Gas Drilling Spree in New York’s Southern Tier Sparks Green Outrage, Regulators Seem Unmoved

Plans to ramp up gas drilling in New York’s Southern Tier have sparked outrage among environmental groups, but regulators remain relatively quiet on the issue. Despite the state’s ban on fracking, drillers are using a technique that involves blasting water, sand, and chemicals deep into the earth to extract natural gas, which critics argue poses environmental risks.

New Drilling Plans Ignite Green Firestorm

Environmental groups are fuming at the proposed expansion of gas drilling in New York’s Southern Tier, a region renowned for its natural beauty. The plans involve extensive use of hydraulic fracturing or fracking, a practice banned in New York since 2015 due to environmental concerns. However, drillers are exploiting a loophole using a technique similar to fracking, raising alarm among environmentalists.

Regulators’ Response Deemed Lackluster

Despite the outcry from environmental groups, regulators seem unmoved. The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has so far offered only muted response to the proposed drilling spree. Critics argue that the DEC is not doing enough to protect the environment and public health from the potential risks associated with the drilling activity.

Technique Similar to Banned Fracking Used

Though fracking is banned in New York, drillers are utilizing a technique known as gelled propane fracking, which employs water, sand, and chemicals to extract gas. This process is said to be similar to fracking, and environmentalists fear it could pose the same risks to the environment and public health.

The muted response from regulators to the proposed gas drilling expansion in New York’s Southern Tier is causing concern among environmental groups. While the state banned fracking in 2015, the use of similar techniques to extract natural gas has reignited fears about possible environmental and health risks, leading to calls for stricter regulation.