New York’s general assembly voted Monday on whether to drill or frack within the state. The majority voted in favor of a three-year ban on drilling and fracking.
An 89-34 vote favored a three-year moratorium on oil and gas drilling permits. The moratorium is intended in part to allow time for study of the environmental impact of drilling and fracking.
“We do not need to rush into this. The natural gas deposits within the Marcellus Shale are not going to go anywhere,” said New York Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver.
“We have heard from thousands of residents across the state about many issues associated with hydrofracking, and prudent leadership demands that we take our time to address all these concerns.”
New York State has been under moratorium since 2008. The most recent moratorium passed in 2013, and would have expired in 2015.
Passage of the vote depends on the New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo and the New York State Senate.
“Now, we’re urging Gov. Cuomo and the State Senate to stand up against the out-of-state oil and gas industry, and stand up for our state’s health, environment and long-term economy by rejecting fracking,” said Alex Beauchamp of Food & Water Watch and New Yorkers Against Fracking.
Health concerns have been raised by groups such as the American Lung Association in New York, and these health concerns have been recognized by the legislation.
“Oil and gas development utilizing High volume horizontal hydraulic fracturing (HVHF) involves the use and/or production of numerous toxic and hazardous air and water contaminants, a number of them known or suspected carcinogens,” reads the legislation. “Oil and gas development utilizing HVHF has also been associated with a range of adverse environmental impacts, including impacts to water and air quality, land and habitat, and community character.”
By Day Blakely Donaldson