"TITLE OF BILL: An act to establish a moratorium upon conducting hydraulic fracturing pending the issuance of a report thereon by the federal Environmental Protection Agency; and providing for the repeal of such provisions upon the expiration thereof
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL: This bill seeks to place a moratorium upon the activity of hydraulic fracturing until such time as the environmental protection agency has released there report on the effects of hydraulic fracturing on ground water and freshwater supplies.
SUMMARY OF SPECIFIC PROVISIONS: Establishes a moratorium on conducting hydraulic fracturing for the extraction of natural gas or oil until 120 days after federal environ mental protection agency. JUSTIFICATION:
On March 18, 2010 the EPA announced that it will be conducting a compre hensive 2-year research study to investigate the potential adverse impact that hydraulic fracturing may have on water quality and public health, including the potential impacts the hydraulic fracturing mixture may have on water quality. Hydraulic fracturing is a process that involves vertical and horizontal drilling and fracturing of underground formations to facilitate withdrawal of natural gas or oil, from shale and other geological formations. In general, the process involves injecting fresh water, fracturing fluids and sand into the formation, withdrawing the gas and separating and managing the leftover waters. The fracturing fluid itself is made up of dozens of chemicals that act as a lubricant for the sand. These chemicals can include potentially dangerous petrol compounds. Millions of gallons of water, sand and frac turing fluid are needed to fracture a natural gas well. New York State must continue to be vigilant where questions of water quality and public health are concerned and must have all available information before allowing a questionable practice such as hydraulic fracturing to take place without fully knowing the potential dangers. My legislation will place a moratorium on such activity until the EPA study has been completed and the results know to the public.
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY: New bill.
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