DEC releases new hydrofracking draft
By: Chelsea Rarrick
Updated: September 7, 2011
Associate Professor
of Geo Sciences at Hamilton College,Todd Rayne believes the new document
released from The Department of Environmental Conservation Wednesday
seems to be a minor adjustment with socio-economic changes on
hydrofracking.
Hydrofracking would mean new jobs throughout the state, but there are serious environmental concerns.
"It doesn't seem like it's changed all that much except they've added a few new things about the economic impact; the positive and negative impact of hydrofracking," said Rayne.
While these changes have been made, hydrofracking is still causing quite a bit of controversy throughout New York State.
Hydrofracking would mean new jobs throughout the state, but there are serious environmental concerns.
"It doesn't seem like it's changed all that much except they've added a few new things about the economic impact; the positive and negative impact of hydrofracking," said Rayne.
While these changes have been made, hydrofracking is still causing quite a bit of controversy throughout New York State.
"I am concerned about the fact that there's potential for contamination
and water sources. That's I think, the biggest concern that most people
know about, and associate with hydrofracking, " said Associate Chemistry Professor at Hamilton College, Ian Rosenstein.
Rosenstein says from what he knows today, the draft is expanding from a July draft on extensive statements of hydrofracking in the region.
The thousand page draft that was released touches on many of the different aspects of hydrofracking.
The earlier draft was a generic environmental statement where the issue of hydrofracking was explained.
"They're the impacts that everyone's heard about, and that's impacts, and potential impacts for water resources; both for drinking and recreation, " said Rayne
Hydrofracking is a process that allows natural gas to be isolated from underground. The gas is trapped in small pockets throughout layers in the earth. To get that gas, it has to be freed up and directed into a bore hole from a well that is drilled.
It is expected that further information about the draft will come in December.
Rosenstein says from what he knows today, the draft is expanding from a July draft on extensive statements of hydrofracking in the region.
The thousand page draft that was released touches on many of the different aspects of hydrofracking.
The earlier draft was a generic environmental statement where the issue of hydrofracking was explained.
"They're the impacts that everyone's heard about, and that's impacts, and potential impacts for water resources; both for drinking and recreation, " said Rayne
Hydrofracking is a process that allows natural gas to be isolated from underground. The gas is trapped in small pockets throughout layers in the earth. To get that gas, it has to be freed up and directed into a bore hole from a well that is drilled.
It is expected that further information about the draft will come in December.
