issues while calling on the DEC to triple the public comment period on the document, which is scheduled to start in August, from 60 days to 180 days.
While the groups said the second draft of the DEC’s document is generally an improvement from the first (released in 2009), they said there is still improvements to be made.
Brad Gill, executive director of the state Independent Oil & Gas Association, said in a live chat with the Buffalo News today that the proposed rules are tough, but will move the state forward. High-volume hydraulic fracturing has been on hold in New York since the DEC review was launched in 2008.
“Although very stringent and comprehensive, we feel the SGEIS document will provide the assurances and maximum environmental protections that NYers need to feel comfortable and move forward,” Gill said. “Certainly the pending economic impact is much needed.”
The environmental groups, however, say more work needs to be done. After the public comment period, the DEC must make another round of revisions to its report before issuing a final document and allowing high-volume fracking in the Marcellus Shale and other formations.