Department of Environmental Conservation

Home rule fracking decision challenged in Avon

Kate O'Connell — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 20:03:46 +0000

Gas and Oil producer Lenape Resources has filed a note of appeal as part of an attempt to overturn a court decision made in March that allowed the town of Avon to maintain its moratorium on fracking. This is the third case of this kind in upstate New York.

Controversy causes fracking consultant to resign from industry lobby group

Karen Dewitt — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 13:52:32 +0000

Opponents of hydrofracking are charging there’s a potential conflict of interest with a consultant to Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s environmental agency. They are asking that the years-long review of fracking in New York state be restarted. The controversy caused the consultant in question to sever all ties with a gas industry lobby group.

Protesters arrested at gas storage site in Finger Lakes

Kate O'Connell — Tue, 19 Mar 2013 20:13:13 +0000

A number of protestors were arrested for blockading the entrance to a natural gas storage facility in the Finger Lakes region early Monday.

Residents prepare for legal fight over proposed gas storage facility

Sidsel Overgaard — Mon, 25 Feb 2013 14:06:22 +0000

Opponents of a proposed underground gas storage facility near Seneca Lake are ramping up for a legal fight as a decision on the project nears.

DEC may miss deadline for fracking regulations

Marie Cusick — Tue, 05 Feb 2013 04:11:00 +0000

New York’s Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Joe Martens suggested Monday that the state may miss a February 27 deadline to complete its proposed fracking regulations. And that could stall a decision on gas drilling for months.

Cuomo's budget cuts DEC funding by $53 million

Matt Richmond — Thu, 24 Jan 2013 14:03:59 +0000

In Gov. Andrew Cuomo's 2013-2014 budget, the Department of Environmental Conservation is looking at a budget cut of 5.5 percent. What will this mean for the department if hydrofracking comes to New York?

Assembly hearing on fracking paints a dark picture

Matt Richmond — Mon, 14 Jan 2013 17:53:58 +0000

Public commenting on the state’s revised hydrofracking regulations closed on Friday. Final regulations are due to be released at the end of February. The Democratic-controlled state assembly held a public hearing on Thursday that included some heated exchanges.

Local officials challenge latest fracking deadline

Matt Richmond — Tue, 08 Jan 2013 16:51:30 +0000

A group called Elected Officials to Protect New York is pressing Gov. Andrew Cuomo to extend a 30-day public comment period that ends Friday. The comment period is for revised hydrofracking regulations released by the Department of Environmental Conservation in November.

Report from state Health Department says fracking could be done safely

Karen Dewitt — Thu, 03 Jan 2013 14:48:04 +0000

A document from Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s administration assessing the health impacts of hydrofracking, written less than a year ago, says the gas drilling process is likely safe if proper precautions are taken by the governor’s environmental agency, the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC).

Reintroducing Atlantic salmon to the Salmon River

David Chanatry — Tue, 01 Jan 2013 11:32:08 +0000

In recent years both the federal and New York state governments have been studying how best to re-introduce – salmon -- to New York’s Salmon River. That might come as a surprise to anyone who’s ever fished the river, known for its salmon of eye-popping size.

Fracking opponents respond to new fracking regulations

Matt Richmond — Mon, 24 Dec 2012 12:38:19 +0000

Helen Slottje is an Ithaca-based lawyer who helped develop town bans against drilling. She spoke to a friendly crowd on Monday night at the Unitarian Church of Ithaca.

Fracking regulations released for comment

Matt Richmond — Fri, 14 Dec 2012 13:08:07 +0000

For those on the pro-fracking side, the newest regulations are both a good sign and a troubling one. On the one hand, they're a light at the end of the tunnel, proof that permits for hydrofracking aren’t far off. But, on the other hand, fracking supporters say that the Department of Environmental Conservation has only answered the concerns of the anti-fracking lobby.

Will there be fracking by February?

Karen Dewitt — Mon, 10 Dec 2012 10:58:35 +0000

The Cuomo Administration could be headed toward approval of hydrofracking in New York by the end of February, when a 90-day extension on a rule making process ends.

Fracking water regulations leave some wanting more

Matt Richmond — Fri, 07 Dec 2012 13:46:09 +0000

The Department of Environmental Conservation recently released regulations on water withdrawals that would cover the natural gas industry in New York.

DEC: no fracking decision before health review is done

Karen Dewitt — Mon, 03 Dec 2012 13:54:32 +0000

The Cuomo Administration says it will not be ruling on whether to allow hydrofracking in New York until an on-going health review is finished. The delays have resulted in the state’s Department of Environmental Conservation having to open another public comment period, which begins December 12.

