The hydraulic fracturing was banned in New York after a long-awaited report showed that the extraction methods of oil and gas poses serious health risks, the state administration said on Wednesday.
Addressing a cabinet meeting, New York Environmental Commissioner Joseph Martens said that he will be issuing an order early 2015 to ban fracking. The hydraulic fracturing has been under a moratorium since 2008.
Currently, the state of Vermont has only completely prohibited fracking and if New York also issues a same order then they will be the only two states in the US to say no to the oil and gas extraction.
With the decision, the rigorous debate over the benefits and pitfalls of fracking in New York has finally come to an end.
Fracking is a process that involves pumping water, chemicals and sand into a well to extract oil or gas.
Meanwhile, many came in support of the decision arguing it was too dangerous, while several others considered the gas drilling as a key resource of economic activity.
NY health commissioner Howard Zucker said there is not enough scientific evidence concluding that fracking is safe.
“The potential risks are too great, in fact not even fully known, and relying on the limited data presently available would be negligent on my part,” Zucker said.
The oil and gas industry strongly criticized Governor Andrew Cuomo for the decision. But the environmental groups hailed the Governor’s decision over the issue.
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