Clinton urges scrutiny of gas drilling regulations - Natural gas drilling may present environmental threats in N.Y. as well as PA
Washington, D.C. Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-NY) is expressing her concerns regarding the potential environmental impacts of expanded natural gas drilling in the Marcellus Shale formation in New York. Both northeaster PA and southeastern N.Y. are located over the Marcellus Shale formation and residents in both states have expressed concern. In a letter to the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, Senator Clinton recognized the benefits of drilling in New York, including economic development and an increase in domestic supply of a valuable energy source; but cautioned that it also presents threats to local water supplies, air quality, and roads and other infrastructure in the absence of adequate regulatory protections. Senator Clinton also praised the commitment of the state agency to update the Environmental Impact Statement for drilling in the Marcellus formation, and stressed the critical role the state plays as a first line of defense in ensuring proper standards are maintained. “The natural gas deposits in the Marcellus formation offer new revenue opportunities for landowners and communities throughout New York, and provide a means to increase our supply of this valuable energy source here at home. However it is essential that we do everything possible to evaluate and mitigate any potential threats that the drilling poses to our water and air quality,” said Senator Clinton. “With advancements in technology and experience from drilling in other states, there is no reason why we can not be good stewards of the environment while also harvesting the benefits of these natural gas deposits.” Current federal protections are fairly weak and oil and gas companies have been granted exemptions from compliance with certain provisions of important federal environmental laws, including the Clean Water Act, the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act, the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, the Safe Drinking Water Act, and the Community Right to Know Act.