Assemblyman Angelo Santabarbara (D-Rotterdam) announced that he helped pass legislation to delay the issuance of hydrofracking permits in New York State until May 15, 2015 (A.5424-A). The measure would also require a comprehensive health impact assessment be completed and made public no later than April 15, 2015.

“Hydrofracking has the potential to affect the health and well-being of New York families,” Assemblyman Santabarbara said. “The right thing to do is make sure we have all the facts before we move any further with something this complex and uncertain.”

Hydrofracking is a process used to extract natural gas by injecting a chemical mixture and highly pressurized water into underground rock formations. Parts of Santabarbara’s district sit on top of the Marcellus and Utica shale formations, both of which have been proposed locations for hydrofracking wells.

The controversial process of natural gas drilling has made headlines across the state. Many cite concerns about potential hazards, including the contamination of clean drinking water and supplies, the threat to human health and the potential to cause irreversible damage to our natural resources and environment, Santabarbara added.

“So far, there is no consensus in the scientific community about the potential dangers of hydrofracking to our health and our environment, “Assemblyman Santabarbara said. “It would be irresponsible to rush into this process without first making sure that our families and natural resources will be protected.”

Additionally, the moratorium would provide the Legislature adequate time to review the Department of Environmental Conservation’s Supplemental Generic Environmental Impact Statement (SGEIS) once it is finalized.