By Katie Husband
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wrvo/local-wrvo-921557.mp3
Oswego, NY – City of Binghamton officials announced Tuesday the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's final meeting on hydraulic fracturing is set for September 13 and 15 at the Forum Theatre.
"We are bringing a vitally important hearing directly to our constituents," said Mayor Matt Ryan.
The meeting was originally scheduled for August in Binghamton but was moved to Syracuse due to a high number of expected protestors. Onondaga County officials postponed the meeting due to the lack of a security plan on short notice.
Hydraulic fracturing is a method of natural gas drilling, also known as "fracking." Companies drill into the rich Marcellus Shale formation in the ground underneath New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio and West Virginia. Companies drill more than a mile deep and extend it horizontally. Water, sand and chemicals are then blasted in to crack the shale. The natural gas is then released through the cracks and is captured.
Environmentalists say this type of drilling releases the chemical filled wastewater into the wells of surrounding residents. The oil and gas companies claim it is safe when done properly.