Cahill Calls Hydrofracking Moratorium “An Appropriate Balance”

June 7, 2011

Albany – Assemblymember Kevin Cahill (D-Ulster, Dutchess) announced the swift movement of legislation that would prohibit the issuing of permits for new wells that utilize the hydraulic fracturing process to extract natural gas or oil until at least June 2012. The bill, A.7400, which is sponsored by Chair of the Assembly Committee on Environmental Conservation, Robert Sweeney, and co-sponsored by Assemblymember Cahill, passed the Assembly, and is now scheduled to be taken up before the Senate Committee on Environmental Conservation.

“This legislation strikes the appropriate balance between exploring new opportunities for energy investment while keeping our natural resources protected,” said Assemblymember Cahill. “It is essential that we consider the health and safety of New York's residents while considering alternative forms of energy.”

The advancement of this legislation comes on the heels of Attorney General Eric Schneiderman’s decision to file a lawsuit against several federal agencies due to their inability to perform an official review of the projected regulations for hydraulic fracturing. The Delaware River Basin Commission approved regulations to permit drilling within the New York City watershed region about a month ago, leading to Schneiderman’s ultimatum to federal agencies to perform an environmental impact assessment on hydraulic fracturing within a thirty-day period or be sued.

“I stand firmly behind Attorney General Schneiderman’s litigation against the federal government for failing to perform a comprehensive study on hydraulic fracturing,” said Assemblymember Cahill. “If the national agencies that have been established to protect the environment are refusing to react in a timely manner, we must take this crucial matter into our own hands. It is vital that we take serious precautions before moving forward with this complex procedure. I will continue to adhere to the overwhelming reaction of our citizens to consider all possible environmental impacts that drilling may have on the land, water, and air quality of New York State and look forward to passing this vital legislation.”

Media reports indicate that the New York Senate is unlikely to allow a hydraulic fracturing moratorium to be considered on the Senate floor. Assemblymember Cahill said, “Now it is up to the Senate to join us in expressing the will of impacted communities and passing this important measure.”

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