Legal experts say fracking decision delay could be smart move

Karen Dewitt — Thu, 29 Nov 2012 10:36:00 +0000

A legal expert says that the Cuomo administration’s move to delay for another 90 days the decision on whether to allow hydrofracking in New York makes sense. Meanwhile, some health care professionals say a review underway on the health effects of fracking is a sham.

Cuomo: State to miss fracking deadline on Thursday

Karen Dewitt — Wed, 28 Nov 2012 09:42:00 +0000

The state’s environmental agency confirms it will miss a key deadline and delay approval of hydrofracking in New York once again. Anti-fracking forces see an opportunity in the new delay, while those waiting to benefit economically from the gas drilling process are feeling frustrated.

DEC says discussion about pollution on Watertown's north side to continue

Joanna Richards — Mon, 26 Nov 2012 10:28:00 +0000

At a packed public meeting November 7 in Watertown, state environmental and health officials began a dialogue with members of the public concerned about pollution on the city's north side, with the New York Air Brake plant at the center of concern. Now, Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) officials talk about what they'll do with the new information from the meeting, and what might come next.

Cuomo says fracking study will not be done by deadline

WRVO News — Tue, 20 Nov 2012 18:38:56 +0000

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo says a health study of hydrofracking will make it impossible to meet a looming deadline for regulations on the drilling process, which would pushing a much-delayed decision on the contentious issue into 2013.

Progress slow on fracking health review

Karen Dewitt — Thu, 15 Nov 2012 11:02:00 +0000

Hydrofracking could once again be delayed in New York, unless the state Health Commissioner is able to complete requirements to contract with outside health experts and conduct a health review by November 29.

Officials to hold public meeting about Watertown Air Brake site

Joanna Richards — Fri, 02 Nov 2012 11:45:25 +0000

The New York Air Brake industrial site in Watertown has been the subject of resurgent concerns among residents of the city's north side neighborhood. Some have come forward about illnesses they say are linked to pollution at the site. The state departments of Health and Environmental Conservation are holding a community meeting Wednesday, November 7 in Watertown to hear those concerns.

Anti-fracking health experts question state health study

Karen Dewitt — Fri, 05 Oct 2012 12:59:50 +0000

A group of public health experts are questioning whether Governor Andrew Cuomo’s health officials can do a credible job reviewing a health study on hydrofracking, saying independent reviewers would be a better choice.

Cuomo's environmental agency to study fracking's health impact

Karen Dewitt — Fri, 21 Sep 2012 13:11:59 +0000

Governor Andrew Cuomo’s environmental commissioner is rejecting calls by environmentalists for an independent health impact study on hydrofracking. But Environmental Commissioner Joe Martens, says the state’s health commissioner has agreed to conduct a review.

DEC tries to calm fears over industrial site's health effects

Joanna Richards — Fri, 21 Sep 2012 12:57:05 +0000

A toxic waste site in Watertown is drawing renewed attention from residents and city leaders. New York Air Brake's chemical dump on the north side of town was cleaned up in the 1990s. State environmental officials say it's been monitored since then and they're convinced it's safe for neighbors and wildlife. But people who live nearby believe they have health problems traceable to the site. And they fear it still poses a health risk.

Anti-fracking protestors go wherever Cuomo goes

Ellen Abbott — Fri, 24 Aug 2012 13:01:19 +0000

Whenever Governor Andrew Cuomo goes out in public these days, he seems to have a shadow. Hydrofracking foes want to keep the pressure on the governor as a decision about the controversial drilling method nears.

Groups for and against fracking wait for governor's decision

Karen Dewitt — Thu, 23 Aug 2012 12:47:11 +0000

Groups for and against hydrofracking are gearing up for an announcement by Governor Andrew Cuomo’s environmental officials on whether the natural gas drilling process will be permitted in New York on a limited basis. But, the organizations, who are running ads, may have to wait a little longer.

Onondaga Lake cleanup underway

David Chanatry — Tue, 21 Aug 2012 13:14:53 +0000

After 100 years of environmental assault, Onondaga Lake in Syracuse became known as the most polluted lake in America. But now the final stage of a cleanup is underway.

College students help fight invasive species

Adam Wolfe — Wed, 01 Aug 2012 20:32:24 +0000

All summer long, the Department of Environmental Conservation is stationing college students at boat launches around New York with the mission to stop the spread of invasive species.

Cuomo on possible hydrofracking plan

Matt Richmond — Thu, 14 Jun 2012 20:42:23 +0000

In a New York Times article published Wednesday, a plan for the first stage of hydrofracking in New York state was laid out by members of the Cuomo administration. But in a radio interview Thursday, Governor Andrew Cuomo himself was reluctant to actually call it a plan.