This video features Sen. Tom Libous speaking at a Vote4Energy Rally in Broome-Tioga County (NY) to remind citizens to vote for pro-energy candidates. Assemblyman Clifford Crouch speaks after Libous, further addressing the potential safe drilling will have in Upstate NY from a farmer’s perspective.

The controversial energy issue at hand will be influential in New York’s coming elections.  Many New Yorkers have been divided on the development of NY’s natural resources, which would occur predominantly in the Marcellus Shale formation located the Southern Tier of NY.  The gas extraction technique known as hydraulic fracturing (“fracking” or “hydrofracking”) would unlock the shale gas trapped in the Marcellus Shale with the new innovation of horizontal drilling.  A temporary moratorium placed on fracking in 2008 by Governor Paterson will have its judgment day by the end of this summer.

The Marcellus Shale, rumored to contain vast amounts of shale gas, is projected to be lucrative to industry and the entire community.  Opposition to fracking has grown out of both concern of the environmental impacts drilling may have and the strong distaste for fossil fuels.  Those who promote fracking see the high potential it could have for economic stimulation in communities that have been impoverished for years.  Landowners who are unable to lease their land to gas and oil companies see the moratorium as a violation of their private property rights.

Over the course of the past 4 years, the state has been conducting a scientific study on the impacts of fracking.  All of New York is anticipating the results of this study, since many state officials (including Governor Cuomo)  have declined to comment on their stance until the study is complete.

Jackie Moreau

Jackie Moreau is content & outreach coordinator of Watchdog Wire.

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