S8129B-2009 Actions

• Dec 13, 2010: VETOED MEMO.6837
• Dec 1, 2010: DELIVERED TO GOVERNOR
• Nov 29, 2010: returned to senate
• Nov 29, 2010: passed assembly
• Nov 29, 2010: ordered to third reading rules cal.579
• Nov 29, 2010: substituted for a11443b
• Aug 4, 2010: referred to ways and means
• Aug 3, 2010: DELIVERED TO ASSEMBLY
• Aug 3, 2010: PASSED SENATE
• Aug 3, 2010: ORDERED TO THIRD READING CAL.1429
• Jun 18, 2010: PRINT NUMBER 8129B
• Jun 18, 2010: AMEND AND RECOMMIT TO RULES
• Jun 17, 2010: PRINT NUMBER 8129A
• Jun 17, 2010: AMEND AND RECOMMIT TO RULES
• Jun 14, 2010: REPORTED AND COMMITTED TO RULES
• Jun 10, 2010: REFERRED TO ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION

S8129B-2009 Meetings

S8129B-2009 Calendars

S8129B-2009 Votes

S8129B-2009 Memo

BILL NUMBER:S8129B

TITLE OF BILL:
An act to suspend hydraulic fracturing; and providing for the repeal
of such provisions upon the expiration thereof

PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:
This bill seeks to place a suspension of any permitting for hydraulic
fracturing low permeability natural gas reservoirs, such as the
Marcellus and Utica shale formations to ensure adequate review and
analysis of the effects of this type of drilling on water quality,
air, environmental, safety and public health.

SUMMARY OF SPECIFIC PROVISIONS:
This bill suspends the issuance of new permits for the drilling of a
well which utilizes the practice of hydraulic fracturing for the
purpose of stimulating natural gas or oil in the Marcellus Shale
formation.

JUSTIFICATION:
The potential for development of natural gas drilling in the Marcellus
Shale formation within New York State has created robust debate
involving the interplay between job creation and protection of the
environment. Stakeholders both in support and opposition to these
developments are aggressively advancing positions that are expansive
and highly controversial.

By delaying DEC's ability to issue permits until May 15,2011, this
bill will provide the Legislature additional time to assess the true
environmental impacts of horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing.
This bill will also allow the Legislature to properly deliberate the
numerous concerns that have come forward during the public comment
period on the Department of Environmental Conservation's draft
Supplemental Generic Environmental Impact Statement (draft SGEIS). The
May 15,2011 date also ensures that the Legislature will have ample
opportunity to act in the 2011 Legislative Session.

Gas drilling carries with it risks of accidents, including blow-outs
and hazards related to gas seeping from wells. There are also
potential effects on the communities in which shale gas production is
located, including traffic, noise, and an influx of transient workers.
Air quality, road creation, and habitat destruction all need to be
taken into account, but by far the biggest concern is water safety.
The large withdrawals of water required for hydrofracking could
disrupt surface and ground water ecosystems, and improper management
of drilling and hydrofracking chemicals, drilling waste, and
wastewater could pollute surface water and/or groundwater.

Given the complexities of the environmental and policy issues under
consideration, the need for a one year suspension on the permitting
process for development of natural gas drilling in the Marcellus Shale
formation cannot be overstated. This will allow for a thorough,
deliberate and unrushed analysis of all factors involved.

PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
New bill.


FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
None.

EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately, and shall expire and be deemed
repealed on May 15, 2011.

S8129B-2009 Text

 S T A T E   O F   N E W   Y O R K
 
 8129--B
 I N  SENATE
 June 10, 2010
 
 Introduced  by  Sens.  THOMPSON,  OPPENHEIMER, PERKINS -- read twice and
 ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee  on
 Environmental  Conservation  -- reported favorably from said committee
 and committed to the Committee on Rules -- committee discharged,  bill
 amended,  ordered reprinted as amended and recommitted to said commit
 tee --  committee  discharged,  bill  amended,  ordered  reprinted  as
 amended and recommitted to said committee
 AN  ACT to suspend hydraulic fracturing; and providing for the repeal of
 such provisions upon the expiration thereof
 THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND  ASSEM
 BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

 

Section 1. There is hereby established a suspension of the issuance of
 new  permits  for  the drilling of a well which utilizes the practice of
 hydraulic fracturing for the purpose of stimulating natural gas  or  oil
 in  low  permeability  natural gas reservoirs, such as the Marcellus and
 Utica shale formations.
 The purpose of such suspension shall be to afford the  state  and  its
 residents  the  opportunity  to  continue the review and analysis of the
 effects of hydraulic fracturing on water and air quality,  environmental
 safety and public health.
 For  the  purposes  of this section, "hydraulic fracturing" shall mean
 the fracturing of rock by fluid for the purpose of  stimulating  natural
 gas or oil for any purpose.
 This  section shall not apply to permits issued prior to the effective
 date of this act which utilize hydraulic fracturing that are subject  to
 renewal.
 

S  2.  This act shall take effect immediately, and shall expire and be
 deemed repealed on May 15, 2011.
 EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
 [ ] is old law to be omitted.
 LBD17696-06-0

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