Assembly Energy Chair Issues Statement on Natural Gas Drilling in the Marcellus Shale

January 25, 2010

Albany – In the wake of demonstrations both for and against increased natural gas drilling in New York State and new regulations pending from the Department of Environmental Conservation, Assemblymember Kevin Cahill, Chair of the Assembly Energy Committee, issued the following statement:

“In order to achieve energy independence, we must develop a variety of new sources of energy here in New York State. The Marcellus Shale formation gives us the opportunity to access a reliable indigenous fuel supply, which in turn can promote economic development and protect consumers from the market volatility that fed some of the dramatic cost spikes consumers have seen in recent years. The more fuel we can produce under the guidance of the high standards that have long positioned New York as a leader in environmental protection, the less we will have to import from regions that do not share our strong sensibilities.

This is our window of opportunity to get it right. The Department of Environmental Conservation’s drilling proposal has been met with some very serious and legitimate concerns that must be addressed. Instead of jumping ahead with extraction taxes, as Governor Paterson has proposed, the first step is to have a sound plan that ensures that the resources and regulations are in place to protect the landowners, public health and the environment.”

What's New