Statewide NY

It’s looking quite likely that legislation requiring a permit from the Dept. of Environmental Conservation (DEC) for any water withdrawals from a lake, river or stream in New York State exceeding 100,000 gallons will soon become law. As MDN previously reported (see here), the NY Assembly passed a bill in May governing water withdrawals from state waterways. Now, the NY Senate has joined them in unanimously passing the same bill. It now goes to Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s desk for signature.

Marcellus drilling operations, which have not yet begun in New York State due to a moratorium, require large amounts of water per well drilled—some 3 to 4 million gallons per well. This new law requiring permits for water withdrawals is one of the important tools that the DEC will use to control drilling in the state when drilling finally begins. No water—no drilling. Or, “Take your time approving that permit,” to slow things down. It’s a powerful tool that the DEC can (and assuredly will) use to keep tight control over gas drilling in the state.

Read More ““Monumental” Water Withdrawal Legislation Will Soon Become Law in NY – DEC Gets Big Tool to Tightly Control Gas Drilling”

In an interesting development, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo has sent along marching orders to the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) to complete the next version of the draft Supplemental Generic Environmental Impact Statement (dSGEIS)—the new guidelines to be used in drilling in the Marcellus Shale in New York—by July 1st. The previous deadline was a soft deadline issued by former Gov. David Paterson of “on or about June 1st.” The new deadline issued by Cuomo is July 1st—no waffling. Cuomo has also instructed the DEC to visit a well blowout site in Bradford County, PA to see what can be learned and incorporated into the final document from that accident.

Read More “NY Gov. Cuomo Orders DEC Commissioner Joe Martens to Get New Drilling Guidelines Done by July 1”

The standard operating procedure for groups opposed to Marcellus Shale drilling in New York State is to organize protests. The protests in Albany and other locations have been small in numbers, but those opposed have been “loud” in their opposition. Supporters of drilling, on the other hand, are taking a different approach. Instead of protest rallies, they arrange private meetings and go for small group discussions. That strategy was on display Wednesday in Albany:

Read More “Pro-Drilling Supporters Meet with Legislative Officials in Albany, NY – Gov. Cuomo Stresses Patience”

New York State’s long, ponderous, tedious road to allow Marcellus Shale drilling takes another small step forward—maybe.

Read More “Legislation to Regulate Large Water Withdrawals in NY Waterways Makes Progress”