Groups Ask to Extend Fracking Comment Period from 60 to 180 Days

By Karen DeWitt

Albany, New York –
Environmental and government reform groups are calling on Governor Cuomo's Environmental Department to triple the amount of time for public comments on proposed rules for hydro-fracking in New York.

Groups, including Environmental Advocates and Common Cause, are asking Cuomo's Department of Environmental Conservation to extend the public comment period on an environmental review of the natural gas extraction process known as hydro fracking from 60 to 180 days. Common Causes' Deanna Bitetti says the groups are also requesting more public hearings in more locations.

"What is the rush?" asked Bitetti. "The gas is there, it's not going anywhere."

The state DEC is expected to come out with the final details on the draft environmental impact statement by the end of the summer, and have said a two month public comment period will follow. Under the current timetable, fracking could begin on some private lands by the middle of 2012. The agency had no immediate response to the request for a longer public comment period.

Three state lawmakers have also signed on to the letter, Assemblymen Jack McEneny, D-Albany and Robert Sweeney D-Long Island, and Senator Mark Grisanti, a Republican from the Buffalo area.

Link to Letter