More than 50 municipalities across upstate New York’s Finger Lakes region that touch the Marcellus Shale are asking a state appeals court for permission to weigh in on whether they may ban oil and natural gas drilling within their jurisdictions.
Upstate
Articles from Upstate
Two New York Towns Take Wait-and-See Approach to Fracking
Two municipalities in upstate New York have decided to remain neutral on the issue of high-volume hydraulic fracturing (HVHF) and will wait until the state Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) issues its report on the practice.
St. Lawrence Gas to Begin Construction of New York Expansion
The New York State Public Service Commission (PSC) recently approved St. Lawrence Gas Co.’s amended certificate of public convenience and necessity for a system expansion in upstate New York. Construction is set to begin this month, the Enbridge Gas Distribution subsidiary said.
New York Shale Drillers Face New Threat: Preservation League
Exploration and production companies looking for ways to develop vast natural gas reserves deep within upstate New York’s Southern Tier have faced an “unwelcome” mat in recent years, with a state-imposed drilling moratorium on hydraulic fracturing (fracking), as well as many town council-imposed outright drilling bans. However, producers now face what may be an even bigger threat: the Preservation League of New York State.
New York Shale Drillers Face New Threat: Preservation League
Exploration and production companies looking for ways to develop vast natural gas reserves deep within upstate New York’s Southern Tier have faced an “unwelcome” mat in recent years, with a state-imposed drilling moratorium on hydraulic fracturing (fracking), as well as many town council-imposed drilling bans. However, producers now face another threat: the Preservation League of New York State.
People
The controversy over hydraulic fracturing (fracking) in the production of shale gas was a key issue in a congressional race in upstate New York. Rep. Maurice Hinchey (D-NY), a vocal critic of fracking who is seeking his 10th two-year term, was leading George Phillips, a Republican from Broome County, NY, who supports shale development and state regulation of fracking, by 90,412 to 82,292, or 52.4% to 47.5% on election night, but Phillips refused to concede as of Friday, the Daily Freeman reported. Phillips said he was awaiting the outcome of 12,600 absentee votes that remain to be counted. Fracking was an issue in House races in Pennsylvania and in Texas, but the race in New York was “the most contentious one,” said Phillips spokesman Jazz Shaw. Fracking, which is used to stimulate many shale wells, is a process in which fluids are injected at high pressure into underground rock formations to fracture the rock and increase the flow of fossil fuels. “The public made [fracking] an issue” in the congressional race, Shaw said.
Fracking a Key Issue in Upstate New York Congressional Race
The controversy over hydraulic fracturing (fracking) in the production of shale gas has become a major issue in a tight congressional race in upstate New York.
Industry, Environmental Groups Slam Loss of New York DEC Chief
Alexander B. Grannis, chief of the New York Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), was fired by Gov. David Paterson late last Thursday after an unsigned memo was leaked to the press disparaging staff cutsthat would, among other things, impede the agency’s effectiveness to oversee natural gas drilling in the Marcellus Shale.
People
An upstate New York man accused of bilking investors out of $35 million in a Ponzi scheme involving oil and gas exploration in Kentucky and Tennessee is dead from an apparent suicide. Ashvin Zaveri, 71, late last year was charged with 16 counts of money laundering and mail and wire fraud dating back to 2003 (see NGI, Dec. 21, 2009). Zaveri shot himself on a park bench in the Rochester, NY, suburb of Mendon, the Associated Press reported. Zaveri had been expected to plead guilty to tax and fraud charges in September. He faced six to eight years in prison.
Accused Energy Patch Swindler Commits Suicide
An upstate New York man accused of bilking investors out of $35 million in a Ponzi scheme involving oil and natural gas exploration in Kentucky and Tennessee is dead from an apparent suicide.