New York Lawmakers Argue Hydrofracking

As New York wrestles with how to regulate natural gas drilling, state lawmakers from Central New York will soon have to decide an important question: Do they support high-volume hydraulic fracturing?

Right now, many can’t say.

“It has definitely got some economic benefits,” said Assemblyman Bill Magee, D-Nelson, “but on the other side, there are legitimate concerns about the kind of chemicals being used, the amount of water being used, the disposal of the wastewater and so on.”

Others have their minds made up.

“The positive economic impact of natural gas drilling in Upstate New York has been proven over and over,” said Assemblyman Gary Finch, R-Springport.

Assemblywoman Joan Christensen, D-Syracuse, disagrees.

“Jobs are wonderful, but if people’s water has been contaminated and you create a bigger problem, unintended consequences, it’s not good,” she said.

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